So got back to the track with my stock Charger SRT 392, destroyed the brakes in the process and I need new pads, rotors and fresh fluid :rofl2: wasn't pushing very hard due to bad brake pads (powerstop z26 where I read they match oem stop power, they aren't worth the try but tempted to their price tag) and sport SUV street tires.




No updates to my 370z status.

I said it before and I will say it again: Keep it up, as I vicariously live through you! haha!

Thanks a lot ZontheRocks, I think I am lucky that I can do what I love at that age :happydance: hope you can do the same soon.

I’ve had a few vehicles and over the various forums I’m one to get on and look for builds. Let me just say, you had me at “My Humble Journal”! Haha!

Haha it was very humble and I had small plans when I started the build :rolleyes:

That is how it starts,LOL! I had no intentions of going boosted when I bought the car and then the mod bug bit me so hard that I don't know if I will ever recover!:owned:

You think you are planning well and suddenly things go south very fast :bowrofl:



So, today should be the big day, it should finish today, I need to get it aligned as soon as I receive it. Hopefully everything go well, I know it will be a very different animal at track :icon17: I need to get used to it now.

So received the car after a week working on the car, everything has been installed except the RJM CMC (as it was leaking, kudos to Ryan for offering replacement eventhough I bought it in 2016 :tup:) one of the bushing kits were for the FUCA where I have SPL installed, and a metal part of the SPL diff bushings, I will post it later to see if my mechanic couldn't figure where to install it (as instruction wasn't very helpful)

Initial review:

Clutch kit: this was my main concern, as my usual plans go quickly south :rolleyes: however, I think rjm clutch pedal is doing a great job in making it easier to drive, the pedal is a bit harder than stock, it grabs like crazy, as far as my 100 kms drive, it wasn't so hard after adjusting my driving, but the most crazy thing is the lightness of the flywheel, it revs quickly, tried to rev match a downshift and the rpm climbed over 5k, where it was perfectly fine before. I am driving it without srm for the time being.

LSD: didn't have push it hard to test until now, waiting for next autox on 24 to test it hard, but it isn't perfect at slow speeds.

Bushings and strut bars: maybe this is one of the main things I am very happy with, the body roll I was feeling before gone and the car response improved dramatically, and cannot wait to try it in track again, also, it wasn't too bothering driving around.

Brakes: retained my faith after changing the rotors

I think this is all things, will try to get alignment as soon as possible, thinking of -3 front -2 back and +6 caster and oem toe setting.

First time on track this year, unfortunately, it didn't end well, I was only testing and getting the feel of the diff to push it harder later, when I was cooling down I got some clunks from the diff, found it leaking and took the car to the shop again :shakes head: looks like the installation wasn't good, hope it isn't very serious, our guess that the ring and pinion may be the culprit.

Any way, I feel the radiator is doing great job in supporting the oil temp, I didn't notice it going over 120C, I am sure hood vents will help more. Brakes are more stable but didn't have the chance to get late braking.



Also, got the chance to jump into a different Z, a Z06 :tup: didn't push it hard, but I did my fastest lap ever on Losail 2:17

Sucks on the diff...I was wondering what all that clunking was at the end. I watched the video on the other thread, and the way you described it had me thinking you went off track, accident or something, glad that it's not as bad as I had assumed.

aaaah Sorry man :icon14: I was very desperate to push it hard and was very disappointed after that, I wanted to spin there while trying hard. Also I had a sprint event next day where I couldn't use my car, anyway, my friend was kind enough to let me jump there in his C6 Z06, he is not making me any favours, he is somewhat convinced me to jump onto vettes bandwagon :rofl2:





My car update:
Today I had a call from my mechanic saying the shims needed to be replaced as well as the bearings. Everything else looks fine.

After long time without action, I am back in action, I with some friends organized an Autox event, just for fun, and we did some fun runs after finishing.


This is the course

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521449659


This was one of my runs, I was nearly going to set the fastest time of the day but went off course :rofl2:



The best time was 1:15 a friend in an EvoX (AWD was very helpful with the slippery surface), I did 1:17 in a clean run with the 370, and 1:24 in the 392.

