Track Day at Laguna Seca Raceway - Audi S4 2019 (B9) 12/14/2020

[@collinhenry8086]

Good driving! You should give the 034 discs a look. I run them on my B9 and they are solid performers and they'll send you a replacement disc set so you dont have to buy new hats, just new discs.

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Thanks. Replacing just discs saved a lot. I'll consider it.

[@gulfstorm99]

Excellent driving sir!

[@stuntinh]

Nice laps. Good to see another Audi at HPDE in NorCal

[@bretttufano924]

Hi Steven. Nice lines and video! I am on the East Coast but also track my car. I randomly came across your video while I was looking at track day videos of Laguna Seca. I had researched B9 S4's quite a bit because I was cross shopping them when I found my car. For brakes check out the company dynamic friction. They are sold at rockauto.com and specifically make track/street pads for your car. They are significantly cheaper than EBC pads and have a metallic hybrid composition. I have personally spoke with their engineers and used their active performance pads on the track and was very impressed. They actually test their pads on willow springs raceway. They also make Geomet rotors for your car which are made with high carbon alloy cast iron and will have similar quality to the stock audi rotors. EBC unfortunately does not have a good record of holding up well on the track. There are tons of bad reviews online. Best of luck with future track days!

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Thank you, Brett! Great tips! I'll try those pads. Always want other options than EBC pads. Please share other insights too. Appreciate it! Good luck on tracks too!

[@dj1669]

Just picked up my B9 S4. When is your next track day video coming out? I really enjoy them.

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Welcome to S4 B9 gang! So glad that you enjoyed them. I haven't planned to go back on track anytime soon... Maybe by the end of this year 😅

[@dj1669]

@@stevenstrackdays2687 thanks! Hope to see your next video soon!

[@minaguirguis8897]

Hi Steve, great video and you driving skills have improved dramatically from the previous videos you posted. I am sorry about your rotors and the damage caused by the yellow stuff brake pads. What a disappointment. Can the rotors drilled rotors be salvaged? Or do you need new ones.

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Thank you! It's my 6th time at Laguna Seca so I drove faster than my first time at Sonoma. I'm not sure whether they can be salvaged. The thickness wear limit is 2mm total (1mm on each side). But I'm worry about the labor cost. Resurfacing cost is usually low, but the labor cost of removing rotors and testing lateral runout can be high. I've bought a new pair of the same rotors. ECS Tuning doesn't sell ring replacement but they give me 10% off discount.

[@FQ1998]

Hey steven, i'm a big fan of your video. Pleas enligthen me. I am looking at the b9 s5 and the b9 rs5. They have the same engine variant ( different bore, and an extra turbo), the same transmission, same chassis. The premium is for brakes, custom rs suspension and small bits on the inside and outside. Can you tell me about all the differences beween these two cars. thank you.

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Hi Farouk. I think it's a very personal choice. I got S4 mainly for comfort daily driving, and occasionally for track days. My previous car was a Corolla. So, it's a huge jump to S4, and quite enough for me. I want to reach the car's limit before upgrading to stage1 or changing to RS series. RS5 is definitely better on track. Faster acceleration and faster corners. If you go track often and/or don't mind the $20000 extra, why not?

[@FQ1998]

@@stevenstrackdays2687 Thnks for the answer steven. Imagine putting just half of that premium into an s4, it would totally destroy it. Furthermore, 10 k would be enough for custom suspension, hybrid turbos, tune, alignment which would put you miles above any rs5, and you are saving money. no?

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

I'm not sure about the custom costs... Not sure 3rd parts available yet... But I like to upgrade things and feel it better gradually 🙂

[@midlifemods]

What track stats/display software are you using?

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

TrackAddict and RaceRender

[@dbmachinery039]

Hi! Did you check piston sealants of the front calipers? They ok or burned/damaged?

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Two of my sealants cracked after my second or third track day. They didn't burn or complete damaged. I never fixed them.

[@salimsanchez89]

I've now autocrossed a few times and taken my s4 out to one trackday. The front tire shoulder wear is excessive. Would you consider a little bit more front negative camber with adjustable upper control arms? I'm am considering this modification.

