Forged Performance: 2012 Black Edition GT-R Upgraded and Track Tested
 

A couple of weeks ago, a customer contacted us because he was looking for some assistance with his One Lap of America set up on his new GT-R. A week later, we received a beautiful 2012 Black Edition GT-R straight off of the show room floor with single digit mileage and window stickers intact. After consulting with the customer, and assessing his goals and budget we developed a very cost effective plan for an outstanding weekend track package while still maintaining 100% of the OEM comfort and safety features inherent in the GT-R.

• Cobb Tuning SF Intakes
• AMS Catless Downpipes
• CBRD 90mm Y-Pipe
• Dodson Front Adjustable A-arms
• SPL Rear Camber Links
• SPL Rear Toe Links
• Forged Performance Sway Bar Kit with Solid Monoball End Links
• Forged Performance Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• Carbotech XP12 Brake Pads
• Willall Victory Spec Transmission Fluid
• Dodson Transmission Fluid Filter and Magnet Kit
• Willall Differential Fluid
• Traqmate Data System
• Schroth 4-point ASM Harness
• Volk G2 Wheels
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires 295/35/20 Square
• Forged Performance Spec Track Alignment
• Forged Performance Custom ECU Calibration using Cobb Accessport (numbers withheld at the customer’s request, due to the upcoming OLOA 2012 race)
• Engine Break-In on our Dyno Dynamics Load Based Dyno
• Final Track Test and setup at Road Atlanta by Sharif@Forged

Before shipping the vehicle back to our customer we agreed that a track test would be essential to insure the car was perfectly dialed in and setup to compete at next year’s OLOA event. With the customer's blessings, Sharif tested the vehicle at Road Atlanta for final track adjustments and confirmation of our work. There is always something unnerving about taking a customer’s brand new car to one of the most dangerous tracks in North American and pushing it to 10/10th’s. But with thousands of laps around Road Atlanta, Sharif quickly and safely confirmed the setup with only tire pressure adjustments in between hot laps. Sharif programmed three different road course calibrations during the dyno tuning process which are, naturally, switchable on the fly. During testing, he only used the lowest boost map which is comparable to the factory delivered boost pressure. Remarkable, even with stock shocks the car handled superbly and Sharif emerged from the car with a big smile on his face. With stock boost, in traffic on a damp track, 1:33 laptimes were had. No doubt with open and clear track this fairly mild build can easily see 1:32’s or better. For comparison, our track prepared GT-R runs 1:28’s. At the end of the test, we felt confident that the owner would be very happy with the car’s performance and handling characteristics. The car was very easy to drive which allowed very early application of power and a confidence inspiring transition from turn to turn. Nissan made 100’s of small changes to the 2012 GT-R that in total have resulted in a much improved driving experience out of the box. With the Forged Performance track treatment, the good work became great! The biggest improvement we feel, comes from the awesome Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires and our Forged Performance Sway Bar kit. Our large bars with solid race grade monoball end links really help tighten up the suspension in the corners while allowing enough flexibility for good transient response. With a few key suspension mods and without breaking the bank, this is a terrific entry level track package. Thanks for looking.

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Very nice:tup:

Nice work. I appreciate the effort you put in to protect the paint on the customers brand new car. :tup:

i'm assuming that car will go to a shop to get a cage put in before racing, correct? also, no HP gain numbers?

:tup:
It was very scary seeing this BRAND NEW car on track. While the car was in safe hands with Sharif behind the wheel, we wanted to protect the paint in everyway possible.
The car will not be getting a cage. It will remain a 100% street car with mild mods. Per the owners request, no numbers were to be released.

ah ok, i could see how he wouldn't want the #'s made public. not trying to stir up a fight but does the owner realize how dangerous it is to have a car with harnesses that doesn't have a roll cage?

I'm sure after OLOA we will be able to discuss the gains from tuning. As long as the harnesses are installed properly(which they are) then there shouldn't be any issues.

eh, i've always heard it's dangerous to have 4 or 5 pt harnesses without a cage due to rollover. 3 pt harnesses allow the body to shift down and towards the center of the car, 4 (or more) do not. this means you are somewhat trapped there. granted cars are getting safer and safer each year so this may not be as much of an issue anymore. for the street harnesses are ok but for tracking, especially purpose built tracking, i think at least a 4 pt cage would be preferable...

Depending on how and where the harnesses are mounted, this can be true but not always. We are planning on putting a 4 bolt bolt in harness bar/roll cage shortly. When the belts are anchored to the frame rail, and at the proper angle there is very little chance of doing more harm with a 4 point ASM belt vs. the 3 point. The ASM allows the body to rotate and avoid neck injury. The GT-R and 350Z/370Z use some of the most rigid chassis designs of any production vehicle and the roof structure is incredibly strong. You also have to consider the likelihood of a rollover, vs. other forms of crashes and accidents. Rollerovers are far less likely than frontal or lateral impacts especially on track and in which case you can bet your dollar that I'd rather be properly harnessed in even without a roll bar. I went for a ride in the right seat with a student who backed it into the wall at Road Atlanta with just a 3 point. I will never do that again...felt like a donkey kicked me in the arse.

And for what it's worth on the street, the owner will be using the 3 points for easy of use purposes and will only install the harnesses when he hits the track.

yea i wasn't trying to argue, just wondering since that had been the "general rule" around the paddock from the track whores that i know. my friend was considering getting a sparco harness bar for his car but was talked out of it and i was wondering the validity of the "facts" as presented

When are you guys going to do another 370z?

I hope I didn't come across harshly, because I didn't mean to. :) The Sparco bar is a horrible and scary design and I would much rather use a 3 point than use the Sparco bar. So in that case, I would agree with you. Like most things, there are different shades of and rarely a defacto right or wrong.

I've been daily driving mine, but still do some track days with it. The 370Z is such a great car in many respects. Still get tons of looks and questions about it.

The time attack 370Z we did for a customer was an awesome car and it's since been sold to it's second owner. I guess it just depends on if someone wants us to do another one. We do about 2-3 complete race car/track prep builds each year so it's only a small piece of things we do here.

Nice!!!

fair enough, i just assumed that sparco would make a decent product since they make good chairs.

wow, great work. Exactly my "ideal" setup for a GTR--perfect balance for track day car and daily driver.

PS--Sharif, when the hell are you guys going to release your 370z specifc swaybars. I know your GTR ones are pretty popular how about some Z love? :happydance:

PPS--maybe i missed it in your list but no trans cooler? Is that less of an issue with the +12' GTRs than it was/is with the 09-11s?

Nice.. Looks good!

This is quoted straight from Sharif on NAGTROC regarding the choice not to use a trans cooler on this build.

Additionally, to answer your question regarding the swaybars. Our swaybars for the 370 have gone through the R&D and testing process 100% and are now scheduling them for production. We will keep everyone updated as we near completion. Thanks for the interest!

/\ cool, (no pun intended :)), thanks for that info about the trans cooling.

Oh, and Juno and I are very excited about y'alls swaybars, can't wait to see what you guys release. :tup: