Crux's TLDR journal

Crux

I figured it's about time I made a build thread.

***Sponsored exclusively by my wallet***

PHOTO CREDITS: Khoi of KAM Photography https://www.flickr.com/photos/kayha12
and Ek Erik https://www.flickr.com/photos/erikbphotography/




Best Track Times:

RE-11 Tires
Summit Point; Main: 1:28
Dominion Raceway: 1:38

Modifications:

Engine/Drivetrain

• Uprev 300rwhp/240rwtq
• Cusco RS differential
• Z1 High-cap finned diff cover
• Z1 Solid Engine Mounts
• SPL Solid Differential Mounts
• Z1 Poly Trans Mounts
• CJM Road Race Pump
• Custom 25 Row Transmission cooler
• 32 Row Oil cooler
• Redline oil/Motul Differential fluid

Exhaust:

• PPE LTH
• Custom AAM single exit

Exterior:

• Shine Auto CF Amuse Kit
• APR GTC-300
• Vents
• More vents
• Hand made canards

Interior:

• Sparco Ergo - Driver
• Sparco Evo 2 - Passenger
• Schroth Profi ii ASM 6PTs
• 4PT roll bar
• Necksgen REV (head and neck restraint system)
• Stock dash
• Everything else removed

Wheels:

• Forgestar CF5V
• 10" F 11" R
• 265/35 F 295/30 R
• Bridgestone RE-11
• ARP extended Studs

Suspension/Brakes:

• DIY brake ducts/cooling
• Project Mu pads
• Powertrix R/T Coilovers
• Swift Springs 13k F 11k R (need to run higher spring rates)
• SPL Toe Arms
• SPC Camber Arms (modified)
• Hotchkis Front Sway Bar (stock rear sway)
• Z1 Slotted rotors (soon to be 2 piece rotors)
• Stainless lines
• RBF 600

Upcoming Modifications

• CJM Baffled Oil Pan
• Dual Oil Catch Cans
• Stickier Tires
• Lightweight Battery
• Corner Balance

She started off as a used 2009 bone stock (except for a stillen exhaust) purchased around 2012:


Then the mod bug bit and I bought Injen intakes, test-pipes, changed my fluids to Redline, and plasti-dipped my rear bumper. At least I thought my car was hot-sh*t lol.



Then I figured some wheels would look nice, so I contacted several vendors looking for Forgestar CF5V's, got a solid price; then Faceglide posted up his beautiful setup in the for sale section in the exact offset, size, and color I ordered. It was a no brainer. Thanks again, bro!



I knew about the powerhouse amuse kit, but figured I'd never be able to afford it. So I began saving up and piecing the kit together. Naturally, I started with the front bumper.




Oh yeah, and I picked up an Aerojacket duckbill. The original one they sent me was jacked up, so I sent it back and had the new one on just in time for quite possibly the greatest event in the history of ever: Zdayz.

If you've never been to a Zdayz, stop what you're doing and register. Now. Call fontana and get a room asap. There's a reason there are no vacancies months before the event.

I drove down with (at the time) complete strangers, and now are some of my closest friends. Here's the family photo that won US129's weekly competition.



After Zdayz, I realized how capable the 370 is. It's as if they designed the platform for the dragon. I swore the next year I would at least keep up with Z1nonly for 2 corners (in his near stock 350z). So I left zdayz with a goal - track time and performance mods only.

Immediately after making that decision, the rest of an amuse kit came up for sale from Aerojacket. They said it was packaged and ready to be shipped. I put my faith into them one last time, and they came through (miraculously).

I also purchased a set of Powertrix R/T coilovers. They're awesome. I also added tire letters by hand, not purchased. This picture was taken before the car was aligned. The springs were still settling.



Then, in my quest for greater cornering speed came hours of research on downforce and aerodynamics. I'm no engineer/physicist, but there are some basic things you can do with a car to make it handle in ways my novice brain couldn't comprehend.

I came to the conclusion that I'd make the largest splitter I could per time attack regulations (with the eventual goal to compete), chassis mount it, and have it extend to the oil pan. To keep things light, I used a product called Dibond (think alumalite, but instead of honeycomb, it's a solid core), and minimal aluminum bracketing. I fabricated my own splitter rods and mounted those to the crash bar, as well.



With the front splitter complete, I needed something to balance out the rear. The duckbill wasn't cutting it, so I picked up an APR GTC-300 wing. Installation was pretty straight-forward. Initially I ran a tame AOA, and the results were good. I also switched my brake fluid out to Motul RBF-600 and my pads to Project Mu HC800+.

During my first track day with NASA, I was bumped from group 1 to group 2, but was encouraged by staff to remain in group 1. This would prove frustrating for my next track day, keeping me from driving to my potential, and intimidating the other drivers. It's aggrivating to pay $350+ to sit in a train for 10 minutes of a 20 minute session.



