I just mean setting up the car, I'm assuming you guys have basic tweaks you do in preparation for a particular track?

 

I really don't tweek that much, I do change the wing AOA for long tracks (0 AOA) and short tracks (2-3 AOA) since I have fairly limited HP to pull it around the tracks. but as far as damper/camber/suspension adjustments, not really. SYOu could spend so much time chasing the ***** that you forget what you are at the track for. FUN!

 

now let me clarify that statement:

• I have about 3 years on my current suspension
• Tire temps agree that the alignment is allowing consistent and even heat across the face of the tire
• I have enough camber to run enough tire (295s square)
• My roll center seems to be happy
• I have no bump steer

So with that qualifying statement I refer you to the above statement.

YOu will need help in properly setting up your suspension, get a book, it helps.

 

hhaggie, I might be able to help a bit. I've been doing a lot of tweaking with my suspension. I learned a lot at the PCA VIR track day tweaking my settings on the last day. The videos I have show telemetry data, so there is a means to measure the difference between videos.

On my youtube page, I have before and after videos with different dampening setting on my coilovers. On Saturday, I was 2:35 at best with my settings at 75% (stiff) stiffness in the front and 75% (stiff) stiffness in the rear. This promoted more oversteer. The rear end slipped out if I wasn't percise as you can see in my most recent previously posted video. This was not good for confidence especially when I almost spun out.

Later on Sunday, I got better times at 2:32. I set my coilovers to 75% (stiff) stiffness in the front and 25% (soft) stiffness in the rear. This promoted more understeer which was very needed for stability and confidence. Had a good deal more grip in the rear. This was achieved with power loss ( alot slower on the straights), fuel starvation issues creeping up (a lot more than on Saturday), and stuck behind a slower driver. That video is posted as well.

 

Thanks for all the info guys! I've read the Carroll Smith books and generally find suspension set up and tuning to be really fascinating. Having only really worked on a non-tracked (thank god) Triumph Spitfire before my Z my frame of reference is rather skewed.

Anyways, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. Looking forward to more videos!

 

Going to buttonwillow for the first time on Sunday - will post videos Sunday night or Monday.

 

Nice Liam!

 

Went to Buttonwillow yesterday for the first time ever the config was #1 CCW and I was able to pull off a 2:16.1xx on my very last lap of my last session. I don't have anything to compare with but I think I did ok for my first time.

 

Track: Mid Ohio Pro
Date: 9/9/12
Best Lap time: 1:36.3
Car: 2004 350Z
Suspension: Swift Springs, stock shocks and stock sways. That's right, stock shocks. I had to make due with the points I had.
Tires : Hoosier A6 255/35/18 square (cheater tire)
Brakes: OEM with Carbotech XP-12s
Other Modifications: APR Wing, home made front splitter and air dam, lots of Motordyne stuff and Nismo Diff.

Weather was nice. Cool and mid to high 70's. NASA Nationals. I finished 2nd place in TTB. Prior to this event my fastest time was a 1:37.5 and my virtual best was a 1:36.3. Now that I have ran back to back 1:36.3's and many other 1:36 lap times, my new virtual is a 1:34.6. I really need to look at the data and see where I can make that up to piece together that perfect lap. I beat the regional record of 1:36.7 which was set by the guy who actually won at Nats. He ran a 1:35.7 at Nats. Great competition again and I had so much fun. Planning on coming to down Road Atlanta in December

 

Congrats fixxer and great driving as always.

 

Thanks.

 

First timer! Had a blast! Can't wait to go back. I know I left a lot on the table. I need to work on my lines.

Track: Summit Point Shenandoah
Date: 10/6/2012
Best Lap time: 1:55.9
Car: 2007 350Z Roadster (all 3600lbs of it)
Suspension: KW V3
Tires : NT01 275/40/17 square
Brakes: Carbotech XP12/10 w/ over Centric specials
Other Modifications: Carbonetics 1.5 Carbon Disc LSD, Sways, Brake Ducts, and full size spare in the trunk!

