[JazzCatGab]

At my first PCA HPDE, sponsored by my local dealership, I had my lug bolts checked by the dealership mechanics on the second day. The bolts remained tight the entire time. However, every book on the subject advises checking the lug bolt torque multiple times per track day. So in prep for my next DE, I've gone out and purchased a click torque wrench and a 19mm deep socket. The question is, should I exchange the special lug bolt per wheel with a regular lug bolt for track days so that I can easily check the torque of all five bolts per tire with the same socket? What do you do?

The second question is, does anyone recommend extending the wing manually for the entire circuit of the track (and all circuits) or is that even worth doing? The only time the wing deploys currently is down the only long straight and in the first 90-degree turn. I don't think I get faster than 78 mph in all the other short straights and turns, though hopefully that will happen some day.

And thirdly (a bonus question) would a rear diffuser be of any value to a rookie on an unmodified base Cayman. Does anyone have one installed? This may be somewhat rediculous as I will rarely track the car.

 

[RussellHodgson]

As a new DE participant I would not make any changes to your car. I'd focus on driving it well, hitting your line, etc.

As for the lug bolts, I do not check them throughout the day and have never had a problem. They get checked once in the morning at the tech line.

I let the car deal with the rear spoiler. I goes up at 75, but doesn't go down until you are under around 50 I think. So it will be up most of the time, unless you are in a very slow corner.

 

[InTgr8r]

@JazzCatGab

• Using regular bolt in place of security bolt;
  Thats what I do, and its definitely much easier, especially if you use dedicated track wheels.
• A note of caution regarding checking wheel torque throughout the day;
  When the wheels are warm/hot the torque values will be much higher.
  But checking @ 118 will at least confirm that one is not loose.
  The issue becomes what re-torque value to use if you do have a loose one on a hot wheel.
• There is no value in extending the wing full time as it only becomes effective at or about the speed it deploys.
  Running at lower speed just adds drag.
• There are no effective rear diffusers for our cars that I'm aware of.
  To be effective it requires extensive under car design as has been done with the 718 GT4.

 

[JazzCatGab]

@JazzCatGab

• Using regular bolt in place of security bolt;
  Thats what I do, and its definitely much easier, especially if you use dedicated track wheels.
• A note of caution regarding checking wheel torque throughout the day;
  When the wheels are warm/hot the torque values will be much higher.
  But checking @ 118 will at least confirm that one is not loose.
  The issue becomes what re-torque value to use if you do have a loose one on a hot wheel.
• There is no value in extending the wing full time as it only becomes effective at or about the speed it deploys.
  Running at lower speed just adds drag.
• There are no effective rear diffusers for our cars that I'm aware of.
  To be effective it requires extensive under car design as has been done with the 718 GT4.

Thanks @InTgr8r for your advice. I was really wondering about if I was being a duffus not raising my wing. Just seemed like any down force in a turn would be a good thing back there. But of course, everything on the track seems to have a ying and yang. I saw some diffusers for sale that had the open screened back and channeling wings in between but didn't know if there was enough air being sucked up into the engine compartment at the rear area to make a diffuser effective on my car. But the air probably has to be channeled up and then the openings can't be that big, so I can see where these wouldn't be that effective.

 

[Merlotsj]

The rear “wing” on our cars isn’t a wing, it is a spoiler. Above a certain speed, the airflow will actually create lift at the rear; the spoiler is designed to, well, spoil this nice stream of air and prevent the lift. A wing, on the other hand, does add downforce, how much depends on the design and the airspeed passing over it. It also induces drag, the skill comes in adding more downforce and less drag.
InTgr8r is correct, deploying the spoiler at low speed does nothing but add drag.

 

[phroenips]

For checking lug bolt torque, be sure to wait until the wheels cool down before checking them

 

[silvia718]

I check my lug bolts once at the start of each track day and then leave it. I just use the adapter for the one bolt that is special. It hasn't really been an issue. I check that one first and leave it on the bolt so I can keep track of which bolts have been checked. I also leave the spoiler alone and let it do it's thing. One thing you might want to consider is checking your tire pressure throughout the day. I will let air out if the pressure gets too high so I have more traction. I tend to target 35psi on all 4 corners (hot). I have 19" wheels I use for the track with Continental Extreme Contact tires. Of course tire pressure depends on weather conditions and where you live. I'm in the Pacific NW.