Well, out of the 40 monthly Z Club meetings we've had in Nashville since the Middle Tennessee Z Club was born, this is one of the coolest I can remember. Not the greatest attendance - about 15 people showed up - but I'm betting they'll all be back next month after the events of tonight.

Our club meets at Doug Stewart's (Dougrace on 350z) Z shop. It's in a part of downtown Nashville that is very industrial and is pretty treacherous by day, and is a place that only the bravest will venture into at night. If you want the best Z fixer in Nashville, that's the price you pay.

Generally it's OK to wind the cars out a bit up and down the street in front of the shop. Doug's been doing it as a part of business since the early 80s. It's a normal occurence. Usually when we are planning a gathering of more than a few cars, we'll discuss it with the authorities in advance. Due to the location, they usually have no problem with it. Should have called them in advance tonight.

The club tried out the new G-tech tonight. Several of us messed with it. Vandy-Z messed with it the most. I'll let him tell you about his numbers. They were good. Probably the best numbers were when we weighed our cars at Doug's shop. The Enthusiast cars were well under the published weights.

Anyway, Doug offered to try to get a better number than Vandy's. Instead of using his own 350, sitting less than ten feet away, Vandy let Doug drive his car (I guess since it was already running). About ten of us were standing in the garage entrance watching with smiles on our faces. Doug did about five runs.

Just before his last run (from the FAR end this time), two civilian cars came down the street. Doug waited for them to pass. Just as they passed, another car came around the far corner behind Doug. Rather than waiting for another car, Doug punched it. He flew by us - we were all focused on his run.

To our surprise, the car behind him caught up pretty quick. The blue lights went on just as it passed our vantage point at Doug's garage door. He even blipped he siren for added effect.

Doug pulled to a stop at the end of the block. The cruiser pulled in at an angle behind him. Within a few minutes, a backup car arrived. We all hung back at the garage, wondering what was going to happen.

We were close enough to hear about 5% of what was being said. After awhile it became clear that Doug was not in trouble, and what was being discussed was the 350Z. Their conversation looked like it was breaking up after about 15 minutes, so since we figured they could no longer nail us for bribery, we broke out a couple of club t-shirts and headed for the cruisers.

They officers accepted the shirts with thanks. One of them even stopped to get a better look at Doug's 350. He even promised to come back and drive it when he was off duty.

If any of this sounds like BS, I assure you it IS NOT.

What a great meeting!

DEAD

 

haha good to hear, cant wait to hear the numbers, I hope if I must get pulled over the cop is cool about it like this.

 

Its all true!

Weight with 3/4 tank . . . 3225 (Gtech weight 3500 = Car + Adam + Adam's crap - 1/4 tank of fuel)

HP #'s 235, 237

0-60 - 6.5, 6.2, 5.9 (lots-o-spin) (doug's police chase was a 5.2)

60-0 - 114 ft (WOW!)

 

wait so did the Gtech register a 5.2 or not? cause the rest of the times are not exactly great as the origonal post said.

 

The 5.2 was a G-tech result. We went through a lot of trial and error with the G-tech - our first time using it.

Our cars had a lot of spin, especially the 350s when not under traction control.

The Blue Beast 280 showed 161 HP due to spin. We all laughed! Didn't do a 0-60 on the 280. Next time.

 

Doug got a 5.2. I had way too much wheel spin to take my numbers seriously. I was still spinning after the shift to second! I guess I was too excited. Thats why Doug said "Let me try it." The horsepower numbers were good though, 237 at the rear wheels seems very realistic. I know GTECH really are for comparisons between mods, but who can blame us for having fun with it.

 

I am pretty sure we got a 5.2 0 to 60 time but that could have been a 5.29 didn’t really have time to read the meter since the cop was behind me with the lights flashing.
Those guys were cool they were more interested in the car then me drag racing around downtown.

 

Being at the "event" last night, I can attest to the numbers on the G-Tech and how cool the cops were. I guess K-Mart isn't the only place in Nashville to get a "Blue Light Special"!!!

 

Cops love this car. I walked out of 7-11 last night after work and two squad cars are parked on each side of my car. Two cops walking around it sticking their noses against the glass. I walk up and say to them " You want to just write three tickets right now so I can just hand them out when pulled over?" They bust a gut and give me the thumbs up and off they went.

 

Dont trust the g-tech at all. I personally have one as well as a apexi RSM and they both suck. The gtech I calibrated and ran at a drag strip near me. It was so off it was pathetic. I brought it home and stuck it in a drawer. And yes, it is the new one with the neat display.

 

I've been planning to get to the autocross for the last three dates! Looks like I might finally make this one.

Can't wait to see what the Track can do.

Dead

 

i shouldve made it
but we are moving and i gotta help the fam...
hopefully i can make the next one
and yes, i know you guys missed me

 

The police suggested we block off the streets in the future. We probably will for the meeting, and if we do the Christmas party at the shop, we DEFINITELY will.

So try to be there next time - will be a good time.

Dead

 

As a general rule, meetings are always on the first Thursday of the month, however once or twice a year there are exceptions. The last meeting was rescheduled due to Doug and Randy's trip to race at Road Atlanta. We'll also usually reschedule if the meeting conflicts with a major holiday. We try to post changes on our website when we know about them. http://www.middletennesseezclub.com