DDM Project 370Z

nogoodname · 06-25-2009, 01:40 PM

^ Yeah lol

M.Bonanni · 06-25-2009, 02:32 PM

Also looking into seeing if the Nismo finned differential cover for the 350Z/G35/Titan will fit the 370Z. I am 90% sure it will. This will help with cooling the diff. Getting in touch with my Nismo supplier now...

nogoodname · 06-25-2009, 02:33 PM

Nice lid. That will help quite a bit at the track.

ChrisSlicks · 06-25-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

Nice lid. That will help quite a bit at the track.

It will help but it won't be enough by itself for the track junkies. A pump and radiator will still be required, every little bit helps though.

M.Bonanni · 06-25-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

It will help but it won't be enough by itself for the track junkies. A pump and radiator will still be required, every little bit helps though.

It might not be enough by itself for the stock VLSD, but with an aftermarket LSD that generates less heat it might. Only one way to find out.

M.Bonanni · 06-29-2009, 04:07 PM

A little update on whats to come.

Berk Cat-Back: It was supposed to be done and ready for me to pick up and take home on Sunday when I was down in Southern California, but it didn't get done, they promised me it would ship this week so this is on standby again for now.

SPC Front Control Arms: These are out for delivery on a UPS truck right now so I will have them today, install probably tomorrow.

Hotchkis Sways: Scheduled for delivery tomorrow, install probably Wednesday or Thursday.

Carbonetic Rear Diff: Still going through the break in process. I am going a little more overkill with my break in than the directions state, but Carbonetic forwarded me the break in procedure they suggest for my application so I am following that. The procedure is 15-20 minutes of figure 8s immediately after install, change fluid, 15-20 minutes of figure 8s again, change fluid, drive 700 miles, change fluid. I still need to do the second set of figure 8s and change the fluid again before driving 700 miles.

Side Skirts: I couldn't resist and ordered the carbon side skirt add on things that VIP Status had on his car. Don't think they will provide much aerodynamic performance gain, but they look so damn cool! Those will hopefully get here near the end of the week as well.

Nismo Diff Cover: Still haven't gotten confirmation from Nissan as to whether or not the 350Z diff cover will work on the 370Z so this hasn't been ordered yet.

Project Kics Magnetic Diff Plug: On backorder for now, but I am getting a number of them in. I believe they will work on the engine oil plug as well.

ssqpolo · 06-29-2009, 07:37 PM

i love those sideskirt things!! and im reallllllllly waiting for berk's catback. its been way overdue

M.Bonanni · 06-29-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssqpolo

i love those sideskirt things!! and im reallllllllly waiting for berk's catback. its been way overdue

I know, and they feel bad about it too but they have been really busy trying to fill backorders they said, which comes first naturally.

On another note. SPC front control arms came in today. Will install them tomorrow along with the Hotchkis sways if they show up in the early part of the day.

DannyGT · 06-29-2009, 11:51 PM

Are u planning on sticking those side skirts on with nothing else ? I would think it throws off the lines of the car because you get that uneven look. Like when someone throws on a huge front bumper with no side skirts...ehhh not good.

Other than that, I love what your doing with the car, great job!

M.Bonanni · 06-29-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyGT

Are u planning on sticking those side skirts on with nothing else ? I would think it throws off the lines of the car because you get that uneven look. Like when someone throws on a huge front bumper with no side skirts...ehhh not good.

Other than that, I love what your doing with the car, great job!

Yeah haven't quite decided on a front lip yet but eventually one will go on. The side skirts are pretty subtle, but if they look out of place with the stock front/rear bumpers I will take them back off and save them for when I get more body pieces.

DannyGT · 06-29-2009, 11:56 PM

I'm not exactly crazy about it, but that top secret front lip might go well with those sides...

...would love for someone to release a complete accent kit as streamline as those sides are!

Caravanshaka · 06-29-2009, 11:59 PM

agree with that Danny! Would be nice for a subtle lip kit all around that is styled like those skirts.

M.Bonanni · 06-29-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyGT

I'm not exactly crazy about it, but that top secret front lip might go well with those sides...

...would love for someone to release a complete accent kit as streamline as those sides are!

