just wondering if anyone uses their AT on a track?

i was thinking about doing it in mine. what kinda things different do you have done to track an AT besides the obvious suspension and braking mods?

 

uhm, well we're gonna be slower

 

subtly useless...

 

oh shut up, apart from that, theres really no difference, we actually will come up pretty close because of our shift time, and easier response time

 

"The slowest guy in the slowest class is having more fun than the guy sitting in the bleachers" From you know who

 

There was another thread awhile back about tracking a AT. To my knowledge someone said that there isnt much difference. You'll most likely be spending most of your time in 2nd Gear and every so often you'll be in 3rd and never seeing 4th (not like any of us use it unless cruising).

 

thats what i was figuring with the gearing.

is there any upgrades to the cooling system that should be done? seems like it would heat up more at the higher RPM's. has anyone added a second cooler on the passenger side of an AT? i don't think i have seen one yet.

 

I tracked mine. Water temps never got higher than 211. But it was in the low 70s. I've put on the Mazmart water pump since then. I'm hoping to eventually add a second oil cooler, and possibly an upgraded radiator.

 

I'm probably gonna track mine after I get Ray's Radiator, god damn it!!

 

get that extra oil cooler, you're gonna need it if you want to get more laps on the track.

 

He hasn't payed me even a buck, but seriously, for anyone who wishes to track their AT 8, I highly recommend you get his upgraded radiator

 

I tracked mine a couple times with no real mods except better brake fluid and pads. It is all 2nd and 3rd gear, and was surprisingly fast compared to alot of cars. Other than really deep hairpin type turns where you have no torque coming out, you can stay in the high revs, brake late as hell, and just paddle shift.
If I were gonna track it on a consistent basis, I would do a second oil cooler, the screens, and a radiator. Charles R and others are right - cooling is your main issue. Have a good mechanic check it out too. Mazcare does all my checking, and confidence in your car helps alot on track.
Take out the back seats - it is easy and saves weight.

I bought a beater Miata for track duty, but I yearn to take the 8 back out there..

 

^ you can take the deep hair pin turns if you drift, and yes, the paddle shifters becomes handy more than you think on the track

 

Paul at Mazmart now has the extra oil cooler kit for ~ $700

Mian thing is to change the brake fluid and have good pads.

 

for the 4 ATs? btw, is the extra oil cooler kit better than the OEM ones? thats a pretty steep price

 

It is an OEM oil cooler and lines to add the 2nd oil cooler to your car, just like our MT cars have from the factory.

 

oh okay, just checking, so basically the 6ATs don't need them, because we already come with 2 oil coolers

 

Do the 6port a/ts come with 2 oil coolers? I know that the 6 port m/t does. There are several after market coolers on the market for some good prices (much better than shown). Now the a/t needs two oil coolers but also needs additional trans cooling. look at the radiator a/t reservoir and you will see. Now I've not yet seen the new Paradox Performance radiator but I did see the preliminary requests for cooling efficiency that Ray requested of the manufacturer. I will be removing my trans coolers after the install of the radiator. I will be checking the temps on the oil coolers also and they may not be needed either (speculation on my part). If your tracking an a/t you will need additional a/t cooling.

 

Phil, all 6ATs come with 2 oil cooler, Ill show u some pics of my car,

I am definitly buying Ray's radiator, however, I won't be taking off my ATF cooler, I need all the cooling I can get for what I'm planning on my car (which ofcourse I won't be posting the results on this god forsaken forum, but atilla can probably tell u all about it)

 

why is it that the 6 port AT is still slower than the 6 port MT
rawr makes me mad

EDIT: i would love MT but someone has yet to teach me to drive one. would hate to experiment on an 8

 

^

1500 fewer rpm, and more driveline losses from the transmission.

 

o cool... but thats only in the upper range then?

 

ive tracked mine and i have the 04 base model and i ran a 17.2 in a 1/4 mile and the only upgrades are a borla Exhaust

 

track or drag?

 

The driveline losses will probalby occur across the entire power band. But yes, the rpms limitation on the auto only affects the last 1500 rpms.