From Stance to Track - 06' 350z Log/Build
06-23-2014, 09:56 AM
#21
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Well, I got to drive the car a lot over the weekend. It feels much better than when it was slammed. Unfortunately, I got nothing accomplished as far as modifications go. I am planning on getting some work done tonight. I leave Friday for Putnam Motorsports Park. Can't wait. I am extremely excited. Only a couple of things left to do before we go. Really enjoying the car now that I am able to drive it and not leave it on jack stands!
06-24-2014, 06:36 AM
#22
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Alright, I was able to finally install the gauges last night. It became quite an adventure (get to that in a minute). The gauges work perfectly. I am very happy with them. They also match the factory gauge color very well.
Now - for the part that gets interesting. As you can see in the pictures, the combination gauge is working properly...that didn't last too long. I made a stupid mistake and didn't cover the back of the circuit board and it shorted out. Smoke was coming out of the dash - it was terrible. Such a n00b mistake. Oh well - I ordered another one and it should be here next week. I will make sure that doesn't happen again. Anyways - on to the pictures!
Day Color
Night Color
Night time driving
Now - for the part that gets interesting. As you can see in the pictures, the combination gauge is working properly...that didn't last too long. I made a stupid mistake and didn't cover the back of the circuit board and it shorted out. Smoke was coming out of the dash - it was terrible. Such a n00b mistake. Oh well - I ordered another one and it should be here next week. I will make sure that doesn't happen again. Anyways - on to the pictures!
Day Color
Night Color
Night time driving
Last edited by Carfreak70852; 06-24-2014 at 06:37 AM.
06-25-2014, 05:37 AM
#23
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Last night I was able to get more work done :woot:
I installed my adjustable upper control arms, and new brake pads for the Rotoras. Install went well - was really easy. I am going today to get an alignment. I believe I am going with:
F: -2.8 Camber (or around there); 0 Toe; Factory Caster
R: -2.0 (or as much as I can get); 0 Toe
The brake pads are Rotora H6 pads. They are their aggressive track pad.
On to the pictures
I installed my adjustable upper control arms, and new brake pads for the Rotoras. Install went well - was really easy. I am going today to get an alignment. I believe I am going with:
F: -2.8 Camber (or around there); 0 Toe; Factory Caster
R: -2.0 (or as much as I can get); 0 Toe
The brake pads are Rotora H6 pads. They are their aggressive track pad.
On to the pictures
06-30-2014, 07:41 AM
#28
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Thanks man! The gauges came in handy at the track!
Thanks! I definitely do need to post more pictures. I will try to get some here soon.
06-30-2014, 07:53 AM
#29
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Track day #1:
Overall - it went well.
To start, the car did very well on the trip to Indiana (about a 400mi trip). Towing the tire trailer was no problem for the Z. Very happy with the way that turned out.
So, before I made the trip to IN, I noticed my belts were looking pretty bad. I didn't have enough time to replace them before our trip - so I had to risk it. I made it most of the way to IN before the first belt broke. The A/C stopped and I was sad. No big deal. Kept going and replaced the belts in the hotel parking lot. That was all good. Well, I found out that truthfully, God didn't want me to have A/C for this trip because during the first session - some track debris hit my oil cooler and punctured the A/C condenser (SWEET!) so now I get to replace that.
Overall impressions of the car: The car did very well. I feel like it could use a small bump in power, wider front tires, and an alignment change. I experienced a lot of understeer throughout the day. I do have some small front tires, but I plan to change that. Otherwise, the car was great. My fastest lap was a 1:23.6 - slightly slower than I was in the G37. I think track conditions had a lot to do with it. The day was very humid, rainy, and hot!
If anyone has any suggestions on understeer or see something I am doing wrong, let me know!
Here is a video of my fastest lap and some pictures!
Overall - it went well.
To start, the car did very well on the trip to Indiana (about a 400mi trip). Towing the tire trailer was no problem for the Z. Very happy with the way that turned out.
