350z is not an ideal car for track?

[ysl]

350z is not an ideal car for track????

Most people told me that 350z can never perform well in track. Maybe is true because I hardly see 350z in SIC in any trackday.

Well, I’m diehard to 350z, from Auto Transmission, I change to Manual, and did some necessary mod to make it just good enough for track, however the fastest time I ever made is 2:48 and mostly 2:5x, while other friend in EVO and FD2R can easily 10+ seconds better than me.

I admit the fact that I’m not a skillful driver. Well, no sifu beside me and just bit by bit learn from mistake. But, I wonder how fast 350z ever performs in SIC?

Nevertheless, I would like to clarify the myth saying about 350z is not ideal for track. Hopefully, all Z enthusiasts can share your opinion and contribute your comment here, and hopefully we can make our Z a better machine in track.

 

[HBS]

Not good if you running standard OEM JDM part like me....

the standard brake is quite...well,hopeless for 4-5 laps since the car is heavy.I guess that where the lightweight car really shine on the corner.

Speed cut....since you cant take advantage of the straight line,especially before turn 15 & start/finish straight.I have done at least 240km/h+ a few time with my bike & my Z can only going for 188 km/h or less before I hitting the limiter...

Knowing line is good for lap time improvement.I also like you,not a pro driver or rider even after attended both session for quite sometimes.

But I not really bother about time....I just going to have fun in track,since I dont want to break the law hahahaha

 

[lanceccs]

Don't play down a Z, Z is good for its own purpose. If you compare (stock or almost stock) Z to outright track cars (stock or almost stock) like Civic Type R, WRX and Evo, you would definately be disappointed.

Stock Z is built and marketed as a Luxury Sports Car, it is
- Heavier ~1600 KG, compare to 1200-1500 KGs for the above listed track cars
- Lower Power to Weight ratio
- RWD compared to the 4 or FWD for the above listed track cars
- Taller gear ratio
- Handling compromised slighty for comfort compared the above listed track cars

You can configure your Z to be more trackable to get good track time at SIC, comparable to WRX/EVO in your league but you will need to do a lot more and cost a lot than just changing to manual trans.

and BTW I strongly believe one reason why there are few reason why there are less Z in SIC, and one of the reason is

It is less affordable to track a Z.

 

[ysl]

Z problem's that mentioned above can be solved easily.

Brake - Change to Brembo or other after market caliper, racing brake pad and rotors
Underpower - install supercharger or turbo
Speedcut - install SLD or reflash ECU.
Handling - change antiroll bar and suspension.

 

[Chiba Kooji]

My own opinion
52:48 car weight
It is very good advantage in track specially RWD + 50:50 is more sharp reaction in cornering
but GT300 champion Z33 is using VQ30DETT, not VQ35
some say tat nissan using turbo car go GT race but selling NA car jus like cheating on us
VQ30DETT ori 470 bhp
VQ35DE ori 287bhp
but anyway I saw the top gear
same racer using Z33, RX-8, EVO8, Subaru
Still same Z33 hit the best time attack in most of the japan car
and also I also agree tat Z33 not the ideal car for track
cos Z33 modified part is more expensive than other evo subaru （in msia)
some times even brake pad also hard to find in JB
anyway jus enjoy driving Z33~^^

I also own a Manual Fairlady~^^
next time come JB we can make fren
very hard to find Manual Fairlady in JB~

 

[ysl]

Good information from you. I think besides engine, Z33 handling need to be improved a lot for track purpose. I have replaced mine with Cusco antiroll bar and Tein Mono Flex suspension system, but still there a lot of body roll during corner, probably is because the car is too heavy. Anyone have other suggestion for me to improve further?

Hard to find Manual Z33 in Penang as well, and I suppose hard to find manual Z33 everywhere in Malaysia.

 

[lanceccs]

trying setting ur camber a more agreesive level.

 

[HBS]

Good information from you. I think besides engine, Z33 handling need to be improved a lot for track purpose. I have replaced mine with Cusco antiroll bar and Tein Mono Flex suspension system, but still there a lot of body roll during corner, probably is because the car is too heavy. Anyone have other suggestion for me to improve further?

