RCZ's 370Z Journal.

SPOHN

+1 on the wheels.

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wstar

A few Q's about that race-prepped 370, if you happen to know from talking to him:

1) Are those the Mine's ducts in the front bumper, but with the rear tube of them cut short to fit in front of the G3 intakes? Does that work out ok in rain or does he cover them somehow (or just never runs in the rain?)?

2) Any idea where the hood vents came from? They look like they're proper NACA shaped which would be awesome for some engine bay venting.

3) Does he have his harnesses mounted looped over the stock interior "strut bar"? It looks like it in the pics, but I thought that thing was too weak for mounting a harness to.

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7AT Track Car!
Journal thread / Car setup details

RCZ

I didnt ask about the ducts, I imagine he doesnt run the car when it rains too often. The car appeared to be done by a shop that has race experience and rig their own stuff to work on the car. They did fit pretty flush so I would imagine they are made for the car.

I'm pretty sure its the seibon hood with the built in NACA ducts. It was all painted CF except for the vents. Really making me consider that hood, but it makes me wonder if thats really enough venting.

He had them mounted on the stock bar. I didnt know it was too weak, I thought the big issue was that the stock seats are too high and your spine would get compressed in an accident. I would imagine that even though the bar is designed for longitudinal flex, its enough to hold a person snug even in high g's.

I asked the guy about ice mode and said he has never experienced it. I asked him about oil temps and he said no problems at all after oil cooler install. It looked like 25 row and a small trans cooler next to it since the car was Automatic. It was either that or it was a steering cooler...

2ndChance

+1 on the wheels, really matches the PG

And it's nice to see that track 370z.. he has some cool stuff..

SeeyaBud86

Out of curiosity, how'd you like the 1 M?

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My Z:http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...l-finally.html
1969 MGB for sale: http://www.the370z.com/other-vehicle...ml#post1238143

RCZ

I liked it, great engine and looks good. It has lots of torque and the engine revs smoothly. Interior is great, very very good materials. It feels exactly as if they took M parts and stuffed them into the 135. Suspension and chassis are a bit soft for the power, but overall it is a great car. Would I trade a stock Z in for one? more yes than no, but its not that much better than the Z. It has a lot of potential to be a very quick car though and the brakes really work nicely. Granted I've been driving a track biased Z for a while, but I got the feeling like the Z is just better planted and more confidence inspiring. Its an awesome car nonetheless, very good engine and tons of fun.

christian370z

Hey Raul, the Z looks amazing. How is the Stillen splitter holding up? I plan to pick one up this summer and am curious.

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-320whp / 259wftlbs-
SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

Boost_lee

looking great

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My TT Z

jnaut

damn, bro i should have came down.... i didnt do a fuking thing around here... on the 1m you know i when i called u say i was trading in the z one that car. i even whet to put a deposit on it before it arrived. The n54 is great, minor tweeks now ur +400 tq's. gotta love that.pure sex.

u should have flogged ur car a little bit to compare lap times to ur last session. how did the 1m stock fair against ur old times?

now, i also like the hood raul, yes maybe i little more venting, but something is better than nothing. lmk i may wanna get in on that as i am moving a lot quicker on my build...should have the motor out,built and back in with in the next 2 months


also to everytbody else raul and I are finalizing the battery relocate kit should have more info up very very soon.

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Best 1/4 mile 12.24 Best mph 114.5_______

RCZ

I told you to come down!

Jay, you should at least consider turning that car into a road racing car, it will be bulletproof after the build and you and I both know its 1000X more fun than drag racing. Also 1000X more expensive, but its worth it. I like the venting idea too, this car definitely needs all the cooling it can get. Let me know if you want that hood, I know a guy haha.

As far as times goes, that 1 M is definitely quicker than a stock Z I think. That little engine has so much torque down low and it feels super linear. Its definitely enough power to catch you by surprise on corner exit third gear. It comes with the M3's tires too, so that helps. You should go test drive it

If it came in DCT, my car would be at your shop probably turning back to stock

RCZ

Installed my ESFOURTEEN clutch helper spring and it feels PERFECT now. I highly recommend it. Don't forget to at a little grease in there to keep everything quiet after you put it back together!

Stock wheels up for sale in the classifieds.

Another update on my clutch disaster:
Looks like the issue was caused by Southbend in the first place. Apparently the stock hydraulic system in our cars is absolute garbage. Its extremely weak. Some of the older 370z Southbend clutches have whats called a "marcel" which is a wave spring that gets sandwiched in between the pressure plate and disc...this was fine for the 350Z clutch (which is what Southbend uses on the 370Z) because it had a longer throw and therefore there would be enough gap for the marcel not to drag. Our cars have a shorter throw and that causes this clutch marcel to stay in contact even with the clutch fully pressed in/disengaged.

I bought my clutch from Concept Z Performance, who had NO IDEA about what I'm talking about. I tried explaining but they didnt get it. All the new 370z southbend clutches have had this marcel removed so they assume I got one of the early ones (about 10 months ago) which still had the marcel in it.



As you can imagine, my shifter is super notchy and has trouble going into first gear from a stand still. So because neither of these two companies wants to own up to their mistake, I will be pulling my transmission off for the 4th time and the car will have to be at the shop while we send southbend my clutch so they can test it out and remove the marcel.

Of course the stupid customer will be stuck paying the bill again. Thank god Jnaut takes pitty on me and is giving me a great deal to do this again. Also thanks to JOE from Z Speed for helping us with the CORRECT information about this, he was the one that found the problem some 10 months ago and the reason why it hasn't happened to anyone else.

jnaut

So none of them wanna step up to the plate??
This is not right, its a defect in the clutch. They need to do the right thing .

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Best 1/4 mile 12.24 Best mph 114.5_______

RCZ

Southbend said they would inspect it for free....how about sending me a new clutch that works so I don't have downtime Southbend???

98intrigue

Because that's called good customer service.

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RCZ

Do you think they care? If they did, they wouldve offered to help when I told them. Concept Z should have helped, they sold me a product that doesn't fit my car.

EDIT: I sent Coz an email to see if they at least will help me out with fixing the clutch now that we have finally identified they are at fault for the problem...