So, before I made the trip to IN, I noticed my belts were looking pretty bad. I didn't have enough time to replace them before our trip - so I had to risk it. I made it most of the way to IN before the first belt broke. The A/C stopped and I was sad. No big deal. Kept going and replaced the belts in the hotel parking lot. That was all good. Well, I found out that truthfully, God didn't want me to have A/C for this trip because during the first session - some track debris hit my oil cooler and punctured the A/C condenser (SWEET!) so now I get to replace that.
Overall impressions of the car: The car did very well. I feel like it could use a small bump in power, wider front tires, and an alignment change. I experienced a lot of understeer throughout the day. I do have some small front tires, but I plan to change that. Otherwise, the car was great. My fastest lap was a 1:23.6 - slightly slower than I was in the G37. I think track conditions had a lot to do with it. The day was very humid, rainy, and hot!
If anyone has any suggestions on understeer or see something I am doing wrong, let me know!
Here is a video of my fastest lap and some pictures!
08-19-2014, 11:23 AM
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Well, it has been a couple of months now. I just returned from Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, AL. Had a great time. Car did very well (other than heat).
Next modifications will be to the cooling system. My coolant temps got way too hot (I wasn't paying enough attention/was having too much fun with that Cayman/Elise)
I ran a 1:51.1 as my best time. Happy with that, but I left a lot of time on the track. This was my first time at Barber.
I have included a video. Reminder, this is my first time on this track. (Me frantically waving was me calling off the point-by)
Next modifications will be to the cooling system. My coolant temps got way too hot (I wasn't paying enough attention/was having too much fun with that Cayman/Elise)
I ran a 1:51.1 as my best time. Happy with that, but I left a lot of time on the track. This was my first time at Barber.
I have included a video. Reminder, this is my first time on this track. (Me frantically waving was me calling off the point-by)
Last edited by Carfreak70852; 08-19-2014 at 11:24 AM.
08-20-2014, 08:06 AM
#35
thank you for rescuing this Z, first and foremost. Stanced, fatface gayillest hella*** is the worst fad to ever happen to the Z community.
2nd everthing looks awesome man, interesting choice on the re11. Ive found them to be a bit disconnected at the track. Ive switched over to MPSS
2nd everthing looks awesome man, interesting choice on the re11. Ive found them to be a bit disconnected at the track. Ive switched over to MPSS
08-20-2014, 08:11 AM
#36
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My cooling system is stock, other than my oil cooler.
The first session I was able to run through completely. The next 3 weren't so great. I had to do multiple cool down laps.
Oil temperature stayed right at 240* (okay with that)
Coolant temperature would creep up to 240* (NOT okay with that)
thank you for rescuing this Z, first and foremost. Stanced, fatface gayillest hella*** is the worst fad to ever happen to the Z community.
2nd everthing looks awesome man, interesting choice on the re11. Ive found them to be a bit disconnected at the track. Ive switched over to MPSS
2nd everthing looks awesome man, interesting choice on the re11. Ive found them to be a bit disconnected at the track. Ive switched over to MPSS
I actually upgraded to NT01s. They are much better (obviously). I really liked the RE11s. I had good luck with them. They are now my DD tires. I wouldn't say they are the best tire for track - though.
08-20-2014, 08:13 AM
#37
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Oh, I forgot to mention - the A/C condenser was replaced a week after it was broken. Fortunately at that time I had a DD so I didn't sweat my ballz off.
08-20-2014, 08:26 AM
#38
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Alright so, I have neglected this thread for some time now. I am going to do a small update.
I have a front end pop. I don't know what it is from. So I replaced a lot of parts up there. I replaced inner and outer tie rods, and wheel bearings on both sides. There is a lot less popping, but I still have a pretty decent pop. I am looking at other options. Not sure what to do next.
Other than that, I changed the oil to Mobile 1 Euro formula. 0w-30.
Not much else to report. Enjoy pictures.
I have a front end pop. I don't know what it is from. So I replaced a lot of parts up there. I replaced inner and outer tie rods, and wheel bearings on both sides. There is a lot less popping, but I still have a pretty decent pop. I am looking at other options. Not sure what to do next.
Other than that, I changed the oil to Mobile 1 Euro formula. 0w-30.
Not much else to report. Enjoy pictures.