Hard to find Manual Z33 in Penang as well, and I suppose hard to find manual Z33 everywhere in Malaysia.

Yes.....the body roll is quite extreme.at least for standard suspension since my Z is tracked with all stock parts.Perhaps because the car weight....& I always forgot to remove spare tyre when going for track attack..:rolleyes:

& yes the manual Z & any other sportscar that have AT & MT tranny,you will likely to find more of AT version than the MT because of our country traffic jam.....:rolleyes:

I also glad to have a manual Z.....never regret about that & very lucky to spot one with complete good all stock bone condition as well.

 

[Applejuice]

maybe this will help too.
YouTube- CUSCO "LSD EXPLANATION & IMPRESSION"

 

[ysl]

Yes, I got Cusco LSD installed, but it doesn't help on body roll. What I mean of bodyroll is the car body leans outwards during hard corner. LSD and camber can't improve bodyroll, but they reduce a lot of oversteer.

 

[chinozie]

Sure Fairlady can do that...if not there will be no GT500 MOTUL Autech Z...
jaa gaa janggg... DK :D

 

[ysl]

From What i know, the fairlady that goes into SuperGT is no longer fairlady except the look.

 

[mazranz]

to counter the body roll you need stiffer springs, but then the ride gets hard(er). Maybe can keep the same shocks.

---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 05:22 PM ----------

From What i know, the fairlady that goes into SuperGT is no longer fairlady except the look.

Yeah, I think it has a V8 engine in it... only the shell is Z

 

[gobiz]

How heavy is a 350Z? Maybe power:weight not so good?

 

[ysl]

My latest finding shows that 350z power-weight ratio is NOT a problem. See table attached.

Data compiled from:
1. carfolio.com
2. fastestlaps.com
3. Wikipedia.com

 

[Chiba Kooji]

From What i know, the fairlady that goes into SuperGT is no longer fairlady except the look.

erm
actually wat i noe is
VQ35DE is quite similar to VQ30DETT
same block, same degree(means tat u can bot on turbo and change inside piston u can do 470bhp also)
the diff is piston, ignition, twin turbo, ECU and CC some kind like tat
actually VQ35DE and VQ30DETT is the same period product but one for selling on street car and the other one is for GT Race



ya, same opinion wif u abt tat Z33 having a prob facing the G-force in cornering
even braking, car head will feel like press down heavily
if the absorber more hard may be will decrease tis kind of matter but just decrease, it all depend on our driving speed and attitude



PS: suddenly I think tat, may be Heel and Toe can decrease the G-force, I try many times already, feel really good. But burn my brake pad already... may be u can try in track, dun same like me do heel and toe on the road everyday.

 

[gobiz]

My latest finding shows that 350z power-weight ratio is NOT a problem. See table attached.

Data compiled from:
1. carfolio.com
2. fastestlaps.com
3. Wikipedia.com

Yes, but I'm pretty sure your friends are running quite a bit above the standard quoted power.

I've never been on a track myself, but I've heard one of the most important but also most neglected thing for quick times are tyres.

Hope to try my car at Sepang too one day... mine is 19 year old car - very old. :slug:

 

[ysl]

Yes, but I'm pretty sure your friends are running quite a bit above the standard quoted power.

I've never been on a track myself, but I've heard one of the most important but also most neglected thing for quick times are tyres.

Hope to try my car at Sepang too one day... mine is 19 year old car - very old. :slug:

Agree! actually traction is what handling all about, and tire plays the most important part in traction. Anyone knows what Semi Slick or slick tire available in Malaysia for 19" wheel?

 

[gobiz]

Track dudes over here are crazy about Toyo R888s...wonder how much they are in Msia.

 

[bladerunner]

To sum up this topic in a nutshell, the Z is not ideal but worthy of being in a circuit... perhaps it is the "Nut" behind the wheel (aka driver) that may not be ideal for circuit racing.