DavidM

I spent today at Winton ... as I mentioned previously, I went up with Winotn Racing Club and they had 66 cars there. I had my spare wheels on with the new RE55s (ie. R-spec tyres). Most cars there were on R-spec tyres ... actually, most of them were trailored in Escorts, Datsuns and Toranas. There were a couple other cars of interest:
- 993 RS
- Celica GT4 (ex Targa Tassie car and hence worked)
- Falcon XR6 (ex Targa Tassie car and hence worked)
- FTO (worked)
- '99 WRX (totaly stock)
- MX5 (totaly stock)

Anyway more on them later ... we managed to run 6 sessions each and 5 of them were timed. The whole day was very well run and I got plenty of track time. I finished (I think) 8th quickest for the day and the cars quicker than me were the 993 RS, couple Escorts, couple Westfields, an 'Ausie Racing' car and a nicely worked (and trailored in) BWM 635.

My best time for the day was 1:41.1. To put that into persective, 1:44.7 is the best I've done with the S2000 (but that was on road tyres). The R-spec tyres account for around 2sec 'improvemnt' in the lap-times, but still, even with R-spec tyres, there was/is only one S2000 that I know of that could get into 1:42s. He managed 1:42.56 and very rarely did I see him get into 1:42s. In-contrast, I managed 3 - 4 laps today that were sub 1:41.5 and another 3 or so laps that were sub 1:42. So I'm comfportably quicker. No way can I go out in a car/tyres that I have never had on the track and be 3.6sec quicker without the car not being quicker. Even if you account fot the ~2sec that the tyres give me, that still leaves 1.7sec un-accounted for. That is the car as I'm sure I can be even quicker with a bit more famitiarity with the car.

OK, onto the car (ie. 350Z). I have 245/40/18" RE55 all around and they are about 1cm wider than the RE040 that the 350Z Track comes from. Also I have road/race pads and dot5.1 fluid in the car. And last of all, the Hi-tech exhaust. With all this the car felt very quick ... I was seeing 175 - 177kph on the main straight (which is aroud 172kph 'true' speed). In comparision in the S2000 I'd normally see 160 - 163kph. That is just the 350Z, where the mid-range helps and of course the hi-tech exhaust. Interestingly I just got the '04 PCOTY DVD and it mentions that the HSV R8 (285kW) was radared at 168kph on the main straight at Winton, and the M3 CSL (with R-spc tyres) was clocked at 180kph. So pretty impressive showing for the Zed.

The handling was just as I suspected from the DECA day (and just my 'road loop') - totally rock solid. The car just grips, points and goes ... no real fuss, and no real effort. It is very hard to upset it and it just goes where pointed. I did not spin once during the day, but once I had a close call where I over-cooked the sweeped and when I got on ancors, I almost run out of road (width wise) and got 1/2 the car onto the curb/dirt. Still, the car pulled up, and did not spin. The only oversteer I had was in the 2nd gear corners (ie. 70 - 80kph) when I got on power too early or too agressively.

Took me a while to 'reach' the limits of the grip with the 245/40/18 RE55s, but when I did find it, it was still the front that was giving up a fraction too easily (in relation to the back). The 245 set-up all around is awesome and I recommend it to anyone as it is still very safe with the understeer being the limiting factor, but you do have more -end grip. From looking at my front tyres (after the track day), it looks like I need more front camber and that it might give me even more front-end grip. I'll have to look into the shorter springs.

The brakes (and the weight of the car) took a while for me to be comfortable with and have confidence in. It's not that the car was not brakig well, I just was not sure if the brakes would fade or give up in another way. Turns out that my fears were un-founded and the brakes performed flawlesly. I don't think I was braking as late as I would in the S2000, but it took me a while to push the braking-points that far in the S2000. Still, it could be the extra weight as well as the extra speed I was carrying on the straights.

Today the seats came to my attention again. They just do not have enough support/grip. It's not around shoulders anymore (ie. since I put my seat closer and more upright), but around the bum and thighs. On the road they are fine, but with the G-forces of the track their in-nadequate support shows.

Also the VDC reared it's ugly head again. It was off all day, but anytime I tried to trail brake a bit and push the braking points a bit further, it would try to interfere. It didn't really upset the car, but it upset me 1st few times as it's like ABS coming on, but when you're not expecting it.

