We're Running An Ex-Unitech 350z In Koni!
 

Hey Guys,

Most of you don't know of me (or SG-Motorsport), but I've been racing regionally for a couple of years now with a turbo 240sx.

After that got old and having run a speed world challenge race with an n/a IS300 I fell in love with the response of a naturally aspirated car and after thinking about it for a while, decided Koni Challenge was the next logical step up from Canadian Touring Car (where we raced this season, and won the championship with our 240sx).

I then went on the hunt for an already built race car for a couple of reasons:

#1 Value - you always get more buying used than if you are to build yourself
#2 Time - building a car and testing to get it well sorted takes lots of time and lots more money
#3 Experiance - buying a race car built by guys that have been racing Koni Challenge for quite some time means they know how to build a car that fits into the rulebook perfectly, they know what is likely to break and what might be ok, so you get a good platform to start with.

We got the car on the dyno last night, and after I spent a few hours tuning the cams we made a very impressive number that I will refrain from mentioning, simply because it is in the spirit of the sport to keep power levels unknown. I will say this, the major power producer in this equation is the longtube headers built by coastfab. The collectors are gorgeous and the runners extend all the way to the middle of the gearbox, nothing like the exhaust manifold replacement designs you see online a lot.

I think with some more ignition timing and race fuel, along with some other small changes we can get another 10whp out of the car, which will put us right where we need to be.

As for the rest of the car, it is going to take some time to refresh her back to original shape, but we will do everything possible to make sure the car is 100% for our first Koni race at Mosport this spring.

We will also run the car in select Canadian Touring Car races.

I will keep you all updated on our progress, and any findings we see about vehicle handling and engine output I will be sure to fill you in on, but for now the biggest things that make power have been cam timing (spending time tuning it) and headers.

We also recieved a parts car from Nissan North America that will be tuned into a mild time attack / drift car, so watch for updates with that car as well.

Some pictures:

http://www.ziptied.com/Coppermine/al...252/02%7E4.jpg

http://www.ziptied.com/Coppermine/al...252/05%7E3.jpg

http://www.ziptied.com/Coppermine/al...8Medium%29.jpg

Take care and all the best,

Cool..

So how much does it weigh?

Wheel and tire dimensions?

Spring weights?

Engine mods?

I gotta know!

i wanna know how you managed to get a parts car from Nissan!?!?!?!?!? I'll take 3 :)

Welcome Sasha!!


<<fellow ZT'er

Welcome :) Glad you're here with us.

very cool, welcome!

Ok the car is mandated to use 245/40/17 hoosier cup (grand am spec tire) and 275/40 in the rear. This isn't a bad thing though because the small overall diameter us somewhat shorter gearing which is great with the Z's tall 3.5 final drive, as well as getting us closer to the mandated 3.5" ground height without having to move the suspension too far away from its designed travel boundries.

Right now the car is using koni double adjustable shocks with a coilover design in the rear, however it used to use a spring on lca setup (like stock) with trunk adjustable ride height/corner weight adjustment. I really like that idea and think I will switch back to it. We will need to run higher spring rates to have the same wheel rate, but that is no big deal.

I am unsure of the spring rate on the front, but assume it is relatively low as the cars had a lot of body roll from looking at previous grand am pictures. They use 350evo sway bars.

Engines are stock aside from allowed headers (built by coastfab on this car, beautiful beautiful headers), intake is free (after throttle body), exhaust is free, and nismo cams are allowed.

We will be running Enkei RPF1 17x9F and 17x10R as they are LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT wheels, and come in offsets that will work well.

That being said, I have 4 sets of CCW wheels for sale if anyone is interested.

Thanks for that post! The car sounds pretty close to factory since they don't allow a lot of modification. I'm sure every allowable trick in the book was used though and of course that is one trick rollcage.

Any idea how much the car weighs? What is the minimum weight for that race class?

minimum race weight for the Z is 2900lbs dry

I am very lightweight and driver weight counts if I understand correctly so I will have an advantage with my own personal size, also the Z is the lightest allowed car, to break it down the posches and m3's are around 3100lbs and the mustangs are now at 3300lbs.

A photo I love:

http://www.ziptied.com/Coppermine/al...10252/sg01.jpg

One more for good measure:

http://www.ziptied.com/Coppermine/al...10252/sg06.jpg

Cool. It looks like you guys bought that car from the Lock's (who bought it from Performance Nissan's race team). I was supposed to test that car for them and we were going to build the motors for the car, but they decided to sell the car and go a different rought.

Nice buy and good luck with it. Let me know if I can help you guys out in any way.

Thats right I bought it from Steve Lock (great guy btw)

I will keep you updated on our progress, thanks for the offer!

Koni Challenge would be so much fun. I envy you guys, and best of luck to you. Hopefully we will see you at a few time attacks next year.

Congrats Sasha on your championship! Good luck with the 350Z, let me know if you need anything.

Wanna PM me with the specs and prices of the CCW's? Thank you

Def looks like you guys are having fun. Keep us updated, :icon38:

Wish you the best of luck in Grand-Am Sasha. PS - I like the plates on the car...lol!

Best Regards,
Jason

HendersonMotorsports.com
T2 #99

dude does your license plate say "OMG WTF"? LOL

saw that too... for a while I ran L337 H4X and now I have X32 J4R0 (hold it up to a mirror - had a cop almost fall over laughing once after he pulled me over / parked in front of me).