my 370Z's 1 track day...impressions...video

import111 · 11-01-2009, 05:07 PM

Took the Z to Firebird east course yesterday for the 370Z's maiden track day. Also my 1st time at FIR east. The course was a lot of fun. Lots of traffic so I didn't get many 100% hot laps in, but that's ok cause I was learning the track...though at 1 point I was 10 seconds slower than my previous pace due to traffic, which seems very slow. Only my 1st and 3rd sessions were recorded on video. My 1st session was orange group and 3rd session was red (along with 2nd and 4th that weren't recorded).

YouTube - FIR Ryan Red Session Part 1
YouTube - FIR Ryan Red Session Part 2
YouTube - FIR Ryan Orange Session Part 1
YouTube - FIR Ryan Orange Session Part 2

Impressions of the car:
Brakes - The brakes held up really well. I used Motul RBF600 fluid (same fluid I used in my 05 STi) and Carbotech XP-10's F/R (I used PFC-01's in the STi). I never got any fade and never had the ABS issues some people have reported having with the 370Z. I would actually have to say my braking distance was my strong point at the track compared to most people. The XP-10's are VERY grabby and if I was too aggressive the tires seems to lock up more than I remember on my STi.

Oil temps - I made sure I had the Stillen "Race" oil cooler installed before I did any track days with the Z. It worked very well. Ambient temp was around 85 ish and the oil temps never passed 240 degrees, and at times I was pushing 90-95%.

Engine - Everything else under the hood seemed fine...though the power steering fluid was either boiling or swirling around in there, though I never felt a change in steering all day so I thought nothing of it. Power seemed pretty good for the track. Having F.I. CBE and Berk HFC's helping out over stock helps I am sure.

Diff. - I have read people over heating the diff. and it acting like an open diff. when this happens. I did not experience this at all, though since it was my 1st time at this track I was not pushing 100%. I was able to put the power down well which was a ? for me coming from AWD...I was not sure how I would do with RWD at a track day, but it was great.

Everything else - I kept at least 3/4 of a tank of fuel in the car at all times to avoid the fuel starvation issues I have been reading about. Since this car gets such great gas mileage on the track (STi got about 4mpg on track), I might just keep doing this so I don't need to spend the $ on a surge tank or anything like that. BC BR series coilovers worked great and did their job well. Stock tires did better than I thought, though I am anxious for better tires. Overall I am very happy and can't wait for another track day in the 370Z.

dcrew1x · 11-01-2009, 06:01 PM

Sounds like you had a lot of fun!

Car sounded great!

I think I'll end up getting the stillen street oil cooler. I only plan on tracking the car a few times a year.

Togo · 11-01-2009, 06:58 PM

Looked like a lot of fun man. Nice vids!

ZCarMan · 11-02-2009, 06:10 PM

Man that looked like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing.

imag · 11-04-2009, 10:01 PM

Nice! I just got back from a weekend and the car did pretty well. I'm tempted to try the Carbotechs, because my brakes started to get a bit soft at the end of the last session. Whether that's the pads (HP+) or the fluid (AP Ultra on its third track day), I'm not sure, but it kind of had me worried.

The power is fine for me right now with intake and exhaust, and the sound is glorious. The car handles really well, although the body roll and control is a bit more than I'd like. The Stillen race cooler is the bomb.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the car, although fixing just these few seemingly small items is seeming like it will cost way too much money...

import111 · 11-04-2009, 11:40 PM

HP+ I would not trust on a track. They don't have the heat rating to be pushed for very long. I would get pads with a higher temp rating for the track.

I agree that the few "fixes" the 370Z could use can sure add up $ wise.

RCZ · 11-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Sounds like you are on the right track man, nice setup and Im glad you had a good time at the track.

