New To Tuning. Want an Autocross / Track Car

ryanstreet · 07-09-2015, 10:36 PM

I have a 2010 370z touring roadster. I want to upgrade to a track / autocross Z.

My car is currently completely stock. I did some reading and I have a rough idea of my path I need to take. I would love to hear any advice anyone can give me. Am I missing something? Is something out of place?

In between each stage, I want to do some track and dyno readings. Let me know if anything seems out of order or dependent on a different part.

Stage 1:

Oil Cooler
Brakes
Sway Bars
Track Tires

Stage 2:

Exhaust
Upgraded Plugs and Wires
ECU

Stage 3:

Supercharger

Stage 4:
Trim Parts and Sexiness

I am a complete newbie! Thank you for any advice you can give!

Brendan · 07-09-2015, 10:53 PM

Don't do anything to the car upgrade wise just yet. Just go out there and drive, preferably with an instructor or more experienced driver. Seat time is more valuable than anything else. I would recommend starting with autocross as the bar for entry is much lower.

gomer_110 · 07-09-2015, 10:58 PM

First and most important mod = Driver Mod.

I'd say hold off on any serious mods and spend the money on track days/autox events (and the tires you'll burn through).

Another thing to keep in mind is classing structure for any competitive event you plan on doing. With SCCA autox, it's very easy to mod your car into a class you don't want to be in.

On a side note where in Ohio are you? If you're anywhere near Toledo come out to one of the SCCA autox regional events (HOME).

Dcocci · 07-09-2015, 11:18 PM

+3 for just getting out there and actually doing it before any mods to the car. You will learn way more about your driving and your car if you modify your car as you progress your driving. Grow with the car and enjoy the journey.

ryanstreet · 07-09-2015, 11:21 PM

Wow. Solid advice and I really didn't expect it.

ryanstreet · 07-09-2015, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

First and most important mod = Driver Mod.

I'd say hold off on any serious mods and spend the money on track days/autox events (and the tires you'll burn through).

Another thing to keep in mind is classing structure for any competitive event you plan on doing. With SCCA autox, it's very easy to mod your car into a class you don't want to be in.

On a side note where in Ohio are you? If you're anywhere near Toledo come out to one of the SCCA autox regional events (HOME).

Cincinnati Area. almost 3 hours away. Maybe the drive can get me some of that experience you are talking about

Know of any other areas in Ohio to get some good track time, lessons, experience, etc.?

03threefiftyz · 07-10-2015, 07:31 AM

Autox does serve as a good stepping stone. If I were you I'd sign up for an Evo Starting School and Level 1. Solid foundation. After that you can do a track event and see which suits your fancy. Plenty of folks double dip or prefer one to the other.....you're not going to know until you get out there.

gomer_110 · 07-10-2015, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanstreet

Cincinnati Area. almost 3 hours away. Maybe the drive can get me some of that experience you are talking about

Know of any other areas in Ohio to get some good track time, lessons, experience, etc.?

SCCA Cincy region
Ohio Valley region (Columbus area)

Just don't get discouraged if you get beat by "lesser" cars on your first time out. Ohio has a rather high level of driver talent in the autox realm.

fwiw you wouldn't be the only guy to come from that far away to run autox in the Toledo area. We have a handful of guys that come from your area for the events that we have at the Toledo airport.

POS VETT · 07-10-2015, 08:09 AM

Ryanstreet - check out Corvette Troy autox this weekend at Kilkare. Miami Valley SCC has several in a season along with WOR SCCA and Cinci Region SCCA. There is a board member of MVSCC on this forum.

If you're inclined to travel a bit, there are a few autoxes in Columbus; I'll be racing at one of them. This weekend is a very busy automotive-related weekend since GoodGuys and Arthritis Foundation Shows are held all weekend long.

gomer_110 · 07-10-2015, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS VETT

Ryanstreet - check out Corvette Troy autox this weekend at Kilkare. Miami Valley SCC has several in a season along with WOR SCCA and Cinci Region SCCA. There is a board member of MVSCC on this forum.

