That Fuel magazine makes me want to sell the 350Z and start racing something from Mazda.

I was out at Cal Speedway (sorry, Auto Club Speedway) over the weekend at a VARA race. The Datsun 510s, Roadsters, 1200s, and 240Zs were still right there, hammering on the Porsches, Alphas, and BMWs in CP, BS, and CS. Nissan just can't seem to make something out of a marketing geek's wet dream - a very successful 40 year competition history. I blame the French!

 

It is sad that more manufacturers don't get involved. I have no doubt it sells cars, it may be a small number, but it all helps.

 

We do have an XP class in both of the local clubs. That's probably where I'll end up instead of SM2.

 

I have heard from many that the 350Z could become the next E36 for track day fun..It would be great if Nissan supported that.

 

Nissan has historically supported road racing, although by cutting all racing support, they may very well be cutting their own throats.

Jason, congrats on the article!

 

Maybe once you beat Jason at Nationals this year , Nissan will have a change of heart??

 

What is SPU? Is that anything like STU...which the 350Z is not legal in? You have to have 4 seats to run in any ST class outside of STS2 and the VQ keeps us out of that class.

It's a somewhat sore subject in my Region as myself and another 350Z owner have been trying to get ourselves an option to run Street Tires and not bet murdered for it.

 

Super production and it should have been Over, not under.
Its a fairly unlimited class for cars that started life as a production vehicle or a replica of a production vehicle with build numbers over 1000. There is Over and under 2.0

 

SPU and SPO aren't Solo classes. I've seen them in Time Trial. SPO cars I'm familiar with are Camero, T-Bird and Monte Carlos. Real thunder cars that shake the ground and make you go "what?" or "eh?".

 

Just giving an update to my BSP Z ...I'll be running the NWR (North-West Region) SCCA series, including the ProSolo and Solo tour events at Packwood:

BSP #68

I've added a few things over the winter to get her more prepared for the season...last season I ran w/ a smaller club and was able to barely win my class - but this year will be much much tougher!

Wheels/Tires:
-Enkei RPF1 18X10 +38
-Hoosier A6, Front 295/30/18, Rear 315/30/18

Engine:
-AAM intake, angled plenum spacer, modified Intake plenum (similar to MD)
-AAM test pipes, Y-pipe, 3" single titanium exhaust, Strup Headers w/ Jet-Hot
-AAM ECU reflash (bumped redline for those fast 2nd gear courses!)

Driveline:
-Cusco RS clutch-type LSD (80% lock, 1.5-way)
-UR pulley set, Al. flywheel, 6-puck clutch

Suspension:
-Hotchkis sways w/ collars
-JIC FLT-A2 coil-overs

Brakes:
-Motul RBF 600 brake fluid
-Front pads: Stock (great bite for autoX IMO)
-Rear pads: Hawk HP+

Safety:
-JIC full race bucket seat
-Avalon Harness bar
-6 point Harness (G-Force)

Dyno'd Power: 262 wHP, 250 wTQ

Alignment settings:
Front:
Camber = -2.0
Toe = 1/32 out
Caster = 9.0 degrees
*couldn't get more camber and still not be too low.
Rear:
Camber = -3.0
Toe = 0.0
*not sure if I like this yet...I had misread the rules last yr (2 different clubs w/ different rules ) and had install rear camber arms...I took them off for SCCA - initially I had around 1/4" toe out in the rear w/ -3.0+ camber...got the toe taken care of, but couldn't change the camber much without changing the ride height.


Weight Distribution:
Total w/out driver - 3151 lbs
Front weight w/ 200 lb driver - 53.2%
Rear weight w/ 200 lb driver - 46.8%
(5 gallons fuel, and spare tire)
*corner balanced*

a couple pics from last yr:

 

^Nice setup, I really need to have my car corner balanced.

 

that does look like a well put together setup, my only question is are you sure -2.0 degrees of camber is going to be enough up front? I know in your region you can't run the adj a-arms, is this why you're limited to -2.0?

 

I agree. Having owned a E36 M3 I feel my Nismo Z compares very favorably with the M3 E36 Lightweight version.

 

yep - only way I could get more negative camber in the front was to lower it more....and it's already very low (any lower and the front tires will start to rub)

 

first350...........In the pics from last year you have a splitter. SCCA "refined" the SP rules for '08 and any splitter can't extend past the bumper line.

Check with John @ Beta about front camber bushings. He's had my spare arms for a while now and may be ready to produce some bushings.

 

^^So no more front lip in SP?

 

Actually, soon indeed (today or tomorrow). I've given up on sourcing Hydlar ZM and will be using regular Hydlar Z.

 

humm...guess I should re-read all of the SCCA rules for '08 - luckily I've sold all of the non-AutoX related parts this winter, which included that front lip.

*I had read through some SCCA forums about "camber bolts" and had gotten the impression that these were intended for safety issues, and not to be used to obtain more camber?? (the name "camber bolts" seems to point otherwise...I'll try to dig up that post)

 

Camber or "crash bolts" are for real strut cars, not A arm cars. You need offset control arm bushings, 100% SP legal, they will get you where you need to be.

btw your rear wheels seem a bit narrow for a 315.

 

On a 10" rim? What do you think about my 275/40/17 V710 on a 7.5" front?