350z C Stock Season Start
350z C Stock Season Start
Another Season Starts
The z got put away in November and sat under cover until Thursday. During the offseason she stayed snuggled up with 2 dozen mousetraps….yes I kill mice so they don’t kill my car. I spent some time researching wheels and reading up on stock class rules. The thing I’m looking to do this season is drop a few pounds. I wanted to do something that will benefit everything….acceleration, stopping and handling. My main focus was wheels. I don’t have an unlimited budget unlike some of my competitors, so cost is an issue. I did my research and decided the Enkei RPF1 wheels would be what I run. I wanted black, but finding them in that color with the proper offset was hard or required me to wait 4mos. I called tirerack and used other sources before finally finding a place that had the wheel sizes I need.
So last week I made the call and ordered my wheels. 18x9 front 19x10 rear with 30 offset on the 18s and 42 on the 19s to go along with 10mm spacers for the 19s, 60mm Nismo studs, and aluminum lug nuts. The stock wheels are about 21.5lbs front and barely under 30 for the rear. Stock lug nuts are about 3lbs for all 20. The new wheels are 19lbs front and 20lb rear, totaling about 30lbs of weight and more importantly rotating mass. Less rotating weight means slightly quicker acceleration and slightly better braking.
I also was researching tires during the offseason. I need a tire I can drive in the wet but can substitute as a race tire if needed. Again the problem was sizing. There are not too many companies that make 19” tires. There was no way I was getting Michellin Pilot PS2’s as they are way too expensive. The tires I looked at were the Direzza Starspecs, Yokohama AD08, Potenza RE11, Toyo R1R and Kumho XS. I did my more research and found the Toyos and Direzza’s worked better on lighter cars. Also, the Yoko’s and Advans had 19s in the sizes I was looking at. Fortunate for me Tirerack recently did a 4 tire test including the RE11 and AD08 and they both came out on top with the AD08 and RE11 pretty much tieing. Also with that test, the car they used weight about the same as they z (BMW 3 series if I remember) although it has less power. So after that it pretty much came down to price and low and behold, the AD08 and Re11 are pretty much the same in cost. I decided to go with the AD08 as no one else is running them, just to see how it would stack up with the RE11 first hand.
I got the tires in last week (255 front, 275 rear), I was looking at 295 rear, 275 front, but the 295s are on back order. I got them mounted last week on my stock wheels as the RPF1’s will be used for my auto-x tires.
To add some flavor this year to my season, former national champ added a co driver to his nationally prepped RX8….some guy names Mark Daddio, lol. For those that don’t know, Daddio is one of the best drivers in the sport, 7 national championships in different classes and 8 Pro Solo national championships. This weekend was our first event, although non points event. The course that was laid out was very fast. Drivers in attendance….Keith and Mark, John Winchester(STU STI) , Sam Kraus (STX talon) among others. Mark and Keith ran street tires first then r comps in the afternoon. They were doing a test to see how much faster r comps where.
Marks first run was a 61.0 on street tires while Keith managed a 64something. I was getting used to the new found grip over my trashed RE050’s. Mark dropped to a 60.6 on street tires before switching to r comps. I was building confidence in my car and getting faster. On my 3rd run I was able to drop to a 61.0. I knew I left time out there but at that point I started over driving and couldn’t get closer to Mark’s time. Mark/Keith put the R comps on the RX8 and Mark dropped to a 58.x, about 2seconds faster. Keith dropped to a 60.6 on race tires.
I was very happy to see at the beginning of the season as we are still sorting stuff out to be that close to Daddio in a nationally prepped car AND post a faster time on street tires than Keith did on R comps. PAX wise I placed 4th overall (on street tires) only behind Daddio, Kraus and Winchester. We where within .7 of each other pax wise. Needless to say I was very happy.
The car is still on stock shocks and I plan on running like that this year. The only other change I want to make is to sell the Stillen exhaust I have now for a single pipe titanium piece with dual outlet.
All in all I was very impressed with the car. My driving has drastically improved from last year…maybe that has something to do with all the karting I did this winter.
This season should be very interesting with the move to C Stock. I’m very excited to have the group of guys I run with locally. Daddio and Keith in my class along with Winchester, Kraus, GJ Dixon, Nelson Antunes, Matt Murray, Keith, occasionally Pat Salerno. I have a group of really fast guys to compare myself too. Hopefully this year doesn’t end up like the disappointment last year did.
