DDM Project 370Z

M.Bonanni · 03-10-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kustomZ

Holy shi*!! What's the weight on that battery? I was considering a dry cell.

14 lbs.

Stock one is 35 lbs.

kustomZ · 03-10-2009, 09:39 PM

I take it those arms allow for more camber adjustment over stock? Do the stock arms have adjustable keys? Sorry for the dumb question, I haven't looked at the suspension yet.

M.Bonanni · 03-10-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kustomZ

I take it those arms allow for more camber adjustment over stock? Do the stock arms have adjustable keys? Sorry for the dumb question, I haven't looked at the suspension yet.

I assume you're talking about the SPL Rear Camber Arms? Yes, they offer much much much more adjustment over stock. +/- 10 degrees over stock actually. The stock arms offer very little adjustment.

kustomZ · 03-10-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

I assume you're talking about the SPL Rear Camber Arms? Yes, they offer much much much more adjustment over stock. +/- 10 degrees over stock actually. The stock arms offer very little adjustment.

OK, thanks for the info. Wow, that's quite a bit more...

M.Bonanni · 03-10-2009, 09:51 PM

yes, more than you would probably ever use lol.

kustomZ · 03-10-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

yes, more than you would probably ever use lol.

I'm sure someone will put them to the test at some point and lay a Z out on shockwaves or cylinders. That's the only time I could see needing that much adjustment.

The shop car is looking great BTW. A ton of changes in a short time!

M.Bonanni · 03-10-2009, 09:55 PM

Thanks, hopefully more to come soon.

It needs wheels...bad...

Namir · 03-16-2009, 12:00 PM

Did you guys end up getting rails for the BRIDES?
I saw a teaser picture a while ago with the passenger seat replaced but if I recall correctly it was only temporary.

M.Bonanni · 03-17-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namir

Did you guys end up getting rails for the BRIDES?
I saw a teaser picture a while ago with the passenger seat replaced but if I recall correctly it was only temporary.

No, the teaser pic had the rail for a 350Z. We are still waiting on BRIDE Japan to send some to the US. Still no solid confirmation on an arrival date from them.

M.Bonanni · 03-20-2009, 03:50 PM

In anticipation of the time attack coming up at the end of next week, here is what will be done to the car prior to the race...

- Change transmission fluid
- Change differential fluid
- Drain washer fluid
- Change coolant
- Change brake pads to Hawk HP+
- Corner balance

Starting on the punch list Monday.

M.Bonanni · 03-23-2009, 04:14 PM

Started today on my prep for the upcoming Redline Time Attack this weekend! Unfortunately, running the 370Z was a last minute decision so I am not able to add a bunch of new parts to the car for the race, but I will do what I can with limited time and resources to give myself any advantage possible!

I started by gutting the trunk are to see how much weight could be saved. I grabbed a screwdriver and a 10mm socket and 10 minutes later, here are the results!

All of this stuff pops in and out with ease and will be put back in after the race...

Then I started weighing what was removed. This is the sun shade/privacy thing that stretches out over whatever you're carying in the back. No need for this in time attack! 3 lbs. saved...

Now some of the interior plastics. These are the pieces that cover the rear strut towers. 5 lbs. saved and easy access to the rebound adjustment on my BC coilovers!

The rest of the trunk area plastic and styrofoam. 10 lbs. saved!

Just like on the 350Zs, there is a weight bolted to the hatch...

...and it weighs 2 lbs...

And the grand total wieght savings for 10 min. worth of work is 20 lbs! I had previously weight the stock BOSE subwoofer, spare tire, and tools and the weight of those totals out to be 50 lbs. So that's a grand total of 70 lbs. weight savings in a matter of 10 min! The best part is, all of this stuff is just as easy to put back as it is to remove.

Now the only possible downside is that this amount of weight reduction is all off the back of the car. I have swapped the OEM battery with a lightweight Odyssey battery to help offset some of that, but I will find out later what the front/rear weight distribution is. Worst case is that I may need to add some weight back to the rear.

I also installed the Hawk HP+ Brake pads. They fit perfectly and the install was incredibly easy thanks to the design of the Akebono calipers. The car is still up in the air on jack stands awaiting more work tomorrow so I haven't driven the car with the pads in yet. I will bed them in later in the week and then provide my on-track impressions and pad wear analysis next week after the time attack.

M.Bonanni · 03-24-2009, 07:43 PM

Good news! I was able to corner balance the car within a good enough range that I didn't have to add any more weight back to the rear!

Car is now corner balanced to a 50.4% cross weight, 55%/45% front to rear bias, and 51%/49% left to right bias. All with the driver (me) in the car. If I find myself bored enough within the next few days, I may tweak with it a little more to try and get that perfect 50% cross weight.

Total vehicle weight with 1/2 tank of gas, no driver came in at 3230 lbs.

Tomorrow I will set my alignment and cold tire pressure then take a trip to my vinyl guy to get the sponsor logos put on the car.

M.Bonanni · 03-25-2009, 08:20 PM

Just got back from my vinyl guy. Looks pretty ricey on a stock appearing car, but hey, sponsorships are the backbone of racing. Gotta do what you gotta do...

ssqpolo · 03-25-2009, 08:45 PM

no! make the stickers go away!! yaaaa gotta do what u gotta do. but DAMMMMMN those are big lol. i woulda tried to just put them on the bottom, like just on the side skirts and maybe some going up the front quarter panel (like where the light up Z emblem is). otherwise, sexy car man.

