im currently building a Z for only road racing and was hoping to get some advice on the parts im looking at. i have to keep my budget between 15-20k and im definitely swapping the motor for a built LS1 and t-56 tranny. my buddies saving me thousands on the motor ($1500 for a 500hp turn key LS1 with no problems ) here's the list of parts im looking at now:

Ksport 13 inch 8 piston brakes
Ksport 12 inch 4 piston brakes
Ksport RR Coilovers
Ksport Rear toe kit
Sikky Headers 3.5 inch ceramic coated
Sikky Complete Swap Kit

i still dont know about the tires (gonna need slicks), roll cage, seats, and im probably gonna need new wheels. ive got 18" 5zigen Hyper 5ZRs but there only 7.5" wide and i know im probably gonna need 9ish on the front and 10ish on the back. it breaks my heart having to sell them but i gotta do it. so, if anyone knows a good track wheel that wont destroy my budget feel free to comment. the Z should weight around 2800 pounds as a finished product so this thing should be a monster! if anyone knows of any racings leagues i could qualify for please share because i would much rather race competitively rather than heading to random track days

 

500hp on a 7.5in wheel would be interesting.


Im going to go out on a limb here and recommend seat time, race schools, etc.

 

why ksport?

 

That K-sport stuff needs to be replaced with real parts......if you really want to have an effective track car. You are going to want probably 10-10.5" wheels all the way around. I am going to guess from the parts list/post that you don't have any prior track experience?

 

I just noticed you said 15-20k, and those brakes and engine will eat most of it I imagine.


My honest suggestion:

Brembo brakes
X brand coilovers
Control arms, midlinks, toe kit, etc.
Cutted interior, cage
new diff
oil cooler
2 sets of wheels and tires

And you out of money at this point I imagine. Price out what you "think" it will all cost, then double it.

 

First a few things...do you have any track experience? Almost every organization requires a qualification. It could be attend a few of their schools, working your way up through the ranks, or attand a intense testing process. Keep that in mind, and if you haven't ever been on many tracks you may not even like it.

Second, I always tell people, don't build a car then look for a place to race it. Decide what and where you want to race and then build one to the rules of the series. There are too many great projects that don't qualify to run anywhere so they are left to be track day run abouts. A great track day car can be a lot of fun too, but if you are serious about racing, decide who you want to race with and what. The people around you are as important, if not MORE important than the cars you run.

Those are my thoughts.

 

Excellent point. Some series will be loose in their rules (we have one that classes you based on qualify times), where others may put you in a ridiculous class for a single mod that provides little to no improvement.

 

Honestly, it sounds like it will be a pain to class this car, assuming your experience level is in the Low to Moderate range. As listed, it will likely be a track day/Time Trial/Time Attack car. I would imagine you would be best suited with a 10.5-11.00 in wheel for the rear. LSx engine on a 9.0 in wheel and rubber may be a little too small. And you really can't go wrong with the RPF1's. As for the brakes, I haven't heard much on them so if your not getting a killer price I'd probably go with something else. Personally I saw a set of 4 piston AP's for under $1800 new, so look around. On the suspension, the RR's didn't look bad spec-wise for a budget build. They are made to the spring and valving you request so be careful in your choice. Lastly and very important, the cage. Make sure you do the research on what the groups in your area require. NASA, SCCA, etc. all have certain rules on the cages they deem suitable so make sure you get that sorted out prior to starting construction on it.

 

stock brembos and hawk race pads work really well.

 

+1, take the car out there as stock as possible (not counting brake upgrades) and learn to drive it. It isnt all about power in the seat time stage. I dont know why you want to swap a LS1 into a track Z, but whatever floats your boat.

 

my suggestion..buy slightly used parts, and save some cash. track days are expensive. are you going to be keeping stock glass? what class are you trying to get into?

get proven parts that were developed on a track, and that dedicated track cars use. dont get parts because theyre pretty lol.

look into megan racing bbk's. i read they outperformed the stoptechs and had great reviews, as well as costing less.

 

like i said in the thread, the motors only costing me 1500 and im getting wider wheels. ive already quoted most the prices and they fit my budget if i stick with ksport. their prices are much lower than brembo, ap racing, and others so im really hesitant on buying. having trouble finding reviews about them so i was hoping someone on here could tell me yes or no

 

I think your budget will allow you to go have fun at the track with decent parts. But, build a road race 500 hp ls1 is out of your reach unless you have more moneyz.

how much track experience do you have?

 

Keep it stock for now. Next, get some sticky 275s.

 

Sorry I meant brembo like stock 350z track brakes. Usually can be had for under $1000 on here.

 

Agree with others that learning how to drive the car is first priority. If you spend the money doing track events/get instruction, you will gain more time on track than making the car faster.

Upgrade brakes (350z brembo's) or go with a stoptech or wilwood kit....Ksport brake kit is no/no if car is a track only car.

Also, I don't see your list of parts to get the car to 2800 lbs but that is around 500lb weight loss from a stock car so I am guessing some money is going into carbon fiber, lightweight battery, etc.

As far as wheels, Enkei RPF-1 are the best weight/cost wheels. They are cast but are strong for cast wheels.

Just some thoughts.

 

their prices are much lower than brembo, ap racing, and others, but im really hesitant on buying. having trouble finding reviews about them so i was hoping someone on here could tell me yes or no

 

Looking at his build specs I would think for W2W in SCCA and NASA he would be looking at SPO or ST1...and 500 HP isn't nearly enough. Both of those are big $$$ classes. Like $80K or more just to be competitive.

 

Is your stock engine in one piece and running?

 

I noticed you mentioned you want to race competitively. If you are in SC, you have the NASA Southeast region but they arent going to just hand you a race license and say go play. I would budget AT LEAST 2 years of HPDE if getting through their comp school.