One thing that I noticed at the track was that everybody including the instructors had their own way of getting around. There didn't seem to be a single 'best' way. Regardless, I can't wait to go back!!!


UPDATE! (changed brakes and brake pads)
Track: Summit Point Shenandoah
Date: 10/5/2013
Best Lap time: 1:54.1
Car: 2007 350Z Roadster (all 3600lbs of it)
Suspension: KW V3
Tires : NT01 275/35/18 square
Brakes: Stoptech Trophy Sport 6/4 355mm + Stoptech SR32 Club Pads all around

 

Nice! Also, you went to Track Daze this weekend? I am jealous! I was going to go, but something came up. What running group were you in?

I did a SCCA event there a few months ago. My best was 1:54.27.

You run 275/40/17 all around? Any rubbing issues? What width wheels do you have? I am thinking about doing the same. I am running 245/45/17 right now on stock wheels.

 

Yup, Track Daze. They were on point and kept everything on schedule despite a BMW catching on fire and a Mustang hitting the wall on 13.

275/40/17 on 9.5+15 @ -1.7 DOES IN FACT RUB. Luckily I didn't damage my fender. (we need a tire/camber/drop rubbing sticky)

I maxed out the Kinetix Upper Camber Arm and only got -1.7 (the Suspension 101 sticky should be updated to reflect this).

I just purchased SPL UCA (which apparently will do -2.5 @ stock height, so I can probably get a little more at the drop I am at). If that won't help then I'll either buy wide body fenders or go find a rim with a more friendly offset.

 

Awesome!!!! I have NEVER seen a 350Z Roadster on track and always figured it was because of the roll-bar issue.
Sounds like you had a great time

 

You should come out with your roadster! Once the UCA's come in, i'll be hunting for another track day!

 

The first day for my track car. 2003 350Z track package with a lot of mods

Track - New Hampshire Motor Speedway chicaine/chicaine
Date - 10/13/12
Best Lap time - 1:22.058 - last lap of the day, and I lost a bit due to traffic
Tires - Hoosier A6 295/30 18
brakes stock calipers, PFC 01 front, PFC 97 rear
Lap Notes (Rain, heat, etc) - cold. Air temp low 50's, track temp 67
www.comscc.org now uses RFID tags for timing, and they got every lap I ran over the weekend. It rained all day Sunday, so there was no improvement.

 

I just wanted to post here since most of you don't visit the Canadian section very much.

This was on an open day. But the # Lap 11 would be a class record in my time attack series by over half a second. I won the championship in my class but lost the track record in the last event. So I went back to try and "reclaim" it.

Toronto Motorsports Park. 2003 350Z. 264 rwhp. weight of car is about 2950 lbs.
dunlop star specs. koni yellows swift spec r. cusco rs. hotchkis sways. whiteline endlinks. SPL camber arms front and rear. Clear, 10 C

 

Nice driving man. You're carrying a lot of speed through some of those corners. That track must be tight too since you go down to 2nd a handful of times. I don't think I've been to a track yet where I go into 2nd.

 

Track: Buttonwillow raceway - configuration CW13

Date: 10/20/2012

Best Lap time: 2:09

Car: 350z

Tires: Hankook RS3 265/35/18 front 285/35/18 rear

brakes: Carbotech XP10 front XP8 rear, stoptech slotted rotors, project mu g-four 335 fluid

Other Modifications: tokico D spec, swift spec r, SPC camber arm, OS GIKEN LSD

Lap Notes (Rain, heat, etc) sunny - 83 degrees, first time doing CW13.

side note: want to bump from XP10 front to XP12 front, does anyone know if it'll make a huge difference? also leaving XP8 rear with XP12 front will that make the car upset at all?

or in general does anyone recommend a better/different pad that's good? im thinking ST43 also?