ForeverCar’s ITS Journal

[nix6speed]

I noticed you owned seven McLarens. Just curious since they haven't released very many modern models if the one with VW Corrado mirrors and taillights off a bus was one of them. ?

Sponsored

 

[ForeverCar]

I noticed you owned seven McLarens. Just curious since they haven't released very many modern models if the one with VW Corrado mirrors and taillights off a bus was one of them. ?

I wish! I missed the boat on that one. “Forever” car is a humorous ways for me to not take things too seriously. For most cars, I tend to sell them relatively soon after I have experienced them and come up with my thoughts on how they fit in to my overall “plan”. Modern McLaren cars are incredible cars in terms of performance and driving experience. However, long term ownership is a bit of a wild card still. But since they drive so amazing, I keep missing them and buy the “same” model again. I have had 2 675LT coupes, 3 720s coupes (still ha white one shared in this thread), and both 765 LT coupe & spider.

The F1 is definitely in a different class though. With the introduction of MP4-12C, McLaren has been releasing quite a few cars actually. Some might even say too many.

Maybe someday.

 

[ForeverCar]

I have been away from my ITS and certainly miss driving it! Since getting the car, I naturally are more aware of ITS on the road. However, I don’t think I have seen one driving around yet.

I got to enjoy the 720S at a 2-day 1/2-mile event. I mainly attend to hangout with my friends and support the organizer. Running a car is an added bonus. A completely stock 720S is quite impressive. Best run was 172mph and it consistently runs 169-170mph. The second day, it was practically having the runway all to myself!

 

[ForeverCar]

@optronix Have you decided on wheels? I would love to hear which Rays is your favorite (while offset likely deviates more from stock than you would like).

In the ideal scenario, are you looking for stock size and offset but much lighter than stock? I understand not wanting to mess with the engineering reasons behind the stock dimensions.

If anyone happens to have experience with white wheels, I would love to hear your perspectives. I cannot escape the thought of white wheels for the ITS. I worried they would be very high maintenance or would look crappy if left dirty.

 

[optronix]

@optronix Have you decided on wheels? I would love to hear which Rays is your favorite (while offset likely deviates more from stock than you would like).

In the ideal scenario, are you looking for stock size and offset but much lighter than stock? I understand not wanting to mess with the engineering reasons behind the stock dimensions.

If anyone happens to have experience with white wheels, I would love to hear your perspectives. I cannot escape the thought of white wheels for the ITS. I worried they would be very high maintenance or would look crappy if left dirty.

I have not completely landed on a wheel, but I am leaning sort of heavily towards Volk G025. I like them particularly in the Dark Amber/Clear variety, and they offer them in 19s with a +44 offset, which is pretty close to stock.

https://www.systemmotorsports.com/products/volk-racing-g025-da-c-19?variant=40033344618563

 

[StingertimeNC]

Tasty wheel. I'm thinking either APEX or Titan7 wheels. Both are good options, around 3k a set and under 20 lbs. (not that anybody asked me. )

 

[ForeverCar]

I have not completely landed on a wheel, but I am leaning sort of heavily towards Volk G025. I like them particularly in the Dark Amber/Clear variety, and they offer them in 19s with a +44 offset, which is pretty close to stock.

Stock is +60mm offset though, right?

 

[ForeverCar]

Tasty wheel. I'm thinking either APEX or Titan7 wheels. Both are good options, around 3k a set and under 20 lbs. (not that anybody asked me. )

APEX and Titan7 are solid choices for sure. Which one and what size & offset are you considering?

 

[optronix]

Stock is +60mm offset though, right?

It is, maybe I should have said "relatively close", because that's about as close as I can find for Japanese wheels. The Apex are tempting but even they are ~+45 last I checked, at least for the forged options. They seem like a very solid and popular pick. I'm not one of those "have to avoid the trends" type but I am more drawn to the G025. I won't know until I buy them, which probably won't be til March or so.

All that said, Zygrene has a great series of YouTube videos focusing on his experiences with his Type S, and much of it is on track. He is actually really good at translating his thoughts on all the cars he drives (and he drives a lot...), and he has convinced me that most of my fears around deviating from the factory configuration were unwarranted. He went with 18 x 9.5 +45 (maybe +38?) with 265/35s and says they're nearly perfect. I just think 19s look better but jury is out on which way I'll end up going.

He also went with Ohlins, which I am strongly considering as well based on his feedback- but that does warrant further consideration because this is primarily a road car after all. I don't want to sacrifice too much in the spirit of going faster around a racetrack... but also I don't really have a commute per se so maybe it's worth the compromise. I'll figure that out sometime after it gets warm again too.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I would do the 18 x 9.5, +45. I love going to the track, although I only go 4 days a year. I also love the 19's on the car, but we have almost no sidewall. So either have to go 275's on 19's or go 18's with 265 x 35. I plan on a 200 treadwear tire as well. Also plan to keep the stock rims and throw those on for most of the year. i don't drive a ton, so I can live with driving a 200 TW tire most of the time. Also live in NC so we don't get crazy winter stuff too often.

I'm dropped on Eibach pro-kit springs and running 15mm spacers in the front and 20mm spacers in the back. The Stance is so good. However, I'm not willing to run spacers at the track, so the +45 offset will give me the same overall look. The 265x35 tire should make it a bit easier to manage air pressures at the track too.

Big fan of Zygrene, and have been messaging him on the side for advice as well. he's a fantastic driver. Wish I could get him out to the east coast for a track meet-up at VIR.

