Track spares: Things you might need to bring to the track!

[Tearlessj]

When I first started going to drift events, I brought a ton of spare parts. Now I only bring things that I might really need.

Lets list some of the stuff you have had go bad or seen good bad at drift/road racing events.

Stuff I had go bad:
Inner tie rods
Broken welded diff
Altima fan
T-bolt clamps


Stuff I've seen:
Broken wheel studs
Spinning wheel studs
Axles
Turbos
and the most common, the one I almost see at every event!

Clutch Hydraulic issues. Almost every event someones clutch master goes out.

[mr2thomas]

in my opinion, t bolt clamps suck. if their sizing isnt perfect, it clamps in an oval and causes a leak.

Swap out all your T-bolts for regular worm clamps. As recommended by many tuners i meet.

Also, bring:
extra Arms
extra axles

Things people should bring but never do:
Jumper cables (in case your shit dies and no one else has jumper cables and a push start wont do)
voltmeter (diagnose any electrical problems)
fuses
electric tape (in case of fucked up fender harness or so)
regular wire (in case a harness fucks up and needs to be repaired or even for general testing)

[jacobzking]

i'd say at the top of the list: brake rotors and pads

[Hashiriya415]

Helps a lot to build a 240sx ground up, with lots of quality brand new parts. I almost got $18k into my s13 now.
Some of the stuff that is to expensive to buy new, just get 2nd hand and make sure it works properly. For example, MAF, ignitor, ignition coil(s). Crank sensor

[slider2828]

Worm gears? Really? you talking that cheap stuff?

Cause t-bolts by far work better if put on properly

[thefro526]

Stuff I've seen:
Broken wheel studs
Spinning wheel studs
Axles
Turbos
and the most common, the one I almost see at every event!


Friend of mine used to DD/Drift his 350z and must've broken/spun at least two studs per event. Moral of the story is don't use an impact gun and don't over torque wheels.

I've also seen tons of broken axles, diffs, people bending SUSP arms, bent tie rods, chipped wheels etc.

One thing that people tend to forget is a set of tires to drive home on. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone leave an event with destroyed rear tires and expect to get home like that. So sketchy.

[jacobzking]

Worm gears? Really? you talking that cheap stuff?

Cause t-bolts by far work better if put on properly

lol... i'm gonna have to go with the OP here. I fucking HATE my t-clamps and they are decent quality. i think i'll replace all of mine with worm gears.

[slider2828]

they plop off? I have only blow open 1 t clamp on a very hot day on the track, but doesn't happen often... Worm gears like destroy the silicone

[jacobzking]

yeah, my 240 left me stranded a few days ago because one popped off and I left my 11mm wrench at home (which stays in my center console for that very reason but I put it in my track day bag and forgot to put it back in the car after the last event) :( worm gears will DIG in to the silicone which is good. if its dug in, it won't go anywhere, can't slip off like a t-clamp. smooth metal on smooth silicon = slip under pressure.

[dawagarage]

water. to fight dehydration and if your radiator overflows

[slider2828]

yeah, my 240 left me stranded a few days ago because one popped off and I left my 11mm wrench at home (which stays in my center console for that very reason but I put it in my track day bag and forgot to put it back in the car after the last event) :( worm gears will DIG in to the silicone which is good. if its dug in, it won't go anywhere, can't slip off like a t-clamp. smooth metal on smooth silicon = slip under pressure.

The best way, is actually clean the pipes and silicon.... hairspray and clamp on... will never come off.....

[K_style]

I know what's best thing you could bring..

AAA membership or a friend who has it.

[hOngsterr]

^^ one of the best post, i agree.

[future]

I work for AAA

A memebet ship will always get you home (:

[fckillerbee]

zipties, tires, fluids, tools, jack with stands,....and money. Money fixes all these.

[Hashiriya415]

I don't know what's up with you guys having problems with T-clamps, but they are the best. Make 100% seal all around. Worm clamps DO NOT seal all the way around.
I don't know what kind of t-clamps you guys have, but I can crush my aluminum pipes with mine if I wanted to. My t-clamps are so tight they dug into silicone and are flush with silicone. And they have nylon to keep nut from spinning off. Beads on pipes is a must. After I tighten them down I test to see if pipe will come off, I put about 200lbs of pulling force on the pipe.

[DJPimpFlex]

Things I bring to a track day.