If you're inclined to travel a bit, there are a few autoxes in Columbus; I'll be racing at one of them. This weekend is a very busy automotive-related weekend since GoodGuys and Arthritis Foundation Shows are held all weekend long.

the board member you speak of is blackcherry20

AnthonyD1978 · 07-10-2015, 11:27 AM

Driver mod is great, but for the Z there are a few things I would personally do no matter what:

Brake pads
Brake fluid
Oil cooler

This is if you're going to do road courses (track days).

For autocross you can get away with being 100% stock.

The next mods just depend on your skill level. Throwing parts on the car won't do much if your skill level can't take advantage of them.

Chuck33079 · 07-10-2015, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanstreet

I have a 2010 370z touring roadster. I want to upgrade to a track / autocross Z.

My car is currently completely stock. I did some reading and I have a rough idea of my path I need to take. I would love to hear any advice anyone can give me. Am I missing something? Is something out of place?

In between each stage, I want to do some track and dyno readings. Let me know if anything seems out of order or dependent on a different part.

Stage 1:

Oil Cooler
Brakes
Sway Bars
Track Tires
Real Differential

Stage 2:

Exhaust
Upgraded Plugs and Wires It's coil on plug. No need to upgrade either for NA
ECU

Stage 3:

Supercharger No. The only available supercharger is Stillen, and it is problematic. NA or turbo.

Stage 4:
Trim Parts and Sexiness

I am a complete newbie! Thank you for any advice you can give!

See above edits. Also, make sure you don't mod yourself into a class where the car can't be competitive. Start with the rule book, then pick out mods.

ryanstreet · 07-10-2015, 12:15 PM

Thanks for everyone's advice! This is all great! I will do some tire, oil cooler, and brake upgrades. After that, I will put real track time in and see which one I prefer. From there, I will look at the associated books and guides to see which route I want to take. I will upgrade according to my racing style. Thank you all!

Time to head to the track!

zpower86 · 07-10-2015, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanstreet

I have a 2010 370z touring roadster. I want to upgrade to a track / autocross Z.

My car is currently completely stock. I did some reading and I have a rough idea of my path I need to take. I would love to hear any advice anyone can give me. Am I missing something? Is something out of place?

In between each stage, I want to do some track and dyno readings. Let me know if anything seems out of order or dependent on a different part.

Stage 1:

Oil Cooler
Brakes
Sway Bars
Track Tires

Stage 2:

Exhaust
Upgraded Plugs and Wires
ECU

Stage 3:

Supercharger

Stage 4:

Trim Parts and Sexiness

I am a complete newbie! Thank you for any advice you can give!

ryanstreet- I started racing my Z this year and have basically done what everyone here is saying to do: get seat time. This has worked pretty well for me. I've done as many autocross events as I could -- all the local events and I've traveled to a quite a few within a few hr drive. I've also done one track day at NCM which was a blast (scca track night in America).

Personally, I plan to mainly do autocross in the stock/street classes which only allow limited mods. This is good because it allows me to improve my driving skills in a level playing field. The Z does appear to be competitive in "B Street" against the S2000s, C5 Corvettes and Audis.

Having said all that, I would do an oil cooler and Motul racing brake fluid before you take it on a track.

Here's a link to scca rules which go over what you can do in street class:
http://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules

Good luck getting addicted.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

visconti · 07-11-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanstreet

I have a 2010 370z touring roadster. I want to upgrade to a track / autocross Z.

My car is currently completely stock. I did some reading and I have a rough idea of my path I need to take. I would love to hear any advice anyone can give me. Am I missing something? Is something out of place?

In between each stage, I want to do some track and dyno readings. Let me know if anything seems out of order or dependent on a different part.

Stage 1:

Oil Cooler
Brakes
Sway Bars
Track Tires

Stage 2:

Exhaust
Upgraded Plugs and Wires
ECU

Stage 3:

Supercharger

Stage 4:

Trim Parts and Sexiness

I am a complete newbie! Thank you for any advice you can give!

