My First 370z, Not my first Z

jsnmtth

I'm a divorced 43 year computer programmer and a father of six. Three out of my first four cars were Zs!

My first car was a 1976 Datsun 280z. It was the most car I could get for $1,000 and I didn't know what I had. The guy selling it had been rear ended in it and it was totaled out. He bought a Corvette with the money but you could tell ... he didn't quite want to let it go. His wife however seemed pleased to say goodbye to the car.

I didn't know what I had. I didn't know why the cops pulled me over for every little thing. Why they always asked 'is this your car'. It wasn't until I learned to downshift and found myself going through yellow lights at abnormal speeds did I realize this wasn't a put put dressed up as a sports car, it was the real deal. I rebuilt that car, drove it over 100,000 miles and eventually wrecked it in a freak accident where in another vehicle I think I would be dead.

I also briefly owned a 1981 280z, and had a 1974 240z for several years. It was a project car that I gave up on, but so wish I still had.

Thee months ago I bought a 2020 Nissan 370z Base, Manual with 8k miles on it. White with black interior, black alloy rim upgrades and a backup camera. I bought it as a daily driver. I've already driven it 12k miles myself. I've put it through it's paces too.

Driving the 370z is like coming home again. It is like driving my first car, but with all the upgrades I wished it had. I didn't intend to modify it, but as I've learned more about it. That has changed.

Right now my intentions are to upgrade the stereo, install a nice phone mount, install a hidden radar detector, upgrade the brakes, tighten the suspension, stiffen the frame and upgrade the differential.

As a computer programmer, I'm also curious about what I can do with that digital display. Even if I can't program that display, perhaps I can replace it with one that I can.

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filip00

Congrats on your new ride, interesting story about the previous Z's.
You've mentioned upgrading the suspension as well as upgrading the differential. I suppose you probably like the car being tail happy and having a "pointy" nose. Well, the stock 370 is very understeer prone and before doing any costly modifications, I'd suggest you first install a stiff rear sway bar and put it on the tightest setting. It will transform the car into a completely new way of driving, the way it's supposed to be in my opinion, and all that for dirt cheap. Then proceed with differential and all other mods.
Also, post more pics.

SeeThruHead

LCD Gauge Update #3: 35 Data Items on 16 Pages!

there's some good stuff in this thread related to reading can and putting data on your own LCD.

I want to go the other way around, and get myself a z31 next.

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wheelspeed

Awesome history with being a Z fan. I'm about 97% at buying a '17 370z like, tomorrow.

Maybe like you, in this climate, I couldn't find what I really want and am settling on a base but wanted a sport. I think I'll very quickly look into a LSD. The older cars I had were '80's BMWs and all had a nice clutch-lockup LSD so I don't want anything to do with inside wheel-peel. Also, the car I'm probably gonna buy has some exhaust on it that is just terribly loud from like 3500-5000 rpms... it's gotta go.

So, you'll be seeing me around these threads soon.

Cool that you liked z's for so long. This'll be my first, but always liked them. 240x and 260s are just gorgeous. 350 and 370 also. 400 not so much ha ha.

danegrey

welcome and congrats and have fun with the new Z.....
understand the love for the Z, had several myself, and I thoroughly enjoy mine...
Thou more of a track toy now then a daily driver...
but have fun with it and enjoy the ride...
And you probably already know that the Z likes to run...

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geeteezee

Did you mean front sway bar? From what I've read most opt for upgrading the front and leaving the rear factory.

Also, welcome, jsnmtth. That intro was a rollercoaster!

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filip00

No, I meant rear sway bar (anti-roll bar). The Z's come factory understeer-heavy, and to reduce understeer you install a stiffer read sway. If you upgrade to a stiffer front ARB, it will result in even more understeer.

SeeThruHead

Stiff Front Sway Bar Thoughts

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jsnmtth

Thanks for the welcome everyone, and thanks for the advice.

Yes, I'll probably be upgrading the entire suspension within the year. It feels squishy to me. Not just the sway bars though. I've bottomed it out on all four wheels with the downforce from taking a circular ramp at technically legal speeds.

I'm interested in the new Z's clutched LSD. I'm hoping a swap to the 370z is possible.

I like the idea of those air bag setups that people use to drop the height, but I think more for lifting it. I'd love to be able to take it in the dirt, and my old Z's could handle speed bumps at ridiculous speeds.

Regarding the programmable digital display, that is the perfect display for the hidden radar detector! Also it would be nice to get some stats from the computer as I see fit. I'll be checking out those threads.

MarkRT

That's a neat one! Welcome