got some questions about the minimum track equipment i should have for the Z. i was thinking of the hotchkis sway bar kit, performance rotors and some metallic and/or carbon brake pads. what do u guys think about or have additions to this?

 

Quite honestly, unless you've done a HPDE a few times....go as you are and just work with tire pressures, car control, smoothness and placement eg hitting apexes and brake zones.

Good luck!

 

The Z does OK stock, as a starting point. (If it's in proper working order.)

What kind of track are you looking into?

We have an event this weekend in Fort Myers. You should come out.

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...te-sw-fla.html

 

If you are a first timer or a noob the best advice I have gotten was work with whatever you have right now. and slowly work your way up with parts. Think of it as graduating from each parts. Keep an open mind about things. + dennisafrompa what was saying.

~Robert

 

Z1NONLY, i would but its just too short of notice for me. but i would like to try out road and auto-x, hopefully i can make it out to the next event soon. thanks for the advice, ill start from there and see where i can help myself from there.

 

RobV,

Here is a pretty good resource on what to expect, what you can do to prepare, and great learnings from those of us who were where you are a few years ago:

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...-hpde-faq.html

 

What is a “track?” HPDE on a open road course? Wheel to wheel racing? Autocross?

Every new member is going to be a racer. Then when we look back 6 months all we find is a couple of sub woofers and stickon carbon fiber. They never found the time or money for racing.

 

 

lol, so should i at least get a better radiator to keep the heat down? i hear people have problems with overheating their brakes when they have the stock ones...should i at least have carbon ceramic brake pads?

 

Believe it or not, you aren't the first person on the forum to ask about tracking their car for the first time.

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...ay-3-27-a.html - on the first page of this forum section

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...fications.html

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...-hpde-faq.html

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...pde-event.html

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...fety-help.html

..and many different flavors of basically the same questions. Search on the topic you want to learn about. Here is the sticky link again - maybe the most important link i posted there..

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...-hpde-faq.html

 

All you need is good fluids, preferably new.

 

then work your way up form there. Meaning:

If your car overheats at the track, get a better radiator.
If your brakes start to fade, upgrade pagds/rotors or BBK.
If not, don't worry about it till you need it.

 

Good to see you have a sense of humor. It goes a long way.

Drive drive drive the Z as is. Fix the driver first then the car.

Your needs will become obvious after a season of racing. Brakes. Tires. Whatever.

 

To answer the original question. A couple bottles of water to stay hydrated.

Thats pretty much it. Only things keep getting more expensive :-/

 

Sway bars are great but not a necessity.

SS braided brake and clutch lines, good fluid and some decent sport pads would be my suggestion.

Get something to hold you in your seat better if you don't drive like Miss Daisy.

 

Youre getting a lot of good advice. Since your in the deep south a larger radiator would be good to keep temps down. A Koyorad from Titan Motorsports is about double the cooling of a stock radiator and Titan is in your neighborhood. They offer the racing version for $333.

 

wow, thanks for the advice. i think ill pick up a radiator and some sport pads before i track. i know some people say to wait and just see what i need after tracking but it would be such a bummer to have overheating pads and a overheating engine. would really ruin my first track day and leave a sour taste experience...thanks for all the advice, keep it coming if theres anymore!

 

Do not just get some "sport" pads. Make sure you get some "track" pads that will actually withstand the heat. For my first time, I fabricated brake cooling ducts, switched to ATE typ 200, SS brake lines and Carbotech XP8 pads. The brakes worked great, for awhile. I still ended up with a busted seal on one of my front right caliper pistons. Now I'm going with Stoptech. UPS should be dropping them off any minute.

My IS350 had great brakes that could hold up all day long. The stock Z's brakes provide decent performance until they overheat or in my case blow a seal.

Granted the track I was at (Eagles Canyon, Slidell, TX) is notoriously hard on brakes. I've been autocrossing and tracking for awhile. I like to think I know what I'm doing. I don't drag the brakes for too long or overcook them trying to late brake. Smoothness is the name of my game.

Like others have said focus on your technique before adding mods. Until you experience fade or problems, while using good technique, there is no need to spend the big bucks on modifications.

Also, if you are just doing an HPDE or track day, an aftermarket radiator may be overkill. More often than not you will run for 20 to 30 minutes, which shouldn't be enough to overheat the engine. Your money could be better spent elsewhere for the time being. If you are racing competitively, that is a whole different story.

 

Just a thought, depending on your diving style you may end up generating more heat with an aggresive pad... exposing the other weak links in your braking system. Think about SS lines and fluid if you go that route. .02

 

Agreed and so is the overpriced nismo thermostat. Don't fall it! haha