Just made a lot of changes to my suspension setup and am anxious to try it out this weekend at Texas World Speedway. I just got bumped to the Red run group so I gotta keep up with the big boys now . There are usually 3 other 350z's in this run group so it should be a lot of fun.

I just replaced all the diff bushings with solid aluminum ones that Kuah from SPL Parts had made for me. I blew out the rear diff bushing last time at the drag strip and Nissan sells only the entire subframe, not the individual bushings. I will be testing out some prototype SPL coilovers and I swapped my Cusco sways for Hotchkis bars. Last time at the track with my latest wheel/tire combo (17x9.5 5Zigen ProRacer GN+ with 275/40/17) I was faster but I was also fighting oversteer most of the time. I had the cuscos full stiff in the front and the rear bar is not adjustable. The Hotchkis have much more tuneabilty and I'll now also be able to adjust the shocks. Have any of you tried both bars and if so what is your impression?

I also installed some SPL SS braided brake lines and will be running Hawk Blues front and rear. Hope it doesn't take long to get the car dialed in, but I am hoping for the best. Hope to have some video and pics next week and a complete writeup.

For a little entertainment, here are a few pics and a video from the last event I attended at MSR Ft. Worth a few weeks ago.

z32 chasing z33 video









Kuah's z32 was shooting 4 foot flames

 

WOW, that looks fun.

 

Nice video, too bad I couldn't see the track.

"Have any of you tried both bars and if so what is your impression?"

I run 255/40 17 RT-615's on 9" rims all around with the Truechoice Koni set up, and yes I sold my Cusco's for some Hotchkis sways for their adjustability. Now I run full soft settings F & R. MUCH better! But I wear out my rear tires 1st. So I'm going to try some 275's on the rear soon. I may need to try putting the OEM rear bar on to soften it up a bit more.

And, who said 350Z's understeerd?

Lucky U.....I gotta wait till May Day to get back on track.

 

Yeah, because of the sun the track was hard to see in places. He might try to adjust the white balance on the camcorder next time.

Are the hotchkis bars that stiff that you need to run them full soft? Or is that just where you find it the most balanced? Appreciate your input.

 

The hotchkis bars are quite a bit softer than the Cusco's. I'm running something like 475 lb rear springs though. I'm seeing about 25 degrees more tire temp in the rears versus the front temps now. I'm real close to a neutral chassis in 3rd, 4th & 5th gear turns. But having the back end come out at over 100 mph is something I'd like to tame. Here is a pic exiting T14 @ RA, top of 3rd. Note the sidewalll stretch.

 

From what I researched I had thought the hotchkis bars were softer, but was wondering why you ran them full soft-thanks for the explanation. Looks like you've got some serious grip in your setup. What kind of tire pressures are you running and what wheels are those? Care to share your alignment settings?

 

Sorry to highjack your thread, but you DID ask!

I generally run 40-41 psi hot. I see nice, even temps across the tread.

Wheels are MB Motorsport Comps, 17 X 9", I think 28mm offset.

I slammed it about 1-1/4", 2.5 degrees neg. rear camber, 1.25 degreees neg. F camber. F toe out 1/16", 0 rear toe. No aftermarket adjusters....yet. I want a bit more neg. F camber.

 

Hijack away, the more information out there for us to share, the better.
I'll be getting the alignment tomorrow and will probably corner balance also. Not sure yet how much I will lower it and I don't know if the camber arms will be done at the machine shop in time.

I've done 3 track events with car so far and have yet to have it aligned. I borrowed a pyrometer last time out and the outside of the tires were definitely hotter than the insides. Once I get some camber in it, I might steal my hoosiers and FN01RC's that are normally reserved for my z32. Thanks again for the info.