This will be for a 2005 350z making ~280 to the wheels and spending 95% of its life on the track. Recommendations from any frequent track drivers?

 

I would imagine the standard ATF fluid would get the job done here. If anything maybe upgrade your power steering cooler but that doesn't seem like it would be necessary either.

 

Nissan Motorsports offers a larger PS cooler if your Z doesn't already have one. For PS fluid, I've used Redline PS fluid in both street and race Z33s.

 

Based on my research this unit is the same as comically overpriced NISMO PS cooler "upgrade"

Replacing the stock cooler is on my list of "to do" projects. I've recently started to notice the PS fluid is boiling on track days. Not sure if its the warmth of FL or if I'm just working the wheel harder because my tires aren't R-Compounds and aren't very wide either (245). It never really entered my mind that you could overheat PS fluid because I assumed even on track your not turning *that* much

 

Wow, boiling PS fluid is something I have never encountered in my 15 track days (over the course of 9 months).

Even when the ambient temps were 90+ I did not notice boiling in my BMW.

What fluid are you using?

 

Stock Nissan stuff currently.

 

Running Redline synthetic PS fluid here with an upgraded cooler.

 

Did you do this as preventative maintenance or because your fluid was boiling at the track?

My car's first track day is Sunday. It has been sitting for 6 years in a warehouse and has done about 100 miles of driving since then. So we will see what issues surface

 

I would be more worried about brake fluid. For tracking you need racing fluid and because brake fluid itself absorbs water (which boils!) over time I would be swapping it out for sure on a 6 year old vehicle. Also checking the calipers, pads and rotors to ensure they are in excellent condition. On track you will be working your brakes HARD.

 

Yes, every fluid in the car that can be replaced has been. Brand new rotors and pads too. Just finished padding the roll cage and installing the fire extinguisher, so should be ready to go. Leaving safety for last!

 

Sounds well sorted then have fun!

 

As preventative maintenance (and a good excuse for an upgrade!). Boiling fluid hasn't happened to me but i have heard of fluid making messes in engine bays with caps flying off never to be seen again, not to mention possibly leaving fluid at the track (no bueno).

 

Understandable. The power steering fluid is the 1 fluid I have not yet replaced. So I will upgrade to a higher boiling point fluid.

 

After a bit of research I decided to buy this oil for my track Z. Definitively better than the oem oil.
https://www.motul.com/de/en/products/dexron-iii

Another alternative would be this one (a little higher flash point but a noticeably worse viscosity index, which is mostly more important):
Castrol Transmax Dex III Multivehicle mit Smooth Drive Technology

So I'd still recommend the motul.

 

First track day in the car went well. Threw a throttle position sensor code which put the car into a limp. Disconnected the battery for 10min then ran my remaining 4 sessions without any issues.

Power steering seemed to be fine. Ambient tempts were 70 and the track was very fast and wide open, so there was minimal steering at steep angles. The fluid is still old and dirty and needs to be changed. Will come back with what I decide to go with.