Those numbers are really high for carz with FI. Did they test drive them at the Himalaya Seca track or what??

 

Great info and insight, thanks! I was never big on the TT since it cost soo much. I figure with that I can do much more in terms of handling, wheels, tires, sway bars, brakes, etc..

So whats a good hp number for the Z without sacraficing it's handling, 300-360hp?

 

Magazine drivers can't drive worth ****, so dont listen to those results. They basically get paid to write crap!

 

uh motor trend drivers tend to be really good actually.

 

all the tests were done by who knows who, but the road course was done by Mike _____ - (forgot his last name, can look it up though). He's a professional racer that drives for Performance Nissan. I've actually met him. Jason, Tony, and Andy all work with him. Chances are he's a better driver than most any of us. He competes against BJ (dwnshift) from 350EVO I think. He races a pro NA 350Z that's fully race prepped. The NA car in the article was his own personal car.


I don't think it's so much hp as it is tq. With FI you usually get such high tq numbers with most kits aside from the supercharger kits - especially the vortech and ATI kits since it's not uncommon for them to have like 400whp and 350tq. The TT and ST setups are easy to have 400whp and 400wtq - and the tq curve is brutal. It comes on strong and comes on quick.

the other factor is the 100 lbs up front slowing the weight transfer and taking away from rear traction. People have said they've noticed a big difference in handling when they removed their AC which is 20-25 lbs up front. Imagine what adding 100 lbs up front would do to make handling feel sludgy and the more sluggish weight transfer and less rear traction. I know the FI guys will jump in and say I'm exaggerating and say it's all in the suspension setup and that's true too, but it is true that you're compromising weight, handling, traction, and possibly reliability when you get a FI kit

 

Don't need any hp upgrade. Just get Nismo 3.9 final drive and you will see your car will accelerate much faster, and shorter gears have a positive effect in handling.

 

I would have to disagree. Sometimes they hire pro drivers to do testings. In fact, one of the mags (i think its Road&track) is offering a challenge. Any reader could sign up and try to beat them (the magazine editors) on a course, straights, etc. You forget that some of these guys use to race and still race to a certain degree and are also around the racing community for years. Its their passion.

 

yeah the LSD will help mostly with traction while cornering, and a little bit in a straight line

the 3.9 gearing IMO doesn't help with handling, but helps with accelleration especially when coming out of corners.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I've been thinking about my next mods are sway bars (I do some autoX), pullys, camshaft, bigger front brakes. The car is fast enough and faster would be great, but I really want the car to handle curves better. Of course, the best way to improve on that is me, I need lessons and tons of driving time!