370z sports car?

JB1 · 07-11-2009, 10:52 PM

I'm by no means an expert, but I'll give it a try. The wheelbase of the 370z is relatively shorth and for it's size, it's not a particularly light car. So to keep body roll in check, the suspention has to be rather stiff. Stiff suspention combined with short wheelbase make for a jumpy ride over un even pavement. I only had my car for a week but already experienced the backside stepping out on a bumpy
highway onramp. I had a friend who owned several lotuses ( or Loti as he would say) and I had the pleasure of trying them all: old Esprit Turbos, Excel, Elise S1, Elise S2. All these cars felt more comfortable and less "jumpy" then the 370Z. I am convinced this is due to the fact that all these cars are significantly lighter then the Z. And therefore could "get away with" a relatively softer suspention set-up.

Cjanik · 07-11-2009, 11:06 PM

When a sports car skids or drifts a bit because of rough road surface, thats not always a bad thing. most of the time, its predictable enough that you can continue to keep the RPMs where its at and it will drive through the surface, and not lose control, and straighten itself out.

this was the case on my motorcycle, if i gave too much gas coming out of a turn and skidding a little, i would just keep the gas going at the same rate and it would just bounce me until it straighten itself out. letting go of the gas or giving brake would have resulted in a crash, just as doing that on the 370z would as well.

kannibul · 07-12-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjanik

When a sports car skids or drifts a bit because of rough road surface, thats not always a bad thing. most of the time, its predictable enough that you can continue to keep the RPMs where its at and it will drive through the surface, and not lose control, and straighten itself out.

this was the case on my motorcycle, if i gave too much gas coming out of a turn and skidding a little, i would just keep the gas going at the same rate and it would just bounce me until it straighten itself out. letting go of the gas or giving brake would have resulted in a crash, just as doing that on the 370z would as well.

Wow, on a bike, losing traction on either wheel would result in a low-side at best.

lww · 07-11-2009, 11:22 PM

In addition to the stiffer suspension and shorter wheel base, the 370Z uses tires that meet the OEM requirements, but have less than ideal traction. But I may be biased spending most of my time on track driving on Hoosiers!

spearfish25 · 07-11-2009, 11:35 PM

Not sure which model you're referring to, but 370Zs sold in the US don't have run-flats. Hence the donut spare in the back.

lww · 07-11-2009, 11:47 PM

I stand corrected!

Cjanik · 07-12-2009, 01:30 AM

^^ not always, going overboard will crash you yes, but there is a fine line of being able to control the traction out of a turn.

355890 · 07-12-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjanik

there is a fine line of being able to control the traction out of a turn.

Yep ! either you made it through the turn or your a tree ornament.

armensti · 07-12-2009, 02:13 PM

oh wow lol i had no idea that other people have experienced this. the other day i was on a freeway and i hit a bump and the car jerked to the left so hard i had back pain for about a week. the car also lets the back end out when you take a turn a little to fast in a parking lot. i think if the car was a little bit lighter like in the 2900lb area we would have a more enjoyable ride. am i wrong?

Modshack · 07-12-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armensti

. i think if the car was a little bit lighter like in the 2900lb area we would have a more enjoyable ride. am i wrong?

Yes you are. Just buy better shocks..

zilent_jay · 07-12-2009, 10:13 PM

In my old Z I had removed about 150lbs of dead weight.... bumps were a lot more obvious with the weight removed.... but even still... it handled bumps in the twisties leaps and bounds better than the 370...

People who think the 370 is "stiff" don't know what stiff really is.

JB1 · 07-12-2009, 10:27 PM

One more thing to look at is tire pressure. When I picked up my car from the dealer I specifically asked whether the tire pressure was adjusted, knowing it would be high for transport from the factory. Sales guy says yes, adjusted to spec. Just to be sure, I checked it today, guess what, 45 psi instead of the 35 it should be! Will find out tomorrow what difference it makes.

kannibul · 07-12-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

One more thing to look at is tire pressure. When I picked up my car from the dealer I specifically asked whether the tire pressure was adjusted, knowing it would be high for transport from the factory. Sales guy says yes, adjusted to spec. Just to be sure, I checked it today, guess what, 45 psi instead of the 35 it should be! Will find out tomorrow what difference it makes.

