I'm kinda sorta thinking about trying time trials with NASA SE. As I understand it my car, 07 Enthusiast with no modifications starts in the TTC class with a few points left over for limited mods.

I've done most of my track events at Carolinas Motorsports Park where NASA SE runs several times a year. At the most recent event the two BMWs in TTC ran lap times around 1:50.

On Hankook RS-3s I can run run 1:57 fairly consistently. I think I can knock another second off with more practice.

For those familiar with NASA Time Trials what mods, other than tires, would you add to try to get that time down to the point where I would at least not embarass myself? I'm thinking anti-sway bars, which, in addition to R compound tires would use up most of the available points. Any other ideas?

 

I think with the few points left, I would consider dropping weight, especially for the he's

 

I think with 275 R6s and some weight removed you could get into the 1:51.xx. Or lower.

 

In my opinion, try to see where a Dyno Reclass would put you at, here is what I have found to be pretty quick for me:

I tried a different setup that put my car very close to the min Wt/Hp ratio for the class:

Dyno Reclass TTD* @ 3195lbs/235hp

+ 7 for the (*)
+10 R6 225/45/17
- 4 225mm Tire
+ 2 Springs
+ 3 Shocks (DA Koni)
+ 1 Upgrade Diff

Total: +19 TTD

Adjusted Wt/Hp Calc:
3195lbs/235hp = 13.59 + .8 (for tire < 255mm) - .05 for weight = 14.34....pretty close to 14.25 min.



Copied from another thread that I posted way back when: https://my350z.com/forum/9559719-post5.html

Yes, the Wt/Hp reclass is the most flexible to way to class a car and in most cases the most competitive.

The nice thing about the NASA Classification system is the various options you can play with. I believe the Z can be very competitive in TTD/TTC and probably TTB (a member on here, Fixxxercask, is gunning for TTB at Nationals). Also want to clarify that any car can be dyno re-classed (mine is stock)...no engine mods or swaps or anything is required....simply get a dyno done (be very careful to follow the exact procedure and fill out proper form) and send an email out to the National director.

Here are some actual reclass configurations for the Z based on Wt/Hp:

3440 lbs / 240whp / TTD / 245mm
3370 lbs / 235whp / TTD / 245mm
3195 lbs / 235whp / TTD* / 245mm
3260 lbs / 240whp / TTD* / 245mm
3360 lbs / 260whp / TTD** / 245mm

2940 lbs / 235whp / TTC / 255mm
3005 lbs / 240whp / TTC / 255mm
2890 lbs / 240whp / TTC / 255mm (must end up in TTB though)

3190 lbs / 306whp / TTB / 265mm

 

As someone who has competed in the NASA Nationals in TTB, I can only say that competitive is a subjective term. The year I competed at Mid-Ohio (not my home track) saw me consistently lowering my lap times every session. That effort saw me through to a fifth place finish, but I was several seconds away from the winner.

In your case, my suggestion is to simply measure your progress against yourself. Six seconds is a boatload of time and you must assume the opposition will also continue to improve. In my area of the country, one of my Z friends has won the TTC season title several times, but is finding it difficult against some of the newer cars. Another Z racer with a NISMO Z has also been a contender in TTB, but consistent performance, not outright speed, are usually their strong points.

 

What were the setups, meaning starting base class (hp and weight), points mods, and final class based on mod points? I'm trying to optimize my setup for TTC also.

For my case, running my Z (03 Enth.) based on the TTC Base Classing doesn't make sense to me, because it assumes a competition weight of 3188lbs and 287hp, which I doubt any stock Z is at. (The base weight/hp is different for the 07s, but same logic applies).

Reducing the weight by 150lbs or so and running 275 R6s would lower lap times significantly. I would say -150lbs could be worth close to 1 to 2 secs alone, if you add the 275 R6s that is another 3 to 4 seconds, which would put his times, as someone else pointed out, at 1:51s.

 

My advice to the OP? Don't even worry about doing anything else to the car right now. Just sign up and do a couple of TT events! The main focus at this point should be to get used to open passing etc. It is a significant step up from HPDE! I think you will really enjoy it though

 

Thanks guys. Lots of good points. Interesting stuff about the dyno re-class. Definitely worth considering.

Crawford, that is a good point. On Saturday I would have come in third in TTC because there were only two entries! (By the way, I got the seat installed and belts and sensors sorted and it makes a HUGE difference).

Funny think is, it looks like TTD is pretty competitive and the TTD winner was faster than the TTC winner. With my best lap time at CMP I would have placed fifth in TTD.

Anyway, good advice all around.

I'm not ready to make the leap to TT yet. But, I ran DE-3 last weekend and it was combined with DE-4 most of the sessions, with lots of TT/instructors out there in TT1 cars and such. I felt like I did fine out there, passing and being passed in the corners. I'll probably do DE-4 a few more times and then think about the move.

 

Looking at the NASA classification form my car (07 Enthusiast) it is TTC +7 points. That leaves 13 points to work with. Hoosier R6's = +10 points. Going from 245mm stock rear to 275mm = +4 points which would punt me into TTB. I don't think many of the R compund tires come in a 265mm/18.

As far as a dyno reclass, I need to weigh the car. Should have done that at CMP last weekend. I think the published weight is 3300. I weigh 190. I think published whp is 260. Actual is probably a little less. That might could get me into TTD with 245's.

Anyway, I'll need a few weekends in DE-4 and then I'll think about it. My Hankook RS-3's will be on the way out by then and I'll just need to find the right size r-compound that won't put me up a class.

 

If you go the dyno re-class route get a dyno first, then send it out to the TT Director w/ proper documentation, then try to get the car to the weight allowed.

Weight is everything, do whatever you can to lower it. I can't imagine running my car at 3500lbs, it would be harder on brakes, tires, acceleration, cornering.....everything (duh). I'm no expert but running 245 tires on a 3100lb car vs 3500lb is much different in terms of grip and wear.

As others have said, TT is a whole different ball game. You will push yourself much more and take more risks.

Once you go this route you need to think about safety too. Get a rollbar, racing, seat, harness, and HANS device. If you do all that you may as well gut the car, now your car is 200lbs lighter and way safer.

The way you approach a weekend may also change. You only need 1 quick lap per day and that usually comes in the first session of the day. I usually do a warm up lap, then pump myself up to do 2 quick laps, then cool the car down a couple of laps and try 2 hard laps again. Then don't get too greedy, if you try to go too fast/hard on greasy tires/hot brakes and go off you may loose your best opportunity by getting DQ'd.

I love TT, it's like autox on steroids!