OK, more on the laptimes. Here are the times that some of the other cars were managing:
- 993 RS (R-spec tyres) = 1:39s
- BMW 635 (R-spec tyres, worked and trailored) = 1:39s
- Celica GT4 (R-spec tyres, bulted in roll-cage, worked, ~250kW) = 1:41s
- Falcon XR6 (R-spec tyres, gutted, roll-cage, ~210kW) = 1:45s
- FTO (R-spec tyres, worked) = 1:41.6
- '99 WRX (totaly stock) = 1:47.8
- MX5 (totaly stock) - 1:49.7

Keep in mind that driver does play a big part in these events, so best reference is my S2000 Winton time of 1:44.7. Or look at Cameron McConville's times from Winton:
- M3 CSL (R-spec tyres) = 1:37.06
- 911 Turbo (stock) = 1:37.07
- Gallardo (stock) = 1:37.51
- Viper RT/10 (stock) = 1:38.44
- Lotus Elise 111S (R-spec tyres) = 1:41.12
- SL55 AMG = 1:41.22
- M3 = 1:41.56
- '02 911 C2 (stock) = 1:42.01
- Boxster S (stock) = 1:42.09
- Audi RS6 (stock) = 1:42.09
- EVO VI (stock) = 1:42.23
- HSV GTS Coupe 300kW (stock) = 1:42.78
- 350Z Track (stock) = 1:43.18
- '03 STi = 1:43.75
- S2000 (stock) = 1:44.09
- RX8 (stock) = 1:44.62

So, I matched Cameron McConville's time in an Elise 111S on the same tyres, and am 4sec of an M3 CSL (on R spec tyres). M3, 911, EVO, RS6 and 300kW HSV would have not been enough for Cameron McConville to match my time (on stock tyres). That is a testiment for the car ... as I know that it is not the driver. I am pretty quick, but not 'pro' level quick ... Cameron McConville would whoop my **** if you put us both into the same car (that is any car ... even mine).

KY350

David - great driving. You are obviously having a lot of fun tracking the car. If I was in Melb, I'd have joined you.

You were beaten by a light weight racing Porsche and some fully worked track only cars, so great driving.
In fact, if the R spec tyres are worth 0.2s around Winton as you state, then you have almost matched McConville. He did a 1:43.18 in a track model with street tyres and you did a 1.41.1, which is 0.2s quicker. Yes you had the advantage of the exhaust upgrade, but you're not that far behind him.
No doubt with more track time you will see 1.41's or lower.
Reading your write up, I get the impression that you are very happy having traded in the S for the Z.

DavidM

You were beaten by a light weight racing Porsche and some fully worked track only cars, so great driving.

Yeah, I was very suprised by where I eneded up in the order at the end of the day. When I rolled up, I was expecting to be a tail-ender as 1/2 the cars were trailored in (with racing paint-jobs etc) and were on slicks. Then another 1/2 of the cars that were driven in were actually Targa Tassie prepped cars ... they all were well above the calibre of the road-cars they were based on. You can imagine how surprised I was after a couple sessions when no-one passed me and I actually lapped a few cars :-) By the end of the day people were coming up to me and joking that they do not want to be in the same session as me as I'm too quick for them. Total surprise for me. I was hoping for 1:43s but thining that if I end up in 1:44s after my 1st visit there with R-spec tyres, then I'll be pleased.

In fact, if the R spec tyres are worth 0.2s around Winton as you state

That is 2.0sec (not 0.2sec). 2.0sec is roughly what these (and most R-spec) tyres are worth on any car and on most tracks. On the S2000 they were definatelly around 2.0sec at Winton.

you have almost matched McConville.

On a track that I know well, and in a car that I know well I'd say I could match his times (that is given enough track time). But neither is ever the case for me so realisticaly, I'd expect to be about 1sec of his times even after a few visits to the track.

The fact that it looks like I matched Cam's times surprises me. I've never done that before in any car. Though, the exhaust must be worth good 1sec around Winton. 2-3 car lengths on every straight adds up. With that assumption I'm roughly where I'd expect to be, but still surprised that I'm aready there after my 1st visit.

No doubt with more track time you will see 1.41's or lower.

hehe, you mean 1:40s :-) I am already only (just over) 0.1sec of being in 1:40s, so I have no doubt I can get there. Over time, I expect a drop of another 1sec in the lap-times just by me finding better lines and braking points for the car.

I get the impression that you are very happy having traded in the S for the Z.

