Averying's 2009 Platinum Graphite 370z Journal

Averying · 05-02-2022, 10:33 AM

Hey everyone

Figured I'd make a thread to dump all my photos/videos/posts about my car going forward.

Bought the car in October 2020 from OG forum member DannyGT. The car had a bunch of great parts on it when I got it, including a GTM Stage 1 Supercharger kit, coilovers, sway bars, wheels, etc. I could tell that he only went for the best with this Z and that it was extremely well taken care of over its lifetime. I drove it back to RI, and that's where this starts!

Engine:
GTM Stage 1 Supercharger Kit
GTM 34 row oil cooler

Transmission:
Z1 CSC delete kit
Z1 lightweight flywheel & clutch kit

Fuel:
Z1 anti-starvation kit (Holley Hydramat)

Exhaust:
GTM Resonated test pipes
Z1 test pipes
Invidia Gemini Catback

Suspension:
Z1 FUCAs
Hotchkis front and rear swaybars
BC Racing BR Coilovers (Divorced, OEM type) - 230mm rear spring for extra ride height
PLM eccentric camber and toe bolts

Alignment:
Camber: -2.5°F, -2°R
Toe: tbd

Brakes:
Z1 2-piece front rotors
Carbotech XP10/8 (for future track days?)
EBC Yellowstuff pads (daily/autox)
Stainless steel braided brake lines

Exterior:
Front fangs, roof, rear diffuser painted black
Front bumper cutout to feed the oil cooler

Interior:
AEM 150psi oil pressure gauge

Fluids:
Redline 5w-30 Engine Oil
Redline 75w-90 Diff Oil
Redline MT-85 Transmission Oil
Rotrex SX-150 Traction Fluid
Motul RBF600

Wheels/Tires:
AME TM02’s (19x9.5F+22, R19x10.5F+22)
Michelin PS4S (285/35/19F, 325/30/19R)

ZontheRocks · 05-02-2022, 12:04 PM

Great looking Z!

danegrey · 05-02-2022, 07:05 PM

fun times are ahead, congrats

Averying · 10-11-2022, 06:26 AM

Been slacking on posting anything here. Finally got to an SCCA autocross this year in Devens, MA. Video down below

Car felt good in the afternoon session once I turned up the dampers to ~2/3 stiff. I accidentally left them on almost full soft (which I use for street) in the morning session.

Need to be more confident getting on throttle earlier and staying on it later into the corner. Brakes didn’t feel as grabby on initial braking as I’d like, but I can definitely brake later into the corner and carry a bit more speed in.

Best time of 55.711 put me 48th/98. I’m happy with that result seeing as how competitive this New England region is and also the fact that the majority of folks ahead of me are on a sticky 200tw tire (RT660, A052, etc). My last run was a bit faster as well, but I hit a cone and botched the last corner. My goal is that more seat time and confidence should get me to top 1/3 of the field.

https://youtu.be/wp3-Onbz6w8

Averying · 11-02-2022, 12:59 PM

NER SCCA Autocross 10/30/22 (Video Below)
46/105 Raw time
47/105 Pax time

(Sorry for the long posts… this is also me keeping track of my progression)

Final Autox this year before winter hibernation for the Z. Ended up with a pretty nice day for end of October in the mid 60s.

My driving:
I felt more comfortable handling the car when it would get loose on entry or exit. I need to work on carrying speed through wider corners and keeping my eyes up to take a better line (which will help keep my speed up).

The car itself:
The car felt good last event when turning up the dampers. I turned them up 3 more clicks (front and rear) this time just to see and the car still felt good. I’m hoping I get to the point where I can tell when they’re set too stiff, and then I’ll back off a few clicks.
The car does feel a bit soft on these BC BR coilovers. Especially under braking there is more dive than I’d like. With 10k front 8k rear rates, they’re basically stock spring rates, and I doubt the dampers are much better than stock.
Due to the decreased # of runs and longer wait between runs at these SCCA events, I haven’t noticed the diff overheating and spinning the inside rear. I know a true LSD would be better though and is still on my future to-do list.

Finished 46/105, so I’m happy about coming in higher than 50% percentile in the field. Up to 44% percentile of the field. Goal for next year is to consistently get to top 1/3 of the event. Maybe then I’ll convince myself to go for a real diff and 200TW tires. For now I’ll try and chase down everyone on my current set up.

Averying · 01-03-2023, 06:53 PM

Well the car is finally in the garage for its winter “refresh”.

Work to be done:
1. Test pipes need to be replaced. The resonators in these GTM pipes are falling apart. This was discovered when I pulled them off to replace the gaskets. This explains the rattle I’ve had in the passenger side for almost 2 years now. I attributed this to “test pipe hiss/rattle/NVH” which I assumed was unavoidable. Picking up a new set of test pipes soon and I’m excited to hear how much smoother the sound is.
2. I have a P0300/P0138 (and associated other codes) code that has progressively gotten worse, leading to misfires above ~2500rpm during moderate load. I plan to clean MAF, install new exhaust gaskets (I know of 1 leak), and possibly replace an O2 sensor.
3. New sway bar end links in the front. New sway bar end links in the rear and converting to a G37S bar instead of Hotchkis.
4. Diff bushings to be swapped with Z1 poly mounts.
5. Rear camber and toe bolts to be swapped with PLM eccentric bolts to get to a better alignment.
6. Rear end to be dropped ~ 1/2” to match the front. Didn’t do this in the past because my alignment was already maxed. New eccentric bolts will let me lower a bit more.
7. Resetting rear coilovers by setting max compression with the dampers / bump stops, THEN adjusting ride height with the springs. This will give me max droop travel in the rear and hopefully more inside tire grip.
8. Remove and reseal the passenger side headlight.
9. Grease sway bar bushings and FUCA bushings.