"A 2.5-liter R-tune Altima, fitted with camshafts, intake, header, exhaust, antiroll bars, 18-inch wheels, shocks, springs and semi-metallic brake pads, was vastly improved over the stock Altima—and almost as quick around our tight test course as an R-tuned 350Z. Similarly modded R-tuned Sentra SE-R Spec Vs also ate up a stock 350Z."

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103005

 

I can believe it, at least the SpecV.

While the 2.5 liter is only a 4-cylinder, it has a lot of grunt for a small engine. Couple that with a car that is 500 pounds lighter, and you get some pretty good acceleration.

However, you have to drive it on the edge of losing control all of the time. The Z is far better in that regard.

 

...This post is time bomb waiting to explode

 

yup, yup...while it's built, it barely beat the Z and you don't have to drive the Z to the edge just to be fast. The more time I spend on the track at PIR, the more I come to realize just how well balanced the Z is. With some simple upgrades, it will lap faster and still not be on the edge.

When's your next day on the track PDXRacer? Did you get a chance to get out to PIR for the Rose City Corvette track event this week?

 

And, I've never liked the handling dynamics of a fwd car at the limit. But that's just me, I guess.

Thanks for the info and links, mc350z.

 

Lack of gas money.

I never took the SpecV on the track, but I got pretty good on an autocross course with it. The Z is far easier to drive, and the limits of an even lightly prepared Z are far above those of the SpecV.

 

Yeah, so dump several grand into Nismo upgrades for an Altima and it can keep up with a Z. I love altimas and they are good cars but why start with a front wheel drive sedan and spend 10 or 15 grand on upgrades to catch up to a Z that starts at the same level>?