M.Bonanni · 03-25-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssqpolo

no! make the stickers go away!! yaaaa gotta do what u gotta do. but DAMMMMMN those are big lol. i woulda tried to just put them on the bottom, like just on the side skirts and maybe some going up the front quarter panel (like where the light up Z emblem is). otherwise, sexy car man.

See, although that would look cleaner, I am good to my sponsors. I am one of the few who realize that a logo on a track car is no good if you can't see it from 50' away going 100mph.

Have you ever seen a professional race car, like a NASCAR or CORR truck or something up close? All of the logos and decals look huge and obnoxious, but when they are on the track, from a spectator or camera's point of view, it looks normal.

For car shows you can get away with much smaller logos and have the same effect.

03-10-2009, 09:39 PM	#47 (permalink)
kustomZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 112 Drives: TBD Rep Power: 256	I take it those arms allow for more camber adjustment over stock? Do the stock arms have adjustable keys? Sorry for the dumb question, I haven't looked at the suspension yet. __________________

03-10-2009, 09:51 PM	#50 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	yes, more than you would probably ever use lol. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-10-2009, 09:55 PM	#52 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Thanks, hopefully more to come soon. It needs wheels...bad... __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-16-2009, 12:00 PM	#53 (permalink)
Namir Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OH and VA Posts: 627 Drives: 09 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 255	Did you guys end up getting rails for the BRIDES? I saw a teaser picture a while ago with the passenger seat replaced but if I recall correctly it was only temporary. __________________ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. G37S\|6MT\|PREM\|NAV\|Eibach\|Ichibia\|Injen

03-20-2009, 03:50 PM	#55 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	In anticipation of the time attack coming up at the end of next week, here is what will be done to the car prior to the race... - Change transmission fluid - Change differential fluid - Drain washer fluid - Change coolant - Change brake pads to Hawk HP+ - Corner balance Starting on the punch list Monday. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-23-2009, 04:14 PM	#56 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Started today on my prep for the upcoming Redline Time Attack this weekend! Unfortunately, running the 370Z was a last minute decision so I am not able to add a bunch of new parts to the car for the race, but I will do what I can with limited time and resources to give myself any advantage possible! I started by gutting the trunk are to see how much weight could be saved. I grabbed a screwdriver and a 10mm socket and 10 minutes later, here are the results! All of this stuff pops in and out with ease and will be put back in after the race... Then I started weighing what was removed. This is the sun shade/privacy thing that stretches out over whatever you're carying in the back. No need for this in time attack! 3 lbs. saved... Now some of the interior plastics. These are the pieces that cover the rear strut towers. 5 lbs. saved and easy access to the rebound adjustment on my BC coilovers! The rest of the trunk area plastic and styrofoam. 10 lbs. saved! Just like on the 350Zs, there is a weight bolted to the hatch... ...and it weighs 2 lbs... And the grand total wieght savings for 10 min. worth of work is 20 lbs! I had previously weight the stock BOSE subwoofer, spare tire, and tools and the weight of those totals out to be 50 lbs. So that's a grand total of 70 lbs. weight savings in a matter of 10 min! The best part is, all of this stuff is just as easy to put back as it is to remove. Now the only possible downside is that this amount of weight reduction is all off the back of the car. I have swapped the OEM battery with a lightweight Odyssey battery to help offset some of that, but I will find out later what the front/rear weight distribution is. Worst case is that I may need to add some weight back to the rear. I also installed the Hawk HP+ Brake pads. They fit perfectly and the install was incredibly easy thanks to the design of the Akebono calipers. The car is still up in the air on jack stands awaiting more work tomorrow so I haven't driven the car with the pads in yet. I will bed them in later in the week and then provide my on-track impressions and pad wear analysis next week after the time attack. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form Last edited by M.Bonanni; 03-23-2009 at 07:36 PM.

03-24-2009, 07:43 PM	#57 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Good news! I was able to corner balance the car within a good enough range that I didn't have to add any more weight back to the rear! Car is now corner balanced to a 50.4% cross weight, 55%/45% front to rear bias, and 51%/49% left to right bias. All with the driver (me) in the car. If I find myself bored enough within the next few days, I may tweak with it a little more to try and get that perfect 50% cross weight. Total vehicle weight with 1/2 tank of gas, no driver came in at 3230 lbs. Tomorrow I will set my alignment and cold tire pressure then take a trip to my vinyl guy to get the sponsor logos put on the car. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-25-2009, 08:20 PM	#58 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Just got back from my vinyl guy. Looks pretty ricey on a stock appearing car, but hey, sponsorships are the backbone of racing. Gotta do what you gotta do... __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-25-2009, 08:45 PM	#59 (permalink)
ssqpolo Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 882 Drives: '12 Black Nismo Rep Power: 267	no! make the stickers go away!! yaaaa gotta do what u gotta do. but DAMMMMMN those are big lol. i woulda tried to just put them on the bottom, like just on the side skirts and maybe some going up the front quarter panel (like where the light up Z emblem is). otherwise, sexy car man.