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Sure, there are some nice facilities out here, but not as many as you would think. CA is a bit of a contradiction when it comes to car culture. Hollywood loves to depict the state as the center of automotive culture, and at one point CA was the car scene mecca. Unfortunately, un-elected state officials (C.A.R.B.) have cracked down on pretty much the entire car enthusiast scene, at least all the fun stuff that matters (let's not kid ourselves, we're talking about power increases). State safety inspections on the other hand are non-existent, all CA care's about is smog. You could have a rusted out car that's ready to break in half and that would be street legal so long as it doesn't pollute. But you could have a 7 year old car with a cheap clone aftermarket intake tube (that's not C.A.R.B. approved) and that would fail a smog check.
In short, anything that the state considers a "change" to emissions on your vehicle is illegal. With the exception of those parts companies who pay the CA tax and get C.A.R.B. approval and issued a EO number for their product. What this means in practice is that only BIG companies, with a lot of capital are going to bother or afford going through the red tape and paying all the massive fees associated with getting C.A.R.B. approval. In recent years, CA has started requiring Smog Test stations to check firmware versions on vehicle computers (PCM/ECMs), this is designed to catch people with ROM re-flashes (dyno tunes). I also hear that they are beginning to require biometric scans for the Smog Technicians and even require Webcams in their private shops for the state to spy on them. I suppose this is to crack down on all the "hot smogs" being done throughout the state.
CA is not a friend to car culture, it's the exact opposite. Folks who love classic cars (pre 1975) are exempt from the smog bs. But anything considered modern is a total headache to have fun with and keep it street legal. Engine swaps? Forget it. Turbos or Superchargers? Better hope the kit has a EO number (few if any do). High-Flow cats or aftermarket cats? NOPE. The end goal in CA is to eliminate the aftermarket car parts industry entirely, hell I think the crazies in Sacramento want to eliminate private ownership of vehicles and force the public into mass transit or taxi like services. Not anytime soon, but possibly within my lifetime. They have already passed legislation to ban the sale of petrol powered vehicles in 2035. Everything from 2035 onwards would need to be electric or some other form of "green." Small engine (2-cycle) sales have already been banned. No more gas powered lawn mowers, chainsaws, weed whackers, leaf blowers, etc.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I think CA is the poster child of that saying. I'm all for clean air and environment, but car enthusiasts and tuners (With the exception of diesel truck enthusiasts rolling coal), in my humble opinion, do not impact the environment with emissions in a measurable or significant way.
Anyway, if you love tuning/modifying cars, keep away from CA unless you plan to do your modding on a pre 1975 vehicle.
Rant over.
-Icer
Sorry, just trying to keep it light. When I was looking for a place to move to from Maine, I looked at every state in the U.S. that didn't have a lot of snowfall as part of my search. CA seemed so cool at first mostly because of the weather. Then I started to realize that if I moved there it wouldn't be too long before I ended up in prison. Joking, sort of. The first time someone from the government came knocking on my door to inform me that I was keeping the inside of my house too cool in the summer, I would probably lose it. TN is free, live and let live, for good or bad, and I'm fitting in here quite nicely. No car inspections of any kind, and the roads are wonderful to drive.
It's a little bit of a hike for you, but have you done the Tail of the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway loop in your ZR yet? Definitely recommend with the top dropped!
Born and raised in CA. I always said there would never be another place like home (California) Now years later I dont feel like that so much. Especially that ive always been into cars. As Icer said above im also for a cleaner air environment but the way CA has gotten so strict with modding cars is just overboard. Hard to enjoy your cars here.
It's a little bit of a hike for you, but have you done the Tail of the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway loop in your ZR yet? Definitely recommend with the top dropped!
I have not done that one yet. I also read a post the other day where someone recommended Diamondback? something like that, nearby to the Tail but with far fewer cars. He recommended a 'Swiss' hotel? I need to do some research. The Z would be comfortable enough to make that journey.