Not really looking to get a super crazy expensive lip that serves no aerodynamic function to just beat up on the track. It will either be cheap and look good to where I don't care about replacing it every so often when it gets too beat up, or it will be strong and functional. Trying to work with a few different companies to get them to do a front lip/splitter combo that will provide function and form.

travisjb · 06-30-2009, 12:12 AM

You and I are thinking alike on front splitter... I'd err towards getting the cheap/disposable kind at least initially until I get serious about trailering this car

M.Bonanni · 06-30-2009, 03:43 PM

Break in on the Carbonetic 1.5 Way LSD is finally complete! Can't wait to track test it next month.

SPC Performance front upper control arms went on the car this morning as well. The install was a little bit more of a pain in the *** than I had hoped, but could be due to my coilovers. The bolts holding the arms to the body of the car were too long to come out. The hit the spring, so I had to un-do the sway bar end link and top three bolts on the coilover and lower the coilover out of the top mount so I can move it around and get enough clearance to remove/re-install the bolts. Camber adjustment on the SPC arms is a bit crude and not the easiest to adjust because its hard to find the necessary tool that fits up in the crowded wheel well area with enough clearance. Not to mention the bolt is 27mm which is a large size which most don't have in their toolbox. I had to use a 27mm short socket, pivot joint socket attachment and ratchet and get it at just the right angle to be able to loosen/tighten the camber adjustment bolt. There may be a better tool for this job out there somewhere, I just don't have it in my tool box. I just pray that these arms are designed well enough to hold my camber settings under extreme track abuse without slipping. Unless I find the perfect tool to make adjustments easy and they perform flawlessly at the track, I think I will still swap them out for SPL Parts front upper control arms when they are available. I have not dialed in my alignment yet since I am leaving the car up on jack stands until my sway bars get here and I can install those. I probably wont set my alignment until tomorrow but I will probably just set it back to where it was at around -1.5 degrees until I get closer to my next track day the 1st & 2nd of August.

For those who remember, I picked up a rock on the highway a few months ago that cracked my windshield. Since then the crack has gotten pretty huge and I have spent the past few weeks calling every glass shop and manufacturer in the books trying to avoid spending the $1100 that Nissan wants to charge for a factory replacement and install. Good news is, today I found an answer as to when manufacturers plan on making a cheaper aftermarket replacement windshield. Bad news is, its not until 2010 so looks like I am stuck getting raped with an $1100 windshield replacement bill. I pray that this doesn't happen to any of you before 2010. This little setback puts a big strain on my build budget for this car so I may not be getting anything else for the car unless its a sponsorship deal for a while.

Also just registered for my next track event. The Super Lap Qualifier/N.A.S.A. Time Trials event at Auto Club Speedway on August 1st & 2nd. The race is in Fontana (SoCal) so if you can, come by and check it out! Would love to finally meet some of you SoCal 370Z guys.

06-25-2009, 02:32 PM	#317 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Also looking into seeing if the Nismo finned differential cover for the 350Z/G35/Titan will fit the 370Z. I am 90% sure it will. This will help with cooling the diff. Getting in touch with my Nismo supplier now... __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

06-29-2009, 04:07 PM	#321 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	A little update on whats to come. Berk Cat-Back: It was supposed to be done and ready for me to pick up and take home on Sunday when I was down in Southern California, but it didn't get done, they promised me it would ship this week so this is on standby again for now. SPC Front Control Arms: These are out for delivery on a UPS truck right now so I will have them today, install probably tomorrow. Hotchkis Sways: Scheduled for delivery tomorrow, install probably Wednesday or Thursday. Carbonetic Rear Diff: Still going through the break in process. I am going a little more overkill with my break in than the directions state, but Carbonetic forwarded me the break in procedure they suggest for my application so I am following that. The procedure is 15-20 minutes of figure 8s immediately after install, change fluid, 15-20 minutes of figure 8s again, change fluid, drive 700 miles, change fluid. I still need to do the second set of figure 8s and change the fluid again before driving 700 miles. Side Skirts: I couldn't resist and ordered the carbon side skirt add on things that VIP Status had on his car. Don't think they will provide much aerodynamic performance gain, but they look so damn cool! Those will hopefully get here near the end of the week as well. Nismo Diff Cover: Still haven't gotten confirmation from Nissan as to whether or not the 350Z diff cover will work on the 370Z so this hasn't been ordered yet. Project Kics Magnetic Diff Plug: On backorder for now, but I am getting a number of them in. I believe they will work on the engine oil plug as well. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