Extra wheels with tires already mounted - Saves TONS of time
zip ties
all fluids
jack and 2 stands
my track tool set
impact gun
torque wrench
tons of OEM sized bolts
truck and trailer - fuck driving to the track
wiring stuff

Most important thing I find is to spend money on quality parts and prepare before you show up at the track. Change your spark plugs and oil. Bolt check before every event and use loctite on everything.

[mr2thomas]

they plop off? I have only blow open 1 t clamp on a very hot day on the track, but doesn't happen often... Worm gears like destroy the silicone

I haven't personally blown a t-clamp, I'm just saying from my experience and all the cars that come into dyno at the shop i used to work at, they leak slightly all the time. Every car we tune, we would pressurize the charge pipes and t clamps have high chance of leaking. On all the FD race cars, we run regular style clamps
Alot of times they dont pop, but the leak slightly. Alot of people dont notice because most people dont actually pressure test their system.

In comparison, worm clamps dont leak as much, and don't damage your hose as much as you would think. Quality hose isnt that weak either.

T bolts can clamp tight, but they tend to clamp in an oval and allow a leak. Worms generally always clamp round.

[mr2thomas]

T-bolts work. But for some they don't.

However, regular clamps aren't horrible. They are dependable and work well and doesnt make me worry about leaks.

Can't be that bad if its on Aasbo's car
http://www.fluxauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JEF3036-L.jpg

[thefro526]

I work for AAA

A memebet ship will always get you home (:

We've always had AAA in our family, it's saved our assess more times than I can count, especially when my brother used to have a sketchy Turbo MR2 that broke every 100 miles or so.

Question though: Has anyone actually used AAA at a track? Like can you call them and say 'Hey, I'm at such and such raceway and need a tow' or would you have to move the car?

[onehundredoctane]

Question though: Has anyone actually used AAA at a track? Like can you call them and say 'Hey, I'm at such and such raceway and need a tow' or would you have to move the car?

Why would'nt they? You could've just been at the race track spectating :)


I laughed when I saw the spinning wheel stud in the first post, just had my first one recently :( invest in drill bits and cutting oil!
http://carolinanissans.com/spotlight/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wheelstud-1024x575.jpg

[jackal264]

for every event i bring replacement arms, couplers, clamps, fluids, decent portable tool set, extra studs and nuts

[jackal264]

We've always had AAA in our family, it's saved our assess more times than I can count, especially when my brother used to have a sketchy Turbo MR2 that broke every 100 miles or so.

Question though: Has anyone actually used AAA at a track? Like can you call them and say 'Hey, I'm at such and such raceway and need a tow' or would you have to move the car?


i called them once but we moved the car outside of the track grounds and the first driver basically told me to fuck off so i called back and they sent a second driver who was cool and towed me.

[fullthrottle]

I've had aaa come get my car from inside a track. Not a problem in the slightest. Kind of expected actually. Wasn't even my insurance it was some dude watching. We just said he was riding with me.

[KravingAKouki]

We had to tow my brothers car after needing to get it outta the house and onto a lift, and the guys from AAA asked if we had any modifications on it, after we told him no he said that they can only tow stock cars with no mods. I guess he didnt see the exhaust but for the most part he was cool. Some guys do visual inspections and one guy actually told us he would get under the car to check sometimes

[thefro526]

We had to tow my brothers car after needing to get it outta the house and onto a lift, and the guys from AAA asked if we had any modifications on it, after we told him no he said that they can only tow stock cars with no mods. I guess he didnt see the exhaust but for the most part he was cool. Some guys do visual inspections and one guy actually told us he would get under the car to check sometimes

That's weird, I've had AAA tow an array of cars before, FC, S13, Modified S13, Slammed 3000gt, Modified MR2 (350whp or so), Stock/Modified E46, a few Hondas, etc and never gotten hassled.

Hell, I was in an S14 that hugged a pole once, dude towed it without asking a single question other than 'y'all kids alright? Need me to stop at the ER?'.

[future]

It all depends on the driver and company. We have the right to refuse if we don't want to. Aka we dont want to damage your modified car with godspeed parts that broke and now your wheel are sitting sideways

[Matej]

AAA does not want to tow lowered cars anymore.

[KravingAKouki]

my only guess was may he was going more towards modified suspension as in lowered because itd be a bitch to get on the flatbed

[hOngsterr]

AAA does not want to tow lowered cars anymore.

edgar the guy with the Z32 got his car towed from track when his motor blew, he was lowered, it was in april, i just got my car towed to a shop too, i dont know if location matters, but california is still towing lowered cars, it depends on the company i guess, but when i call in i just request for a flatbed, and done deal, AAA plus is a must, towing up to 100 miles.