My first track day was like being back at Zdayz. The smell of burnt rubber, fuel, and brakes is intoxicating lol. I had the privilege to ride along with my instructors and forum member: Respisa (two groups ahead of me). I learned 10x more from the ride along with Respisa than I did in every classroom session and the ride alongs with the instructors.

So with coils, aero, brakes, a new single-exit exhaust, and seat time, it was time again to head to Zdayz and put it all to the test again on the dragon:



The GTR has so much power. I tried so hard to keep up. My lines are way off and my tires began getting greasy at around the 8 minute mark, so rather than end up in the trees, I backed off. Keep all 4 wheels on pavement and you're doing good haha.

and then Hellbender after an hour of picking z1nonly's brain at breakfast:

I almost decapitated a biker leaning into my lane and my splitter scrapes on hard braking.


Once zdayz was over, it was time to prepare for the next track day. I had Hills Garage retune my Z after picking up a set of AAM R-line intakes (injens were sucking up water in any type of rain), in addition to adding a transmission cooler.

Minus all the aforementioned frustrations in being held up in group 1 by staff (not being used to seeing someone go from group 1 to 2 in one day) I GOT SOLOD. I was terrified at first, but just like everyone said, I drove with extreme caution, intent on picking up each flag station and paying attention to my surroundings. It was a huge confidence booster and I had a lot of fun.

except turn 1. f**k turn 1.



Being installed this week: Wavetrac differential, Z1 increased capacity diff cover, SPL solid diff bushings, z1 motor and trans mounts, and PPE headers.

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Crux

Reserved

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ramoszx12r

Wow nice job. What was your lop time? Do day tell you. I love that track, race it many times on my bike.

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Tony Ramos

Memphis370Z

Sub'd!

ufoz8mycow

Love it. Looks awesome. If you're going to keep tracking it I'd think of getting into some cooling mods as well just to help out with longevity of your equipment. Keep it up!

Crux

NASA HPDE "doesn't allow" you to record your lap time, but you can record video with and/or use data logging equipment. From the gopro footage my times are around 1:30 Spec miatas will run wayyyy faster than that

I've got a 34 row oil cooler (still running strong, blades!), and a transmission cooler. I'm looking into getting the stillen brake duct kit next, I just HATE taking off the front calipers.

I am talking with Hills Garage about getting a differential cooler, but they've said my car probably won't need it until I get really serious.

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seeblackrain

Love the setup!

Crux

Got some track time in last month and finally got around to editing the footage I took. Fuel starve was a major issue all weekend. It was the worst it has ever been. I had to back off on a couple corners, which killed any hopes of running a hot lap if I was 10 minutes into a session.

It's time for a rollbar/seats/harnesses, as it's becoming very physically demanding in the drivers seat. That'll be a winter project though.

Here's a picture of the car in its current form:



The additions have received some hate, but I couldn't care less. My oil temps were at record lows, my brakes were cool - which kept my tires cool - which gave me added grip, and the canards netted me extra downforce, as seen in the video - scraping my splitter on the front straight under braking into turn 1 (which I had never done before).

Overall, the car was predictable and easy to control. With the new additions and my new instructor, I was able to shave a couple seconds off my best time at Summit Point Main.

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Crux

"can a 370z beat an M3?"
"can a 370z beat a c5 or c6 corvette?"
"can a 370z beat a 911?"

depends who's driving.

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carlitos_370z

Subscribed! Nice build man! your car looks amazing! BTW do you have more pics of the AAM single exhaust? I was thinking on get one for my Z but I dont know if go with the Tomei or the AAM haha!

Pauly Z

Where did you get the louvers for the fenders?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

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Custom Air to Air Stillen SC Setup, CJM S-1S FRS, ID1000 Injectors, Aeromotive 340 Stealth Pump, Test Pipes, Topspeed Exhaust, Z1 Oil Pan Spacer, Swift Springs, Adjustable Rear Camber Arms, 20 and 25mm Spacers, Custom Gauges, and Ecutek

Crux

I bought the louvers from Ebay and bent them by hand, then riveted them in place.

PRO TIP! wear gloves. better: wear 2 pair of kevlar gloves. Stamped sheet metal is surgical scalpel sharp.

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Crux

So the last two weeks, my car has seen some stark visual changes. Namely; a circa 2004-2006 JGTC Motul/Pitwork/Autech 350z inspired livery.

Why?

The Gran Turismo series has a special place in my heart. It is why and how I got into cars/the car scene, and also where I gained some experience behind a wheel (my first session of my first ever HPDE/time on the track, my instructor tried to move me to group 2 because he said I didnt belong in group 1 [no senna, but still kinda cool]). In that particular series, the Pitwork Z has always been my favorite car (besides in 3 when you could glitch the Pikes Peak Suzuki to over 1000 mph).

Anyway, here's the "finished" setup:

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carlitos_370z

Man I have to say... Your Z is one of my favorites around here And the livery looks soo fcking great outstanding work man! the car It's on point!

Crux

Thanks carlitos!

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