Sorry for the confusion- the Vettes were older models than I recalled. But the one that won definitely had a huge HP advantage in BSP. Here's a link to the results:

http://www.sccatimetrials.org/result.../20051015.html

 

A lot of people bring three or more sets of tires if they're planning on doing the Pro finale and/or the practices.

That only really matters if you're planning on scoring a trophy or better, though. Once you're out of the trophies, is being two seconds behind instead of three seconds behind really worth the ~$2k for a set of dedicated rain wheels and tires?

I don't know you personally, but you're apparently a Seattlite, so to put things in context: the top two thirds of so of our local PAX / PRO class typically trophies at Nationals. Until you're running respectably in PAX locally, don't worry about things like rain tires and whatnot; just go to Nationals for the experience and spend the rest of the season focusing on your driving.

 

Comparing the cars on a road course is useless. The nature of the longer faster course and an emphasis on power over handling changes everything, solo classes are not put together with that type of event in mind. For instance the RX-8 and 350Z are competitors in Solo and are very close. On the road course the Z walks all over the 8.

 

I'd like to think that I could trophy, but all I plan on taking (if I can go this year) would be the tires I drive out on (for hard rain) and 710s (for anything less than standing water).

I *am* set up, though, to be possibly able to take a set of "rain" tires with me (stuffing them inside the car). If its cold and wet, a set of Ecsta V700s might be useful. But I'm not planning on doing that, unless I get completely and totally crazy.

Hey, wait, I am crazy, running a 350Z in BS against the hordes of RX-8s...

 

It's been proven that a Z can hang with a good driver. If we had a contingency anything like the Mazda guys do I would bet money we would see a larger number of Z drivers than we do now.

 

I think that the Z should be classed into both, one for the LSD equipped Z's, and one for the non-LSD's. Similar to how the base SE-R is in STS and the SE-R Spec V is in STX....

 

While the underpowered 8 may be worse off in BSP, you at least have a tire class you have the option of competing in.
Your car is the ringer for a stock class....that's a strong purchase you made, regardless.

 

I also doubt that the Z can win, but I believe it can trophy. If I get my car and myself fast enough to go this year I'm not going to worry about rain tires. They won't help against AWD.

Here's a couple pics of what 315's on 10.5 wheels with -3deg of camber look like on the front of a Z with and w/o fender mods.

What do you think John C.?

mike

 

Damn! I knew you got the 315s to fit on the back but I didn't know you were going to try them on the front. That should help in BSP. Now you need the killer Sunbelt BSP legal VQ engine. I talked with Jim late last year and he figures 350 to 360 hp with a BSP legal 3.5L engine - maybe 375 with a 3.7L HR if they end up on the same line. Get the car down to 2,800 lbs and you'll be in C4 Corvette territory.

 

Yea, they fit.....almost. I have to run a 5mm spacer up front to keep the tread from rubbing the upright. Right now I'm using 285/305 Aso5s, but the car picked up a lot of understeer....even with the increased front track. I'm 99% sure I'll end up running 315 A6s all the way around. (the pics were taken with used R6)

I think 28xx is possible if I use every allowable SP modification......radio delete, no AC, seats, etc.

The motor will have to wait for a while. $$$$$ I need to get the susp. sorted out first.

 

when you guys are talking BSP motor mods, do you mean doing all the allowable 'rebuild' tolerances...like shaving some thickness off the block (which would increase compression ratios) and that kind of stuff?

I've got just about every external bolt-on for a BSP Z (intake, plenum, headers, TP's, straight pipe exhaust, pulley, flywheel, clutch) with an ECU tune and I'm at 260 WHP...crazy to think what the Z woud feel like NA w/ 350 HP!

 

Yes. Max overbore, decking, shaving, full Motec, ITBs or a custom plenum, full length headers and exhaust, parts swap blueprinting, etc. You can generally get 12 to 18% more power with an IT/SP engine build but it costs buttloads of money - most of it in labor.

There's also a lot of arguement on whether its "legal" to go these extremes in BSP and IT. Well... legality is determined by what's measured and checked, not how much time or money goes into the build.

 

And again, for greater emphasis: