Nissan 370Z Forum

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hdskull 09-30-2011 05:06 AM

Damn your car looks sick!

gtkiller 09-30-2011 01:27 PM

Looks good cant wait to see it in person.

matrix_square 09-30-2011 10:40 PM

Im jealous! Congrats dude! Im hoping to get my GT-R at the end of this year... I just need to get rid of some cars...

familycar 10-01-2011 02:37 AM

nice rides!!

Red__Zed 10-01-2011 10:27 AM

Looks sick man

WWJD 10-10-2011 01:19 AM

^^ Thank you guys!!

WWJD 10-10-2011 01:31 AM

6 Attachment(s)
First track day at Big Willow. I managed a lap time of 1:36. I could push the car a bit harder if my didn't have rear spacers. I think 1:34 is capable for the stock form.

pros:
- Z1 coolers.
They worked like magic!
- Sport BBK and Endless MX72 pads
Very good.
- Chassis
From the stock form, the car is a bit under during high speed cornering and very stable during any type of turns. The only downside is a bit more body roll. I'm sure camber and front sway bar can get all these fixed. One of the best chassis out of the box.



cons:
- auto tranny.
The tranny is no good for racing. It wouldn't shift when the car is corning, or braking. The only way you can down shifting is when you doing northing with the car. SUCKS!!! Hopefully someone come out with some tranny software tuning.
- H&R rear spacers.
The worst product and the biggest mistake I ever made. They kept losing for entire day. I could drive more than 2 laps and came to the pit to re-torque them.
- RE050A pole position
These tires are OK, the grip is actually good. However, they can't handle heat. Normally 3 laps is OK, after that, they start to get slippery.
- Top end power delivery
The power is great in first 4th gears, but 5th gear and above has no power at all. I was doing 106-110 mph when exiting turn 9 at Big Willow, at the end of the long straight away, I could only get the car up to 122-123 mph range. WTF.

UPDATED with lap time sheet. Forget the list of the car, I was originally signed up both days for my M3, but unfortunately the M3 had technical issue on Sat. so I had to take the M3 back and drove the Z on Sun.

gtkiller 10-10-2011 05:22 PM

Great write up! I have a long way to go before I can do anything close to a 1:36. I know where I can push the car more but I need to develop a better feel for the car before I can move away from my comfort zone. It's too bad the auto tranny doesn't perform well under track conditions, yes the understeer is pretty horrid during high speed corning. When it starts to happen I always feel like the grip is going to break away.
1:36 is great time I'm sure you'll get faster with your Z the more you start dialing in the car. Can't wait to see what you do at Buttonwillow :)

WWJD 10-13-2011 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtkiller (Post 1351933)
Great write up! I have a long way to go before I can do anything close to a 1:36. I know where I can push the car more but I need to develop a better feel for the car before I can move away from my comfort zone. It's too bad the auto tranny doesn't perform well under track conditions, yes the understeer is pretty horrid during high speed corning. When it starts to happen I always feel like the grip is going to break away.
1:36 is great time I'm sure you'll get faster with your Z the more you start dialing in the car. Can't wait to see what you do at Buttonwillow :)

Thank you Walter! I will bring the Z most likely.

Amuse370z 10-13-2011 03:46 AM

Damn, I wanted to do the White Amuse + CE28n + 40th Anniversary Callipers :(

Just wonder if there is any reason why only the wing is wrapped in CF vinyl? Also, are the black accents in a matt black?

WWJD 10-13-2011 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amuse370z (Post 1356230)
Damn, I wanted to do the White Amuse + CE28n + 40th Anniversary Callipers :(

Just wonder if there is any reason why only the wing is wrapped in CF vinyl? Also, are the black accents in a matt black?

The bodyshop recommended us to wrap instead of painting the wing, so I decided to go with CF wrap instead of black. It's easy removable anyways.
The black accents were painted in Satin Black, because I track the car a few times in a year, gloss black won't hold up the duty.

WWJD 11-05-2011 10:24 PM

Track day at Streets of Willow
 
6 Attachment(s)
Track/Course: Streets of Willow, CW (safety block at down hill chicane, organizer has tested about 1 sec. slower than normal course)
Best Lap Time: 1:28.81
Brakes: Stock
Tires (Size & Model): RE050A 255/35/19 and 275/35/17
Suspension: Stock with Eibach springs
Other Mods: Amuse bodykit, Stillen sway bars

Alignment spec: (Thanks to forum member MIKE)
-3 camber -.01 toe front and
-2.5 /.04 rear
This alignment works well on stiff side wall street tires. However, if you are running R compound or tires like RS3, go more aggressive like -3.5 front and -3 in the back.

Review:
- Stillen sway bars: I set front at stiff, rear at middle. The rear sway is too stiff, it causes less grip during corner exiting. Front is not stiff enough but I'm out of reach. I will reset the rear sway back to the softest setting
- SPC front camber arms: when I had them installed at the shop and aligned, one side of them came loose on the fwy during normal driving. After inspection, we found out that the lock bolt was not holding it up and the alignment shop probably did not know the torque spec. We called SPC and were told that they should be locked up tight at 120lb of torque. However, we don't really trust the design, so we went ahead and use extra bolts to get them locked up. I would HIGHLY recommend whoever is going to install the kit should get them locked completely!
Anyways, this isn't a very good design, but it's ok to live with for now.
- SPL rear camber arms and lock bolts: I'm very happy with the fact that SPL is having the lock bolts for sale together. They work perfect.

