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View Poll Results: How much gas should be in the tank for auto-x?
I have read various comments on how much gas autocrossers have in their tank but have not read anything as a consensus. I am just curious as to the pros & cons of the amount of gas that should be in the tank. I have driven with 1/4 tank and it felt light. I have also driven with a full tank of gas. Although it felt heavy, my rear wheels felt more planted on the course.
What is the ideal amount of gas that should be in the tank for auto-x and your reason why?
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MY STABLE: 1991 Red Mazda Miata | 1996 White BMW 318i | 1996 Red BMW 328i | 2003 Red Nissan Frontier | 2005 Red Nissan Titan | 2006 Silverstone Nissan 350Z | 2006 Red Porsche Cayenne S
I go with the smallest amount possible. Basically, when the heads-up indicator starts blinking the ----- after it's damn near empty, that's the perfect level. I did 18 runs at that fuel level with no starvation. So I didn't vote on the poll.
I would like to know as well, considering I will be there sunday with you. I was thinking about 1/4 but I have never ran either.
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Used to have Redline Touring 6MT. Tommy Kaira front bumper, Work S1-3P Wheels, Borla true dual exhaust, JWT Pop Charger, Hotchkis sway bars, Stoptech slotted rotors front and rear, Hawk HPS brake pads, black aluminum Nismo shifter, OEM LED taillights. Now have a 2002///M3 (oO (||||)(||||) Oo)
1/4 tank... full tank will be slightly heavier on the turns i think.... ive only ran with 1/4 cuz my friend told me to soo ive been doing it ever since
I like at least 1/2 tank or more , i dont know about the Z but with my old car if my gas was to low it would slosh and casue the chassis to be unstable in some corners.
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2010 Redline Time Attack Enthusiast RWD 3rd place Overall
As far as the wheels feeling planted, I tend to do better with a copilot, esp. on asphalt. I run half a tank because I haven't made up my mind whether more weight is better or worse for tight courses and a torquey motor.
As far as the wheels feeling planted, I tend to do better with a copilot, esp. on asphalt. I run half a tank because I haven't made up my mind whether more weight is better or worse for tight courses and a torquey motor.
I was debating on running a full tank vs. runnning empty as I currently do.... if I want more weight in the back I think I would run with the spare in, as there is no slosh.....keep in mind that the vehicle I autox is a base model with no lsd..... so you would think that I would need weight back there more than anyone.....
Mine is *very* balanced at 3/8 of a tank, less than that and the rear is too light, more and there's a bit of extra weight. I'd rather have closer to 1/2 than 1/4 tank.
We ran a full tank and so did Chris Hammond.Based on our testing rear wheelspin out of corners was nearly eliminated with a full tank plus a big front bar plus 285/30 Kumhos plus proper shock tuning.The Z's advantage is at corner exit(torque and lot's of it) and you must do everything you can to reduce wheelspin.
Jim and Carter
Hey, everyone! Great responses so far, and appreciate everyone who have voted. It really helps all of us who participate in autocross to understand the dynamics of how the amount of gas affects our Zs behavior on the course. Keep it coming and we certainly are continuing to learn from each other's vast experiences in this great forum.
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MY STABLE: 1991 Red Mazda Miata | 1996 White BMW 318i | 1996 Red BMW 328i | 2003 Red Nissan Frontier | 2005 Red Nissan Titan | 2006 Silverstone Nissan 350Z | 2006 Red Porsche Cayenne S
One difference between Thompsons', Hammond's and my Z is that I still have the 60 lb "boat anchor" of a muffler. Hence less fuel required to keep wheelspin down.
PDX makes a good point.We did use a delete tube(5 lbs) in place of the 35 lb muffler.Therefore a 3/4 tank would be the equivalent with a muffler.In either case you have approx an additional 90 lbs to help load those rear tires on corner exit.
PDX makes a good point.We did use a delete tube(5 lbs) in place of the 35 lb muffler.Therefore a 3/4 tank would be the equivalent with a muffler.In either case you have approx an additional 90 lbs to help load those rear tires on corner exit.
Would you recommend using something other than a fluid dynamic that can slosh to weight the car down? Fixed ballast, perhaps? Something you can use in conjunction with the spare tie-down?
Damnit, now I'm going to have to try a full tank
<----------9.5 pound JIC full Ti catback exhaust
We preferred using the fuel load to find the right weight to keep rear wheelspin to a minimum.All our testing kept telling us that a full or near full tank was best,even on the high grip concrete at Peru Ind,so we never let it get below 3/4.
Ballast per se not allowed in stock class.
How much gas in your tank for auto-x?
gamer tag : indoZ33..... Central Cali Region is now available 