Tire pressure makes a huge difference in the handling of any vehicle.

cautupwitdm · 02-23-2013, 04:02 AM

interesting thread.

Zenmaster · 02-23-2013, 01:01 PM

Well a miata is a sports car, so i'd hope to god the Z is too.

07-11-2009, 10:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
JB1 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 748 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold Rep Power: 18	I'm by no means an expert, but I'll give it a try. The wheelbase of the 370z is relatively shorth and for it's size, it's not a particularly light car. So to keep body roll in check, the suspention has to be rather stiff. Stiff suspention combined with short wheelbase make for a jumpy ride over un even pavement. I only had my car for a week but already experienced the backside stepping out on a bumpy highway onramp. I had a friend who owned several lotuses ( or Loti as he would say) and I had the pleasure of trying them all: old Esprit Turbos, Excel, Elise S1, Elise S2. All these cars felt more comfortable and less "jumpy" then the 370Z. I am convinced this is due to the fact that all these cars are significantly lighter then the Z. And therefore could "get away with" a relatively softer suspention set-up. Last edited by JB1; 07-11-2009 at 10:55 PM.

07-11-2009, 11:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
lww Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Posts: 69 Drives: '09 Red Sport 6MT+ Rep Power: 16	In addition to the stiffer suspension and shorter wheel base, the 370Z uses tires that meet the OEM requirements, but have less than ideal traction. But I may be biased spending most of my time on track driving on Hoosiers! __________________ Must resist... Last edited by lww; 07-11-2009 at 11:46 PM.

07-11-2009, 11:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
lww Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Posts: 69 Drives: '09 Red Sport 6MT+ Rep Power: 16	I stand corrected! __________________ Must resist...

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07-11-2009, 11:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cjanik Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 578 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 17	When a sports car skids or drifts a bit because of rough road surface, thats not always a bad thing. most of the time, its predictable enough that you can continue to keep the RPMs where its at and it will drive through the surface, and not lose control, and straighten itself out. this was the case on my motorcycle, if i gave too much gas coming out of a turn and skidding a little, i would just keep the gas going at the same rate and it would just bounce me until it straighten itself out. letting go of the gas or giving brake would have resulted in a crash, just as doing that on the 370z would as well.

07-11-2009, 11:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	Not sure which model you're referring to, but 370Zs sold in the US don't have run-flats. Hence the donut spare in the back.

07-12-2009, 01:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cjanik Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 578 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 17	^^ not always, going overboard will crash you yes, but there is a fine line of being able to control the traction out of a turn.

07-12-2009, 02:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
armensti Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Posts: 447 Drives: 370Z/Tring/Spt/6MT Rep Power: 17	oh wow lol i had no idea that other people have experienced this. the other day i was on a freeway and i hit a bump and the car jerked to the left so hard i had back pain for about a week. the car also lets the back end out when you take a turn a little to fast in a parking lot. i think if the car was a little bit lighter like in the 2900lb area we would have a more enjoyable ride. am i wrong?

07-12-2009, 10:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
zilent_jay Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: OKC Posts: 96 Drives: 2009 MB Base Sport Rep Power: 16	In my old Z I had removed about 150lbs of dead weight.... bumps were a lot more obvious with the weight removed.... but even still... it handled bumps in the twisties leaps and bounds better than the 370... People who think the 370 is "stiff" don't know what stiff really is.

07-12-2009, 10:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
JB1 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 748 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold Rep Power: 18	One more thing to look at is tire pressure. When I picked up my car from the dealer I specifically asked whether the tire pressure was adjusted, knowing it would be high for transport from the factory. Sales guy says yes, adjusted to spec. Just to be sure, I checked it today, guess what, 45 psi instead of the 35 it should be! Will find out tomorrow what difference it makes.

02-23-2013, 01:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
Zenmaster Base Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 68 Drives: 10 370z M6 40th Rep Power: 14	Well a miata is a sports car, so i'd hope to god the Z is too.