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Yes, I considered but not yet replaced. The SPC Performance arms are easier to adjust than the 034 Motor Sport ones. But 034 Motor Sport guys (in their video) said that the arms are easier to break in the middle. Let me know if you will replace. www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B9_S4-Quattro-3.0T/Suspension/Control_Arm/ www.spcalignment.com/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=81383&region=USA&make=Audi&model=S4&year=2019%20-%202019&from=USAFrom&to=USATo www.spcalignment.com/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=81388&region=USA&make=Audi&model=S4&year=2019%20-%202019&from=USAFrom&to=USATo store.034motorsport.com/density-line-adjustable-upper-control-arm-kit-b9-audi-a4-s4-a5-s5-allroad.html

[@salimsanchez89]

I recently purchased a used b9 s4 and plan on doing a few hpde's. I saw that esctuning has the blue stuff available but only for fronts. I wonder if running blue in front and yellow in rear would yield good results..

[@stevenwang372]

EBC pads are really bad on track. I used both blue front and yellow front. Both are overheated and got serious uneven wear. But for your question, yes I paired with yellow rear pads and no issues for rear pads as long as front pads are still good. I use Carbotech XP10 pads now.

[@salimsanchez89]

@@stevenwang372 good to know! Thank you. Do you drive the xp10s on the street? If so, how do they behave for street application?

[@stevenwang372]

@@salimsanchez89 No I don't. Not recommended for street from manufacturer.

[@Recka81]

Hi Steve, curious what you are using for lap timing/data recording and video recording. I'm doing a track day soon and love your setup. Thanks!

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

I used TrackAddict. Check it's website for recommendation of external GPS, OBD2 Bluetooth receiver and cellphone mount. I used two action cameras for video. For some video, I used two extra recorders: one under engine hood and one near exhaust. I will post a video about my setup soon.

[@Recka81]

@@stevenstrackdays2687 Thank you! What OBD receiver are you using? I was looking at Kiwi...

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

www.amazon.com/dp/B076XVQMVS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_DDQ9V2PVSVVTKFG73DBZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@Recka81]

Thank you! iPhone for video? I’ve tried mine and it’s shaky :(

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

I used insta360 one r for video. If you use phone, please get a very decent mount. I use this one www.amazon.com/dp/B000246ST6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_GMA6W8PDRNWW69YJVV95?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@markluo3347]

Hi Steven, awesome video, very useful for track day prep. What kind of pace you were running? (ratio between fast laps and cool down laps)

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Hi Mark. I don't usually cool down for the whole lap. There's a large empty area in the paddock so I cool down there for 2 minutes.

[@markluo3347]

@@stevenstrackdays2687 So hot lap every lap when you are on the track?

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Yes, hot lap when possible (brake feels good and no blocking cars). Please let me know if it's not recommended...

[@markluo3347]

@@stevenstrackdays2687 Hi Steven, I think it’s fine. It’s just my friend is going on a track day soon, but he can’t get his hands on aftermarket pads. So he has to use brand new oem pads. We are trying to figure a pace so that he can have some pad left for the journey back home. Do you have any suggestions?

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Does he own Audi S4 B9 too? OEM pads are good enough for first or second time track days. Just brake earlier. No need to push the brakes to its limit in initial track days.

[@nicksGLI]

I was there on 12/14 with NCRC in the Red VW Jetta GLI. Was able to run with you a bit here and there in the sessions. I found the Traction Control and Stability Control to be KILLING my brakes on the VW. I had to reprogram my car so that I could enable ECS Sport (and ECS Off, but haven't done that on track yet) and have it run less intrusive control systems. I am not saying you should experiment with turning some of the systems down as it increases risk factors, but, I know they heavily use the brakes to keep the car in a straight line. On track, you hit angles and g-forces that are necessary for effective driving but the car thinks you are on a street crashing. My audio failed, but for most of Session 4 I was behind you, if you want to see what your car/lines are like from the outside kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5eTamSwiq2Jmbc I am currently using StopTech Sport 309 pads, which are able to tolerate heat better, but I think I am going to go with Pagid RSL-29 endurance racing pads this coming year.

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Hi Nicholas. Nice to "meet" you here. I followed you in session 2 warm-up lap! Thanks for the thoughts about TCS. I know little about it. I'll do some research about my car's TCS, and try to turn it off for one or two sessions. I heard that they may cause uneven brake pads. I want to try more brands of brake pads, but I only find EBC pads available for my car. No StopTech pads. No 3rd party BBK. I think I have to keep using EBC pads for a while. Wish to meet you on track again.

[@nicksGLI]

@@stevenstrackdays2687 it's frustrating when you have a car without a lot of aftermarket support.. My car is definitely not supported well either...

[@stevenstrackdays2687]

Agree...