Back when I had my E30 M3 the requirements were specific weld-in reinforcements (esp. the sway bar mounting point) and an oil pan baffle.

Anything 100% necessary for these cars? I have an 06 Track that will be doing 6-10 events this year with the first coming up at the end of March.

 

IMO Brakes are the weakest and most needed upgrade on the Z - but w/ the track Brembo package, you should be fine. so maybe some motul RBF600 fluid and just a cautious eye on your pad wear.

other stuff like sway bars, springs, etc will help, but aren't "needed" to track the car.

 

Autocross? No. You will have to check club rules to see what mods put you in what class.

Open road racing? The rules are different depending on the club, venue and whether you are racing wheel-to-wheel. There are venues such as Summit Point, WV that will let you drive solo wheel-to-wheel stock. These are not true racing events, and you must be a rated “solo” by the instructor staff.

As I mentioned in one of your other threads, few clubs will allow new racers to run wheel-to-wheel no matter how good they are. Rules for “time attack” are more liberal.

 

I am going kind of highjack this thread a bit, but in the title it said "reliability mods" so it does fit.

I am going to do a few PDX and HPDE events this year, what is recommended upgrades for reliability?

I am swapping all fluids already including rbf600 brake fluid and motul trans/diff fluid. I have non brembo brakes, but I am upgrading to slotted rotors, steel lines, and Ferrodo racing pads and of course the 600 fluid.

Is a bigger PS cooler needed? Oil cooler? This is a near stock, minor bolt ons motor.

 

I drove HPDE several times with the car as is. Only mods were installing the tow hook and adding 5 PSI to the tires.

 

Maybe a larger PS cooler, but I would see if you have any issues with the stock one. I used a cheap larger one from Summit that works great and is the same size as the Nismo. Also, might want to try and remove the dust sheilds on the brakes to keep the temps down.

 

the only problems I've ever had were brakes (either wearing down OE pads within a few sessions, or using semi-metallic pads and wearing down the rotors).

I've never had heating issues (PS, coolant, ...)

*I'm close to full mods for BSP, and run r-comps at the track and autoX

 

Anyone monitoring oil temps and seeing where they are at after 20 minutes of all out fun durring HPDE or RR??

What temp is bad for these motors?

Has anyone heard of the stock Brembos with upgraded pads not being good enough for HPDE on either 350Zs with passenger or G35 cpe with Passenger and full weight??

oh last question. Anyone have any problems fitting 4 extra wheels/tires in their 350Z?

Thanks for the help.. . I'm trying to decide exactly what model of 350Z I want to get slash if I just want to bite the bullet and get a BMW M3.

 

Oil temps, based on watching coolant temps, were in check even in the hottest of days. Non-FI rules!

I experienced brake fade with our Brembos - even with upgraded pads, stainless lines, and high-temp fluid. David Ray races his 350Z with the stock Brembo set-up, and suggested a ducting kit which works on his car. If he can run Laguna at 10/10ths, we should be able to make a 20-minute session.

I've never seen 4 track wheels in a 350, and don't think you could fit them while remaining some level of comfort and visibility while driving. Just like in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" - phone a friend.

 

Trailer hitch, plus small trailer to carry 4 race wheels, a largish tool box and tools, and a jack and 2 jack stands just can't be beat if you track your Z/G on a regular basis

 

For sure. I'll prolly end up getting a hitch when I make the jump to R comps on a Z.

I rock R comps on My 210whp 2450lb race weight Civic. I love the grip of Toyo RA1s and will most likely rock 255/40/17s all around on a stock NA 350Z on brembos I think. 275s my be worth the trouble but I think 255s will be enough to get my feet wet with R comps on the Z and not cover up to many mistakes.

 

I will be running 255 fronts and 275 rears on mt TT G35; I ran 245 f 265 r last season, and I still had initial turn in understeer, and relatively easily induced power oversteer on corner exit.

Last year they were BF Goodrich GForce R1's, this year I am going with Toyo R888 to get more tire wear.

 

I've fit 4 17X9 wheels w/ 275's on them into my Z...not very comfortable, but it works.

 

I ran my G35 cpe (full interior w/ spare tire) on stock brembos with semi-track pads (Hawk HP+) and they held up fine. You will need to upgrade to a higher-temp brake fluid like Motul or ATE. This setup held up perfectly fine at VIR and Summit Point, on street tires. When I went to R-comps, I needed a full race pad.

 

+1

i did that for one event, never again! uncomfortable, hard on the interior, and not safe at all.. i got a trailer...spend 400 bucks and do it right.


other then Brakes/fluid as mentioned above, i can't think of any other reliability mods you need to do. carry a set of sway bar links if you have aftermarket sway bars, always a extra set of pads...rotors if ya can, maybe a serp belt, and oil drain plug gasket. Personally..... i think the oil pan spacer is a GREAT mod. If nothing else its a piece of mind. It adds 1 extra quart of oil.

 

here in CA, some people may want to run a larger radiator in the summer months when it gets really hot (95-100 degrees +). i've heard of stock radiators not being enough at willow springs when it gets to that temp.

as far as the PS cooler, i haven't really benefited from it yet. before the stillen, i found that after a 20-25 minute session, the PS fluid would be boiling. i upgraded and still found that it was boiling. i may need to relocate it.

the general consensus on brakes is that in any HPDE, time trial, etc, you will need to at LEAST upgrade to DOT 4 fluid. if you use R-compound tires, you will obviously need appropriate R-compound pads. vice versa, if you are running R-compound pads, then street tires won't do well to stop you.

 

Can you link the trailer? I'm looking at options between a whole flatbed trailer I can tow with my Tahoe and something to hold the tools/wheels then just pull it with the Z.

 

Deffinately not a twin turbos.

 

man if i had the option i would pull my car EVERYWHERE!!! but here is the trailer i use -

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...stingPage=true

its the one without the ramp....i have different wheels but that was purely cosmetic. welded a bar to hold tires and mounted a nice plastic/lockable box to the back. still have room for another set of tires if needed. comes with the lights and jack.

Actual pictures of my trailer... https://my350z.com/forum/attachment....9&d=1201571480

 

Thank you sir! I think this will be the route I go... just from a cost perspective. If I save a couple grand on the trailer thats a couple grand I can put somewhere else - engine, brakes, etc.