The z got put away in November and sat under cover until Thursday. During the offseason she stayed snuggled up with 2 dozen mousetraps….yes I kill mice so they don’t kill my car. I spent some time researching wheels and reading up on stock class rules. The thing I’m looking to do this season is drop a few pounds. I wanted to do something that will benefit everything….acceleration, stopping and handling. My main focus was wheels. I don’t have an unlimited budget unlike some of my competitors, so cost is an issue. I did my research and decided the Enkei RPF1 wheels would be what I run. I wanted black, but finding them in that color with the proper offset was hard or required me to wait 4mos. I called tirerack and used other sources before finally finding a place that had the wheel sizes I need.
So last week I made the call and ordered my wheels. 18x9 front 19x10 rear with 30 offset on the 18s and 42 on the 19s to go along with 10mm spacers for the 19s, 60mm Nismo studs, and aluminum lug nuts. The stock wheels are about 21.5lbs front and barely under 30 for the rear. Stock lug nuts are about 3lbs for all 20. The new wheels are 19lbs front and 20lb rear, totaling about 30lbs of weight and more importantly rotating mass. Less rotating weight means slightly quicker acceleration and slightly better braking.
I also was researching tires during the offseason. I need a tire I can drive in the wet but can substitute as a race tire if needed. Again the problem was sizing. There are not too many companies that make 19” tires. There was no way I was getting Michellin Pilot PS2’s as they are way too expensive. The tires I looked at were the Direzza Starspecs, Yokohama AD08, Potenza RE11, Toyo R1R and Kumho XS. I did my more research and found the Toyos and Direzza’s worked better on lighter cars. Also, the Yoko’s and Advans had 19s in the sizes I was looking at. Fortunate for me Tirerack recently did a 4 tire test including the RE11 and AD08 and they both came out on top with the AD08 and RE11 pretty much tieing. Also with that test, the car they used weight about the same as they z (BMW 3 series if I remember) although it has less power. So after that it pretty much came down to price and low and behold, the AD08 and Re11 are pretty much the same in cost. I decided to go with the AD08 as no one else is running them, just to see how it would stack up with the RE11 first hand.
I got the tires in last week (255 front, 275 rear), I was looking at 295 rear, 275 front, but the 295s are on back order. I got them mounted last week on my stock wheels as the RPF1’s will be used for my auto-x tires.
To add some flavor this year to my season, former national champ added a co driver to his nationally prepped RX8….some guy names Mark Daddio, lol. For those that don’t know, Daddio is one of the best drivers in the sport, 7 national championships in different classes and 8 Pro Solo national championships. This weekend was our first event, although non points event. The course that was laid out was very fast. Drivers in attendance….Keith and Mark, John Winchester(STU STI) , Sam Kraus (STX talon) among others. Mark and Keith ran street tires first then r comps in the afternoon. They were doing a test to see how much faster r comps where.
Marks first run was a 61.0 on street tires while Keith managed a 64something. I was getting used to the new found grip over my trashed RE050’s. Mark dropped to a 60.6 on street tires before switching to r comps. I was building confidence in my car and getting faster. On my 3rd run I was able to drop to a 61.0. I knew I left time out there but at that point I started over driving and couldn’t get closer to Mark’s time. Mark/Keith put the R comps on the RX8 and Mark dropped to a 58.x, about 2seconds faster. Keith dropped to a 60.6 on race tires.
I was very happy to see at the beginning of the season as we are still sorting stuff out to be that close to Daddio in a nationally prepped car AND post a faster time on street tires than Keith did on R comps. PAX wise I placed 4th overall (on street tires) only behind Daddio, Kraus and Winchester. We where within .7 of each other pax wise. Needless to say I was very happy.
The car is still on stock shocks and I plan on running like that this year. The only other change I want to make is to sell the Stillen exhaust I have now for a single pipe titanium piece with dual outlet.
All in all I was very impressed with the car. My driving has drastically improved from last year…maybe that has something to do with all the karting I did this winter.
This season should be very interesting with the move to C Stock. I’m very excited to have the group of guys I run with locally. Daddio and Keith in my class along with Winchester, Kraus, GJ Dixon, Nelson Antunes, Matt Murray, Keith, occasionally Pat Salerno. I have a group of really fast guys to compare myself too. Hopefully this year doesn’t end up like the disappointment last year did.
Last edited by ldstang50; Apr 7, 2010 at 07:15 AM. Reason: I accidentally put down Keith's wrong time for his R compounds. Sorry Keith!!
Nice driving. Maybe the Z will be competitive in C stock. Oh nevermind, I see they moved the RX-8 also. And there's the E36 M3. Well that's a pisser.
