Who Actually Goes to the Track with Their 370Z?

LunaZ · 07-18-2010, 10:08 AM

The reason I ask this is because anytime you ask something mechanically oriented about adding power, stopping the car better or improving handling, you get a bunch of answers from guys telling you all about the merits or shortcomings of certain parts as they relate to the 370Z's performance on the racetrack.

I know there's a few guys here who are hardcore trackday hotshoes and racers, but I suspect that most forum denizens are living vicariously through those few that actually go to the track and are regurgitating things they read here.
I also think that the 370Z is built more than adequately for street duty and a lot of people unnecessarily have their panties all in a bunch over brake and oil temperature issues that really only affect people driving on the track.

So, answer the poll honestly so I can see if my hunch is right or wrong.

Matt · 07-18-2010, 10:18 AM

I've seen a good mix of opinions, personally.

There are members who report high oil temps from street driving, but it's rare. There are members who report a stuck hatch release, but not normally from the track guys.

Obviously, certain upgrades are going to be a little more noticeable on the track than on the street, and vice versa...so it's good to have a mix of opinions/feedback.

LunaZ · 07-18-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I've seen a good mix of opinions, personally.

There are members who report high oil temps from street driving, but it's rare. There are members who report a stuck hatch release, but not normally from the track guys.

Obviously, certain upgrades are going to be a little more noticeable on the track than on the street, and vice versa...so it's good to have a mix of opinions/feedback.

True. I couldn't agree more about a mix of opinions and feedback, but I'd prefer feedback that's based on actual experiences, not second hand opinions or Road and Track articles.

Mike · 07-18-2010, 10:39 AM

I am a track junkie, but you are right, the car as it comes, right out of the box, is perfectly adequate for street use.

UNKNOWN_370 · 07-18-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I am a track junkie, but you are right, the car as it comes, right out of the box, is perfectly adequate for street use.

I made this statement a year go after i took a 90 minute test drive of the Z and was borderline flamed. lol. a bunch of were justifying why kw v3's were needed for street application. my opinion at the time were some eibach prolines and stillen sways with corresponding alignment would already make it more than capable on the street.

m4a1mustang · 07-18-2010, 11:52 AM

The 370Z is perfectly set up for street use from the factory. Oil temp is a non-issue unless you do track days or a lot of canyon runs. But the bottom line is on the street you really shouldn't be driving hard enough to run into oil temp issues. That's just unsafe.

And the only things you really need to for the track are brake pads and an oil cooler... that says a lot for how good this car is....

And FWIW, to qualify my poll response, I have not taken the Z to the track yet. But I've done the whole track thing with other cars.

3SeventyZ · 07-18-2010, 12:50 PM

Few times a year..

PapoZalsa · 07-18-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I am a track junkie, but you are right, the car as it comes, right out of the box, is perfectly adequate for street use.

and that comes with knowing how to drive the car on the streets even during spirit driving!

gpa7pk · 07-18-2010, 01:56 PM

A few times a year.

Kirkster · 07-18-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The 370Z is perfectly set up for street use from the factory. Oil temp is a non-issue unless you do track days or a lot of canyon runs. But the bottom line is on the street you really shouldn't be driving hard enough to run into oil temp issues. That's just unsafe.

And the only things you really need to for the track are brake pads and an oil cooler... that says a lot for how good this car is....

And FWIW, to qualify my poll response, I have not taken the Z to the track yet. But I've done the whole track thing with other cars.

I plan on eventually taking my roadster to summit point (anyone have rollbar info for the roadster). But I am very concerned about the oil temp.

I can push it to the 250s just on local back road twisties, of course the ambient temps in MD have been well over the 90s. I am worried about what tracking it will do when it is so easy to push it over the normal of 220ish.

Matt · 07-18-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkster

I plan on eventually taking my roadster to summit point (anyone have rollbar info for the roadster). But I am very concerned about the oil temp.

I can push it to the 250s just on local back road twisties, of course the ambient temps in MD have been well over the 90s. I am worried about what tracking it will do when it is so easy to push it over the normal of 220ish.

