Car setups · by platform
Your car, set up for the track.
Alignment starting points, tires, brake pads, the known issues to fix first and a mod roadmap for the cars people actually take to track days. Every number links to its source.
29 of 29 platforms
- BMW · 2016–2021RWDM2 F87The F87 M2 is a short, wide, punchy coupe that feels more playful than the bigger M3 and M4.-3.3° F12 sources
- BMW · 1995–1999RWDM3 E36The US E36 M3 is one of the most forgiving rear-drive track cars you can buy: modest power, a long wheelbase, communicative steering and huge parts support.-3.3° F11 sources
- BMW · 2001–2006RWDM3 E46The E46 M3 pairs an 8,000 rpm naturally aspirated six with a balanced, predictable chassis, and it remains one of the best all-round track cars of its era.-3.3° F12 sources
- BMW · 2008–2013RWDM3 E90The only V8 M3 and the last naturally aspirated one: an 8,300 rpm engine in a stable, grippy chassis that is easy to drive fast.-2.0° F10 sources
- BMW · 2015–2020RWDM3 / M4 F80The F80 M3 and F82 M4 bring big turbocharged torque and a sophisticated multi-link rear end, so they are very fast out of the box.-3.3° F12 sources
- Chevrolet · 2017–2024RWDCamaro SS 1LE 6thThe SS 1LE is GM's track package for the Alpha-platform Camaro: FE4 magnetic dampers derived from the ZL1, an electronic limited-slip differential, six-piston Brembo fronts, and a factory track-cooling package for engine oil, transmission and differential.-2.5° F11 sources
- Chevrolet · 2005–2013RWDCorvette (base / Z51 / Grand Sport / Z06) C6The C6 keeps the C5 recipe of transaxle, double wishbones and transverse composite leaf springs, but with more power and better brakes.-1.7° F16 sources
- Chevrolet · 2014–2019RWDCorvette Stingray Z51 / Grand Sport / Z06 C7The C7 is the most track-ready front-engine Corvette from the factory: Z51 and Grand Sport cars get a dry sump, electronic limited-slip differential, transmission and differential cooling and brake ducts, and GM even publishes a track alignment.-2.0° F11 sources
- Chevrolet · 2001–2004RWDCorvette Z06 C5The C5 Z06 is one of the best-value fast cars on any paddock: a light, near-balanced (53/47) transaxle chassis with a torquey LS6 and fixed-roof stiffness.-1.7° F15 sources
- Ford · 2005–2014 (focus: 2011–2014 Coyote cars)RWDMustang GT / Boss 302 S197The Coyote-era S197 is a heavy, honest, solid-axle track car: front struts, a three-link live axle located by a Panhard bar, and a rev-happy 5.0.-3.0° F10 sources
- Ford · 2015–2023 (GT350: 2015–2020)RWDMustang GT Performance Pack / Shelby GT350 S550The S550 brought independent rear suspension to the Mustang, and with the Performance Pack (six-piston Brembos, later MagneRide) it is a capable, stable track car.-3.0° F10 sources
- Honda · 2017–presentFWDCivic Si 10thThe Si is the budget way into a modern Honda track car: light, with a helical diff, a slick manual and enough power to teach you momentum without punishing mistakes.-2.8° F14 sources
- Honda · 2017–2021FWDCivic Type R FK8The FK8 is the car that made front-drive lapping respectable again: the helical diff and dual-axis front strut let it put real power down out of slow corners with little torque steer, and it brakes deep and stable.-2.6° F18 sources
- Honda · 2023–presentFWDCivic Type R FL5The FL5 keeps the FK8 recipe but fixes much of what hurt it on track: Honda opened the grille, fitted a bigger radiator and fan, added brake ducting and moved to wider 19-inch tires.-2.5° F21 sources
- Honda · 2000–2009RWDS2000 AP1A front-mid-engine roadster with a stiff X-bone frame, a 9,000 rpm AP1 engine and a quick rack, built to be driven at the limit.-2.7° F17 sources
- Lotus · 2005–2011 (US)RWDElise / Exige SeriesThe Toyota-engined Series 2 cars are about as close as a road car gets to a lightweight club racer: unassisted steering, a bonded aluminum tub and very little mass to manage.-1.8° F8 sources
- Mazda · 1990–2005RWDMX-5 Miata NAThe original lightweight roadster and the backbone of grassroots road racing: Spec Miata runs these cars in both SCCA and NASA, so parts, setup knowledge and used race cars are everywhere.-2.0° F16 sources
- Mazda · 2006–2015RWDMX-5 Miata NCThe NC is the biggest and most grown-up Miata: more cabin room, a stronger 2.0-liter engine and a wider track, while still weighing well under 2,600 lb.-3.0° F16 sources
- Mazda · 2016–presentRWDMX-5 Miata NDThe ND returned the Miata to NA-like weight with a modern, stiff shell, and the 2019 update (ND2) added 26 hp and a 7,500 rpm redline that transformed it on track.13.4° F19 sources
- Nissan · 2003–2020RWD350Z / 370Z Z33Front-mid-engine V6 coupes with a stiff chassis, a strong naturally aspirated engine and a big aftermarket.-3.3° F22 sources
- Porsche · 2007–2011RWD911 GT3 997.1The 997 GT3 is the last of the Mezger-engined GT3s with a manual gearbox only, and it is a genuinely durable track car when its coolant plumbing has been dealt with.-2.6° F16 sources
- Porsche · 2006–2016RWDCayman / Boxster 987.1,The mid-engine Cayman and Boxster are the most forgiving Porsches to learn on: low polar inertia, a long wheelbase for the class and very communicative steering.-2.5° F20 sources
- Porsche · 2016 (981, US); 2020–present (718)RWDCayman GT4 981The GT4 takes the Cayman's balance and adds GT-department brakes, a lower and stiffer chassis and a mechanical limited-slip differential.-2.6° F16 sources
- Subaru · 2015–2021AWDWRX STI VAThe VA STI is the last of the EJ-powered STIs: heavy, mechanical and enormously capable in the wet, with an all-wheel-drive system that lets you get on power early.12 sources
- Toyota · 2013–2020RWD86 / BRZ / FR-S FirstA low, light, rear-drive coupe built around balance rather than power, with a low-mounted boxer engine and modest factory tires that let it slide early and progressively.-3.0° F17 sources
- Toyota · 2023–presentAWDGR Corolla FirstThe GR Corolla is a rally-bred hot hatch with a selectable all-wheel-drive split (60:40, 30:70 or 50:50) and Torsen limited-slip diffs front and rear on the Circuit Edition, Performance-package Core and every 2025-on car.17 sources
- Toyota · 2020–presentRWDGR Supra A90The GR Supra is a short-wheelbase, torque-rich coupe that is quick straight out of the box and very approachable for a turbo car.-2.5° F16 sources
- Toyota · 2022–presentRWDGR86 / BRZ SecondThe second generation keeps the first car's balance and adds a 2.4-liter engine whose torque arrives far lower in the rev range, curing the old midrange dip.-3.0° F15 sources
- Volkswagen · 2015–2021 (GTI); Golf R sold in the US through 2019FWDGolf GTI / Golf R Mk7The Mk7 GTI and Golf R share the MQB chassis but drive differently on track.13 sources