danegrey's 370Z Journal

danegrey

Well where to begin, On 5/5/2022, I went and did track night at Road Atlanta, a track that does demand a lot more respect. Concrete walls, the SCCA Track Night even made that a strong statement before the start. Yea, its very interesting...

I was in advance and must say, the first session was spent a lot of time looking in my mirrors, oh my, the number of fast cars and letting them by. So the whole point was just hitting my marks, etc. and getting comfortable. Best time was a 1.56.26 it really was on my only clean lap.

The second session was my best the times dropped each lap and I had found a space where I was far enough not catching anyone or anyone catching me. Worked hard on hitting my spots. The other thing was I have developed more confidence in my braking, and was breaking later and also carrying more speed.
Actually this session was validating working on sims, and transferring to the track. It was pretty close.

I noticed after the last session that here, I was having a lot more tire / fender rub on the front tires. I did notice it at Atlanta Motorsport Park, but it seems more severe.

Which had an impact on the third session, was concern and backed down a bit and had to watch my mirrors more. Pointed a car by, messed up corner 5, went off a bit and said I am done.

Later in the week, I reviewed my fast lap Video There were 4 sections I hit 100 mph or over, and down the long back straight hit 126. Then took 10a at 60 mph. The only reason I mentioned this, is that I am even amazed at how I am driving and just looking where I need to brake and turn, etc. No thinking about how fast I am going, it just seems normal.

I reviewed the video with my SIM coach, and down to just fine points on the corners. I do think there is a bit more speed, but how much is really left I do not know, but then there is self-preservation that sets in.

Also next time for Road Atlanta going to sign up for HPDE for a day and I will have an in car coach. Really ready to have some other input. This will be interesting.

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Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Spooler

Are you still on stock brakes? Essex is making a 370z and new Z AP Racing Radical brake kit. They just measured my car and I picked it back up Wednesday. They will be installing them in 8 weeks or so. Finally, a BBK for my car. I have been needing them for a long time. They are not cheap but your consumables should go way down. Just throwing it out there since you have turned into a track rat.

danegrey

That is interesting, I wonder if I had anything to do with it. So there building a 370z. I only say its funny.. I met the president at SCCA Track Night at AMP, last year (?) and we talked about the 370z...

Thanks for the compliment Track Rat

__________________
Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Spooler

Yeap, The measurements are done and it will be an 8 week wait for the front and rear kits to be made. I will then go up for the install. After that, I guess the kit will be released for sale. Looks like the price will be around $4700 per axle plus pads at 1/2 price. So save your money if you are interested.

danegrey

Yea, I will have to start saving my pennies.. That will be a very long thought process.... Thanks for the infor....

__________________
Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Averying

Did you consider DarkJak’s front kit?

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2009 Sport Touring | Platinum Graphite | GTM Stage 1 Supercharger | BC BR Coilovers | Hotchkis Swaybar | Z1 FUCAs | AME TM-02 Wheels | Z1 2-piece Front Rotors | Z1 Clutch & Flywheel | Invidia Gemini Catback | GTM Resonated Test Pipes

danegrey

the honest truth, I forgot about it and I am in the beginning stages of making that decision. Seems this year, I have made a big step forward, that its time to consider those items....

__________________
Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Spooler

I want the best I can get. I am not settling. It's my brakes. They have to work and the brake bias needs to be just like stock. I have spent big bucks on a Wilwood kit for my 1975 280z only to struggle to get it right and it is still not right. I have been down this road before. Essex are the folks I went too from a recommendation from someone on here that has had great results with their stuff.

Spooler

By the way, Essex will offer front and rear. They did tell me some of the specs, I just forgot. I don't really care about the size of the rotors, etc. The bastards just have to work properly. I put my trust in a company that does this kind of stuff for race teams and has done it for years.

danegrey

I understand that comment completely, I am the same way....

__________________
Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Spooler

Yep, It is freaking expensive. 10k for the front and rear with pads. Beats wadding the car up somewhere and it being a complete loss. I got 8 weeks to wait. I will get years of enjoyment out of them and the worry will be gone. So I guess it is worth it.

danegrey

yea, beats wadding, let me know how the changes go. I have time to think about it and figure out what to do...

__________________
Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Spooler

With their kit you can always do the front and the next year do the rear. My 17in Welds won't fit on the rear. I will have to swap them back to the factory brakes when I run them.

danegrey

None Tracking notes from SCCA Track Night .

A couple of items from the night, John Morton and the famous 240Z was there. Some one had rented the track for an hour before SCCA track night and he was out there running. It was simply amazing to watch it run. Afterwards in talking to one of the individuals, its not the originally car, since that was total. But the owner of the car has all the parts that were left and have built the replicate identical.

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Lots of comments on the Z. The gal at McD's pickup window, on the way home I was passing a BMW, not a new one and older one, nice gold color. We look at each other the same time and gave each other the thumbs up. A neighbor made comments and we talked.

Still amazed as to the number of comments, I still get today on the car.

__________________
Lots of Changes
the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

Trolly

Danegrey - I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your Journal and life experience with your 370. I live just down the road from you in Lenoir City and have had my 2014 Touring Sport since January. I would like to have some mods done to my car and I wanted to ask if you would share the shop you used for your performance mods. Thanks in advance for anything you can share.