[sharpe_corners]

In canada we have a premier which is 160 bucks iirc which gives us 4x 200km(120miles) and 1x 320km (200 miles)

I have 4 of them. I use them ALL the time. They are all in friends names etc.

[future]

It all depends on the towing company

[Jaketenpointo]

Ive had USAA tow service ask if my car was lowered just so they knew to bring a flat bed. It wasn't even that low, but I could see turning down the tow because it might be a pain in the ass with a SLAMMED car. Haha.

[mantas]

Well to the t-bolt issue. My friend blew one at the track. But here is the kicker, i had my standard clamps and had multiple leaks, threw on the t-bolt clamps and have not had one issue since.

Id also suggest spare rims with good tires and definitely friends that know how to wrench.

[jonsusoju]

When I first started going to drift events, I brought a ton of spare parts. Now I only bring things that I might really need.

Lets list some of the stuff you have had go bad or seen good bad at drift/road racing events.

Stuff I had go bad:
Inner tie rods
Broken welded diff
Altima fan
T-bolt clamps


Stuff I've seen:
Broken wheel studs
Spinning wheel studs
Axles
Turbos
and the most common, the one I almost see at every event!

Clutch Hydraulic issues. Almost every event someones clutch master goes out.

about that clutch hydraulic issue. i went up to HTM a few weeks ago. had back to back track time for about 3 hours (rest ever 45 minutes for 15 minutes) my clutch seemed to have less "snap" into it on the drive home. i noticed it persisting for a while, then a few days later it went back to normal operation. but then i noticed when i stay in fifth gear for a 30 minute cruise on the highway, when i shift down on the offramp i feel that "less snappy" feel. clutch master issue? or maybe a clutch line expansion issue.

fyi fluids are all between min and max...

[SomeoneWhoIsntMe]

As far as AAA towing, I live in Michigan, and I've seen plenty of modded cars towed. Year and a half ago when a friend threw a rocker in his SR, AAA towed his S14.5 home. Just had to take the front bumper off to get it on the flatbed.

Same friend more recently had a GS300 with an Aristo 2JZ that stopped running because it cooked the coilpacks. Called AAA, asked for a flatbed, normal tow truck showed up, then that guy called for a flatbed when he saw the car was slammed. We had the hood open, car was obviously modded (FMIC and intake in addition to being dumb low), and never did we have a problem.

Sounds like the tow drivers elsewhere were just being dicks.

[stockdrift]

Liability if the car is to low they can rip parts right off. aaa sub contracts all tows to local guys.if they think it's a risk they have the rite ,as far as track must. Bring a driving home spare set of tires. If you live in hot weather have a spare fuel pump . If you have aftermarket arms bring a set of good oem ones and plenty of distiller water

[iamtheyi]

about that clutch hydraulic issue. i went up to HTM a few weeks ago. had back to back track time for about 3 hours (rest ever 45 minutes for 15 minutes) my clutch seemed to have less "snap" into it on the drive home. i noticed it persisting for a while, then a few days later it went back to normal operation. but then i noticed when i stay in fifth gear for a 30 minute cruise on the highway, when i shift down on the offramp i feel that "less snappy" feel. clutch master issue? or maybe a clutch line expansion issue.

fyi fluids are all between min and max...

Lol I have this same problem. I'll let you know how it goes. Going to change the slave and master probably next week some time.

[Giebs]

I've seen a head gasket blow...but who wants to change that on the track, lol.

[slydin240sx]

^wtf is this bullshit?

[Gold Zenki]

about using worm clams, and asbos set up... look at it closely where the hell do u think the clamps are gonna go? slide off lol. i think what mostly matters is if the pipes are bead rolled, and position of pipes, couplers. in other words without the coupler on can u move or slide the pipe back and forth much between the connecting pipes, is thee wiggle room giving slack to the pipe to blow off.. ive blown about 10 couplers with worm clamps replaced with tbolt in those areas and never again. and as for pressure test yes to about 25psi and not a leak i can leave it like that till i get old.

[Mofuhcka]

Back to the towing situation, my dad said the only modifications they care about is how lowered it is. Only because it is a hassle to get some of them up there. He also said he doesnt know why any engine mods would be a problem.