Could you explain those numbers please? I'm not questioning them I just don't know what they mean.

 

Greedy indeed. Expect to see Spec Z run with several different classes on track. NASA doesn't have enough entrants in the local races to do anything other than run several different classes together. Even at the NASA National Championships, unless there's a HUGE entry in Spec Z, expect to be racing with a strange assortment of highly modified cars.

If you want to race a Z33 modified beyond Spec Z rules, NASA will have a class to participate in. At the '08 NASA Nationals I raced my T2 350Z in Performance Touring B and had Daytona Prototypes, V8 late models and Legend Roadsters in my run group. Believe me, that's a broad group of cars to "participate" with.

 

It translates the spring rates into terms that explain how much of the springs energy actually makes it to the wheel to perform work.

In the oem location's front and rear, a pretty high percetage is leveraged out. On a true coilover rear setup, the spring is almost directly connected to the wheel hub. So it almost transmits 100% to the wheel.

To calculate wheel rates you use the following motion rates
Front .688
Rear oem location .649
True coilover rear location .97

Example
Nissan Motorsports T2 springs
Front 690lbs x .688 x .688 = wheelrate 327lbs
Rear 690lbs x .649 x .649 = wheelrate 291lbs

Hope that helps

 

Anyone?

 

Just a guess but I think OEM unless otherwise stated.

 

Right. The general rules of racing are always if they don't state you can do something then you can't. You can do all the things that they mention in the rules.

 

I just went thru Enkeis web site. RPF1 in 18x9 +35 and 18x10 +38 will work fine when combined with the 13mm allowed spacer.

GTC01 is also available in 18x9 +18 and 18x10 +22, much better offsets for the Z, but heavier pounds a wheel than the RPF1.

a matching set of wheels in the proper offset, weight etc etc may be a PITA to get. I can see most people on RPF1's with 13mm spacers. The rules would be much easier if it was 9.5 max front or 9.5 front and rear.

Rota has a few sets of wheels available. Grid , boost, SVN and DPT http://www.wheeldude.com/wordpress/

 

Aren't the 18x9.5 and 18x9 RPF-1's too light?

 

You could always splurge for some made-to-order Braid wheels? They even have a contingency program. You can find them here: Braid Wheels

On a seperate note, has anyone confirmed if the 07-08 Nismo 350Z is an acceptable platform??? I know they post the 07-08 350Z, but there is nothing specific about the Nismo model. Granted you'll be removing a lot of what makes it a Nismo model to make weight, but some of the parts can sell for good $$$$ on the used market plus you get that awesome stitch welded chassis.

 

I don't know if I would want to gut and cage my Nismo when I could just sell it and buy a junked Z. It would be nice if you could run it just bone stock without having to put in race seats and a cage. If that were the case I would just throw some lighter wheels on, get it retuned with UpRev until it hits that 275hp mark and see how she does.

 

I guarantee you dont want to race your car without a full cage including door bars, particularly with the larger, heavier other cars that you will be foreced to race with. I've seen some pretty bent up totaled cars after being T boned at speed. You want and need as much safety as you can get. Thats where the first part of a large budget should go.

 

I understand for some its counterintuitive, but for me which ever Z I ****** up it will be stripped and prepped for a cage within a couple of months. Its like I mentioned, the Nismo-Z has the precise factory welded chassis and the OEM aero that is a great starting point. Ultimately I will go for the best cared for lowest mileage car I can find within my area, that is my first goal. The Nismo versions fit that, but they are about $10k more than an older low mileage Z in equally good or better condition.

 

Yeah I'm keeping an eye on copart now haha

 

Has anyone else noticed that the prices have gone up significantly for 03-05? Last year and the year before I found several in the $6K to $8K range...now I am seeing them start at $8K and go up from there.

This isn't helping.

 

I have not noticed this inflection point. 2/3 years ago, I felt like bottom-barrel Zs were approaching $10k. If you asked me that today, I would have said $8k min for a clean one. Find yourself a salvage, and cage that mother. I think one can be racing SpecZ for $12-14k with a salvage Z. I hope you join!

 

Scott, when will your first Spec Z event be?
Anyone else doing one pretty soon? I am curious to hear your opinions on how the car feels with those spec parts and tire wear in the front.

 

hopefully it becomes like spec miata, it became popular and miata prices shot up.

 

I plan to enter the March 10/11 event at Sears Point for my first event with the SpecZ. Just need to finish up the suspension.

 

So I guess you made your decision to run NASA. The NASA crew in TX are great so hope you have a similar experience in California. Good luck in Spec Z!

 

Yessir! I'll still run some SCCA events for practice and fun, but plan to run all the NASA events for sure.