Cons:
- AT tranny/ gear ratio: again, the tranny sucks!!!:mad: It wouldn't allow me to down shift from 4th to 2nd. So I ended up driving the car in 3rd and 4th gear for the entire course for whole day. The gear ratio is wired too, no power at 4, but too short in 2nd gear. The biggest regret for me. I would buy a manual if I were to buy it again.
- RE050A: again, these tires no good. However, they do providing very good feedback.
-Exhaust note: stock exhaust doesn't make any sound under any sort of situation, its quiet like you were in a luxury car. I had to look down on the rev all the time. For several times, I thought the engine couldn't rev.
- Fuel starvation: it started at 4/10 tank of gas

Pros:
- stock Nismo shocks and Eibach springs: the compression and rebound both feel well, no cheap feeling or too much travel.
- Tranny: upshift is as fast as Lambo e-gear on 06-08 Gallardo, very good
- Amuse: I'm not sure if it helps anything, but the kit looks awesome to me!!! :p

Red__Zed 11-05-2011 10:30 PM

car looks sweet on track!


I think you'll notice a positive difference when you get on something besides the 50's...but fuel starve will come in sooner. Time is pretty solid for the setup:tup:

WWJD 11-05-2011 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed (Post 1394116)
car looks sweet on track!


I think you'll notice a positive difference when you get on something besides the 50's...but fuel starve will come in sooner. Time is pretty solid for the setup:tup:

Thanks. Maybe my 050's are just too old, they are 08's. I always thought Re050's are decent tires for DD and light track.
I could have done in 1:26 range if I have manual. Actually, I'm thinking of trading it in for a proper manual Z. damn it

Red__Zed 11-05-2011 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWJD (Post 1394129)
Thanks. Maybe my 050's are just too old, they are 08's. I always thought Re050's are decent tires for DD and light track.
I could have done in 1:26 range if I have manual. Actually, I'm thinking of trading it in for a proper manual Z. damn it

the regular 50's come up a bit short on track. The pole positions are slightly better, but even then, most recent tires will outperform.

I've never had the chance to run an auto hard, but I'd heard they were better on the track...sorry to hear it's not working out right. You might talk to some of the shops about getting the trans tuned, I know some have had good results with that.

WWJD 11-05-2011 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed (Post 1394133)
the regular 50's come up a bit short on track. The pole positions are slightly better, but even then, most recent tires will outperform.

I've never had the chance to run an auto hard, but I'd heard they were better on the track...sorry to hear it's not working out right. You might talk to some of the shops about getting the trans tuned, I know some have had good results with that.

I have been asking around who can perform the TCU tune, but nothing positive yet. Upshift is OK, it shifts very smooth on straight (can't upshift when cornering).
The biggest problem is downshift. The TCU wouldn't allow you doing anything else with downshifting at the same time, so I have to finish braking or corning or whatever I'm doing before downshift. Such a stupid tranny software Nissan put in here.

EventHorizoN 11-07-2011 02:52 PM

Ricky-Thank you for all of the valuable information. I really appreciate you going out of your way to help all of us out. You're set-up is very admirable, and I love all the progress you have made in such a short period of time! Godspeed my friend!

gtkiller 11-07-2011 03:29 PM

It's really too bad the auto tranny is holding you back, maybe it's time for that sequential shifter haha... How did the the SPC camber arm hold up? No problems with it slipping?

WWJD 11-07-2011 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EventHorizoN (Post 1396015)
Ricky-Thank you for all of the valuable information. I really appreciate you going out of your way to help all of us out. You're set-up is very admirable, and I love all the progress you have made in such a short period of time! Godspeed my friend!

Thank you Jason!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtkiller (Post 1396089)
It's really too bad the auto tranny is holding you back, maybe it's time for that sequential shifter haha... How did the the SPC camber arm hold up? No problems with it slipping?

Haha, I wanna get Leo's sequential gear box when the shop opens. BTW, I just updated the SPC review.

phelan 11-07-2011 05:00 PM

holy **** true amuse kit getting tracked. VERY nice :tup:

i don't have the balls to take rin out to the track...

WWJD 11-07-2011 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan (Post 1396266)
holy **** true amuse kit getting tracked. VERY nice :tup:

i don't have the balls to take rin out to the track...

Amuse parts are meant to be tracked. No worries!! Come on out and you will love tracking your Rin. :driving:

WWJD 11-27-2011 01:13 AM

Updates
 
7 Attachment(s)
Update 1: Tires
The pics pretty much explains why I had no grip at SOW. It seems either these tires passed the usage period or not dedicated for track use.

Update 2: Spacers and loosing lug nuts
I had my 15mm spacers installed at ACG San Diego, if you look back my journal you will see I had complainted about the lug nuts kept coming off. I apologize for the mistake and false complaint. The reason why the lug nuts kept coming off was due to they used the incorrect bolts as you can see from the pics. Basically the stock stub against the wheels, that's why. All I wanna say is WTF!!!

Update 3: finally my own shop is up and running so i can do all the works together. I will have more chances to do R&D for track in the future. :driving:

xchosun1x 11-28-2011 05:25 PM

hey ricky!


guess who!!!!!

nice updates and great build!

shop pic looks great

WWJD 11-29-2011 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xchosun1x (Post 1426587)
hey ricky!


guess who!!!!!

nice updates and great build!

shop pic looks great

Haha thanks for the bump James!! Gonna get a Z too? :happydance:

awkwardturtle 11-29-2011 01:44 PM

Sick 370z, sick GTR, M3.. may I inquire about what you do for a living? :D

Great looking car man. If I'm lucky enough to purchase a Z in the near future, I am all over white with an Amuse kit!

WWJD 12-01-2011 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awkwardturtle (Post 1427890)
Sick 370z, sick GTR, M3.. may I inquire about what you do for a living? :D

Great looking car man. If I'm lucky enough to purchase a Z in the near future, I am all over white with an Amuse kit!

Thank you!! How do you know my M3 and GTR? :rolleyes:

gtkiller 12-05-2011 04:06 PM

Your famous man! :D

awkwardturtle 12-05-2011 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWJD (Post 1430650)
Thank you!! How do you know my M3 and GTR? :rolleyes:

They were posted in this thread...? haha

WWJD 12-07-2011 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awkwardturtle (Post 1436947)
They were posted in this thread...? haha

I posted my GTR but no M3 though. :tiphat:

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtkiller (Post 1436913)
Your famous man! :D

LOL. Are you coming this Sat?

awkwardturtle 12-07-2011 07:25 AM

Yeah, I'm too lazy to check, but I'm about 90% sure it was mentioned somewhere in this thread haha. Either that, or I'm stalking you. Both are plausible explanations

WWJD 01-09-2012 01:45 PM

3 Attachment(s)
We brought out our Z's to Buttonwillow last Sunday during Test and Tuen. What a fun day! :driving:

Here's some review of the day:

Good:

1 7AT
Finally I got used to the tranny. No complaint this time. I figured out if I wanna downshift, I have to wait until completely finishing the braking, then downshift once, and do it again while approaching to the corners.

2 Brake calipers
The sport pkg calipers worked pretty well whole day long. No overheating on pistons for the whole day, they didn't even boil the fluid. Impressive!

3 Chassis
For SOW and Big Willow, there aren't much proper race track corners, I wasn't able to test out the chassis. After Button, I can say the chassis is awesome well built.


Bad:

1 Rotors
Stockers are one piece rotors. They are no good... I think one of two of the rotors are warp. I will check on them later.

2 Tranny
The tranny started to grab the gears slower when the tranny temp going up. I guess the 34 row cooler isn't enough for the tranny.


Ugly:

1 Suspension
They are the worst suspension I have ever had in any cars I have drove on tracks. The stock or Nismo suspensions will ONLY work for normal street tires, which means the same level as RE050A. Anything above that, such as AD08, RS3, R compound, the shocks will not longer be able to grab the tires. They lost control or snap suddenly. (basically one of the wheels lift from the ground).
This happens to a stock 370Z and my Z with Nismo shocks.

Again, they are very good if you use normal street tires, just bad when you try to upgrade them. Don't get me wrong.

____________________


Here are some pictures of the track day. I brought out my Amuse S2000 GT1 and 370Z together.

WWJD 01-09-2012 01:47 PM

5 Attachment(s)
Thank you very much for Jason taking all the pictures!

Jamaica 01-09-2012 02:09 PM

How do you monitor the temp for the tranny?

WWJD 01-09-2012 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaica@UAMotorsports (Post 1482704)
How do you monitor the temp for the tranny?

I have an engine oil cooler from my GT-R, so I have it modified to tranny cooler. Never overheated during 40 minutes non-cool down tracking, but it did shift less crispy due to the high temp.

Jamaica 01-09-2012 02:16 PM

Maybe a temp gauge will help monitor the process. The 72 row oil cooler works great on the track also. A tune for the tranny might also help.

WWJD 01-09-2012 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaica@UAMotorsports (Post 1482715)
Maybe a temp gauge will help monitor the process. The 72 row oil cooler works great on the track also. A tune for the tranny might also help.

Who makes tune for tranny?
I don't worry about overheating, I can always make it worked.

Jamaica 01-09-2012 02:39 PM

Uprev. Sam was able to tune the tranny so that i would shift faster. You can feel the difference when shifting.

WWJD 01-09-2012 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaica@UAMotorsports (Post 1482751)
Uprev. Sam was able to tune the tranny so that i would shift faster. You can feel the difference when shifting.

Thank you! I will check it out.

HKYStormFront 01-09-2012 03:04 PM

car looks great! loving the track shots!

WWJD 01-09-2012 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKYStormFront (Post 1482791)
car looks great! loving the track shots!

Thank you. wish we have more tracked 370z's.


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