there's a big difference between track days/HPDE's vs actual wheel-to-wheel racing. the Z is fine for those things as long as you have an oil cooler and proper braking prep

I'm very aware with the difference since I have a SCCA and NASA club racing licenses, plus instruct for BMWCCA, PCA, and our local Driver's Edge. My Z was my Dad's and he did 4 track weekends with it and it did fine at his novice level with the prep in my signature. However within 5 hard laps of me driving it the clutch pedal stuck to the floor and then when I came into the pits the diff was binding up.
The plan is to sell my race car and just do track days with the Z but the way it stands it just isn't up to the task for my level of experience.

arnt both of these issues fixable?

Better fluids worked for me. :V

I use 75W140 since the diff gets so damn hot. Probably not good for street driving but works well on track.

I guess I better stop shifting at 8200, at least until I recover from the cage build and can afford an LS swap.

today was the day that I removed the engine/tranny!

I had to stop because I do not have the special socket to remove those bolt on the Lower cylinder block. it seem like an inverted Tork bolt.

there is quite a few picture for those interessted .
Tomorrow I will try to find the needed socket to go deeper in the engine ! :)

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...own-engine.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...own-engine.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...out-engine.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...gine-stand.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...ts-oil-pan.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...-oil-1-3mm.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...-oil-1-3mm.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...oil-pickup.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...r-oil-pump.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...-pump-body.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...-pump-body.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/megan...-pump-body.jpg

Broken oil pump. That explains alot about the lack of oil in the head. :eek: In the picture, looks like the block is cracked too. To the right of the crank.

wow! even the block is cracked!!! Did you pay this car cash? or making payments? hope it's a lease!

the block isnt cracked ,,, this is also my first guess when I looked at it...
but its only the oil pump assembly that is cracked , the engine block is Ok ! (for now,,,,)


im still making payment ;)

Did someone say an LS swap? :happydance: It would probably be cheaper in the long run and way more potential.

LS in a 370 means some parts development for mounts and whatnot, pretty much throwing out any remaining stock dash instrumentation that runs off the stock ECU, etc (and re-wiring any remaining accessories the ECU/BCM was driving...). Probably means throwing out the 7AT as well (which I think Megan370Z runs?) and putting in a T-56 (if that fits, not sure what other options are avail). It would be awesome, but it's a biiiiiig leap to take.

I cant go for an LS swap ,,, there would be way to much work to be done.

my plan is still to look at the VHR crank if I can save it then swap it in my HR spare engine then swap the whole modded HR engine + 6mt tranny ..
yup I do have that 7AT which is now for sale ! (not even 15 000 kms)

sorry to hear that Megan! :( good luck with your repairs!

Any idea why the oil pump failed or is this just another thing we need to worry about when we track this car??