370 as a track car

bobbyo

I am going to purchase a 2009 370 z to be used mostly as a track car. I am thoroughly confused on the sizing of tires and wheels for this car. I have always been a German car owner this will be my first rice burner. The model I am looking at has the sport package. I need to run an R compound tire such as a hoosier.
What size wheel and brand are available in 18 inch and what size hoosier do I need to get?
I am just trying to get a fix on tire price before I purchase the car.

Mike

if you don't lower it much, 275/35-18, but they are pretty short. When I had the car slammed, I ground down my exhaust flanges and front bumper. Now I mostly run 275.40 or 295/40 in Hoosier.

Just be advised, you are also going to need an oil cooler, and brake cooling ducts are also well advised. Also, the car doesn't like right hand turns, like turn 1 at Barber, with less than 7/8 of a tank. There is a fix, but its pricey and sold out at the moment. Member Phunk here makes it.

Its a very rewarding car to drive on the track, but it does have a lot of shortcomings that need to be addressed to be fully functional and worry free on the track.

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

Zoren 370

What are the most common shortcomings and things that needs to prioritize to fix to make it a worthwhile track car other than having the oil cooler for one.Thanks
Note:
Not intended for race competition just for fun track days.

Shamu

Make sure to research things well. The ice mode brake issue on Hoosiers will be scary, you need big oil cooler, rear diff cooler is recommended, stock clutch slave is weak link, track brake pads and good fluid a must. 295 rear Hoosier and 285 front is nice setup.

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Grant

Mike

I've had no ice mode, so I can't speak to that. However, I run stoptech trophy brakes.

Oil Cooler
Brake cooling ducts
larger power steering cooler
Fuel system, or just fill up every session. I did that for 3 years and it was just fine
Diff cooler is nice, but not real necessary, imo, but I have one

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

chknhawk

Brake ducts more important than CAI airflow? Can the ducts be routed to both brakes and CAI? My CAI sit right in front of the tires encaged in plastic (but I have removed the side brackets and bumper cutouts so that air can get in there). I am guessing that as long as I am running on the track and the CAI are in front of the car then they should get enough airflow.

P/S cooler just a hot swap item? Can I just get a bigger cooler and plug it in? (increasing the fluid I assume as well)

Oil cooler - 19row? 24row? what size is needed vs. what size everyone else wants to get. I am guessing 24 row minimum is optimum but will a 19 do it on the track?

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Reaper42

CAI airflow? if you have one of the good CAI systems then the whole point of that system is that it is placed where there is cooler/better airflow. This just gives slight power increase and is by no means necessary for track use. In fact most of the Nismo RC race cars run with the stock, boxed air intakes if im not mistaken.

Brake cooling on the other hand IS a necessity for track use, as well as pads and racing brake fluid.

Z1 motorsports and Stillen both make simple PS cooler swaps that arent expensive.

Oil cooler. Honestly I truly recommend anyone that plans to constantly bring their cars to track days to get a 34 row cooler. Its the only cooler that truly brings the oil temps down to where they are suppose to be. But problem is if you DD your car and live in cooler climate areas you will need to let the car warm up a lot and also install a block off plate.

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Mike

what he said.

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

bobbyo

Thank you for all of the info. I don't think I am going to go with a nissan. I will stick with my R8 until I figure out a cheaper alternative

SS_Firehawk

It's not expensive to get the car to a point where it's safe and reliable. A good $3,000 would be a number to toss around I think. May need Mike, Spohn, Chris, Shamu or another track junky to comment.

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DR_

If you want a race car buy a race car, don't build one. It is soooo much cheaper to buy one than build one out of a nice street car. For instance my Prelude race car, that is for sale btw, does about the same lap times as my Z but at a fraction of the cost.

Mike

There is a T2 (I think), racecar 370z for sale on this forum.

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

SPOHN

Everyone has summed it up pretty much. There's just several items that has to be addressed to have a more flawless track car.

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ResIpsa

If I was in your position (not already owning a 370Z) I would seriously consider getting a 350Z. The 370Z has not depreciated enough to make it an economical track car.

Also, the introduction of NASA Spec Z with its support from Nissan Motorsports makes competition parts readily available.

I have given many point byes to well sorted Spec 350Z’s with good drivers.

I remember seeing a NASA Spec 350Z in Sports Car for $15,000.00 and it had everything including a Piper cage (think $5,000.00 or more for the install).

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jr1

I have a built 370 fs. All of the common issues are addressed including Tevis abs system. Much cheaper than building a track car.

'09 STO/T1 370Z Race car