370Z Coupe vs. 370Z Roadster
 

I was hoping to get some insight on what everyone thinks for the 370Z Roadster being brought to the track every now and then. I had a 370Z coupe that I brought to the track and it performed really well. I keep hearing some comments here and there that the 370Z Roadster is slower while others are saying that there is really no difference. Obviously the ideal track car will usually be the coupe version, but i think its time to enjoy a sports car with some open air next to the beach!

my wildest guess would be .... roadster is a little faster due to having a soft top? but i'm not sure myself

I'd think it'll be a littleeee slower because of the weight, but probably not enough to show a difference

Roadster weighs a bit more. And I would assume that ungoverned it would have a touch lower top speed since it's not as aerodynamic.

Yep. Probably not noticeable at the end of the day.

The weight difference is something like 200 pounds: so as everyone pointed out, it's really not a big deal.

Roadster is a porky girl, not nearly as nimble as the coupe in that environment. Some (most?) won't allow running it either as you are not going to be getting a role cage in there, and the integrated roll hoops if allowed, may need to pass the broom stick test.

I doubt I could pass the test with a helmet on being 6'. If the driver education group allows for the hoops as is, I certainly would toss it around regardless. Fun is fun. :)

- b

How much time will you be spending at the track versus the beach? :tup:

Roadster will be slower as it is heavier and less aerodynamic. Make sure to look into your club's requirements for convertibles. I'm not sure all allow the OEM roll hoops or if they have to pass the broomstick test.

The only thing that put me off the roadster was the soft top issues, mega bucks once out of warranty.

Yep and i dislike the look with the top up, looks pretty cheap. I wonder why they dont make hard top like the G :ugh2::ugh2:

It was pointed put to me the weight Difference is only 93lbs.

From a technical standpoint you should be good on track. Nissan made sure the Verts chassis is almost as rigid as the coupe. The coupes advantages are minor but the coupe is better for track days for safety reasons.. From a personal preference standpoint. I prefer the coupe.

My 350z was a roadster and I wasn't real fond of the cramped interior space nor the big blind spots it had. This is why I have the coupe now and if you are planning on doing track time save your money and stay with the coupe. If you want heads turned on the street the drop top is the way to go.

Tracking is definitely an issue that I haven't had to deal with but driving with the top down and destroying most cars on the curves is very enjoyable (side note: I had an owner of a mustang 5.0 in the passenger side as I took an on-ramp (clover leaf) at 65 exited at 90 say that I never could do that) . Plus driving at night with the top down is the best.

Indeed it is :tup:

If you compare a touring/sport coupe to a base R (if you could find one) perhaps it < 100 lbs but most R's are at least touring, many loaded.

Some stats (doesn't list sport which is a bit heavier with larger wheel/tire IIRC):

Coupe:
Base 6MT: 3,232
Base Auto: 3,269
Touring 6MT: 3,278
Touring Auto: 3,314

Roadster:
Base 6MT: 3,426
Base Auto: 3,449
Touring 6MT: 3,497
Touring Auto: 3,489

The R doesn't have too much cowl shake and is a great street roadster but its no coupe in terms of rigidity. This isn't a carbon tube based MP4 :D

- b

I went from a 2010 touring roadster to a 2014 touring sport coupe and the difference was amazing. Automatically I could feel the better handling and stiffer body. The tires were wider and I loved that. No more worries and what ifs, "if I flipped over". The sound deadening is much greater and security was cut in half. Mine was a difference of 250lbs between the same models.

Wow thanks guys for so much input! I reached out to an organization called Speedventures who host track days all over CA. They took a look at the "roll protection" (lol) the 370Z Roadster has and they allow it.

All I plan I doing is installing a Stillen Intake and Exhaust. Hopefully the little extra boost in HP helps overcome the weight gain.

Lets hope I don't fall in love with the new Z coming out soon more then then 370 :)

Don't do Stillen exhaust... Go fast intentions for the most gains

The group I typically run with let's me drive my Z Roadster with the top down on the track. At 5'11 I can pass the broomstick test with the factory roll hoops. The only real mods I have are a Stillen Gen3 intake and a Fast Intentions exhaust. I also have high temp brake fluid/clutch fluid and swap out brake pads.

As others have said the roadster is a bit of a porker and you can definitely feel the heft when you are out on the track. That being said it's still great fun. I've owned dedicated track cars in the past, but only use the Z at the track once or twice a year. Even then I am probably only driving 6/10th's most of the time. For that purpose the Z Roadster works fine. I have the top down on the street 90% of the time so the fact that she's a bit fat on the track makes little difference to me.

I don't know how tracking the roadster would work for you but I know for miatas they are required to install a roll bar at a few clubs here for track events. Not sure how/if that is doable for a Z roadster.

But if I were in SoCal I would definitely get the open top option. I still wish they had a T top option.

I am new to the z and I read that some cars are built well enough to be tracked without hurting the reliability in the long run.

Will there be any adverse impact on the z's long term reliability due to tracking? Thanks.

Yes. The cars you are reading about that get tracked without hurting their reliability are purpose built race cars, and are rebuilt and serviced much more than normal cars. Any normal car will be working much harder with negative consequences for reliability while on track. This could be anything from your bushings wearing out much faster, your suspension wearing out faster, you transmission and differential wearing much faster, and you engine probably taking a hit.

That being said, I track my car and drive it to work every day.

How often do you track your car and have you noticed any premature wear so far? Have you done any oil analysis? Thanks.