RCZ's 370Z Journal.

RCZ · 05-18-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnaut

Looks good!!

Of Course it looks good, its your work!

Is it done?

tranceformer · 05-18-2010, 05:08 PM

is it done yet?

Togo · 05-18-2010, 05:18 PM

Any update on the iCarbon project? Just interested to see if they are still considering the 370Z project.

Togo · 05-18-2010, 05:24 PM

Any update on the iCarbon project? Just interested to see if they are still considering the 370Z project.

RCZ · 05-19-2010, 10:02 AM

Its done. Oh man I love it.

Southbend Stage 4 Clutch with Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel:

I highly recommend everyone to get a lightened flywheel. Makes a big difference.

The clutch itself is heavier than the stock one, but I'm more or less used to it already after driving it for a few miles. It is definitely slippable and stop-go starts can be made smoothly. (whew!). I actually really like the engagement, its doesn't feel like a mystery like the stock clutch does. Sometimes you get this feeling with the stock clutch that you don't know whether the clutch is fully engaged or not, but not anymore, this thing just hooks up and you know its hooked up.

For those of you who are still wondering, the synchro rev match feature works and oh man does it match quickly. By the time I let my foot off the clutch pedal, the revs are already waiting for me. I don't think I can shift as fast as this thing can match revs unless maybe if I'm really really trying.

Have I released any power by freeing up the mass? Maybe a little, the car does feel like it wants to rev up quicker, like there is less holding it back. I can go back to the analogy I made when talking about the lightened crank pulley, where I said that getting one is like the difference between having the AC on or the AC off on a normal car. You feel that parasitic drag on the motor kinda dampen the revs a bit with the AC on, thats what the stock pulley feels like vs a lightened pulley. The flywheel is that same kinda feeling, just multiplied by 10. Everything becomes crisp and more exact, in fact I feel like the entire car got lighter by changing it out.

The combination of these two actually turns out to be quite livable for a daily driver. Its hard to believe this clutch is good for like 600tq+. Its fairly smooth and you can modulate it relatively easily even though the pedal is heavier and the engagement point shorter.

People wanted to know about flywheel chatter. There is some. My girlfriend even said "its really not bad" and I agree. I almost always drive with music on and I can't hear a thing then. There is a little more NVH transfer, but I actually really really like it because its there, but its not annoying. The car just feels even more solid and connected now than it did before.

Overall I am really happy with the clutch and would recommend it to folks who enjoy driving their cars spiritedly. All you guys who are into cruising around town and hollerin' not only do you not need a clutch, but this isn't the one for you. Lets be realistic too, when you are upgrading a clutch to something that can hold the power and will put up to as much abuse as this one does, you are bound to have to make at least a small sacrifice. Think of it like getting coilovers over the stock springs, it feels that much better, but there are always some comfort drawbacks with a more focused setup.

I gotta thank Jay (jnaut) again for doing an excellent job for an amazing price! Top notch guy to deal with, he even came to pick me up at the train station and then by the time I got to my car everything was packaged up nicely in the trunk and the car was ready to drive away. You really couldn't do anything better.

Lastly, if anyone is thinking about upgrading their clutch, I have a good deal with the forum vendor who sold this kit to me. Just PM me and I'll give you the details!

If anyone has any other questions, let me know. If you need to know anything about the installation, then jnaut will probably chime in.

RCZ · 05-19-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Togo

Any update on the iCarbon project? Just interested to see if they are still considering the 370Z project.

Yeah, they were really really really backed up with the BMW stuff because they switched to a new factory. They are as eager as we are to move into the 370Z and from the last I heard, that should be any day now. I realize its been a long delay, but these things happen and they wanted to fully take care of one sector and have that 100% under control before even thinking about moving on to a new project. I think that is perfectly respectable and the right way to do business. From what I hear, the new factory is awesome, everything is coming out perfect and they predrill, pre 3M, pre bracket, pre tap, pre everything so you know everything is coming perfectly. Oh and they make the hardware for everything too. They test fit everything on real production pieces.

m4a1mustang · 05-19-2010, 10:21 AM

Thanks for the review, Raul! + rep

theDreamer · 05-19-2010, 10:32 AM

Great review, will add this one to the list of setups to look at when I need to change this out.

m4a1mustang · 05-19-2010, 10:41 AM

I think I might be going Spec Stage 2 with a Fidanza flywheel... dunno yet.

theDreamer · 05-19-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think I might be going Spec Stage 2 with a Fidanza flywheel... dunno yet.

That is the other option I am considering, I think either will be fine but I am waiting to see how this one handles the SC when RCZ gets that in.

m4a1mustang · 05-19-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

That is the other option I am considering, I think either will be fine but I am waiting to see how this one handles the SC when RCZ gets that in.

At 600+ tq I think it won't break a sweat!

RCZ · 05-19-2010, 12:57 PM

No problem guys, rep much appreciated.

As far as holding the supercharger..as much as I wish i could say that it would have problems at 600+tq capability, it definitely wont.

Togo · 05-19-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Yeah, they were really really really backed up with the BMW stuff because they switched to a new factory. They are as eager as we are to move into the 370Z and from the last I heard, that should be any day now. I realize its been a long delay, but these things happen and they wanted to fully take care of one sector and have that 100% under control before even thinking about moving on to a new project. I think that is perfectly respectable and the right way to do business. From what I hear, the new factory is awesome, everything is coming out perfect and they predrill, pre 3M, pre bracket, pre tap, pre everything so you know everything is coming perfectly. Oh and they make the hardware for everything too. They test fit everything on real production pieces.

I don't know why or how that posted twice..

Thanks for the update Raul. Good to hear they are still going to be working on the 370. It sounds like they are a real quality company so I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

RCZ · 05-19-2010, 04:35 PM

No worries, it happens. Yeah, I will personally test fit everything before it goes into production

I'm going to get on their case about it again to see if we can get some dates.

phelan · 05-19-2010, 04:53 PM

Great review on the clutch RCZ...now you've gone and torpedoed another one of my paychecks

05-18-2010, 05:08 PM	#587 (permalink)
tranceformer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,213 Drives: 2009 370Z PW 6MT Rep Power: 267	is it done yet? __________________ Ray 2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires official 1/4 mile track times

05-18-2010, 05:18 PM	#588 (permalink)
Togo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: E. Northport, NY Posts: 7,597 Drives: Stuff Rep Power: 657	Any update on the iCarbon project? Just interested to see if they are still considering the 370Z project. __________________ This will decimate all after you put about fifteen grand in it or more, and if we have to, overnight parts from Japan. Joe Clem and Koeppel Nissan

05-18-2010, 05:24 PM	#589 (permalink)
Togo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: E. Northport, NY Posts: 7,597 Drives: Stuff Rep Power: 657	Any update on the iCarbon project? Just interested to see if they are still considering the 370Z project. __________________ This will decimate all after you put about fifteen grand in it or more, and if we have to, overnight parts from Japan. Joe Clem and Koeppel Nissan

05-19-2010, 10:21 AM	#592 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Thanks for the review, Raul! + rep __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-19-2010, 10:32 AM	#593 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Great review, will add this one to the list of setups to look at when I need to change this out. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

05-19-2010, 10:02 AM	#590 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1118	Its done. Oh man I love it. Southbend Stage 4 Clutch with Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel: I highly recommend everyone to get a lightened flywheel. Makes a big difference. The clutch itself is heavier than the stock one, but I'm more or less used to it already after driving it for a few miles. It is definitely slippable and stop-go starts can be made smoothly. (whew!). I actually really like the engagement, its doesn't feel like a mystery like the stock clutch does. Sometimes you get this feeling with the stock clutch that you don't know whether the clutch is fully engaged or not, but not anymore, this thing just hooks up and you know its hooked up. For those of you who are still wondering, the synchro rev match feature works and oh man does it match quickly. By the time I let my foot off the clutch pedal, the revs are already waiting for me. I don't think I can shift as fast as this thing can match revs unless maybe if I'm really really trying. Have I released any power by freeing up the mass? Maybe a little, the car does feel like it wants to rev up quicker, like there is less holding it back. I can go back to the analogy I made when talking about the lightened crank pulley, where I said that getting one is like the difference between having the AC on or the AC off on a normal car. You feel that parasitic drag on the motor kinda dampen the revs a bit with the AC on, thats what the stock pulley feels like vs a lightened pulley. The flywheel is that same kinda feeling, just multiplied by 10. Everything becomes crisp and more exact, in fact I feel like the entire car got lighter by changing it out. The combination of these two actually turns out to be quite livable for a daily driver. Its hard to believe this clutch is good for like 600tq+. Its fairly smooth and you can modulate it relatively easily even though the pedal is heavier and the engagement point shorter. People wanted to know about flywheel chatter. There is some. My girlfriend even said "its really not bad" and I agree. I almost always drive with music on and I can't hear a thing then. There is a little more NVH transfer, but I actually really really like it because its there, but its not annoying. The car just feels even more solid and connected now than it did before. Overall I am really happy with the clutch and would recommend it to folks who enjoy driving their cars spiritedly. All you guys who are into cruising around town and hollerin' not only do you not need a clutch, but this isn't the one for you. Lets be realistic too, when you are upgrading a clutch to something that can hold the power and will put up to as much abuse as this one does, you are bound to have to make at least a small sacrifice. Think of it like getting coilovers over the stock springs, it feels that much better, but there are always some comfort drawbacks with a more focused setup. I gotta thank Jay (jnaut) again for doing an excellent job for an amazing price! Top notch guy to deal with, he even came to pick me up at the train station and then by the time I got to my car everything was packaged up nicely in the trunk and the car was ready to drive away. You really couldn't do anything better. Lastly, if anyone is thinking about upgrading their clutch, I have a good deal with the forum vendor who sold this kit to me. Just PM me and I'll give you the details! If anyone has any other questions, let me know. If you need to know anything about the installation, then jnaut will probably chime in.

05-19-2010, 10:41 AM	#594 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I think I might be going Spec Stage 2 with a Fidanza flywheel... dunno yet. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-19-2010, 12:57 PM	#597 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1118	No problem guys, rep much appreciated. As far as holding the supercharger..as much as I wish i could say that it would have problems at 600+tq capability, it definitely wont.

05-19-2010, 04:35 PM	#599 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1118	No worries, it happens. Yeah, I will personally test fit everything before it goes into production I'm going to get on their case about it again to see if we can get some dates.

05-19-2010, 04:53 PM	#600 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	Great review on the clutch RCZ...now you've gone and torpedoed another one of my paychecks __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

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