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521449659

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521449659

I didn't skip the big guy, couldn't resist when my brother came in it.

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521449659

Last trackday was very busy.

First took my 370z and broke my fastest laptime. I was @ 2:27, and now I got into 2:26. But this isn't its limit at all, as a friend drove it and he got 2:23 :eek: I have a full session video but still needs to see check it before posting it.

Then, I took a Lexus RC-F to the test, I don't know if the tires are the culprit, but it understeers a lot at the limit. I got 2:30 with it, which matches my Charger SRT time

Last, I drove a friend Honda Civic Type R (FN2), the chassis is stiffened a lot and it was a great drive as the response is fantastic, but of course couldn't beat a balanced RWD car, IMO.


This is my lap



My friend session




Honda and Lexus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWw9Z3xMKMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yAw4b0OWh0


Some photos (on a closed roads ;))

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521931639

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521931639

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521931639

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521931639

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521931639

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1521931639

So as I said, this is full session with the car, couldn't get better time but I was getting used to the car, and I think one of them I would break into 2:25 if I was in the right gear at each turn.



Also, this is from an autocross event




So, I changed the setup a little, I returned the rear sway bar (whiteline) and the car now oversteer if I am not careful, but the LSD is doing a great great great job at locking the rear wheels and for better predictability and control of the car, it is one of the overlooked upgrades that adds a lot to the enjoyment of driving the car, even my friend who drove the car is looking for a 370 now :rofl2: he is a toyota 86 cup driver and had a Porsche GT3 before, but he enjoyed it a lot. I have some plans and I hope I have time to do it next track day :stirthepot:

Very nice, man. Glad you are enjoying the car again!

Thanks madwi, this season wasn't the best, but trying to enjoy the rest.


Today, I did some changes to the car:

- returned stock shifter, TWM gives a mechanical feel and very short shifts, but isn't helping in shifting fast smoothly.
- Gave her a fresh oil and filter, changed Castrol Edge 0w40 to Liqui Moly 5w40.
- Installed Trackspec hood vents.
- Lastly, got a GT wing from a friend to get some downforce at back and try it at the track, I am aiming to get sub 2:20 with it.

Excuse the dirty car

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1522703766

Great job on the vents, they look great!

I have a TWM short shifter and because I was missing a lot of shifts I ditched my round knob and install a TWM 7" long knob and haven't looked back. I find it much easier to shift smoothly and accurately.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

They cant all be the best seasons! That aero and cooling should really help you out.

Looking good! Get that Mines front vents installed.

It was an option to get knob extension, but decided I would go back to stock, but it was a little worse after the twin clutch.

Hopefully, as our track is fast and I can use the aero there.

Welcome back, still lurking around those mines :rofl2: I am reluctant a little as I was planning to use them with stock intake boxes, but now I don't know, I feel they would look better if I get a splitter or spoiler with them

Function over form. I get it =D. Try to get it sold on here I'm sure someone would snatch it off your hands

Wonderful build and you really are working hard on your project Z congrats.

Yup, Function over form, but I try to get a balance between them, and nobody needs an overpriced piece of carbon lol

Hopefully during summer I could work on its exterior. And yes, there is a track this Thursday, you can come participate or pass by, if you are free.

Got a mini photoshoot for the 370z

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1523139161

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1523139161

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1523139161

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1523139161


Also went to track

Have a different session but ended early due to torned tire, I think it was a bad idea to get it lowered more than what it was. We suspect the knuckle bolts rubbed the tires under high G force and torned it. The other side was fine as it is a little higher due to corner balance.



Here I tried my friend's Toyota GT86 Cup edition, which he prepared for racing events.

And the rabbit hole deepens haha love it!

lol, at least when I see it, I smile involuntary, I didn't think I will like it this way or I will go this route for the look :rofl2:

Now I need splitter, I was planning to go for amuse or nismo and splitter, now I think I will go for powerstream splitter (found it on z1) and side blades to optimize my costs and get the look and functionality.

nice pics bro!