Oh yes. This was the 'true test' of the car for me. The lap-time speaks volumes for itself and also the fact that my car feels exactly the same as before I went to the track (ie. brakes 100% perfect, gearbox 100% perfect, clutch 100% perfect etc) is a exactly what I was after.

The VDC is my major complaint. I would love to have it 100% disabled (when desired). Then the front-end grip can still use improving for me. More camber is what I need there so I'll look into it and then the car will (hopefully) be perfectly balanced. My 3rd complaint are the seats, they are not as supportive as I'd expect seats in a sports-car to be. S2000 seats were much, much better in that respect as well as in terms of comfort. Though, this is not a major issue for me so it's a pretty low priority for me. The front-end grip and VDC are the priority.

KY350

By the end of the day people were coming up to me and joking that they do not want to be in the same session as me as I'm too quick for them.

I'm sure they were only half joking and half serious, because they could not stand being beaten by an almost standard Z. Still those comments would have been a big boost to your ego.

That is 2.0sec (not 0.2sec)

Meant 2.0s but typed 0.2s (cause I was thinking that's what I have to cut of my 60' times from previous post)

hehe, you mean 1:40s :-) I am already only (just over) 0.1sec of being in 1:40s, so I have no doubt I can get there.

Didn't want to put too much pressure on you for a sub 1:40 immediately. Small steps will get you there, but if you can do it in one leap that's great.

Oh yes. This was the 'true test' of the car for me. The lap-time speaks volumes for itself and also the fact that my car feels exactly the same as before I went to the track (ie. brakes 100% perfect, gearbox 100% perfect, clutch 100% perfect etc) is a exactly what I was after.

I know what you mean. The gearbox and clutch is a pearler. I slammed through the gears and it always engaged brilliantly - sign of a good box IMO.

The VDC is my major complaint. I would love to have it 100% disabled (when desired).

The VDC is a bit of a p!sser on the track. IMO, it should never have been on the "Track" model. Nissan should have offered it on the Touring only (so boulevade cruisers like me don't get into trouble trying to hang the rear sideways!) and possibly as an option for the Track model.

DavidM

Didn't want to put too much pressure on you for a sub 1:40 immediately. Small steps will get you there, but if you can do it in one leap that's great

lol, I'm very happy with 1:41s, but will be aiming to get into 1:40s next time out there. 1:39s seem like a far dream at the moment, but we will see.

The VDC is a bit of a p!sser on the track. IMO, it should never have been on the "Track" model. Nissan should have offered it on the Touring only (so boulevade cruisers like me don't get into trouble trying to hang the rear sideways!) and possibly as an option for the Track model.

I could not agree more. I would (and will) pay good money to have the VDC disabled.

ps. Here's some more intereting info from my day at Winton. I filled up before I left and cruised for 200km or so to Winton on steady 90 - 110kph. I stopped to fill up right before entering the track and my fuel consumtion was 9.0L/100km for the trip up. Then I did 100km on the track. Out of that 18km were cool-down laps (ie. cruising in 4th at 70kph or so). Rest were 'hard' laps and the fuel consumption for this 100kph was 29.6L/100km. That is not a miss-print ;-) The S2000 would manage around 25L/100kph on the track and even an MR2 (2.0L) would return close to 20L/100kph when tracked.

ottonove

David, do you hv probs with the VDC with the same tire size all round?

DavidM

David, do you hv probs with the VDC with the same tire size all round.

The tyres did not seem to cause any problems. I had them on the car on Saturday and Sunday and driving at 'normal' pace (ie. not pushing the limits) did not cause any VDC activity. And that is even with it being switched on as I had in 'on' on Saturday while driving around.

The only VDC 'problem' that I have/had is when it's off and I'm pushing hard (ie. 10/10th at the track) ... it seems to want to interfere when you're braking hard and the car is not 100% straight. Though, I have that problem even with the OE tyres.

nuff

David, there was a thread on one of the other forums on how to disconnect the VDC computer. I think that's the solution you are looking for. It seemed like a simple procedure since from what I recall the computer was under the passenger's or driver's seat.

DavidM

David, there was a thread on one of the other forums on how to disconnect the VDC computer. I think that's the solution you are looking for. It seemed like a simple procedure since from what I recall the computer was under the passenger's or driver's seat.

Hey Nuff, can you give me a hand here and find it for me as I keep an eye out and I must have missed it?

Though, is it a solution for 'disabling' it totally, or just for the switch to start in the 'off' position?

nuff

David, check your PM