Maintenance/replacement schedule

I've seen some folks contribute some of thier experience and recommendations on replacing some components. Anytime we can replace parts prior to complete failure can not only save us money and time, it could also save our lives. Maybe we could put everyones thoughts in one thread for future reference.

I'll start with an easy one. The GTS manual says 10 hours for an oil change.:smile:

This should get some interesting answers. We use Redline synthetic oil and change every "few" events which is probably 3-5 hrs. I know some that change every event and that seems like too often, but maybe cheap insurance. I think with synthetic oils and no adverse events (eg overheating etc) 5-10hrs should be fine.

In aircraft it is common to send a sample for analysis (eg Blackstone labs $20) to follow viscosity and metal trends. I may start doing this in the race car too.

Kevin
GTS

Figure 2 hours of running per person per day = 8 hours of use max... running w/ NASA it's normally more like 6 for the weekend. So... we change the oil w/ Amsoil syn every 2 events.

Changed the trans/diff when we bought it back in 10/2007 so will be changing those this off-season. Will just change them annually from now on. But we did just have new diff fluid put in w/ the new 3.89 gears.

New plugs once a year too.

As for mechanicals.... well our suspension, heims, etc. etc. are all new. We put new spindles on per Panoz's recommendation and kept the old ones as spares. I inspect those closely.

We have a spare set of hubs too. I will be swapping those on this winter and servicing the ones we take off.

All working Fluids should be changed out during the off season. This includes coolant (water for us racers), power steering fluid, and brake fluid in addition to tranny, engine and diff.

I agree with Brian in that front spindles should be changed every other year, with a magnifluxing in between. I found cracks in both of mine after I bought the car. Rear links should also be changed out (and increased in diameter) especially if you increase engine HP. Brakes are normal maintenance items, both rotors and pads. Shocks are also a re-build or maintenance part on a yearly basis. Kinda depends on the track surfaces that you race/drive on. If the tracks are smooth, then the shocks may last longer.

Plugs and wires are also a good yearly change out. Keep the last set of wires for spares at the track.

I'm gonna replace the seals in the diff this off season because they are leaking a bit. U-joints will probably get changed out too.