Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

BGTV8 · 02-23-2016, 01:44 PM

Running R-spec tyres means you need a track-day suspension setup that needs to be removed for dd duties as the more aggressive camber, caster and toe settings will wear road dd tyres substantially more quickly than less aggressive (normal) settings.

My suggestion if you are a newbie is start with quality summer spec tyres and use OEM settings until your lap times stop improving.

The OEM front suspension has no adjustment for camber so when you start evolving the handling, you do need to invest in adjustable FUCA. Then you can bolt on some more camber and move towards toe-out and eventually dial in more camber which will improve overall grip and give you the ability to generate turn so you can get the car to rotate on corner entry.

This needs to be balanced with added rear grip which is a little less toe-in (but not toe out) and more camber.

The thing to remember is that you need balance most of all - you do not want the front to turn without commensurate rear grip (lest you provoke terminal oversteer - car hits the wall rear first), nor so you want rear grip to overcome the fronts ability to turn, lest you provoke understeer (front of the car hits the wall first).

So, my suggestions are:
1. Focus on your own abilities first and when you can drive the car as hard as possible and lap-times are not improving, then chase grip with improved tyres and suspension
2. You MUST do the basics before heading to the track (oil cooler, pad upgrade, brake fluid upgrade). There is an excellent track day prep post here - use google to search for "the370z.com+track+day+basics" and see where that gets you.
3. HPDE is good, especially if you can get a good instructor alongside you.

If you were down-under, I'd say "join a car club" because we have a heap of marque-specific clubs down here who are sanctioning-body affiliated and they universally offer their members track day opportunities, coaching and practical support. I don;t have any west coast USA experience but I am sure there will be members on the forum that can point you in the direction of a commercial HPDE operator who can provide some coaching as a minimum - I presume there will be local SCCA affiliated clubs - I just know of them.

Above all, do not out-drive your budget ... because this can become a serious addiction - I know because I have been at it for 45 years, and the fact that I am still married - to the same woman - is testament to her forebearance and tolerance ....

In the meantime, have fun ...............

02-23-2016, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
BGTV8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 03350 Australia Posts: 1,515 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 39974	Running R-spec tyres means you need a track-day suspension setup that needs to be removed for dd duties as the more aggressive camber, caster and toe settings will wear road dd tyres substantially more quickly than less aggressive (normal) settings. My suggestion if you are a newbie is start with quality summer spec tyres and use OEM settings until your lap times stop improving. The OEM front suspension has no adjustment for camber so when you start evolving the handling, you do need to invest in adjustable FUCA. Then you can bolt on some more camber and move towards toe-out and eventually dial in more camber which will improve overall grip and give you the ability to generate turn so you can get the car to rotate on corner entry. This needs to be balanced with added rear grip which is a little less toe-in (but not toe out) and more camber. The thing to remember is that you need balance most of all - you do not want the front to turn without commensurate rear grip (lest you provoke terminal oversteer - car hits the wall rear first), nor so you want rear grip to overcome the fronts ability to turn, lest you provoke understeer (front of the car hits the wall first). So, my suggestions are: 1. Focus on your own abilities first and when you can drive the car as hard as possible and lap-times are not improving, then chase grip with improved tyres and suspension 2. You MUST do the basics before heading to the track (oil cooler, pad upgrade, brake fluid upgrade). There is an excellent track day prep post here - use google to search for "the370z.com+track+day+basics" and see where that gets you. 3. HPDE is good, especially if you can get a good instructor alongside you. If you were down-under, I'd say "join a car club" because we have a heap of marque-specific clubs down here who are sanctioning-body affiliated and they universally offer their members track day opportunities, coaching and practical support. I don;t have any west coast USA experience but I am sure there will be members on the forum that can point you in the direction of a commercial HPDE operator who can provide some coaching as a minimum - I presume there will be local SCCA affiliated clubs - I just know of them. Above all, do not out-drive your budget ... because this can become a serious addiction - I know because I have been at it for 45 years, and the fact that I am still married - to the same woman - is testament to her forebearance and tolerance .... In the meantime, have fun ............... Last edited by BGTV8; 02-23-2016 at 01:51 PM.