06-29-2009, 11:51 PM	#324 (permalink)
DannyGT Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 919 Drives: 370Z (SOLD) Rep Power: 279	Are u planning on sticking those side skirts on with nothing else ? I would think it throws off the lines of the car because you get that uneven look. Like when someone throws on a huge front bumper with no side skirts...ehhh not good. Other than that, I love what your doing with the car, great job! __________________ Performance GTM Stage 1 SC, GTM Res.Test Pipes, Invidia Gemini Exhaust, GTM HD Oil Cooler Wheels & Suspension AME Tracer TM02's 19x9.5F 19x10.5R w/ 265x35F & 305x30R, Hotchkis Sways, BC (BR) Racing Coilovers (Car Sold)

06-29-2009, 11:56 PM	#326 (permalink)
DannyGT Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 919 Drives: 370Z (SOLD) Rep Power: 279	I'm not exactly crazy about it, but that top secret front lip might go well with those sides... ...would love for someone to release a complete accent kit as streamline as those sides are! __________________ Performance GTM Stage 1 SC, GTM Res.Test Pipes, Invidia Gemini Exhaust, GTM HD Oil Cooler Wheels & Suspension AME Tracer TM02's 19x9.5F 19x10.5R w/ 265x35F & 305x30R, Hotchkis Sways, BC (BR) Racing Coilovers (Car Sold)

06-30-2009, 12:12 AM	#329 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	You and I are thinking alike on front splitter... I'd err towards getting the cheap/disposable kind at least initially until I get serious about trailering this car __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-25-2009, 01:40 PM	#316 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	^ Yeah lol

06-25-2009, 02:33 PM	#318 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	Nice lid. That will help quite a bit at the track.

06-29-2009, 07:37 PM	#322 (permalink)
ssqpolo Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 882 Drives: '12 Black Nismo Rep Power: 267	i love those sideskirt things!! and im reallllllllly waiting for berk's catback. its been way overdue

06-29-2009, 11:59 PM	#327 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	agree with that Danny! Would be nice for a subtle lip kit all around that is styled like those skirts.

06-30-2009, 03:43 PM	#330 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Break in on the Carbonetic 1.5 Way LSD is finally complete! Can't wait to track test it next month. SPC Performance front upper control arms went on the car this morning as well. The install was a little bit more of a pain in the * than I had hoped, but could be due to my coilovers. The bolts holding the arms to the body of the car were too long to come out. The hit the spring, so I had to un-do the sway bar end link and top three bolts on the coilover and lower the coilover out of the top mount so I can move it around and get enough clearance to remove/re-install the bolts. Camber adjustment on the SPC arms is a bit crude and not the easiest to adjust because its hard to find the necessary tool that fits up in the crowded wheel well area with enough clearance. Not to mention the bolt is 27mm which is a large size which most don't have in their toolbox. I had to use a 27mm short socket, pivot joint socket attachment and ratchet and get it at just the right angle to be able to loosen/tighten the camber adjustment bolt. There may be a better tool for this job out there somewhere, I just don't have it in my tool box. I just pray that these arms are designed well enough to hold my camber settings under extreme track abuse without slipping. Unless I find the perfect tool to make adjustments easy and they perform flawlessly at the track, I think I will still swap them out for SPL Parts front upper control arms when they are available. I have not dialed in my alignment yet since I am leaving the car up on jack stands until my sway bars get here and I can install those. I probably wont set my alignment until tomorrow but I will probably just set it back to where it was at around -1.5 degrees until I get closer to my next track day the 1st & 2nd of August. For those who remember, I picked up a rock on the highway a few months ago that cracked my windshield. Since then the crack has gotten pretty huge and I have spent the past few weeks calling every glass shop and manufacturer in the books trying to avoid spending the $1100 that Nissan wants to charge for a factory replacement and install. Good news is, today I found an answer as to when manufacturers plan on making a cheaper aftermarket replacement windshield. Bad news is, its not until 2010 so looks like I am stuck getting raped with an $1100 windshield replacement bill. I pray that this doesn't happen to any of you before 2010. This little setback puts a big strain on my build budget for this car so I may not be getting anything else for the car unless its a sponsorship deal for a while. Also just registered for my next track event. The Super Lap Qualifier/N.A.S.A. Time Trials event at Auto Club Speedway on August 1st & 2nd. The race is in Fontana (SoCal) so if you can, come by and check it out! Would love to finally meet some of you SoCal 370Z guys. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form** Last edited by M.Bonanni; 06-30-2009 at 03:53 PM.