A buddy of mine is running Apex VS5-RS on his camaro, with 100 TW tires and he loves the set-up. Seeing those wheels in person really made me want them. But so expensive. Titan7 may be a cost compromise. Same specs as Apex, even down to the weight, and they have a cool Y design wheel too.

 

[Integra23]

I would do the 18 x 9.5, +45. I love going to the track, although I only go 4 days a year. I also love the 19's on the car, but we have almost no sidewall. So either have to go 275's on 19's or go 18's with 265 x 35. I plan on a 200 treadwear tire as well. Also plan to keep the stock rims and throw those on for most of the year. i don't drive a ton, so I can live with driving a 200 TW tire most of the time. Also live in NC so we don't get crazy winter stuff too often.

I'm dropped on Eibach pro-kit springs and running 15mm spacers in the front and 20mm spacers in the back. The Stance is so good. However, I'm not willing to run spacers at the track, so the +45 offset will give me the same overall look. The 265x35 tire should make it a bit easier to manage air pressures at the track too.

Big fan of Zygrene, and have been messaging him on the side for advice as well. he's a fantastic driver. Wish I could get him out to the east coast for a track meet-up at VIR.

A buddy of mine is running Apex VS5-RS on his camaro, with 100 TW tires and he loves the set-up. Seeing those wheels in person really made me want them. But so expensive. Titan7 may be a cost compromise. Same specs as Apex, even down to the weight, and they have a cool Y design wheel too.

Can't wait to have my setup match yours. Have the springs and spacers.
I wouldn't go with smaller wheels though. 19 forged would be the preferred. I'm really hoping someone throws some NSX 20s on this thing.. love to see what that would look like.

 

[ForeverCar]

It is, maybe I should have said "relatively close", because that's about as close as I can find for Japanese wheels. The Apex are tempting but even they are ~+45 last I checked, at least for the forged options. They seem like a very solid and popular pick. I'm not one of those "have to avoid the trends" type but I am more drawn to the G025. I won't know until I buy them, which probably won't be til March or so.

All that said, Zygrene has a great series of YouTube videos focusing on his experiences with his Type S, and much of it is on track. He is actually really good at translating his thoughts on all the cars he drives (and he drives a lot...), and he has convinced me that most of my fears around deviating from the factory configuration were unwarranted. He went with 18 x 9.5 +45 (maybe +38?) with 265/35s and says they're nearly perfect. I just think 19s look better but jury is out on which way I'll end up going.

He also went with Ohlins, which I am strongly considering as well based on his feedback- but that does warrant further consideration because this is primarily a road car after all. I don't want to sacrifice too much in the spirit of going faster around a racetrack... but also I don't really have a commute per se so maybe it's worth the compromise. I'll figure that out sometime after it gets warm again too.

On my FK8 CTR, I had 18x9.5 +45 wheels with A052. That was an amazing setup. For 200 TW, A052 is one of the best ones.

For the most part, the different than stock offset is fine. Depending on what trade offs is acceptable to an individual though. One cannot really cheat physics (technology can get close though). In certain condition, more torque steer can be felt with +45 vs +60 offset.

 

[ForeverCar]

I would do the 18 x 9.5, +45. I love going to the track, although I only go 4 days a year. I also love the 19's on the car, but we have almost no sidewall. So either have to go 275's on 19's or go 18's with 265 x 35. I plan on a 200 treadwear tire as well. Also plan to keep the stock rims and throw those on for most of the year. i don't drive a ton, so I can live with driving a 200 TW tire most of the time. Also live in NC so we don't get crazy winter stuff too often.

I'm dropped on Eibach pro-kit springs and running 15mm spacers in the front and 20mm spacers in the back. The Stance is so good. However, I'm not willing to run spacers at the track, so the +45 offset will give me the same overall look. The 265x35 tire should make it a bit easier to manage air pressures at the track too.

Big fan of Zygrene, and have been messaging him on the side for advice as well. he's a fantastic driver. Wish I could get him out to the east coast for a track meet-up at VIR.

A buddy of mine is running Apex VS5-RS on his camaro, with 100 TW tires and he loves the set-up. Seeing those wheels in person really made me want them. But so expensive. Titan7 may be a cost compromise. Same specs as Apex, even down to the weight, and they have a cool Y design wheel too.

Car looks great, @StingertimeNC! Which 200 TW tires are you considering? The RE-71RS are pretty awesome too (I had these on a different car). The A052 is kinda the standard. The new Potenza Race looks interesting too (lighter than RE-71RS according to TireRack specs).

Looks wise, I agree that +15mm front and +20mm rear track width per side looks the best. I am still considering +45mm front wheels and +40mm rear wheels. However, that would prevent tire rotation. But no spacers and perfect look though.

Wheels get expensive quick for sure.

 

[ForeverCar]

Can't wait to have my setup match yours. Have the springs and spacers.
I wouldn't go with smaller wheels though. 19 forged would be the preferred. I'm really hoping someone throws some NSX 20s on this thing.. love to see what that would look like.

20s might not look too good if diameter is kept stock. Look at the FK8 CTR, the sidewall gets so think it looks kinda wrong IMO.

 

[ForeverCar]

@optronix and @StingertimeNC I have watched and enjoy many of @Zygrene videos as well. I imagine I would enjoy meeting Zygrene one of these days and I appreciate the videos he produces.

I am interested in an Ohlins setup as well. My ideal would be keeping stock ride height and stock spring rates. However, I am not sure if the Ohlins has the same potential damper stroke as stock or they are meant for lowered ride heights and reduced stroke.

It looks like the ITS race car is sold out. When a new local track is builts (it has a membership setup like some other facilities), I would love to have an ITS race car for dedicated track duties!

Sponsored