I figured it's about time I made a build thread.
***Sponsored exclusively by my wallet***
PHOTO CREDITS: Khoi of KAM Photography
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kayha12
and Ek Erik
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erikbphotography/
Best Track Times:
RE-11 Tires
Summit Point; Main: 1:28
Dominion Raceway: 1:38
Modifications:
Engine/Drivetrain- Uprev 300rwhp/240rwtq
- Cusco RS differential
- Z1 High-cap finned diff cover
- Z1 Solid Engine Mounts
- SPL Solid Differential Mounts
- Z1 Poly Trans Mounts
- CJM Road Race Pump
- Custom 25 Row Transmission cooler
- 32 Row Oil cooler
- Redline oil/Motul Differential fluid
Exhaust:- PPE LTH
- Custom AAM single exit
Exterior:- Shine Auto CF Amuse Kit
- APR GTC-300
- Vents
- More vents
- Hand made canards
Interior:- Sparco Ergo - Driver
- Sparco Evo 2 - Passenger
- Schroth Profi ii ASM 6PTs
- 4PT roll bar
- Necksgen REV (head and neck restraint system)
- Stock dash
- Everything else removed
Wheels:
- Forgestar CF5V
- 10" F 11" R
- 265/35 F 295/30 R
- Bridgestone RE-11
- ARP extended Studs
Suspension/Brakes:
- DIY brake ducts/cooling
- Project Mu pads
- Powertrix R/T Coilovers
- Swift Springs 13k F 11k R (need to run higher spring rates)
- SPL Toe Arms
- SPC Camber Arms (modified)
- Hotchkis Front Sway Bar (stock rear sway)
- Z1 Slotted rotors (soon to be 2 piece rotors)
- Stainless lines
- RBF 600
Upcoming Modifications- CJM Baffled Oil Pan
- Dual Oil Catch Cans
- Stickier Tires
- Lightweight Battery
- Corner Balance
She started off as a used 2009 bone stock (except for a stillen exhaust) purchased around 2012:
Then the mod bug bit and I bought Injen intakes, test-pipes, changed my fluids to Redline, and plasti-dipped my rear bumper. At least I thought my car was hot-sh*t lol.
Then I figured some wheels would look nice, so I contacted several vendors looking for Forgestar CF5V's, got a solid price; then Faceglide posted up his beautiful setup in the for sale section in the exact offset, size, and color I ordered. It was a no brainer. Thanks again, bro!
I knew about the powerhouse amuse kit, but figured I'd never be able to afford it. So I began saving up and piecing the kit together. Naturally, I started with the front bumper.
Oh yeah, and I picked up an Aerojacket duckbill. The original one they sent me was jacked up, so I sent it back and had the new one on just in time for quite possibly the greatest event in the history of ever: Zdayz.
If you've never been to a Zdayz, stop what you're doing and register. Now. Call fontana and get a room asap. There's a reason there are no vacancies months before the event.
I drove down with (at the time) complete strangers, and now are some of my closest friends. Here's the family photo that won US129's weekly competition.
After Zdayz, I realized how capable the 370 is. It's as if they designed the platform for the dragon. I swore the next year I would at least keep up with Z1nonly for 2 corners (in his near stock 350z). So I left zdayz with a goal - track time and performance mods only.
Immediately after making that decision, the rest of an amuse kit came up for sale from Aerojacket. They said it was packaged and ready to be shipped. I put my faith into them one last time, and they came through (miraculously).
I also purchased a set of Powertrix R/T coilovers. They're awesome. I also added tire letters by hand, not purchased. This picture was taken before the car was aligned. The springs were still settling.
Then, in my quest for greater cornering speed came hours of research on downforce and aerodynamics. I'm no engineer/physicist, but there are some basic things you can do with a car to make it handle in ways my novice brain couldn't comprehend.
I came to the conclusion that I'd make the largest splitter I could per time attack regulations (with the eventual goal to compete), chassis mount it, and have it extend to the oil pan. To keep things light, I used a product called Dibond (think alumalite, but instead of honeycomb, it's a solid core), and minimal aluminum bracketing. I fabricated my own splitter rods and mounted those to the crash bar, as well.
With the front splitter complete, I needed something to balance out the rear. The duckbill wasn't cutting it, so I picked up an APR GTC-300 wing. Installation was pretty straight-forward. Initially I ran a tame AOA, and the results were good. I also switched my brake fluid out to Motul RBF-600 and my pads to Project Mu HC800+.
During my first track day with NASA, I was bumped from group 1 to group 2, but was encouraged by staff to remain in group 1. This would prove frustrating for my next track day, keeping me from driving to my potential, and intimidating the other drivers. It's aggrivating to pay $350+ to sit in a train for 10 minutes of a 20 minute session.
My first track day was like being back at Zdayz. The smell of burnt rubber, fuel, and brakes is intoxicating lol. I had the privilege to ride along with my instructors and forum member: Respisa (two groups ahead of me). I learned 10x more from the ride along with Respisa than I did in every classroom session and the ride alongs with the instructors.
So with coils, aero, brakes, a new single-exit exhaust, and seat time, it was time again to head to Zdayz and put it all to the test again on the dragon:
The GTR has so much power. I tried so hard to keep up. My lines are way off and my tires began getting greasy at around the 8 minute mark, so rather than end up in the trees, I backed off. Keep all 4 wheels on pavement and you're doing good haha.
and then Hellbender after an hour of picking z1nonly's brain at breakfast:
I almost decapitated a biker leaning into my lane and my splitter scrapes on hard braking.
Once zdayz was over, it was time to prepare for the next track day. I had Hills Garage retune my Z after picking up a set of AAM R-line intakes (injens were sucking up water in any type of rain), in addition to adding a transmission cooler.
Minus all the aforementioned frustrations in being held up in group 1 by staff (not being used to seeing someone go from group 1 to 2 in one day) I GOT SOLOD. I was terrified at first, but just like everyone said, I drove with extreme caution, intent on picking up each flag station and paying attention to my surroundings. It was a huge confidence booster and I had a lot of fun.
except turn 1. f**k turn 1.
Being installed this week: Wavetrac differential, Z1 increased capacity diff cover, SPL solid diff bushings, z1 motor and trans mounts, and PPE headers.