Yea actually the wing goes with the car better than I thought...the stance, ride height and exhaust suit well with the wing.

From last track day, problems are back :roflpuke2: rear shock snapped from the thread, found lubricate residue, not sure if it is the culprit. But will try to fix it temporarily before sending the coilovers for rebuild.

Dirty car, it was occasionally raining last week :tup:


http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1524042349

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1524042349

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1524042349

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1524042349

Hood vents helping your temps?

I cannot give a very accurate answer right now, as I changed the engine oil I used before, but the temp stays at 120-125 C, the most noticeable thing is, the car extract heat very very quickly, before, it barely get down after the cooldown lap, now it is 100 or less when I reach the pit lane.

This has been my experiencing as well. My temps on my last track day were high 260*. The track day was warm 80* and the track short and fast, so about the toughest track conditions on a track car and just as was stated the temps drop rapidly once you do a cool down or head back to the paddock. Most of the time my temps are down below 220* before I a ready to shut the car off. Let's put it this way, opening the hood does not allow for faster cooling as far as I can tell.

Love how it look when it is clean, which isn't usual :rolleyes:

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1525079281

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1525079281

I fixed the shock issue, our thoughts is, the thread lock wasn't tightened correctly and it snapped. Also, changed spark plugs as well.

The old ones

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1525079281


Lastly, another 370z over here is prepared for track :stirthepot:

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1525079281

So organized an AutoX event and this was from the testing stage



A fun run :happydance:



Outside view



Trying a BRZ turbo, but it doesn't have an ABS :shakes head:




After that, there was another event that I attended, but the rear tires didn't hook well

My Z is finally at the track again :tup: did the track on Hankook Ventus v12 evo2 275/35/19 square tires. I changed my tune as well, the old one was done locally, realized there wasn't any power difference between it and a stock car, did an etune with Sebastian @SpecialtyZ, and there was a big difference in power. Also, I installed a rear SPC toe bolt so I can lower my rear camber with ideal toe setting. I feel like my coilovers needs a rebuild but it would cost me as much as new with shipping costs, so I will use it for the time being before going Truetype coilovers with SPL toe link. My alignment now is -2.2 front camber and 5.8 caster 0 toe, -1.8 rear camber and 0.24 total toe in.

I did 2:28.5 lap this time, which is very close to my best on RE71R, major differences are having more power, LSD, and of course driver improvement. driving felt great, very nice turn in, but the rear is hooked, and very predictable, unless I overheat the tires :rofl2:.


Now I am thinking about continuing using these tires to improve my skills, and planning to go 18 inch square, with most likely 18x10.5 with 275 square as a start, and then go bigger 295 or 305, whichever that would fit.

Enough writing, enjoy those clips

:rock: Looks like a blast and that track looks like a lot of fun to run on.

The track is fast and technical, so it is enjoyable.

Got more laps on the Hankooks, less grip than my previous tires, but very enjoyable and needs you to be error prone to get laptimes.



Got a very experienced friend behind the wheel to get some data from the solo to see how we compare, who blowed me with 2:25.3 lap time, compared to my 2:28.2




Plans, I will return to oem suspension, maybe will go with lowering springs, to change my Autox class to more competitive one, as current class has many running slicks on their car, and I don't want to go this route.

And got square wheels for true square setup, with start with 275/40R18 now, and will go wider if I needed, only tires to choose between were RS4 or SUR4G, went with Nexens as I read some good reviews on it with a very competitive price tag.

Test fitting the wheels :D

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1547934397

I was lucky to get my hands on one of my all time favorite wheels in Rays signature bronze, specs are 18x10.5 +18, Evo specs, but should works very well with the Z.

damn bro cant wait to see the car with the CE28 wheels! I love those wheels :tup:

:roflpuke2::roflpuke2::roflpuke2:

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1548627745

Regretting going back to stock suspension :shakes head: lowering springs needed, it is very hard to look at the car right now. Also, got some scars from Autox, I need to wash it and remove the marks.

What are you wheel/tire specs with the CE28Ns?