The 370Z Weight Reduction Thread

[370zForever]

Hey guys, got some great info on aerodynamics. APR performance has their front wind splitters that give added traction and downforce. No idea about weight savings, but I do know that you can send APR info about you bumper and they will send you a custom wind splitter designed for your car. About $340 and $850 for a honeycomb splitter made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, and nomex honeycomb. The honeycomb splitter is stronger and is very light. The other cool aerodynamic part that has come out is the Evo-R rear diffuser. The diffuser should work with the front splitter and the underbody to create good airflow and suck the car to the ground for added downforce and stability at high speeds. The diffuser looks like it was designed for style, but it does have aerodynamic effects. $389 for the rear diffuser. I really like these offers and want to get them. I, however, do not want to buy a bigger wing pack to work with the diffuser and splitter. I want the added performance from the wing, but I really cannot have a bigger wing. The problem with that is that the standard wing is not designed to work with diffusers to maximize downforce and airflow. However, that is not a big issue. The other thing is that the Z does not have a really flat underbody to maximize airflow, but it looks sufficient. I like the packages for the diffuser and the splitter, but I'd like some input from you guys.

[M.Bonanni]

Originally Posted by 370zForever

Hey guys, got some great info on aerodynamics. APR performance has their front wind splitters that give added traction and downforce. No idea about weight savings, but I do know that you can send APR info about you bumper and they will send you a custom wind splitter designed for your car. About $340 and $850 for a honeycomb splitter made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, and nomex honeycomb. The honeycomb splitter is stronger and is very light. The other cool aerodynamic part that has come out is the Evo-R rear diffuser. The diffuser should work with the front splitter and the underbody to create good airflow and suck the car to the ground for added downforce and stability at high speeds. The diffuser looks like it was designed for style, but it does have aerodynamic effects. $389 for the rear diffuser. I really like these offers and want to get them. I, however, do not want to buy a bigger wing pack to work with the diffuser and splitter. I want the added performance from the wing, but I really cannot have a bigger wing. The problem with that is that the standard wing is not designed to work with diffusers to maximize downforce and airflow. However, that is not a big issue. The other thing is that the Z does not have a really flat underbody to maximize airflow, but it looks sufficient. I like the packages for the diffuser and the splitter, but I'd like some input from you guys.

First off, an APR splitter wont save any weight since you aren't replacing anything, you are just adding it to the car. It is a great way to get some downforce on the front end though.

The EVO-R rear diffuser is for looks only. It does not offer any aerodynamic gains. It does not extend underneath the car at all. A rear diffuser that goes forward underneath the car (towards the rear axle line) will offer aerodynamic advantages, but the EVO-R piece is not actually a diffuser by definition.

Also this is not the right thread for this. None of the above mentioned modifications will reduce any weight on your car since they are all add-on parts, not replacment parts. Start a good aero debate thread in the track/autocross forum .

[travisjb]

evo-r rear diffuser is cosmetic IMO... personally, i haven't yet seen a rear diffuser that is highly functional in terms of adding downforce

the ARP front splitter is an option, but you can get a much more durable splitter with more downforce through Robispec

i'm going with the aeromotions r2 static wing from forged performance... great mix of looks, track and race proven aero benefits, and has been fited for our car by the guys at forged... it is also upgradeable to their active motion system if you chose to do that down the road

[travisjb]

haha... looks like Mike and I are singing the same song... agree on the wrong thread comment as well

[370zForever]

Yeah, sorry guys, just got curious about aerodynamics, but do you know about a good aerodynamic rear diffuser cause APR don't make one for the Z and other places just seem to sell cosmetic pieces. What is so stylish about getting a diffuser?

[M.Bonanni]

Originally Posted by 370zForever

Yeah, sorry guys, just got curious about aerodynamics, but do you know about a good aerodynamic rear diffuser cause APR don't make one for the Z and other places just seem to sell cosmetic pieces. What is so stylish about getting a diffuser?

I think you're missing the point here, the EVO-R piece, although marketed as a diffuser, is not a diffuser. It is simply a cover for that lower section of the rear bumper. It does not extend underneath the car, therefore it is purely "stylish". Functional diffusers are excellent, but unfortunately nobody makes one for the 370Z yet.

[RCZ]

Mike, give us a couple months..we're making a carbon one

[NewYorkJon34]

^You mean you guys are making an real funtional rear diffuser? Will it be available to buy in the near future?

[M.Bonanni]

Originally Posted by RCZ

Mike, give us a couple months..we're making a carbon one

I like the sound of this. Who is "we"?

[travisjb]

I do as well... consider me in...

rcz, would you be willing to start another thread where we can share design input? perhaps you don't want / need any, but this conversation doesn't belong on this particular thread, and you are likely to get the input anyways!

[Sharif@Forged]

Great thread guys.

[FricFrac]

Originally Posted by gladeslvrcoq

Anybody see the new rules for the T2 Z34 regarding SCCA? Ya'll better start putting the weight back on if you are going to run. Screwed.

page 36

http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastra...strack-jan.pdf

Even if you could reduce the weight by 500 lbs under the minimum weight its usually an advantage for you reduce that weight and put it back where you want, lowering your CG, etc.... not bad news at all....

[RCZ]

most of you have PM

[370zForever]

Originally Posted by Jason

i looked through the entire thread and didn't see a weight for the stock hood. i was getting rid of mine (crashed/bent but intact) so i weighed it at the recycler and made a good $5 weee!

The bare stock hood (no latch, weatherstrip, etc) weighs 16 pounds. not sure if you guys need proof. i can scan the slip and post a pic of the f'd up hood, if needed. just lmk.

Guys, new problem related to weight

The Z's hood weighs only 16 pounds and Seibon claims that their DRY Carbon Fiber hoods weight about 12 pounds. That's a weight saving of 4 pounds. I don't think I'm that desperate for 4 pounds......Any ideas guys?? (i.e. correction on dry carbon fiber hood weight or lighter hoods) I and probably the rest of us are still trying to get that perfect weight distribution. So hard though...

[NewYorkJon34]

^thats kinda old news, my suggestion to you is to leave it stock. 4lbs is not worth $600+.