Would I be crazy to track my stock 135K mile Z?

SennaZ

I have a sport package Z with 135k on it. Only mods are Powertrix coils. It's all stock otherwise. No oil cooler, and pretty sure it's original clutch too, the csc was replaced 100K miles ago.

This would be a bad idea to go out to Laguna Seca without doing anything right? I would limit the car to 6 or 6.5k RPMs and not money shift every gear lol.

If every 3rd lap is a cooldown to get temps back down I'd be okay with it. Mainly worried about temps and probably more concerned about that clutch and the csc saying NOPE after a session or two.

If i had a decent clutch and upgraded csc and an oil cooler i would say heck to the yes, but what do you guys think? I'm sure some of have had stock clutch issues on the track. Don't feel like spending 1,500 on a cooler and clutch for possibly just one or two track days on a such a high mileage car

BettyZ

Yes. You would be crazy. If you're looking to replace your clutch it's a lot easier to, you know, drive it to a shop rather than tow it from the track.

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'14 MB Nismo | Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs.
Betty Mods

mults

I say go for it. Mine is mostly stock, has original CSC, no oil cooler, original brake pads and such. I've tracked mine at least 3 times per each of the past 2 years with NO ILL EFFECTS. I run the car as hard as I can, and it has performed flawlessly.

Your CSC could fail at that high of a mileage, but so can one with 20,000 miles on it. I did have one incident of the clutch pedal going to the floor, but that was 3 years ago at the drag strip. Only happened that one time and then NEVER AGAIN. I may be pushing my luck, but I figure why worry about something before it happens. If and when a problem shows up, I'll take care of it then. Until that happens, drive it like it was intended to be driven...

A little video I shot at PittRace last season if you are interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnk5ktFHUsU&t=661s

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mults
40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune)
Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706
Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club

Sway

Z1 track package, good to go.

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JARblue

As long as you're aware of the pitfalls of a 370Z in stock form on the track and don't push them and you've kept up with regular Z maintenance for the 135K miles, I say you're good to go

Back off when the car starts pulling timing (oil temps > 250 on the gauge). Probably best to end the session and cool off before next one.
Avoid threshold braking. Some fresh brake fluid would be a good thing to do prior (recommend Motul RBF600).
Watch out for fuel starve - keep the throttle input minimum during right hand turns with lots of centrifugal force.
If the clutch is still the original stock one, be easy on it.

You can have a lot of fun on the track in a stock Z just cruising at the Z's comfort level. But if you are pushing for fast times or driving really hard, chances are you're going to break something or at least encounter some limiting factor of the Z in stock form.

I had my Z out at COTA a number of years ago when it was my DD - mostly stock as my only mods were an Ecutek tune and R2C intakes. It was fun, but I went a little hard and had to stop my session early.
Now I'm over 100K and looking to take it out to the track for hard driving. But I'm having to spend a lot of money to make sure that it will be reliable so I can drive it to the track, drive it hard on the track, and drive it home from the track.

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BettyZ

[QUOTE=JARblue;3850648 But I'm having the time of my life[/QUOTE]

I fixed that typo for you

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'14 MB Nismo | Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs.
Betty Mods

ltullos

If you just want to get it on the track for some spirited driving without pushing for best lap times, I say go for it; but do recommend you have fresh fluids with this high mileage. Clean brake and clutch fluid (Motul RBF600) is strongly recommended (and will help preserve your CSC). If you have not replaced your diff & transmission fluid, it's certainly time for that in any case. Same goes for cooling system, and power steering.

Typically, most events will have drivers that are pushing for their best lap times; so you need to be aware and courteous and give point-bys to avoid causing trains. I'd recommend that you do events where you can have a coach; and be sure to explain your objectives to organizer and coach so that they can help you have the best experience while not limiting others. Your coach can also help you pay attention to your car (temps and sounds) as well as help you have the safest and best experience.

BettyZ

Aka please don't be "that guy."

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'14 MB Nismo | Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs.
Betty Mods

dts3

lol. I hope you're not money shifting in any gear

SennaZ

Maybe instead of money shifting, i meant banging gears lol

Anyways I do appreciate the input, everyone! This would not be my first track day. So that's the thing. I drove Formula Fords before for a day with some mega instruction from some top people and a few track days with BMWs at thermal club and Thunderhill. Only once was in my own car, so everytime I've been out, I've driven them hard haha. So I mean, i won't be out there just cruising, the temptation will be too much ha.

Ventruck

imo it's gonna be warm at Laguna Seca.

I have a 25 row oil cooler, great for the street, but for some reason I don't have confidence in it being enough for the track.

Rusty

This right here is spot on. Go out and enjoy yourself.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

Shoeshear

I did a track day last year at LS w/ ambient 60-70. Max temp was 220 w/ an oil cooler and I lost clutch pressure briefly (boiled the fluid), but had it come back. My clutch wasn't the same after that, and eventually the CSC died. My car was a 2015 w/ 30k on it. IMO, I wouldn't take a car to the track w/o the oil cooler, esp if it's gonna be warm. It'll be a huge PITA to have to back off and just cruise, or if you run into limp mode. I would at least get the cooler, if not both that and CSC. That's just me though. Getting towed from the track would suck hard.

2011 Nismo#91

DO NOT just go to the track!

YOU MUST! Change Brake Fluid to RBF600 or SRF. Change Brake Pads to a Non Street Pads. Failure to do so and your are risking harm to yourself, others, and your car.

Critical, Oil Cooler. Driving slower and attempting to cool your temps down for multiple laps during a session while everyone else is going all out is dangerous. At a minimum you are an obstacle for everyone else trying to get good laps in.

Good to have, AAA Plus or better, Replacement for your stock CSC, and a fuel starve solution.

alcheng

FYI....

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...lightning-lap/