TravisJB Journal

ChrisSlicks

Does NASA use a point system for mods? Would be nice if you could get the sticky tires back, those alone are worth 1-2 seconds over Nittos on a longer course.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

travisjb

This may be TMI, but here goes. There are two core systems for determining class in NASA time trial. NASA Time Trial There is a points system for TTF through TTA... and then the three fastest classes (TTS/TTR/TTU) are based upon weight/power ratios with a few modifiers for super light weight or heavy cars and tires. I was previously in TTS but didn't have nearly enough power to justify the class, and now targeting TTA... The way it works in TTF-TTA is that you have a base class (370z is TTB*) which determines your starting point.... then you have a certain amount of 'points' you can spend before you go up each class. With a TTB* starting point, I have 32 points I can spend. The bonehead that set the base class decided our car belongs in the same base class as a 996 C2! Among all the cars in the TTB* base class, ours is at the bottom in terms of weight / power. THERE IS A BACK-DOOR, however. You can request that your base class be recalculated based strictly upon weight / power. That's what I was referring to above. I asked NASA to tell me what my minimum competition weight would be given a WHP of 320 and base class of TTA. Let's say they come back with "3,150 pounds"... that would mean that I would not take points for any engine or weight reduction mods so long as I stick to that power and weight. I would have 19 points to spend after that.

Here's my current breakdown of points at 3280 pounds min comp weight and using TTB* starting class.. you can spend up to 39 pts and still only go up 1 class...
B* +7
Nitto 275's +8
Weight Redux 20 lbs +1
CAI +1
Exhaust +5
SRM +3
LSD +3
Brakes +2
Shocks/Springs +5
Wing +4
TOTAL = 39, so class = TTA

And if I had TTA starting with 3150 pounds min comp weight and TTA starting class, using Nittos
Nitto 275's +3 (TTA std size is 295 so get bonus there)
LSD +3
Brakes +2
Shocks/Springs +5
Sway bars +2
Wing +4
TOTAL = 19, so class = TTA (can add no more than 19 to stay in class)

The benefit would be that I could continue to make engine mods so long as I stay under 320whp and also drop ~150 pounds. Would also add back sways.

Alternatively, could forgo wing and sways and spend those 6 points on tires... could run 285 Hoosier R6's for example

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

ChrisSlicks

Thanks for the explanation, it is much clearer now. I would say the R6's trumps the wing (more grip at all speeds beats more grip at high speed) but it would be nice to keep the sways. That's the one thing that made this car so much better in the corners.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

travisjb

Tend to agree with you, Chris. Especially for the tracks I run where we spend 80% of our time below 90 mph. Plus it is super easy to take the Aeromtions wing on/off.

I find it very interesting how Nasa decided to base class this car... The base model is a TTB*, the sport is a TTB**, and the Nismo is TTA*. I had special permission to make mine a non-sport and take a +3 pts for the SRM, given I had swapped the brakes etc. The old Nismo was TTB vs new one at TTA*, so basically it moved up by a full class plus a "*" (46 points). That's like saying that a 370 nismo will post the same time as 2008 Nismo with 315 Hoosier R6's, sway bars, and 20 points of power / weight mods... Seems ridiculous to me! Also, have a look at the base classes for all these "TTB*" cars...

Car Class Base Weight HP (mfgr) Weight / HP

Corvette C5 (inc. FRC w/o Z51) B* 3246 400 8.12
Mercedes SL55 AMG ('03-'06) B* 4280 510 8.39
Mercedes E55 AMG ('03-'06) B* 4087 469 8.71
BMW Z8 B* 3500 400 8.75
Ford Mustang Cobra R ('00) B* 3590 390 9.21
Porsche 996 C2 (3.6L)('02-'04) B* 2959 321 9.22
Mercedes SLK32 AMG ('02-'04) B* 3220 349 9.23
Lotus Exige ('06) B* 2015 218 9.24
Porsche 993 RS 3.8L B* 2800 300 9.33
Ford Mustang Cobra SVT ('02+) B* 3665 390 9.40
Audi RS 4 (4.2L) (AWD)('07) B* 3957 420 9.42
Porsche 997 Carrera ('05-'07) B* 3075 321 9.58
Nissan 370Z (non-sport) B* 3300 331 9.97

Ours has by far the worst weight / power ratio... And remember the 370z Sport is a TTB** and the nismo is a TTA*... TTB** includes the AWD Evo X MR and TTA* includes the current Lotus Exige S, Ferrari 355, 2004 Corvette Z06, and Porsche 996 Turbo. Basically, we get screwed in NASA TT! lol

It'll be interesting to see if I can make this car win in TTA. At some point, I'm going to move back up to TTS and hopefully that'll play to my favor - given it takes all this base class BS out of the equation.

