Ok, here is the situation. I have been trolling the local lots, looking for a 350Z with all the right stuff. Specifically, I want a track-edition for the better braking system.

Today, I came across an 03 (I believe) with everything I was looking for. Took the wife by to look at the car, and she LOVES it way more than our current track/autocross car (2003 Evo).

Looks aside, (Evos are ugly, I admit it) how reliable is the engine, tranny, and other components on these cars? I been trolling around, but have found the specifics I am looking for.

The car will see ALOT of track / autocross duty, and I want to make sure it will be reliable, provided I keep up with the maintenance in the appropriate fashion. Also, my Evo has a completely reworked suspension, coil-overs with custom valving an spring rates, swaybars, custom bracing, some seam-welding in the rear for more stiffness, upgraded strut/trunk braces, etc. The Evo handles like it is on rails, and I want to know what things I will need to do to achieve this with the Z. I haven't really done any power mods to the Evo (didn't want to jeopradize the safety of the engine by going boost crazy), so the power should be even to the Z, but braking and suspension are my concerns.

All, please advise, and thanks....

 

I posted the same response in your thread on 350zmotoring:

2003 issues:

Tire feathering
Some tranny issues
Window grease (not performance affecting)

Thats all I can really think of right now.

In regards to the EVO, you can make it go a lot faster for a lot cheaper than the Z. I've seen EVO guys getting to 350-400 whp with some simple bolt-ons and a new ECU/tune on the stock block with no issues. To do that with the Z will require a supercharger or turbo kit, tuning, and whatever else.

Obviously straight line performance isn't everything, but turbo+AWD is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I would try and see if you can take it on a test drive for a feeler of its capabilities. I think you could be very happy with either one. But your right, the Z does look better. =)

 

I don't want to slam the 03 models, but you need to be careful. As with any first production year car, they had their problems. See if you can take the VIN to a Nissan dealer and have them pull ALL of the warranty work that has been done on the car. That should give you a good idea if the car has had problems.

If you're mainly autocrossing the car, you probably won't notice a difference with the Brembo brakes. Now if you're going to do Driver's Ed or Track events, that is when you'll notice. You may want to look at the Enthusiast, Performance, or Touring model. Not sure if VDC is a concern, but the Enthusiast gives you TPC and a LSD. The carbon cloth seats will keep you planted in the seat better than leather.

Good luck with your decision. There are a lot of 03 Z's out there that haven't had a single problem.

 

I have an '03 Track model with 23k miles... about half of those miles are from the track. My first track event in the Z the only mod was Carbotech XP brake pads in the Brembos and MOTUL600 brake fluid. The car handled itself well at Texas World Speedway, but did present a few areas of concern for me....

1) the OEM tires are not up to the task
2) understeer
3) VLSD gives up a little when too warm

I have since added Koni adjustable shoxs, Eiback springs and 350EVO f/r adjustable sways. This has helped control body roll and with a little tweaking on the sways I can dial out most of the understeer. Adding a NISMO clutch-type rear diff made a huge difference in traction when powering out of turns.

I've run 275/40-17 Yokohama AO32R on the track and noticed huge improvements in grip and further reduction in understeer. I've also run Bridgestone SO2s with a lot more success then the RE040s.

As for reliability... not one mechanical problem. The OEM Brembo brakes work exceptionally well and I'm still on the original set of rotors. When these finally wear out, I'll switch to Stoptech's 2-piece replacement set for the Brembos. I have added the NISMO thermostat to help keep things cool. I'm also considering a larger radiator... track events in Texas can be brutally hot! Still... I've never had any overheating problems.

I don't autocross, so I can't really comment there except to say that I would suspect the EVO is a better autocross car out of the box.... it's a little bit lighter and handles better.


Throw enough money at anything, and it can be good at what you want it to do!!!


Hope that helps,

PeteH

 

I have been running a 350Z for the past two years is BSP (started in BS but left due to the S2K's). The Z has responded well for autocross and track duty. The car has pretty much every mod for suspension and some of the more popular engine mods (no ecu). The Z has been competetive with out a doubt in street prepard. Handles great, easy to drive, plenty of the low end torque that you need to run an autocross and the chassie is very ridged providing a great feel to the drive which allow the car to rotate at you discresion.
I highly recomend going with the Track model for the Brembos. The stock brakes tend to have a flaw when braking at angles causing the ABS to go into ice mode.
Recently ran a two day with the ODR scca group in Virginia Beach and would have had ftd on Saturday but was beaten out by a go-kart and a larger go-kart/Formula Ford. Sunday, I had two other cars that I clipped Saturday sneek past me on the Sunday runs. So I don't think I could be happier with the cars performance.

 

Here are some videos of Z's and other makes running in Vriginia.
You may need to registar in order to view. The site is www.autocross.us or just click the link below. Btw no major failures in two Z and over 30k total.
http://www.autocross.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=852

 

Thanks all for the great input. I am going to give a test drive this afternoon, and hopefully, make some deals. I will let you guys know what comes of it.

Dave

 

Good luck, hope you find the car that's right for you.

 

If you put the same mods on a Z, it'll be a track beast. Are you willing to spend all of that money again to get back to where you are now?

Those Evo's are nimble...moreso with the mods you mentioned. But the Z is so damn sexy!

 

I've just gotten into AutoX myself and I am extremely impressed with my Z. With a few basic mods (TIRES!!) you can definitely hang with the heavy hitters out there. This car really shines on the course.

 

Spending the money on the Z is not an issue, because the wife has decreed, it is either a Z or a new RS4. I can build a BAD *** Z for 54000 dollars. To be honest, I like the Evo, but I have done all I can do with it, without going extreme (eg creating suspension etc.).

Fact is, the roll center is TOO high, and the car is heavy, with no chance of slimming down. I have stripped, pulled, or yanked anything that can come out, and the car still is 3400ish. If I am going to have a car that heavy, then I want something nice, with a lower center of gravity and roll center.

Besides, I had an 85 Z (First car), a 89Turbo (loved), and a 96TT (sorry totalled). Seems I have been away for too long. Now, I have been reading today, and is it true the 35th has forged (better) internals? Boost ready, perhaps?