Thinking of pulling the trigger, thoughts?

UNKNOWN_370

Lexus sedan to a Z? Hmmm I don't know? Why don't you test drive a 335I or G37s. You are concerned about a new model G coming out next year but. 6 to 9 months after that, there will be a new Z. Maybe you should hold on to your lex for a while? See what the new sports cars will bring. BMW updates will be coming in a year. Mustang redesign, infiniti redesign, corvette redesign, audi refresh... new benz models, subaru brz, frs is already being shipped to our shores... and you seem to have particular tastes with your cars... just a thought.

MacLean

DUDE NO...... 3M isn't the only one that makes the clear bra & it is called Paint Protection Film (PPF). I'm not talking about some cheap spray on crap. One can go with Xpel, 3M, Sun Tek & etc (just do the research). I would hope one would put more than just a clear bra on a car like covering up front fenders, hood, outside mirrors. As I stated earlier this should be the first thing to-do.

FXwakeboard

I find it interesting that you put that time frame on the redesign of the Z. Obviously they do share platforms and it will only be a matter of time before the new Z deputes, however, I would anticipate that since the 13' Z just came out as a refresh and the previous 350Z seemed to go two years when it underwent the refresh (raised hood) that perhaps the life span of the Z is longer than anticipated.

In regards to the sport package, I know the sport brakes have been tested with a 60-0 distance of 101 feet. Does anyone know what the non sport brakes stopping distance is?

Interesting comments, keep them coming!

UNKNOWN_370

The 13 will be out in a couple of months. It will most likely run 2 model years. The new infinit will be out early next year. So its not that far away. Braking on standard brakes is 118ft and 101ft is with S tune pads on sport brakes. I have that option. On standard its 103ft. The sport pkg brakes are just a part of it. 19" forged rays eng. Wheels (volk), vlsd, and potenzas which are very sticky on the street. The base Z gets about .94g on a skidpad. A sport pkg 1.01g. Big difference.

Also, the 350z wasn't just a raised hood. The engine was redesigned to be the VQ35hr. Which the 3.7 is the bored out version of the same engine along with vvel technology. There were upgrades in interior quality as well.

Kenny

I'll give you my thoughts on this matter.

Squeeze the trigger; never pull.

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fuzzywuzzy

That's what I meant, the name is not so important. A few cars ago a dealer tried to get me on a "paint treatment" where it "never needs to be waxed" crap I was hoping you didn't mean that...which you didn't

FXwakeboard

118ft? I had no idea there was that much performance difference between the two braking set ups. I assumed it meant that the brakes would be fade resistant and would sequel when they were not properly warmed up.

Since this car does not have the sport package, can anyone recommend anything that would decrease the stopping distance without having to invest in a BBK?

fuzzywuzzy

Good pads will help but it wont hold weight against a BBK

FXwakeboard

Any particular brand of pads in mind? Would changing out the rotors to either slotted or cross drilled be worth it?

bvl

Not at all. For a street car, the cF of the tires is the main factor in stopping distances. R Compounds are going to the car in less distance then a M&S tire all other things being equal. Changing the pad/rotor for a single stop won't change this.

I have not driven non-sport brakes so I cannot comment on their feel. The OEM Nissan pads on the sport setup are very well matched IMHO. Brake grab is excellent without being too touchy.

- b

MacLean

Oh hell no....... Sometimes those guys are fools.

Mt Tam I am

For the street, the sport brakes are incredible. Upgrading the pads almost feels like too much, almost.

The stock tires make more road noise than Michelins, but this is not a quiet car like a Lexus regardless.

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Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

UNKNOWN_370

The stock brake will have harder initial bite and won't fade on the street under normal conditions or mild aggressive driving. Get into it and well, they're stock brakes. Akebono sport brakes (sport pkg) will never fade on the street and with proper pads won't ever fade on a track. Add a brake cooling kit and you are unstoppable brake-wise for a relatively low cost. Something you will never achieve with the stock brakes.

You have 2 choices for better brake performance that won't brake the bank.

1. EBC dimpled slotted rotors made for non sport only Z's (makes no fkin sense y we don't have) yellow stuff brake pads and brake lines from your company of choice will add really good power to yourstock brakes. But at best, they will be good only for mild track days.

2. Buy a used or new set of the OEM sport brake kit. New you can go to your dealership or Z1 motorsports. Used, you can look on the forum. The stock OEM brakes give you the same stopping power and reliabilty as the aftermarket with some minor mods. (Upgraded rotors and pads) stillen brake cooling is important no matter which BBk you go for. The general car design won't allow for proper cooling in extreme conditions without the cooling kit. Its only $300. You can probably fashion your own for half the price?

But don't believe Z hater hype about the brakes not being good enough. If you know the weaknesses? Its a relatively cheap weakness to overcome. And considering that after the mods your braking from 60mph can be as fast as sub 100ft? These are excellent brakes. One of the best in the industry. Just pick your brake mods wisely and always do brakes and possibly suspension before engine.
(GENERALLY SPEAKING, If people aren't addressing their stopping before go power and they want to track? Then I don't know where peoples common sense is @. )
Secondly. I would always modify stock brakes for betterbrake handling just cuz. Its not just about the sport. It may save your or someone elses life.

FXwakeboard

Incredibly useful post, thank you. I'll be frank, I won't ever take the car to the track, however, the idea of sub 100ft braking get's me as I am a bit of a safety nut.

Found this link from Z1 (Z1 Akebono Sport Brake Upgrade Package), and I think it may be the best option.

If you're not intending to track the car, would the upgrade to the sport brakes be enough or should I still consider the brake cooling kit from Stillen?

I was considering buying their (Stillen) exhaust until I realized my exhaust money might be better off going towards brakes, hahahaha.

FXwakeboard

Now that we have the brake situation covered, who can explain to me what needs to be done to have the Bose speakers work correctly with a Pioneer Avic 940?

I'd like to have all of the same features I have in my Lexus (nav, bt, xm, back up camera), however, I understand there is an issue with aftermarket head units interacting correctly with the bose speakers?