I was invited to join a group of Miata owners for a drive on the Tail, but I turned it down because I dreaded the long highway drive to get there and back. Any of you driven on the highway in a Miata? Ugggh. Even if it's not windy, the car moves in its own airstream. I get the whole light car thing, but there is a limit.
Born and raised in CA. I always said there would never be another place like home (California) Now years later I dont feel like that so much. Especially that ive always been into cars. As Icer said above im also for a cleaner air environment but the way CA has gotten so strict with modding cars is just overboard. Hard to enjoy your cars here.
I can see it being difficult to move from a place that you love, even if that place is changing for the worse.
It wasn't hard for me to move from Maine. I had become depressed living there - being in business there - kind of "trapped" in business with the success we were having, yet always at odds with my heavy-handed government. My housebuilding business went in the crapper in 2009, and with the brutal winter weather and persistent bleak economy, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. It's SO much easier to live and own a business in TN.
The Invidia Gemini exhaust and the new front sway bar are installed.
The exhaust has a bit of a deeper tone and just a bit louder than stock. My wife and I went on a 50 mile trip this afternoon and I asked her what she thought about the new exhaust. To my surprise, she likes it - maybe even more than I do! The most important thing about this new exhaust to me is that it has greater flow than the stock one.
It's a nicely made exhaust - seems to be very high quality. My mechanic said it installed easily - no issues. Highly recommended.
I'm still evaluating the sway bar change. I've got it set on the second hole, which I think is about a 40% increase in stiffness over the stock one.
Next up is either the RJM clutch pedal or we'll get into the engine bay work.
Greg
Last edited by TN350ZRoadster; Jul 7, 2023 at 05:53 PM.
I have not done that one yet. I also read a post the other day where someone recommended Diamondback? something like that, nearby to the Tail but with far fewer cars. He recommended a 'Swiss' hotel? I need to do some research. The Z would be comfortable enough to make that journey.
The Diamondback driving trail isn't really that close to Deals Gap. The hotel is called the Switzerland Inn. It's about 150 miles away from The Tail and Cherohala. It's a very popular motorcycle road just like the others. I haven't done that one yet, but it's about an hour away from the new ZdayZ location in Blowing Rock. If I ever make it back to ZdayZ and their new venue, I plan on checking it out. A lot of people talk a big game about the Blue Ridge Parkway, but the 35 mph speed limit is fairly strictly enforced.
Not that I'm endorsing breaking the speed limit, but it is a little more lax and sometimes appears to be non-existent in more remote less "touristy" areas...
Has any 350Z ever come out of the factory with 300hp? I'm guessing not
One of the Dyno techs drove my car and told me what I'm feeling with the engine at higher revs is normal and there's nothing particularly wrong with my car. He said that's how the stock engine feels.
The extra bit of loudness I'm hearing with the new exhaust could be described as 'drone' when cruising 2500 - 3000rpms. I have mixed feelings about the sound of this exhaust. I like the lower tone when I first start it and at lower revs, and I also like the 'extra' while accelerating. But I don't really like the bit of a drone I hear when I'm cruising in third or fourth 2500 - 3000rpms on the backroads. It's not terrible like my muffler delete exhaust was when I first got the car. But it's not a positive thing either. The real plus is the increased exhaust flow and performance.
I still can't figure out exactly what I'm feeling with the stiffer front sway bar. I think I have greater confidence going into corners, and the car remains flatter and more controlled in the corners. But it's very subtle. I need more time with it.
Greg
Last edited by TN350ZRoadster; Jul 9, 2023 at 01:49 PM.
If you're cruising just keep it in 6th or 5th and you won't have drone issues. Naturally if you're holding in 3rd or 4th to keep the RPMs up for twisties then you will get some fun noises. I'm still not a fan of the burnt titanium tip look, I don't know why this trend has become so popular with mfgs. It feels very Matchbox style to me.
I recommend getting the clutch pedal done next! You will really enjoy notice the improved driving experience! I know your mechanic buddy will be handling the install, but it's still a pain working in those tight spaces under the steering column. Best knock it out now so the engine fun can begin! You will have a much better time with the car once the new pedal is in.
Cheers!
-Icer
