The Official 370Z Autocross Thread

[RicerX]

Joining up for the first time! Looking to get going on this in the spring.

My Z is currently my DD and I'm looking at doing wheels/tires/new fluids by the time the season picks back up.

For starters, would it be worth it to pick up a set of stock base 18s and throw sticky tires on them or use my sport wheels with new rubber and DD on the 18s?

[370zproject]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I don't DD as much any more. Still put miles on it.

Don't forget. I'm running 275's in the front, and 345's in the rear. Mich PSS's.
Front camber at -2, caster at +6, zero toe.
Rear camber at -1.75. Going to change that to -1.5. Toe, a hair in.

good lord

[stuy486]

Originally Posted by RicerX

For starters, would it be worth it to pick up a set of stock base 18s and throw sticky tires on them or use my sport wheels with new rubber and DD on the 18s?

If you're going to run SCCA B Street class, the base model 18" wheels are not technically legal on a sport package car due to the different offset and width. That being said, I highly doubt anyone would protest you since they are a clear downgrade. The Sport package wheels are wider, so you'd definitely be better off using them with good rubber. I personally just drive around on my competition tires, that's the beauty of street classes.

[gomer_110]

Originally Posted by stuy486

If you're going to run SCCA B Street class, the base model 18" wheels are not technically legal on a sport package car due to the different offset and width. That being said, I highly doubt anyone would protest you since they are a clear downgrade. The Sport package wheels are wider, so you'd definitely be better off using them with good rubber. I personally just drive around on my competition tires, that's the beauty of street classes.

With all the hate towards the 370Z this last year I don't know if I'd count on this. Locally you'd probably be fine but nationally there's just too many people that want to stir the pot for no reason.

Who know's maybe now that the car is in BS no one will care.

[redline10000]

How much camber are the guys who DD their autox cars running?

My z is my DD but I want to step the front camber up and dunno how much will be OK before I start eating up my tires. I'm thinking maybe -2.2 will be OK. Any thoughts?

[stuy486]

Originally Posted by redline10000

How much camber are the guys who DD their autox cars running?

My z is my DD but I want to step the front camber up and dunno how much will be OK before I start eating up my tires. I'm thinking maybe -2.2 will be OK. Any thoughts?

Assuming you're prepping for STR or higher? There's no front camber adjustment with the stock suspension (i.e. no front camber for a B Street car)

Tire wear resulting from autocross will vastly outweigh tire wear from DDing, so I wouldn't worry about that too much... Unless you have some crazy front toe or something...

[redline10000]

Originally Posted by stuy486

Assuming you're prepping for STR or higher? There's no front camber adjustment with the stock suspension (i.e. no front camber for a B Street car)

Tire wear resulting from autocross will vastly outweigh tire wear from DDing, so I wouldn't worry about that too much... Unless you have some crazy front toe or something...

Yup I will be doing ASP for this year since my rims are too big for STR. My club has ASP on street tires so works great for me. I have 0 toe up front and kenetix camber arms. I would love to run as much front camber as possible.

[Masterbeatty]

I am running - 2.0 and my tires are fine on the inside. The toe out is what's killing my outer side of the tire. But, I love the way it handles and I don't daily it anymore.

[redline10000]

Originally Posted by Masterbeatty

I am running - 2.0 and my tires are fine on the inside. The toe out is what's killing my outer side of the tire. But, I love the way it handles and I don't daily it anymore.

-2 or 2.2 is was I was thinking about. How much toe out you got?

[Rusty]

Don't know about autocross. I track and DD 18 track days and 10,000 miles. Front -2 camber and zero toe. Tires look fine. The rear. -1.75 and a hair in for toe. No toe wear, but the insides took a beating. Going to -1.5 for rear camber.

[redline10000]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Don't know about autocross. I track and DD 18 track days and 10,000 miles. Front -2 camber and zero toe. Tires look fine. The rear. -1.75 and a hair in for toe. No toe wear, but the insides took a beating. Going to -1.5 for rear camber.

Thnx I feel much better about running -2.0 up front and not tearing up my tires. FWIW I have -1.6 now 1/8th toe in the rear and my wear is good.

[Tadpole]

I will be attending an autocross meet this month at COTA And of course being a green bean I will just be observing and seeing if this is something I would like to do.

I might be a track whore by the end of this year.

[stuy486]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

I will be attending an autocross meet this month at COTA And of course being a green bean I will just be observing and seeing if this is something I would like to do.

I might be a track whore by the end of this year.

No need to sit it out, dive right in!

[Tadpole]

Originally Posted by stuy486

No need to sit it out, dive right in!

I just might but hearing about brake fluid upgrade and a better oil cooler requirement has me a bit skidIsh. My Z is a base so there are probably some things to take under consideration.

[stuy486]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

I just might but hearing about brake fluid upgrade and a better oil cooler requirement has me a bit skidIsh. My Z is a base so there are probably some things to take under consideration.

Those concerns are primarily just for tracking conditions. For autocross purposes, the base model is perfectly fine, and you shouldn't have any overheating issues.

I ran my car (no oil cooler, stock brake fluid) all year last year (including a ProSolo event in 105 degree heat) and never had any problems.