The Official 370Z Autocross Thread

[gomer_110]

Newest SCCA Fastrack is out and Nismo's are now legal for STU also. Now to determine how much I like the purple crack.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

ftfy

The wheel doesn't have to be off the ground to cause issue, just unloaded. When I used to have the Quaife (torsen style) in my car it was a real problem on corner exit getting the power down consistently. I imagine the vLSD would probably be slightly better than a torsen in that sense but only as long as the special goo in it hasn't broken down. Clutch types simply don't care if a wheel is unloaded or in air and will give you consistent and confident power down on corner exit.

From everything I've heard and read, the reason the OSG's are preferred is they are silky smooth unlike many other clutch type LSD's. My Cusco 1.5 way is admittedly harsh and clunky when not driving the car hard. It is still tolerable for when the car occasionally sees street driving.

While I'm no expert on the maintenance of LSD's, I can say I've had mine in the car for 2 full seasons now with no indication of needing a rebuild yet. Also consider that is with the car running on Hoosiers which can be more punishing to equipment than street tires.

Originally Posted by gomer_110

Newest SCCA Fastrack is out and Nismo's are now legal for STU also. Now to determine how much I like the purple crack.

Thank you for the in depth reply. That's the level of conversation I was looking for. I did a ton of research into the osg and think this may be the way to go.

How much would you need to change to come down to STU? On paper this car should be really competitive.

[gomer_110]

I'd need to read the ST rules. At first guess I'm probably looking at:

radiator
clutch
flywheel
intake plenum
cats
maybe seats
factory spoiler

While I still have the factory parts, a couple of these would be rather time consuming to replace. As I still have some virgin Hoosiers to burn through it wouldn't be until at least next season before I'd do it anyways.

Edit - And I've already bought BSP stickers for the car that I'll need to get some use out of.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

I'd need to read the ST rules. At first guess I'm probably looking at:

radiator
clutch
flywheel
intake plenum
cats
maybe seats
factory spoiler

While I still have the factory parts, a couple of these would be rather time consuming to replace. As I still have some virgin Hoosiers to burn through it wouldn't be until at least next season before I'd do it anyways.

Edit - And I've already bought BSP stickers for the car that I'll need to get some use out of.

Radiator may be a problem. From the one thread. Seems like all the aftermarket ones are having issues. Could you install hood vents instead?

[Justint5387]

Do you run a lighter radiator? I think you can run an aftermarket radiator in ST if it is OEM dimensions and capacity

[Justint5387]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

From everything I've heard and read, the reason the OSG's are preferred is they are silky smooth unlike many other clutch type LSD's. My Cusco 1.5 way is admittedly harsh and clunky when not driving the car hard. It is still tolerable for when the car occasionally sees street driving.
.

What fluid did you use in the Cusco? Mine is pretty smooth with PA90

[gomer_110]

It has the Cusco LSD oil in it. I don't recall the oil weight at the moment. Might give the PA90 a shot when I change the fluid next.

[Rusty]

Talks about oil towards the end.

[gomer_110]

And today I was reminded again why running Hoosiers is far better than street tires. The stupid amount of grip and the things you can do with that much grip is just too much fun.

[DarkJak]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

ftfy

The wheel doesn't have to be off the ground to cause issue, just unloaded. When I used to have the Quaife (torsen style) in my car it was a real problem on corner exit getting the power down consistently. I imagine the vLSD would probably be slightly better than a torsen in that sense but only as long as the special goo in it hasn't broken down. Clutch types simply don't care if a wheel is unloaded or in air and will give you consistent and confident power down on corner exit.

I did an event this last weekend on stickier tires and the silicone fluid in that stock VLSD must have been beyond toast. It may as well have been an open diff coming out of turns.
With how negligibly it was putting power down, I'm assuming that inner tire was almost fully unloaded. In that case, a Quaife would only transfer 3x that amount to the other wheel. And 3x roughly zero is still roughly zero.

[Brendan]

Had a good *** time at nationals. It was cool to see some of you guys and your cars in person and sorry for any of those I didnt get to say hello to. This last year racing the z has been really eye opening. I really do still think the car can trophy in bs at nationals, but it would take a set of very particular circumstances to do so in addition to a driver more talented than I, lol. I had a good time this year in BS but cant wait to make the move to STU. I took a few photos that will be sharing in here. Cheers.

[gomer_110]

Kinda bummed I wasn't able to get over and watch BS run this year. It seemed like all the classes I wanted to watch were running on opposite course on the same days.

Wish I had could have had the same luck as you this year. Day 1 was only two runs as I ran 6th heat on Tues. and we lost daylight. Didn't bother taking the third run the following morning since it was cold and wet. Day 2 I got one run before the car lost clutch hydraulics (probably the CSC). Was able to jump into a partially prepped MSM but wasn't able to go faster than the one run I made in my car. Other than hanging out in paddock with friends and eating some awesome bbq, this was the worst nationals I've attended in the four years I've gone.

One interesting thing that did come out of BSP this year was the results of the 350z that ran BSP. Talking to them, the car was just an STU car with Hoosiers and a 100 octane tune. Maybe there's still hope for taking it to the MSM's after all. The ND Miata does appear to be in a league of it's own though.

[03threefiftyz]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

Kinda bummed I wasn't able to get over and watch BS run this year. It seemed like all the classes I wanted to watch were running on opposite course on the same days.

Wish I had could have had the same luck as you this year. Day 1 was only two runs as I ran 6th heat on Tues. and we lost daylight. Didn't bother taking the third run the following morning since it was cold and wet. Day 2 I got one run before the car lost clutch hydraulics (probably the CSC). Was able to jump into a partially prepped MSM but wasn't able to go faster than the one run I made in my car. Other than hanging out in paddock with friends and eating some awesome bbq, this was the worst nationals I've attended in the four years I've gone.

One interesting thing that did come out of BSP this year was the results of the 350z that ran BSP. Talking to them, the car was just an STU car with Hoosiers and a 100 octane tune. Maybe there's still hope for taking it to the MSM's after all. The ND Miata does appear to be in a league of it's own though.

To be honest, I left the class too soon. The MSM's should be faster than they are....I don't get it. That said, I haven't seen the pace from them since Robert's S2k and I left in 2014 to make me think we wouldn't still be in front. ND is the future, though, and I'm guessing the ND2 will be the car to have after it bumps into BSP in 2019-2020.

Oh...and no way on the 370z's competitive relevance in BS. The cayman does everything better.....everything. And even the Cayman will slowly get drown out on power courses....

[Brendan]

_BES0145 by brendan sobers, on Flickr

_BES0220 by brendan sobers, on Flickr

_BES0307 by brendan sobers, on Flickr

_BES0617 by brendan sobers, on Flickr

[Brendan]

My personal favorite. My buddy borrowed my camera during my first run. Caught the car during a spin but it was wild to see two off the ground.

_BES1653 by brendan sobers, on Flickr