Another bit of interesting info ... though, this implies that the VDC is 100% off when swithed off. I have no idea who/what to belive?!

his is from pages 5-22 and 5-23 of our owners manual.

"The VDC system uses a Brake Limited Slip Differential (LSD) system to improve vehicle traction. The brake LSD system works when one of the driving wheels is spinning on a slippery surface. The brake LSD system brakes the spinning wheel to distribute the driving power to the other wheel. If the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dynamics control system turned off, all VDC and TCS functions will be turned off. The brake LSD system and ABS will still operate with the VDC system off. If the brake LSD system or the ABS is activated, the slip indicator light will blink and you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal."

People may be spinning their tires with the VDC off and feel the brake LSD system working and see the slip light blink. This may lead them to believe that the VDC system is still operating. The brake LSD system is not incluced on 350Z's with the Traction Control System (TCS) only.

 

The LSD is a viscous coupling type so it sounds about right.

If you buy the non track model and want to race you'll have to go get your own LSD I guess.

Why all the searching? Are you that good a driver that you'll use the optimum ability of the 350z? If so, do you really want to race with a new car and have it get all smashed up? Look at Nathan's car and you'll see what racing does to the panels.

Ouch! Enough with one 350z getting hammered.. lol

 

Why all the searching?

I want to be able to have zero interference from the car when driving (hard that is) not because I'm that good, but because I want to be the one in control (and not the car). I want to be able to control the car and 'master' it ... you can only do that when ithe car lets you do that (ie. no TC or VDC).

Are you that good a driver that you'll use the optimum ability of the 350z?

I would not call myself 'that good of a driver' ... I still have a lot of room to learn and go faster. Though, I have no problems driving the S2000 at the limit (and beyond it) ... it has seen 12 or so track-visits and I managed 1:44.7 at Winton and 1:31.2 at Sandown while 100% stock (including tyres). Still another 1 - 1.5 sec in there somewhere.

If so, do you really want to race with a new car and have it get all smashed up?

I am not talking about 'racing' the car, but 'tracking' it. Two very different things as when you 'track' the car you get your laptimes measured, but you never ever race with other cars ... it's all very 'gentlermanly' and the only time you ever pass (or get passed) is on the straight when the other car points you by.

The only way you can smash up your car is by hitting a wall (or guard rail), but most tracks have very good run off and generally speaking you have to do something really silly to do that. Loosing control of the car on the track usually results in a harmless spin.

 

The Bathurst 350z has a brake LSD non stock and it does very well in it's class.

I don't think the LSD is going to be a problem and as you know VDC can be turned off.

As I said before I would be more concerned at the tyre and suspension setup. Something I think Pete has got right in their car.

Anyway, i thought you were going to race the car...my mistake!

 

Speaking of track times. Anyone got any times from 350z's or similar performing cars from Calder??? Just curious to know as a comparison. I was doin' 1:13's there in a stock touring auto. I don't think the auto was too much of a handicap but could definately have used the Brembos.

 

Speaking of track times. Anyone got any times from 350z's or similar performing cars from Calder??? Just curious to know as a comparison. I was doin' 1:13's there in a stock touring auto

The quickets S2000 (that I know of) at Calder returned 1:11.4. Here are some other times from Calder (from different meetings):
- Boxtser S (R-spec rubber) = 1:08.8
- '00 WRX (road rubber and stock engine) = 1:09.54
- MR2 Turbo (road rubber) = 1:14.48
- MX5 (with suspension mods and R-spec rubber) = 1:14.65

Though, anything close to 1:10 is really good at Calder.

 

Thanks DavidM. Have been very curious since I went there. I knew the big boys were doin 57's and the formula fords (there was one on the track with me - daammmm those guys are quick in the corners) are doin mid to low 60's.

BTW, was that S2000 a stock set-up?

 

BTW, was that S2000 a stock set-up?

Yep, there's very little you can do them. All you can do is put R-spec rubber on them and change the suspension settings as it is adjustable from the factory. Or you can bolt on a Torbo :-)

ps. I've never driven there, just passangered so I can't speak from direct experience.

 

"The brake LSD system brakes the spinning wheel to distribute the driving power to the other wheel"

Bit more info about the VDC 'off' fucntion. I think I'm getting closer to the bottom of this. It looks like the OFF switch does 100% turn off the VDC as well as traction control. Though the ''brake LSD' is always active and that has some secondary function of doing it's best to stop the back from rotating (ie. sliding). So if you are braking into a corner, then the the VDC should not interfere but the LSD will be doing it's best to keep the car from sliding at the rear (and in a way push the car into understeer when under extreme circumstances).

Very strange ... I'm used to cars with LSDs (S2000 has one, HSVs have them, Boxtsers have them, etc), but I've never experienced a 'brake LSD' which doubles as an anti-slide device.