That's so weird. I have never hit 220 in mine, even on the ~110 degree days and driving hard. I wonder what causes the gap between temperatures.

joentown · 07-18-2010, 06:47 PM

Matt,
What oil are you using as I might want to try it? I hit 220 all the time so it looks like it is my normal benchmark. I'm still in break-in period mind you so no agressive driving yet.

LunaZ · 07-18-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

That's so weird. I have never hit 220 in mine, even on the ~110 degree days and driving hard. I wonder what causes the gap between temperatures.

220ish seems to be the norm for me running around the beltways on the 90-100 degree days we've been having.
If I drop down a gear and go WOT to get past traffic or have some fun on the onramps, I'll spike up to 240, but it goes right back down to 220 in a short time.

Mike · 07-18-2010, 07:37 PM

before my oil cooler, I saw 260 in stop and go traffic on I-285 in Atlanta at 90 degrees out.

Vegitto-kun · 07-18-2010, 07:39 PM

Went to spa francorchamps. nurburgring will probably happen soon.

View Poll Results: Who Actually Goes to the Track with Their 370Z?
I take my 370Z to the track once a month or more	10	9.62%
I take my 370Z to the track once to a few times a year	27	25.96%
I've never taken my 370Z to the track	67	64.42%
Voters: 104. You may not vote on this poll

07-18-2010, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
LunaZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vagabond Posts: 6,704 Drives: Project: a white one Rep Power: 512	Who Actually Goes to the Track with Their 370Z? The reason I ask this is because anytime you ask something mechanically oriented about adding power, stopping the car better or improving handling, you get a bunch of answers from guys telling you all about the merits or shortcomings of certain parts as they relate to the 370Z's performance on the racetrack. I know there's a few guys here who are hardcore trackday hotshoes and racers, but I suspect that most forum denizens are living vicariously through those few that actually go to the track and are regurgitating things they read here. I also think that the 370Z is built more than adequately for street duty and a lot of people unnecessarily have their panties all in a bunch over brake and oil temperature issues that really only affect people driving on the track. So, answer the poll honestly so I can see if my hunch is right or wrong. __________________ 2009 370Z Sport/Touring/Navigation \| see my journal for mods facebook: Be my friend... or not.

07-18-2010, 10:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	I've seen a good mix of opinions, personally. There are members who report high oil temps from street driving, but it's rare. There are members who report a stuck hatch release, but not normally from the track guys. Obviously, certain upgrades are going to be a little more noticeable on the track than on the street, and vice versa...so it's good to have a mix of opinions/feedback. __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

07-18-2010, 10:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	I am a track junkie, but you are right, the car as it comes, right out of the box, is perfectly adequate for street use. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

07-18-2010, 11:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	The 370Z is perfectly set up for street use from the factory. Oil temp is a non-issue unless you do track days or a lot of canyon runs. But the bottom line is on the street you really shouldn't be driving hard enough to run into oil temp issues. That's just unsafe. And the only things you really need to for the track are brake pads and an oil cooler... that says a lot for how good this car is.... And FWIW, to qualify my poll response, I have not taken the Z to the track yet. But I've done the whole track thing with other cars. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook! Last edited by m4a1mustang; 07-18-2010 at 11:55 AM.

07-18-2010, 12:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
3SeventyZ Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MD/DE Posts: 626 Drives: 350Z, 370Z, SRT8 Rep Power: 475	Few times a year.. __________________ 2009 Magnetic Black 370Z Sport 6MT

07-18-2010, 01:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
gpa7pk Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 135 Drives: 1959 Triumph TR3A Rep Power: 16	A few times a year.

07-18-2010, 06:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
joentown Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 70 Drives: 370Z '10 Tour Sport Rep Power: 16	Matt, What oil are you using as I might want to try it? I hit 220 all the time so it looks like it is my normal benchmark. I'm still in break-in period mind you so no agressive driving yet.

07-18-2010, 07:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	before my oil cooler, I saw 260 in stop and go traffic on I-285 in Atlanta at 90 degrees out. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

07-18-2010, 07:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
Vegitto-kun A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,011 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 262	Went to spa francorchamps. nurburgring will probably happen soon.

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