I can help with the ecu side of things when your ready

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07-09-2015, 10:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
ryanstreet Base Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: ohio Posts: 6 Drives: 10 370z Grey A6 Rep Power: 10	New To Tuning. Want an Autocross / Track Car I have a 2010 370z touring roadster. I want to upgrade to a track / autocross Z. My car is currently completely stock. I did some reading and I have a rough idea of my path I need to take. I would love to hear any advice anyone can give me. Am I missing something? Is something out of place? In between each stage, I want to do some track and dyno readings. Let me know if anything seems out of order or dependent on a different part. Stage 1: Oil Cooler Brakes Sway Bars Track Tires Stage 2: Exhaust Upgraded Plugs and Wires ECU Stage 3: Supercharger Stage 4: Trim Parts and Sexiness I am a complete newbie! Thank you for any advice you can give!

07-09-2015, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brendan Track Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 642 Drives: Poor man's Porsche Rep Power: 542	Don't do anything to the car upgrade wise just yet. Just go out there and drive, preferably with an instructor or more experienced driver. Seat time is more valuable than anything else. I would recommend starting with autocross as the bar for entry is much lower. Dcocci and ryanstreet like this.

07-09-2015, 10:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	First and most important mod = Driver Mod. I'd say hold off on any serious mods and spend the money on track days/autox events (and the tires you'll burn through). Another thing to keep in mind is classing structure for any competitive event you plan on doing. With SCCA autox, it's very easy to mod your car into a class you don't want to be in. On a side note where in Ohio are you? If you're anywhere near Toledo come out to one of the SCCA autox regional events (HOME). JARblue, Chuck33079, PharmDZ and 1 others like this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

07-09-2015, 11:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 11	+3 for just getting out there and actually doing it before any mods to the car. You will learn way more about your driving and your car if you modify your car as you progress your driving. Grow with the car and enjoy the journey. ryanstreet likes this.

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07-09-2015, 11:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
ryanstreet Base Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: ohio Posts: 6 Drives: 10 370z Grey A6 Rep Power: 10	Wow. Solid advice and I really didn't expect it.

07-10-2015, 07:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
03threefiftyz Track Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MD Posts: 536 Drives: 03 350z 6mt Rep Power: 16	Autox does serve as a good stepping stone. If I were you I'd sign up for an Evo Starting School and Level 1. Solid foundation. After that you can do a track event and see which suits your fancy. Plenty of folks double dip or prefer one to the other.....you're not going to know until you get out there.

07-10-2015, 08:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
POS VETT Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 612 Drives: Z34\|C4LT4\|C6Z06\|V25 Rep Power: 3366	Ryanstreet - check out Corvette Troy autox this weekend at Kilkare. Miami Valley SCC has several in a season along with WOR SCCA and Cinci Region SCCA. There is a board member of MVSCC on this forum. If you're inclined to travel a bit, there are a few autoxes in Columbus; I'll be racing at one of them. This weekend is a very busy automotive-related weekend since GoodGuys and Arthritis Foundation Shows are held all weekend long.

07-10-2015, 11:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
AnthonyD1978 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: OC, Ca Posts: 200 Drives: 2010 370z Nismo Rep Power: 15	Driver mod is great, but for the Z there are a few things I would personally do no matter what: Brake pads Brake fluid Oil cooler This is if you're going to do road courses (track days). For autocross you can get away with being 100% stock. The next mods just depend on your skill level. Throwing parts on the car won't do much if your skill level can't take advantage of them.

07-10-2015, 12:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
ryanstreet Base Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: ohio Posts: 6 Drives: 10 370z Grey A6 Rep Power: 10	Thanks for everyone's advice! This is all great! I will do some tire, oil cooler, and brake upgrades. After that, I will put real track time in and see which one I prefer. From there, I will look at the associated books and guides to see which route I want to take. I will upgrade according to my racing style. Thank you all! Time to head to the track!