11-01-2009, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 191	my 370Z's 1 track day...impressions...video Took the Z to Firebird east course yesterday for the 370Z's maiden track day. Also my 1st time at FIR east. The course was a lot of fun. Lots of traffic so I didn't get many 100% hot laps in, but that's ok cause I was learning the track...though at 1 point I was 10 seconds slower than my previous pace due to traffic, which seems very slow. Only my 1st and 3rd sessions were recorded on video. My 1st session was orange group and 3rd session was red (along with 2nd and 4th that weren't recorded). YouTube - FIR Ryan Red Session Part 1 YouTube - FIR Ryan Red Session Part 2 YouTube - FIR Ryan Orange Session Part 1 YouTube - FIR Ryan Orange Session Part 2 Impressions of the car: Brakes - The brakes held up really well. I used Motul RBF600 fluid (same fluid I used in my 05 STi) and Carbotech XP-10's F/R (I used PFC-01's in the STi). I never got any fade and never had the ABS issues some people have reported having with the 370Z. I would actually have to say my braking distance was my strong point at the track compared to most people. The XP-10's are VERY grabby and if I was too aggressive the tires seems to lock up more than I remember on my STi. Oil temps - I made sure I had the Stillen "Race" oil cooler installed before I did any track days with the Z. It worked very well. Ambient temp was around 85 ish and the oil temps never passed 240 degrees, and at times I was pushing 90-95%. Engine - Everything else under the hood seemed fine...though the power steering fluid was either boiling or swirling around in there, though I never felt a change in steering all day so I thought nothing of it. Power seemed pretty good for the track. Having F.I. CBE and Berk HFC's helping out over stock helps I am sure. Diff. - I have read people over heating the diff. and it acting like an open diff. when this happens. I did not experience this at all, though since it was my 1st time at this track I was not pushing 100%. I was able to put the power down well which was a ? for me coming from AWD...I was not sure how I would do with RWD at a track day, but it was great. Everything else - I kept at least 3/4 of a tank of fuel in the car at all times to avoid the fuel starvation issues I have been reading about. Since this car gets such great gas mileage on the track (STi got about 4mpg on track), I might just keep doing this so I don't need to spend the $ on a surge tank or anything like that. BC BR series coilovers worked great and did their job well. Stock tires did better than I thought, though I am anxious for better tires. Overall I am very happy and can't wait for another track day in the 370Z.

11-01-2009, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
dcrew1x Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 821 Drives: Graphite Bullet Rep Power: 369	Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Car sounded great! I think I'll end up getting the stillen street oil cooler. I only plan on tracking the car a few times a year. __________________ 2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Stillen CBE \| AMS Short Shifter \| Nismo Brace Kit

11-01-2009, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Togo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: E. Northport, NY Posts: 7,597 Drives: Stuff Rep Power: 657	Looked like a lot of fun man. Nice vids! __________________ This will decimate all after you put about fifteen grand in it or more, and if we have to, overnight parts from Japan. Joe Clem and Koeppel Nissan

11-02-2009, 06:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
ZCarMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MD Posts: 4,488 Drives: 09 Z34, 13 F-150 Rep Power: 26	Man that looked like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing. __________________ Jon Swift \| SPC \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| AAM \| Cobb \| Hawk \| Volk Racing \| Bridgestone Green Demon Eyes

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11-04-2009, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	Nice! I just got back from a weekend and the car did pretty well. I'm tempted to try the Carbotechs, because my brakes started to get a bit soft at the end of the last session. Whether that's the pads (HP+) or the fluid (AP Ultra on its third track day), I'm not sure, but it kind of had me worried. The power is fine for me right now with intake and exhaust, and the sound is glorious. The car handles really well, although the body roll and control is a bit more than I'd like. The Stillen race cooler is the bomb. Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the car, although fixing just these few seemingly small items is seeming like it will cost way too much money...

11-04-2009, 11:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 191	HP+ I would not trust on a track. They don't have the heat rating to be pushed for very long. I would get pads with a higher temp rating for the track. I agree that the few "fixes" the 370Z could use can sure add up $ wise.

11-09-2009, 06:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Sounds like you are on the right track man, nice setup and Im glad you had a good time at the track.