DDM Project 370Z

G37Sam · 05-30-2009, 12:18 AM

Very informative & suspence filled thread haha

Subscribing!

M.Bonanni · 05-30-2009, 10:14 PM

Well the practice day is over out here at Willow Springs and my mod priority list has changed again.

The damaged stock LSD has held together fine so far (knock on wood), however its useless performance wise.

The Nitto NT05 tires are awesome, but I am in desperate need of some negative camber up front to get the full benefit of them. Also, the 245/35/19 tire up front is just too skinny for this heavy car.

The Hawk HP+ brake pads worked fine for Buttonwillow and work fine for the most part at Willow Springs but the hard braking zone going into turn one from 140mph has proven too much for them. Initial bite is good and they quickly fall off after that. They definately aren't good for long high speed braking zones.

The BC Racing ER Series coilovers continue to impress me and I absolutely love having the ability to separately adjust compression and rebound.

The Mishimoto oil cooler isn't working quite as well as it did in Buttonwillow, but still working quite well all things considering. Buttonwillow was about 30 degrees cooler ambient temp than today was at Willow Springs. Willow Springs is also a lot faster and you are at full throttle MUCH more than at Buttonwillow generating more heat. I still have not hit the rev limit cut for oil temp, but temps are hovering at a high of around 270 degrees. about 10 degrees hotter than it ever got at Buttonwillow back in March.

I did not have a transponder on my car today so no lap times until tomorrow. I am curious to see how it stacks up against the rest of the competition but it is definately leaving a lot on the table at this track with the lack of horsepower and front grip (because of no adjustable front camber arms).

NIZMOZ · 05-30-2009, 10:17 PM

Loving my stock LSD so far. No problems after about 10 road course days, and about 40 autox days. Still works.

I have Amsoil in mine for now.

But I am considering a upgrade eventually. Hope you have better luck!

travisjb · 05-30-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

...but it is definately leaving a lot on the table at this track with the lack of horsepower and front grip (because of no adjustable front camber arms).

Re power/weight... I agree... long-term, definitely going to need to either drop 400 lbs or add another 80 hp ! losing the weight better in my book

M.Bonanni · 05-30-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

Re power/weight... I agree... long-term, definitely going to need to either drop 400 lbs or add another 80 hp ! losing the weight better in my book

I am talking more specifically for this track than in general. This track is really fast and really wide open. It caters more to high horsepower than any other track I have been too. Another 80whp would be nice on any track though

.

miguez · 05-31-2009, 09:49 AM

Thanks for the update Mike, I've been following you on Twitter, good updates there too

. I get them on my cell phone, so I can know right away what's going on with the DDM 370Z!

Are you going to look at a bigger core for your oil cooler? I know this track is probably the worse in the schedule regarding oil temps, but it wouldn't hurt anywhere to run cooler oil in this car...

By the way, are you checking tire temps across the treads to determine optimum camber? If so, which pyrometer are you using?

miguez · 05-31-2009, 10:22 PM

Hey Mike,

Followed you on Twitter all day, nice improvement on lap time! Are you going to write a quick report on it? It would be awesome.

Regarding fuel starvation, I was having a mods discussion with someone that asked me if a fuel surge tank would be needed, and I said I wasn't sure, but am now

.

travisjb · 05-31-2009, 10:34 PM

Ditto that ! would love to get a write up on your day !

Miguez, longacre makes great pyrometers... the $100 models are more than adequate
longacre pyrometer - Google Product Search

koojo · 05-31-2009, 11:11 PM

Nice upgrades! Just read your entire thread and very impressed. Hopefully I'll have my Z soon.

miguez · 06-01-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

Ditto that ! would love to get a write up on your day !

Miguez, longacre makes great pyrometers... the $100 models are more than adequate
longacre pyrometer - Google Product Search

Thanks Travis, I wonder if the laser one is as good as the contact one?

ChrisSlicks · 06-01-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miguez

Thanks Travis, I wonder if the laser one is as good as the contact one?

It's not a laser pyrometer, it is infrared. It does have a laser pointer but that is just to help you aim it accurately.

Probe pyrometers are better for tires as you can get below the surface rubber. But unless you're hard-core I would go with the infrared as it is a better general purpose meter. Use it to measure rotor and caliper temperatures, engine block etc.

Caravanshaka · 06-01-2009, 09:02 AM

Bet you can't wait to get that LSD in now that the weekend is over. How long until your next Time Attack?

CBRich · 06-01-2009, 09:50 AM

This is reaffirming my impression that the Sport package may not be worth the money. I had figured that I would want to replace the viscous LSD for any serious use so I just opted not to get it. Really the only feature worth paying for is SRM.

ChrisSlicks · 06-01-2009, 10:00 AM

Mike, just read about your fuel starvation issue. I guess I should have warned you, the G35 and 350Z had the same problem. The issue appears to be lack of baffling around the fuel pump pick up, high lateral loads push the fuel away from the pump and you choke. For this reason I always keep fuel above 1/4 tank.

M.Bonanni · 06-01-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miguez

Are you going to look at a bigger core for your oil cooler? I know this track is probably the worse in the schedule regarding oil temps, but it wouldn't hurt anywhere to run cooler oil in this car...

By the way, are you checking tire temps across the treads to determine optimum camber? If so, which pyrometer are you using?