Well good luck, at least it's more competitive PAX wise with some other classes. I didn't even notice it had been reclassed.
Well good luck, at least it's more competitive PAX wise with some other classes. I didn't even notice it had been reclassed.
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295's square! Trust me!
And good luck! I wish I had been racing a Nismo, it might have been enough to gain me a couple tenths.
Last edited by Ruff Z; Mar 23, 2010 at 08:18 PM.
Thanks Mark, I'll be down in DC this year, think you can make it?
Ruff, I'd run a square set up, but remember my wheels are 18x9 fronts and 19x10 rear. The 295/315 set up worked well. Its just buying 2 sets of tires this year, the difference in price from a 295/19 and 315/19 is about $100 per tire. The car has not problem rotating with the 315s on the back, its do I really want to spend the extra $400
Ruff, I'd run a square set up, but remember my wheels are 18x9 fronts and 19x10 rear. The 295/315 set up worked well. Its just buying 2 sets of tires this year, the difference in price from a 295/19 and 315/19 is about $100 per tire. The car has not problem rotating with the 315s on the back, its do I really want to spend the extra $400
First NWR-SCCA event this Sunday, I'm going to be there!
No, I have nothing against running on street tires. I just new Liam ran national tour events etc, and on rcomps last year. I thought by his post he was running streets period this year.
Thanks Mark, I'll be down in DC this year, think you can make it?
Ruff, I'd run a square set up, but remember my wheels are 18x9 fronts and 19x10 rear. The 295/315 set up worked well. Its just buying 2 sets of tires this year, the difference in price from a 295/19 and 315/19 is about $100 per tire. The car has not problem rotating with the 315s on the back, its do I really want to spend the extra $400
Ruff, I'd run a square set up, but remember my wheels are 18x9 fronts and 19x10 rear. The 295/315 set up worked well. Its just buying 2 sets of tires this year, the difference in price from a 295/19 and 315/19 is about $100 per tire. The car has not problem rotating with the 315s on the back, its do I really want to spend the extra $400
Right now the budget is lightening the car....you know, cf hood, cf hatch, j/k
but the stillen exhaust HAS to go, it weighs 75lbs
I'm really thinking of stickign wiht the staggered set up. Thats what I'm used to and I'm a bit nervous going square, esp with the bigger wheels in back
The exhaust I found weighs 10lbs (full cat back). I'm hoping i can still be competitive on stock shocks. Karting this year has helped. Last year I was barely raw timing Keith. Granted we had a big course Sunday, but I think this year I might be able to get some tmie between us. Plus running against Daddio will surely make me step my game.
but the stillen exhaust HAS to go, it weighs 75lbs
I'm really thinking of stickign wiht the staggered set up. Thats what I'm used to and I'm a bit nervous going square, esp with the bigger wheels in backThe exhaust I found weighs 10lbs (full cat back). I'm hoping i can still be competitive on stock shocks. Karting this year has helped. Last year I was barely raw timing Keith. Granted we had a big course Sunday, but I think this year I might be able to get some tmie between us. Plus running against Daddio will surely make me step my game.
I know you have a Nismo (and the width of the wheels). Since you're wheels are wider, the footprint of 295's on the rear will be hella bigger then what Glenn and I ran. And we really had no problem with putting power down with the 295's on 8.5" wheels. I don't think it worth it for you to spend the extra money, I don't think it's needed with the power levels in stock. And besides, you're saving weight too
Right now the budget is lightening the car....you know, cf hood, cf hatch, j/k
but the stillen exhaust HAS to go, it weighs 75lbs I'm really thinking of stickign wiht the staggered set up. Thats what I'm used to and I'm a bit nervous going square, esp with the bigger wheels in back
The exhaust I found weighs 10lbs (full cat back). I'm hoping i can still be competitive on stock shocks. Karting this year has helped. Last year I was barely raw timing Keith. Granted we had a big course Sunday, but I think this year I might be able to get some tmie between us. Plus running against Daddio will surely make me step my game.
but the stillen exhaust HAS to go, it weighs 75lbs
I'm really thinking of stickign wiht the staggered set up. Thats what I'm used to and I'm a bit nervous going square, esp with the bigger wheels in backThe exhaust I found weighs 10lbs (full cat back). I'm hoping i can still be competitive on stock shocks. Karting this year has helped. Last year I was barely raw timing Keith. Granted we had a big course Sunday, but I think this year I might be able to get some tmie between us. Plus running against Daddio will surely make me step my game.
Glenn
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