would it be wrong to sell my Z and get a Viper race car?
 

I love the way the Z handles, but am just tired of all the compromises and shortcomings of it. I still need to fix the fuel issue and brake cooling, but thats really about it.

I have possibly found a race prepped viper that I could get for probably just a little less than what I could part out the Z and sell it and the parts for. Its caged, has cf doors, fuel cell, etc.

The seller is a vendor that I do a lot of business with, and I am going to ask them for more details tomorrow.

I just don't know, as I really love the Z. Hopefully, my friend with a Viper will be at Road Atlanta this weekend with Chin and I can get a ride with him and see what the Viper is all about.

Do what makes you happy man. It seems you want to upgrade. Do it or you won't be happy, just content.

I thought you had a c6 but wasn't happy with it, will even more power be better? I don't think the z is a good track car mainly because of the fuel issue.

Going to something that is already prepped really saves a lot of headaches. It's nice to be able to focus on the driving and not worrying about the car

I'd say go for the Viper (and then give me a ride at ZDayZ ;))

It would only be wrong if you regret getting rid of the z after playing around with the snake. I would try to get as much wheel time in a viper as feasible before making a decision. Best of luck!

Hey, there are MANY Track/Race cars for sale this time of the year...drive them all.
Check the NASAforums.com and SCCAforums.com sites...as well as any brand specific sites.

If you are looking for power, the Viper has that for sure...but no traction control and it is a handful to drive. Just Google "Viper Crash: and see how many hits you get :-)

Things to look for in a used race car: safety gear and expiration dates, extra's like wheels and body panels, hours on the engine. Also look at replacement cost for big ticket items (engine/trans/wheels/etc)..have and how bad they have been crashed and repaired (most all race cars have been crashed)

Buy something FANTASTIC and them left me drive it.

go for the viper, that car is amazing!

I drove a prepped Viper for a few laps on track. The torque is beastly, the steering feel isn't bad and the lack of computer system to interfere is actually a huge bonus (no ABS, no traction control).

The thing I couldn't come to terms with was trying to feel what the rear was doing. I'm sure that would probably come with more time. Before buying though, I would persuade the owner to let you take it out for at least half a session to see if it is something you would like. The high shifter is clumsy feeling, and the brake pedal takes some getting used to.

You should do it Mike. Carpe Diem bro! If you don't like the Viper you can always get something else.

Good luck!

I'm going to get more info on it and see if I can't get a ride in one at my track event this weekend.

I had a C6 but didn't enjoy it on the track as much as the Z. It didn't have a good feel to it, was kind of fast but numb.

Do it!

Get it and come to Road America again next year!

I might get flamed here but the road feel in a 911 is pretty amazing. A used say 2003-04 996 TT (AWD) is obtainable for ~40-60 depending on mods/miles and a 996 GT3 (RWD) which would be better is ~+50k minimum. No one has mentioned the P-car, but not really a bad track deal out of the box and the stock turbo is bloody quick.

Yes they are quick cars but as track cars they are very expensive to maintain and prep. You need to have deep pockets to run one of these cars on track.

Mike, I say go for the Viper. You're a track enthusiast who spends a lot of time on the track. If you are looking for more and have a great deal lined up then I'd say by all means, go for it!

I would also say go with the Viper. I was very interested in buying a 96-02 GTS before I bought my Z. I placed a couple bids on ebay for one but no luck. Mike, what year are you looking at? I've spent alot of time on Viper club of America forum and it seems those V10 engines and T56/TR-6060 trannys are bulletproof. Very rarely do you see any types of major faults with them. I sometimes regret not buying a Viper....

If by "wrong" you mean "fuckin awesome" then yes, totally the wrong thing to do.

actually, I think I was just having withdrawals. I couldn't drive my car at Znationals track day due to a camber arm coming out of adjustment, so I hadn't really driven it since July.

Did day one of two with Chin Motorsports at Road Atlanta today and I'm in love with the car all over again! True that once I moved into Advanced solo I can't keep up with the myriad of 600 plus hp cars, but I can kind of hang with them in the corners.

On my checkride, I had a viper GTS pass me and then he was at the same relative place every lap for the next 5 laps, so I was catching him in the curvy parts.

So, basically, I'm keeping my Z!!!!!! (this week)

haha this guy. glad you're still in love with the z

some of my friends say I change cars more often than underwear!

Mike, I wonder how much more weight you could cut from the Z in an effort to keep up?

The orange looks sick.

Boss 302 Laguna Seca :ughdance:

Might be a dumb question if you use the car for the race track but if you tris a sc or a turbo on there wouldn't you be able to keep up with the 600hp cars? I know the weight distribution would be an issue but I'm guessing the sts turbo wouldn't throw that off too much. Also do you know your current weight distribution?

Turbo/SC would just end up being a PITA.

The biggest issue is cooling. I can barely cool a NA Z, cooling a FI track car would be a huge under taking. Travis is trying it out so we see how that goes.

Definitely. Unless you have constant access to a nearby track to test cooling you're just going to end up being frustrated as you run into new issues at track days that you really can't fix on the spot.

If you have the pockets, time, and desire to do a ton of your own R&D, then that's fine, but I think it would just become a total PITA if all you really wanted was a reliable and fun track machine. If you have the itch for more power it's much easier to just move up to a platform that was built for it from the factory.

I had a supercharged 350z, and while it had no track problems, it did have other issues. I also had a supercharge C6 corvette, and it had tons of issues with tracking and cooling. I prefer reliable this time around.

I'll just keep the Z and if the engine ever blows, which it may because I just realized I can pick up 5 more mph by shifting into 4th and 5th at 8000 rpm instead of redline, then I'll get an LS motor for it.

:icon17::tup:

LS... you 'ought to do that right away. I don't think any 370s have done an LS swap yet. That would be sick.

:iagree:

pfft just do a fully built NA VQ brO! it'll be just like the muscle cars from back in the day! :stirthepot: :bowrofl:
http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...questions.html

Yes...

http://www.machinereview.info/up/ima...-viper-acr.jpg

I get a little hot and bothered just THINKING about that LS swap 350Z that was at ZdayZ last spring. The sound of that thing... :leghump:

I must have missed it. You know, I got busy trying not to crash into Lotii. :bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl:

hahah have trouble seeing bright yellow cars?

(The Z was actually daytona blue..)

Well usually they stay on the side of the road when you are driving by, instead of randomly merging... :p

touche! But I had been waiting for you to go by for quite a while first! :)

:roflpuke2: 5.0s0sl0w :icon17:

it was pure sex!

:bowrofl:

In for the upcoming ls swap (it's only a matter of time now...)