Stock Z on a road course?

puckshaw · 04-18-2011, 03:24 PM

Livingsocial.com has a coupon right now for a local track day deal and I'm debating whether it's worth it to go. I use to track my 05 STi but wound up selling it and switching to motorcycles. I never intended to track the Z but it's tempting to see what it can do. I just don't want to sink any money into mods for one track day.

My gut tells me I need some Motul, track pads, and an oil cooler. Can I get away without doing any of this? My only mods are HFC and FI exhaust. I just don't want to get out there and have to baby it or be crippled all day by high oil temps and cooked brakes. What do you guys think? The event is at CMP which is particularly hard on brakes and tires. I've done lots of track days there in both cars and on bikes.

m4a1mustang · 04-18-2011, 03:27 PM

It's highly recommended that you get an oil cooler and upgrade your pads/fluid before hitting the track. If you go to CMP stock you'll probably go a couple laps before the engine goes into limp mode or the brakes go out on you.

puckshaw · 04-18-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

It's highly recommended that you get an oil cooler and upgrade your pads/fluid before hitting the track. If you go to CMP stock you'll probably go a couple laps before the engine goes into limp mode or the brakes go out on you.

That's what I was afraid of

CMP turned my STi's gold brake calipers a nice dark brown color and the red letters turned black

I would run PF pads and Motul and could barely make it more than 25-30 minutes before the brakes started fading. I even added cooling ducts eventually. I'm sure the Z would fare much worse with stock components. Bummer.

cossie1600 · 04-18-2011, 04:12 PM

You can probably get away without the oil cooler if you drive very conservatively, but the brake fluid and pads are probably not worth not doing.

ResIpsa · 04-19-2011, 08:20 AM

It sounds like you have a lot of track time under your belt. And if you were able to brown a set of Brembo's I suspect you will have a hard time driving conservatively enough to keep your oil temps down.

If this was your first track day I might reluctantly say go for it. But with your experience I would say don't do it.

CZero · 04-23-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResIpsa

It sounds like you have a lot of track time under your belt. And if you were able to brown a set of Brembo's I suspect you will have a hard time driving conservatively enough to keep your oil temps down.

If this was your first track day I might reluctantly say go for it. But with your experience I would say don't do it.

Heavy braking isn't always indicative of experience.
Not saying he isn't, but it could go either way....

As for the OP's question, I'd have to agree that without pads and fluid you wouldn't have fun at all. Even on the streets I find my brakes over heating at times. As for the oil temps? Ridiculous. Truly the greatest flaw with this car by far.

import111 · 04-23-2011, 07:19 PM

I also came from an 05 STi to a 370Z.

If you want to have fun on the track, you will need high temp brake fluid, brake pads, and an oil cooler. Also keep your gas tank full or you will get fuel cut on long right hand corners.

04-18-2011, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
puckshaw Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 620 Drives: 09 PW 370Z Touring Rep Power: 17	Stock Z on a road course? Livingsocial.com has a coupon right now for a local track day deal and I'm debating whether it's worth it to go. I use to track my 05 STi but wound up selling it and switching to motorcycles. I never intended to track the Z but it's tempting to see what it can do. I just don't want to sink any money into mods for one track day. My gut tells me I need some Motul, track pads, and an oil cooler. Can I get away without doing any of this? My only mods are HFC and FI exhaust. I just don't want to get out there and have to baby it or be crippled all day by high oil temps and cooked brakes. What do you guys think? The event is at CMP which is particularly hard on brakes and tires. I've done lots of track days there in both cars and on bikes.

04-18-2011, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	It's highly recommended that you get an oil cooler and upgrade your pads/fluid before hitting the track. If you go to CMP stock you'll probably go a couple laps before the engine goes into limp mode or the brakes go out on you. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

04-19-2011, 08:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
ResIpsa Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 564 Drives: 09 RACING HEN Rep Power: 338	It sounds like you have a lot of track time under your belt. And if you were able to brown a set of Brembo's I suspect you will have a hard time driving conservatively enough to keep your oil temps down. If this was your first track day I might reluctantly say go for it. But with your experience I would say don't do it. __________________ The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/

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cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	You can probably get away without the oil cooler if you drive very conservatively, but the brake fluid and pads are probably not worth not doing.

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import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 191	I also came from an 05 STi to a 370Z. If you want to have fun on the track, you will need high temp brake fluid, brake pads, and an oil cooler. Also keep your gas tank full or you will get fuel cut on long right hand corners.