Autocross questions

cossie1600

What works for autox might not work for the track (also rules too, see oil cooler...). Unless you are one of the bigger companies, you are not going to have the budget to test what setup works best and what doesn't. There is a reason why autox is a copy cat game. People tend to read up on what is competitive and go from there, it is way cheaper and easier than making your own leap of faith on every part. Now the 370 is getting cheaper, you are going to see more drivers on the track and around the cones. If you look back the last two years, chances are that you are lucky to see 750 cars in total (estimate and I am going off on an average of 25 cars per state) doing autox or track. The numbers will pick up as the 2009 starts to dip into the teens though.

My stock RX-8 was fun and everything, it was just bloody slow once you go over 60mph.

Ask those who bought their cars in 2009-2010, see how many parts and info were available then. If they knew what they do now, I bet there are tons of parts they would either skip or change on.

A brake cooling duct is finally available after 4 years. Trailer hitch is still not available in mass production. Wheels seem to be an issue too as you are basically stuck with the overpriced sport wheels (it is hard to buy 18x9).

cavemancan

I knew someone was going to say that...I figured it was understood.

This is my point exactly...Those who are "competitive" should share there knowledge since they more or less know MORE what actually works for the Z. I mentioned vendors since I haven't seen much info consolidated in one thread.

I hear ya Mine does run much faster than a stock Rx8 though. I've surprised the crap out of some higher horse power cars but power is power and the Rx8 was lacking.

Funny there is more discussion regarding forced induction on the 370Z then handling...On the Rx8 forums its the reverse. I think they are confused...LMAO!!

cossie1600

I think most of the guys on here does share. You just have to find the right posts and read it as some people aren't going to post the same thing for every newbie. Of course how many are truly competitive or even competing in general? If you flip through the national results or even the local results, maybe <20 cars?!? Anyway until one of the guys (one of the more competitive one is here)can drag a victory for the 370, it will continue to be the car that looks great on paper and never can put it together. Think of it as a 1st overall pick that never materialize. Just be patient, once the price of the car comes down, you will see more people driving it. Just look at the S2000

One of my favorite car was my FC RX-7. Back when gas was $1.50 a gallon, it got me through college and 40K miles per year with no issues. I tried hard to love the RX-8, I bought two of them. I tried really hard to love it, but just couldn't do it. When Mini Cooper started passing me on the straights, I said F this and traded it for the 370. I had a guy that was undressing me in a slightly modded RX-8 to my stock one. Yet when he got behind the 370, he never even had a chance to come close to my bumper. The difference in power was too much to make up.

cavemancan

My mods were enough to give me about 20 + wHP. AEM intake, BHR ignition, BHR midpipe, Greddy exhaust, Flywheel, Cobb tuner. The major difference was in the ignition, midpipe, and tuner.

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Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

cossie1600

That was pretty much what he did. All the bolt ons, Konis & R6s. I rode on a stock car with R888 and you can see the power difference.


Yet compare to the Z the car is virtually a pylon



Back on topic, just do a search and comb through some of the older posts, you should see some information.

AutoX Z

My "set-up" involves 5 aftermarket parts:

Hotchkis front swaybar
K&N drop-in filters
AST 5200's
Invidia cat-back exhaust (w/ muffler section removed)
295/30/19 Hoosier A6's

Every other part on the car is OEM. OEM pads, OEM rotors, OEM fluids, OEM lug nuts you get the idea. Aside from getting the shocks it's not hard to "build" a 370Z that will get you well into the trophies at Nationals. It's all about driving it.

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cavemancan

NICE! Thanks for posting! What class does this put you in? You can't be in the stock class. BSP? Rims are stock too I assume? What about ride height with the AST's?

__________________
Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

03threefiftyz

C stock.

cavemancan

Wait a minute...You mean they allow exhaust, filters, coilovers, swaybars, and 295 wide hoosiers in C-stock????? On a Z?? No way!

I thought getting springs takes you out of stock class?


Question: I see autoX uses same size tires on all 4 corners. What are your views concerning staggered and non? Why not run a 295 and 305? I realize the need to have more grip up front just want to know your thoughts.

__________________
Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

03threefiftyz

Square is the way to go. You need all the front end grip you can. Plus you have the nice advantage of easy tire rotation, etc. You could go bigger than 295....the only limiting factor is wheel width, which can't be changed. You can space them out 1/4" on each side.

He doesn't have "coil-overs"...he has DA shocks. You have to retain the relative position on the shock and the stock springs.

My BSP set-up:
Suspension:
Motons with 900/750 hypercoils
Factory A-arms with offset bushings
Hotchkis front bar (full stiff)
SPL Endlinks
No rear sway
Alignment...info to come

Engine:
Pop Charger w/80mm velocity stack
Samco Intake tube
Z1auto 3" MAF
MD 5/16" Spacer
UR Crank Pulley
Z1 2.5" Test Pipes
TurboXS Y-Pipe & Exhaust (only weighs about 19lbs...too my surprise)
Tomei V2 Headers
Tuned Osiris/Uprev by Hills Garage
Will be converted to E85 once we get summer blend in MD (June)

Drivetrain:
Cusco RS at 80% lock
OS Giken Super Single w/Aluminum Pressure Plate (Pretty light....~25lbs for the whole assembly with flywheel)

Brakes:
Stoptech 332mm front BBK (2 piece rotors) and stock rear non brembos
Stoptech lines
Stoptech pads

Wheels/Tires:
ARP Studs
18x10.5 +15 RPF1's
315/30 Hoosier A6's
Will be upgrading at some point in the year to 18x11.5's or 18x12's.

Aero:
Work in Progress.

Weight:
2919 w/no AC or Radio....hoping to get that below 2900 before Nationals.

03threefiftyz

Also, the big front bar is more for loading the op rear tire (especially with a **** VLSD) than managing front in roll, though it certainly helps in transitions.

ResIpsa

Mike. Did I see that you were planning on adding some aero? I have some left over fiberglass cloth and pop rivits

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03threefiftyz

The UMD FSAE team has been doing the cfd, etc on my aero. Should be on at some point.

AutoX Z

They're probably a good team to use for that.

Although I don't think that will be SP legal...

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2013 SCCA Solo National Champion
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03threefiftyz

It's nothing special....just a barn door on the rear and a front air dam.