Just got back from an early morning drive up hwy 33 in Ojai Ca. For those unfamiliar with the road it is lightly patrolled and many car magazines use it for testing as well. You can pretty much drive as hard as you want going up where you are unlikely to meet a cop, but coming back you have to take it easy.

Summing it up quickly; this car rocks up until 8.5/10ths. The chassis is firm, but not harsh. Very communicative. I have driven a lot of cars and this one feels like it was carved from a single piece. In that respect it is better than any other street car I have ever driven. I felt like I could feel the level of grip available at each corner and I had immediate trust that nothing nasty would happen. The steering was telling me everything I needed to know without yelling it in my ear. The car absolutely does not feel like a 3200lb car. It feels much lighter!! Part of what makes it feel lighter is the lack of roll or pitch. The thing pretty much stays flat. This will be a very easy car for people to drive quickly at a track. The amount of torque available really means that you don't have to shift all that much (too bad since the shifter is beautifully weighted and spaced) and can concentrate on your line and braking points more. The big Brembos also feel very linear. The pedal is firm, almost like the car already has steel braided lines, and braking was directly proportional to the ammount of pressure on the pedal.

So what happens afer 85%? The front end starts to slide wide on fast corners. You get used to trailing a lot of brake into the corner and taking a very late apex so you can get on the power. Still, you are getting on the power a lot later (by racing standards) than would be ideal. Slow corners were not a problem as you can use the car's power to override the rear tire's traction and steer the car out of the corner on the throttle. The suspension though never really lost composure or felt too soft so I am wondering if a harder suspension would be of any benefit at all?? A different alignment and fatter anti-roll should cure any problems I have just mentioned, but only some real racetrack time will tell if a different suspension is needed. For the non racers here, everything is pretty much perfect right out of the box.

P.S. All testing was done with the VDC off.

 

Thanks for your impressions Race, I may never take it out to the track like you will but your review was well done, a great read!

 

I have been waiting in anticipation to see what these "track Zs" can do as they are very well equipped for the price. I have a modified TT but even with the power I have I suffer (in CA heat) from the dreaded "heak soak" and this has always been a concern.

It was also interesting to hear your choice of road as this is a section that I am very familiar with and often drive myself. Have you done "lockwood" yes? if you do watch our for the DIPS, they really are dips!

Going to be watching and lurling alike as I must admit, the Blue track Z is a very tempting machine. Can't wait to get a test drive in one of these puppies.

 

Well, I'm glad I'm hearing this info from another track *****... Good stuff!

 

Wow, Race! I've been gone so long I never even knew you had taken delivery of the car. I'm sure us "racers" will be swapping many stories, tips and questions in the near future.

Great review! Keep the info. coming. I don't get my car till + or - xmas.

Did you read the latest SCC article? They did some interesting things with the suspension, brakes, ride height and exhaust. They got to .98g from a stock .88g with basically much much more tire and a set of GC Advanced Design shocks/springs.

In regard to the understeer, how much do you think was the fault of the tire? Have you tried different tire pressures?

Fly

 

Just imagine what will happen if you put some 8.5's/245 up front and some 9.5/275 in the rear. I can't wait.

 

Tirerack.com is going to love you!

 

i think the Z comes stock with .88g's of grip, but SCC put different tires on and got .98g! (they may have done other things, but they sure did get some grip out of the car)

 

Do you think 8.5s all around would equalize the handling?

Considering how conservative the stock tires are (they are Re940s or something like that?) I would think a good set of Pilots, S03s, or PZeroes could make a noticeable difference. And considering SCC used relatively inferior Ground Control coilovers, I would think when Tein, H&R or HKS comes up with something, we'd be over 1 g at the skidpad?

I'm planning to go with 18x8.5s and 18x9.5s as soon as my wheel company gets specs for the Z (and Chris actually gets the Z) so I'll tell everyone how that turns out...

 

Can you give us another car for compairison? I mean have you driven a Boxster S, C5, or S2000 etc?? What's your other ride? I forgot to look at your sig.

Also I am not THAT interested in absolute speed or time. (I know that is important for a racer). I am more interested in fun to drive smiles per gallon. Thanks.

You really sound like you know what you're talking about.

 

Steve, have you ever driven an E36 M3? If so, please compare the handling of the 350Z to that car. Sounds very similar to the M3 based on your description.

 

GREAT Review Raceboy!

Bigger rear bar, better tires, and a ******** injection, and I'll be ready!

Did you write this before or after you hack-sawed the springs? Just wait till you add the Neon lights!

BTW, is the wrist getting better?

VERY happy that you felt it felt lighter than it is........Light is right!

 

Steve,

Go home, put your rear tires on the front and the front tires on the rear and let me know how it works on that same stretch of road.

I personally think there is too much black at the back of the car compared to the mass present at that end. With the engine in front, and with all the weight, the car is going to push in fast corners.

That's why I personally would not get the track model. Take the $4000 and buy a set of wheels/tires that give you more traction up front to avoid the understeer. And put some puny 17" wheels on back to help keep it planted coming out of the corner. 18" up front and 17" in back with 9" front and rear could make a huge different.

You're a racer -- you know it's mostly tires as well as anyone. I'll bet it would help quite a bit.