350z STR Build
#41
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Its probably fine, that's just a typical behavior of the low dollar VLSDs manufacturers put in cars. They really aren't suited to competition.
Regarding the OS Giken...
I've run the Nismo 1.5 way CLSD and the OS Giken in my base 2006 350Z and much prefer the OS Giken. Its smoother in action and goes much more open under decell then the Nismo unit. The car rotates better under trailing throttle or trail braking with the OS Giken. The transition to power is also smoother with less (or no) jerking.
The reason I think the OS Giken might be better then the Quaife is that, with testing, you might be able to run higher rear spring rates and get the car to rotate more. That's just a hunch.
Regarding the Quaife...
I haven't run that diff in the 350Z but I have run it racing 240Zs and am very impressed with it. It might be a better choice then the OS Giken in the 350Z but I don't have any experience with it in the Z33. Since we will have to run the rear fairly soft in a STR car the Quaife might be the ticket.
Regarding the OS Giken...
I've run the Nismo 1.5 way CLSD and the OS Giken in my base 2006 350Z and much prefer the OS Giken. Its smoother in action and goes much more open under decell then the Nismo unit. The car rotates better under trailing throttle or trail braking with the OS Giken. The transition to power is also smoother with less (or no) jerking.
The reason I think the OS Giken might be better then the Quaife is that, with testing, you might be able to run higher rear spring rates and get the car to rotate more. That's just a hunch.
Regarding the Quaife...
I haven't run that diff in the 350Z but I have run it racing 240Zs and am very impressed with it. It might be a better choice then the OS Giken in the 350Z but I don't have any experience with it in the Z33. Since we will have to run the rear fairly soft in a STR car the Quaife might be the ticket.
I guess I'll have to be a bit of a guinea pig on the diff issue, though I'm beginning to suspect that either the Quaife or a good clutch-type will be a significant upgrade over stock, and basically good enough for autocross. I may end up going with whichever is a bit cheaper, since $200 saved means another travel/test weekend. Not going to cheap out with off-brand stuff, however, as I haven't had especially good luck with that.
#42
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Location: Lakewood, Colorado
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I thought I read and/or heard somewhere that the lack of camber was a big issue in the 350Z not being competitive in B stock. I've also noticed the lack of camber plates or camber kits on any of the builds in this thread. Is the camber "issue" real? Have the modifications you've done thus far negated the usefulness of further camber adjustment?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#43
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I've also noticed the lack of camber plates or camber kits on any of the builds in this thread.
#44
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I thought I read and/or heard somewhere that the lack of camber was a big issue in the 350Z not being competitive in B stock. I've also noticed the lack of camber plates or camber kits on any of the builds in this thread. Is the camber "issue" real? Have the modifications you've done thus far negated the usefulness of further camber adjustment?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Also, if you note my alignment specs in my first post in this thread, -3.0 front and -2.5 rear mean there's definitely some front camber going on.
#45
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Thanks for clarifying 350Z camber for a noob.
I'm looking at the Street Touring rules via the SCCA Solo handbook and trying to figure out what would be legal in the new STR class. What are your thoughts on what has a good cost/benefit while staying ST legal?
thanks!
I'm looking at the Street Touring rules via the SCCA Solo handbook and trying to figure out what would be legal in the new STR class. What are your thoughts on what has a good cost/benefit while staying ST legal?
thanks!
#47
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Bumping this back up now that the October Fastrack is out with this little nugget:
-Based on positive member feedback, the updated STR rules published in the August Fastrack are considered final, and are
effective 1/1/2010.
So the rules are set. Let the builds begin in earnest.
Mine went to Memphis and PAXed first based on the (speculative) number of 0.832 that I'm expecting Rick Ruth to give to the class based on what he's told me and several others.
Beat out a well-driven mostly-prepped STU Evo X by about 40 thousandths. Raw timed within a tenth or so. I think the Z may have a shot in this class, especially since I haven't added a diff yet (and that's going to be a BIG difference, I think).
On the other hand, I haven't seen a prepped S2K or Miata driven in anger yet either. That should be coming soon, though.
-Based on positive member feedback, the updated STR rules published in the August Fastrack are considered final, and are
effective 1/1/2010.
So the rules are set. Let the builds begin in earnest.
Mine went to Memphis and PAXed first based on the (speculative) number of 0.832 that I'm expecting Rick Ruth to give to the class based on what he's told me and several others.
Beat out a well-driven mostly-prepped STU Evo X by about 40 thousandths. Raw timed within a tenth or so. I think the Z may have a shot in this class, especially since I haven't added a diff yet (and that's going to be a BIG difference, I think).
On the other hand, I haven't seen a prepped S2K or Miata driven in anger yet either. That should be coming soon, though.
#49
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Here's a video of the best run I managed to record. I ended up running about a half second faster than this, but my memory card filled up.
As you can hear, the diff isn't working so great. I think that cost me quite a bit of time due to lost power spent spinning the inside wheel instead of sending me forward.
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#51
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Not exactly user friendly. If I'm feeling charitable I may put them all together in a post later on. But don't hold your breath
#52
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With all of the mods on the "done" list above plus 1/4 tank of gas and the rear hatch area stripped of all legal bits, my weight = 3,108lb (2003 enthusiast), so that puts my best-case weight around 3,013lb. Better, but not great, and it's probably more realistic to think weight will end up around 3,030-3,050lb.
John, do I read it correctly that the OS Giken is only available for 350s that originally had the VLSD? That might kill the idea for this base model I was looking at.
#53
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Do you have side airbags? My 03 Enth in full BS trim weighed in a 3075 last time I checked it out (years ago now) as I sold it in 07.
John, do I read it correctly that the OS Giken is only available for 350s that originally had the VLSD? That might kill the idea for this base model I was looking at.
John, do I read it correctly that the OS Giken is only available for 350s that originally had the VLSD? That might kill the idea for this base model I was looking at.
As for the OS Giken, if you check out Z1 Performance's thread in the vendor section, they're selling the LSD for both base and VLSD models. VLSD models are actually more expensive, I"m assuming because they have to buy the base stub axles to fit the diff.
Any idea if swapping to different stub axles would be legal? Otherwise, the base would seem to be the perfect choice.