etarui

Since my last post, quite a bit has happened. Here is a (rather lengthy) recap.

I got around to installing the Koyo R-Core Radiator. It is beautiful! I am counting on it to work as good as it looks. While I was at it, I replaced the thermostat with a new OEM unit and gasket, installed Samco coolant hoses, flushed the system, and poured in distilled water with Motul MoCool.

Installation was pretty straight forward. The radiator fit except I had to cut away some plastic trim to accommodate the condenser tabs on the bottom of the Koyo unit. It was only off by a couple of millimeters...grrrrr! So not quite a direct OEM replacment.

Here are some pictures:









I had a chance to attend a NASA event at Buttonwillow on April 21st. Being my first NASA event since 2002, they put me in HPDE 2, which was combined with HPDE 1. I wasn't able to get in a clean lap due to field traffic, but was able to push my car hard enough to deem my brakes were back in working order and my cooling system was back in check. Here is a video snippet. This was my first time at Buttonwillow so I know there is a lot of room for improvement here. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do on June 2nd

http://youtu.be/CV9nBG0nFxU


A few weeks after Buttonwillow, I got around to my first round of suspension mods. Based on their excellent reputation, I went to West End Alignment in Gardena, CA. I must say Darin & Chris do awesome work and are willing to share their knowledge. You can find my review as well as from others here:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-end-alignment-gardena

I had them install KW Clubsports, SPL front upper arms, SPL rear Lower arms, SPL rear traction bar, and Whiteline front lower bushings into my 350Z. After that, they did my ride height adjustment, corner balance, and track alignment.

Here are some pictures:















The SPL parts are beautifully designed with a wide range of adjustability, and should have no problem with the abuse they will see on the track.

I will be testing out the suspension mods at an autocross event this Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.

My final update was that my car was on display with the Fontana Nissan Race Team on May 6th at the Cuatro Meeto event at where else but Fontana Nissan. This was a great event put on by Mr. Scott Vanerdheide himself.



I'll try to post more frequently to avoid another crazy long update

Fixxxercask

iTrader: (21)

Car is coming along very nicely.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Can't wait to go play next time at the track. Should be even more fun now.

jnathan68

iTrader: (29)

Doing it up right son...looking very nice! Can't wait to see it out at the track.

Row2K

iTrader: (10)

how do you like the clubsport coilovers?

etarui

Thanks fellas! We definitely need to do another track event soon! Any of these events work for you?

Extreme Speed Track Events - Streets of Willow: July 7th & 8th
NASA - Auto Club Speedway: July 28th & 29th
Speed Ventures - Buttonwillow #13CW: July 28th & 29th
Speed Ventures - Auto Club Speedway: August 11th & 12th
Extreme Speed Track Events - Streets of Willow: August 12th

@Row2K - I haven't tested the KW's out on the track yet, so I can't really comment. On the short drives I have done around town, the car rides very nice. I would say it is more comfortable than the Tein coil overs I replaced.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

How about 28 July at Willow with Extreme Speed for the Z/G Challange ?

etarui

That might work

etarui

Hey Jason...why are you putting your car back to stock? Are you picking up something new?

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

He picked up a Boss 302, he had it out at Autoclub a couple weeks back. Very nice car.

SE5spd

iTrader: (17)

BOSS 302 are sooooo sick!

etarui

I did my first autocross event today with the BMW Car Club of America at Auto Club Speedway today. They placed me in a non-BMW "X Class." I managed to take 1st place! Competitors in my class included an 2010 Evo, 2008 Tesla Roadster, a 2011 WRX, an Audi S4, and two RX-7's (FD). Here's a video clip:

http://youtu.be/JEnH4kNGd68

Special thanks to NissanRaceShop.com & Fontana Nissan, SPL Parts, Hankook Tires, and West End Alignment! The Fairlady is running very well now!

sfarrah

iTrader: (4)

Nice driving Eric and congrats on the first place win!

etarui

This week, I started to remove more of the interior sheet metal. I am in the process of removing the top section just rear of the seats.

Here is how it started:


And here is where I am at:




Because of the roll bar, the space is very limiting. I have to remove spot welds and cut out small sections at a time. Here is a shot of the sheet metal I have removed so far:


All this metal weighs approximately 8 pounds. My best guess is full removal of the top shelf will shave off 10 pounds.

I also purchased some goodies from Werk II in Burbank California yesterday.

Sparco 350mm suede steering wheel and Alpinestars gloves:


Schroth 6 point harness:


My next event is coming up soon. Buttonwillow #13 CW on June 2nd with Extreme Speed Track Events. Hopefully I'll see some of you out there as well.

etarui

It's been a while since I have posted an update. My last track event was at Streets of Willow. I was able to break the 1:30 barrier! Now I need to catch up to Len's 1:26. Here is a clip of one of my laps:

http://youtu.be/MhxhuI8_694

I am going for a trifecta this month:

08/12/2012 - Auto Club Speedway
08/19/2012 - Buttonwillow
08/31/2012 - Streets of Willow

More to come!

etarui

I hung out with the Canyon Companions at Auto Club Speedway this past Sunday at a Speed Ventures event. Here is a video of one of my laps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Ty...re=context-gau

I was a bit disappointed at my times. The best I could pull off was a 2:01. One day soon I hope to beat the 2:00 mark.

etarui

Went to Buttonwillow Yesterday (#13 CW) to celebrate Alex Peng's (aka MomoFoolio) birthday. Here's one of my laps. Best lap of the day came in at 2:09.

SE5spd

iTrader: (17)

You should come to buttonwillow 9-16-12 CCW1

Witt NCRC racing

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Nice driving, i really need to try that track out

Row2K

iTrader: (10)

very nice! After taking the car to the track a few more times can you provide a bit more input on the kw clubsports, have you played with some of the settings ?