Yes I will be looking into a bigger oil cooler core. The Mishimoto one is good for most circumstances it seems, but a bigger one definately wouldn't hurt.

I have a Longacre pyrometer, but was only using it in the rear since I don't have any adjustment capability in the front.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miguez

Hey Mike,

Followed you on Twitter all day, nice improvement on lap time! Are you going to write a quick report on it? It would be awesome.

Thanks! I will write a detailed report on it in a separate thread and link it in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravanshaka

Bet you can't wait to get that LSD in now that the weekend is over. How long until your next Time Attack?

Yes the LSD will go in ASAP. My next time attack will most likely be the Super Lap Battle Qualifier at Auto Club Speedway the first weekend in August.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Mike, just read about your fuel starvation issue. I guess I should have warned you, the G35 and 350Z had the same problem. The issue appears to be lack of baffling around the fuel pump pick up, high lateral loads push the fuel away from the pump and you choke. For this reason I always keep fuel above 1/4 tank.

Yeah I had the same problem on my 350Z as well but that car was a fully prepped race car on sticky tires which generated much more lateral grip. Did not expect it on a near stock 370Z with street tires.

05-30-2009, 12:18 AM	#241 (permalink)
G37Sam A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 1,507 Drives: RB'd G37 Rep Power: 20	Very informative & suspence filled thread haha Subscribing! __________________ '14 Viper GTS '08 RB'd G37S - Sold

05-30-2009, 10:14 PM	#242 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1321	Well the practice day is over out here at Willow Springs and my mod priority list has changed again. The damaged stock LSD has held together fine so far (knock on wood), however its useless performance wise. The Nitto NT05 tires are awesome, but I am in desperate need of some negative camber up front to get the full benefit of them. Also, the 245/35/19 tire up front is just too skinny for this heavy car. The Hawk HP+ brake pads worked fine for Buttonwillow and work fine for the most part at Willow Springs but the hard braking zone going into turn one from 140mph has proven too much for them. Initial bite is good and they quickly fall off after that. They definately aren't good for long high speed braking zones. The BC Racing ER Series coilovers continue to impress me and I absolutely love having the ability to separately adjust compression and rebound. The Mishimoto oil cooler isn't working quite as well as it did in Buttonwillow, but still working quite well all things considering. Buttonwillow was about 30 degrees cooler ambient temp than today was at Willow Springs. Willow Springs is also a lot faster and you are at full throttle MUCH more than at Buttonwillow generating more heat. I still have not hit the rev limit cut for oil temp, but temps are hovering at a high of around 270 degrees. about 10 degrees hotter than it ever got at Buttonwillow back in March. I did not have a transponder on my car today so no lap times until tomorrow. I am curious to see how it stacks up against the rest of the competition but it is definately leaving a lot on the table at this track with the lack of horsepower and front grip (because of no adjustable front camber arms). __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

05-30-2009, 10:17 PM	#243 (permalink)
NIZMOZ Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 634 Drives: 07 NISMO 350Z SA M6 Rep Power: 491	Loving my stock LSD so far. No problems after about 10 road course days, and about 40 autox days. Still works. I have Amsoil in mine for now. But I am considering a upgrade eventually. Hope you have better luck! __________________ SOLD: 2007 NISMO 350Z #0044 Silver Alloy New DD: 2010 Titan Pro4X CC

05-31-2009, 09:49 AM	#246 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	Thanks for the update Mike, I've been following you on Twitter, good updates there too . I get them on my cell phone, so I can know right away what's going on with the DDM 370Z! Are you going to look at a bigger core for your oil cooler? I know this track is probably the worse in the schedule regarding oil temps, but it wouldn't hurt anywhere to run cooler oil in this car... By the way, are you checking tire temps across the treads to determine optimum camber? If so, which pyrometer are you using? Last edited by miguez; 05-31-2009 at 09:52 AM. Reason: Added question about pyrometer

05-31-2009, 10:34 PM	#248 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	Ditto that ! would love to get a write up on your day ! Miguez, longacre makes great pyrometers... the $100 models are more than adequate longacre pyrometer - Google Product Search __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

05-31-2009, 10:22 PM	#247 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	Hey Mike, Followed you on Twitter all day, nice improvement on lap time! Are you going to write a quick report on it? It would be awesome. Regarding fuel starvation, I was having a mods discussion with someone that asked me if a fuel surge tank would be needed, and I said I wasn't sure, but am now .

05-31-2009, 11:11 PM	#249 (permalink)
koojo Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 61 Drives: Infiniti G20 Rep Power: 17	Nice upgrades! Just read your entire thread and very impressed. Hopefully I'll have my Z soon. __________________ 2000 Infiniti G20 (TURBOCHARGED - SR20DET) - FOR SALE - http://www.koojo.net/

06-01-2009, 09:02 AM	#252 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	Bet you can't wait to get that LSD in now that the weekend is over. How long until your next Time Attack?

06-01-2009, 09:50 AM	#253 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	This is reaffirming my impression that the Sport package may not be worth the money. I had figured that I would want to replace the viscous LSD for any serious use so I just opted not to get it. Really the only feature worth paying for is SRM.

06-01-2009, 10:00 AM	#254 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Mike, just read about your fuel starvation issue. I guess I should have warned you, the G35 and 350Z had the same problem. The issue appears to be lack of baffling around the fuel pump pick up, high lateral loads push the fuel away from the pump and you choke. For this reason I always keep fuel above 1/4 tank.