track experiences with the 4AT
 

While this really isn't a performance mod question, I thought it would get more views here than anywhere else...

I'm taking my car to the track for the first time in a few weeks, and I was just wondering if any 4AT (or 6AT, for that matter) owners had done some track days, and if so what experiences/advice you might have.

Thanks!

Really depends on what you have done to your car so far.
I have been to the track on stock - (except changing to 18 inch rims/tires) and first thing you realise is the car has alot of body roll. Other issues I faced also, before and after modding, are.....

1) overheating issues -both oil and water

2) stability issues

3) not enough power

4) Don't use AD07 in the rain

Been in the twistys many times never over heat. But thats different than the track. When you see a car pulling a way from you. Know when to push your car and when not to or you can be ridding home in a tow truck.

Yeah, I figure I'll keep a close eye on the water temp throughout the day. I've got the scangauge so hopefully I'll notice when it is creeping up.

I'm going to be more focused on learning the basics and running a smooth line than going super fast. Of course that's easy to say until, like you say, you see another car pulling away from you :)

Figure I'll tell my instructor that I want to drive my car in a spirited fashion but I don't want to abuse it too much, so hopefully he'll have some good advice.

I tracked my 4AT on two different weekends before I got a different car for track.

Never had any overheating issues, and ambient temps were in the low 80's (track sessions were set at 20-25 mins).
Make sure you have lots of pad life, good tires, all the basics and I would suggest getting your brake fluid switched to ATE Super Blue or you will boil it/get mushy pretty early.

You don't have to just stay "spirited". On most tracks, you won't see 4th gear in an AT. Slower twisties will have you in 2nd which will beep at about 78mph, and you can wind 3rd to just under 120 - good luck getting there. Depending on the track, you WILL find a turn or two that you don't have the right gear. Try a couple options, but just deal with it - that is the limitation of the tall gearing. And don't try downshifting to second when rpm's are too high during braking - it will say no and you will be stuck mid turn in 3rd. Good thing is, with paddles, you can basically shift anywhere.

Unless you are out there with seriously experienced drivers, you will out handle almost anything in the turns, and be surprised how many point bys you get. Yeah, the mustangs and vettes are gonna walk you on the straights, but you can brake way later than them and will be right back on them.

You will have a blast, and you will chew on your pads and tires. AT isn't geared right for track, and as you get out there, you will see what I mean. But you will have a hella good time.

After driving Phil's SC 8, I would like to take that thing on the track! Hell I want to SC my 8 then take it on the track lol

Yeah, I've always thought the gearing in the trans is our "weakest link". That's why I went ahead with the 4.77 ring and pinion. Definitely makes it more fun to drive. I'm hoping that will help some on the track.

On the track I'm going to, the MT guys top out around 90, so I'm guessing I won't get much out of second gear (my second gear tops out at 70 now with the new rear gear). In fact, I could easily see me driving the entire track in second gear.

Oh, and I've already bought the ATE Super Blue brake fluid from DPE (forum vendor). Got my helmet from them too. Great customer service!

Hey how much was that Mazmart differential with 4.77 gear?

Well, I got the FEED gear from JonDemand. That was 675 I think with shipping. But that was back in January. Mazmart charged me 450 for the differential build (including some machining they had to do on the FEED gear to get it to work properly), plus a 500 core deposit. I got the 500 back when I sent in my old diff. I paid a mechanic about 450 to install the diff, but he's the cousin of a good friend so I probably got a good deal on that. It was about 50 bucks for Paul at Mazmart to ship me the diff, and about 50 for me to ship the old diff back.

So total cost to me was about 1700. It doesn't give you huge gains, so it is hard to say if it is worth it or not, but I'm glad I have it. It makes the car more fun to me, lets me get into the upper revs more quickly. But you aren't going to get huge gains from this, so if you are on a tight budget and are saving for FI or something you might want to pass it up.

I definitely highly recommend Mazmart. Paul was great about keeping me up to date, and the quality is top notch. This diff feels much smoother than the factory diff. Of course, considering who built it (Rick Engman) I'm not suprised. I'm proud to say part of my car was built by such a talented and prestigious guy.

Sam at JonDemand was also great to deal with, but he moved on to another vendor. He's still on the forum, so you can look him up.

There is another vendor I saw that sells the FEED gear, I believe it is Mazdaparts.com

Do you guys know what the best way to deal with a spinout in the auto is? Transmission-wise I mean. I don't plan on spinning out, but it does happen. My concern is the type of spin where you end up rolling backwards. I'm sure the MT guys just push the clutch in, but we don't have that option.

My best guess is that when you lose it you shift to neutral - am I correct?

Since you won't stall the car in the auto DONT WORRY ABOUT THE TRANS if you spin or lose control. Being your first time out there you don't want to overburden your brain. There will be plenty of other things that will race through your mind. Just do your best to regain control of the car and keep the shiny side up using the steering wheel, gas and brake.

You instructor may give you some pointers on how to use the throttle to regain traction in some instances so having the car in neutral would be detrimental to those techniques.

neutral might lead to no control where gas and brake will.

Yeah -

better to try and counter steer than throw your car in neutral and let it keep swinging. I've had the unfortunate opportunity to find out which was a better idea because of a couple of turns around my neighborhood...

best of luck out there in the track btw!

Good points by all! Thanks!