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

spearfish25

Any news on the fuel starvation fix progress? Also, does your brake cooling setup keep you dust boots intact or do they still get cooked?

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

RCZ

Damn Travis, the car looks amazing and sounds like it performs well too. Car has come a long way and looks like all that hard work has paid off. Enjoy it now. I took mine in a different direction since it was never intended to be a hardcore racer, but sometimes I wonder what if, lol. Gonna look into doing some trackdays now that its finally getting cold again.

travisjb

Re fuel starvation, I ran the car today at Chuckwalla and was able to get down to only several gallons... not the <1 gallon that I was hoping for but still a major improvement... I think Richard of nohotwire would say that there is something out of place but everything seems to be installed correctly. It's a satisfactory solution as far as I'm concerned and will have to do until I switch to a permanent racing fuel cell

I haven't checked the dust boots lately and not sure if we swapped them out when we put the brake cooling in so don't know if it is going to keep them from suffering the heat... I can tell you I'm getting no fade and no ice mode, so happy about that!

Thanks, yes, it is finally getting dialed in. I seem to still pick up 0.5 second every time I go to the track and it is some combination of continued refinements to both car and driver. I was a half second from winning last time out with NASA in TTA.

Your car is coming along great! I continue to follow... glad your SC setup is working out

If you want a hard core 370z just for the track, check in with Jay!

I drove a ZR1 today at the track. Man! Serious power... still like the Z better though!

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

ChrisSlicks

Looking good Travis, glad to hear you continue to make such huge gains each time out.

Is Richard ready to sell his fuel tank modifications? Is it possible/safe to ship a fuel tank across the country?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

travisjb

thanks. wish he would come on here and post! I think it's ready to go but that's going to be his call... he answers his phone... re shipping, yes, but he's creating a kit so you don't have to ship anything!

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

travisjb

Had the car dyno'd today for NASA classing... fortunately, it came out just below 300whp, which means that I'm all set to run NASA TTA at 3,100lbs competition weight! So now I have sufficient points available for:

+3 Nitto NT01 275 series all corners
+1 Modified LSD
+5 dampers/springs
+2 sway bars
+2 brake calipers
+4 rear wing

and two points left over for something else... this is exactly the outcome I needed... last time I ran exactly this setup but carrying nearly 200 pounds of ballast... I'm hoping that by dropping the ballast I can make up the 0.5 second between me and first place... we'll find out on 27 November

Attached Images

17-nov-2010 travis bouck 370z azdynochip.jpg (353.7 KB, 29 views)

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

spearfish25

Regarding the brake cooling, it looks like you've removed a lot of the stock 'jazz' (ska wheel liners, trays, etc). Is that the case or were things off during the photo only?

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Sharif@Forged

That is awesome to hear. On the list, LSD should be a huge priority. It's worth a second per lap easy, and the OEM unit is crap....as you know...especially with sticky tires. And rear wing...incredible.

I am surprised how much you can add, and still remain in TTA...that's great news indeed. Let me or Ryan know if you need any help with things....or a bigger Forged decal.

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travisjb

thanks, Sharif... agree on the diff and the wing - huge difference on this car

re bigger decals... hood and center console = available

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

travisjb

you are correct, what you see is what I run

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

travisjb

Need some help/input...

Working on custom rear diffuser for my car... the evap canister... the emissions charcoal canister located passenger side tucked just inside the rear fascia... it is in the way of the diffuser... can I ditch that thing? anyone know if it is going to throw the computer into fits?

alternatively, I could relocate it... do you think it'd be a fire hazard to move it into the inside of the car in the hatch?

thanks

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*