I'll be re-weighing the car tomorrow. I thought about weighing just the hatch but I don't feel like removing it and potentially damaging it just to get the weight. The overall weight should give me the numbers I need.

 

So two days ago it was 80 degrees and now it's snowing. Didn't feel like spending a lot of time in the garage but did weigh the cf hatch and it came in at 35 lbs on my crappy luggage scale. The stock came in at 75 lbs before, but scale only goes to 80 so not sure it's exactly accurate. Nonetheless, it's at least 40 lbs lighter. Tomorrow should be warmer, I'll try to do new corner weights.

 

Finally got around to weighing the car. The last weight was before I did the wing, rear diffuser and trans cooler. The weight subtracting fuel weight and without me in the car was 2981 lbs, now it's 2926 lbs, so net savings of 55 lbs. Between the wing, the cooler and pump and diffuser I'm probably adding 20 lbs to the back so from just window and hatch swap I'd say one can expect 75-80 lbs savings, probably a bit more if they did quarter windows. My front axle weight went down by 26 lbs, that's mostly windshield and wiper assembly weight difference. The rear axle weight went down by 29 lbs. With me in the car and 3/4 tank fuel the cross weighs are still within 1% (49.51% vs 50.49%) but at some point I'll readjust the suspension to get it closer to zero. Might wait and do a lightweight battery first.

Picture without me but with 90 lbs of fuel in the tank

 

thats cool, a lightweight battery is a easy way to pickup some more weight savings. I just did one, its amazing. Doesnt even feel real.

 

which one is that? The one listed for a 350Z application is $830. Yikes.

 

The other day found the rear view mirror that installer glued to the new windshield on the floor. Apparently the glue they use for mirror mounts on glass doesn't work on plastic windows. I emailed P4P about glue recommendations but didn't get a response. Ended up making a bracket to mount the mirror off the roof panel, but because the roof sheet metal is flexible it was causing the whole thing to vibrate, so I glued in a rubber spacer between the mount and the windshield to keep the mount from flexing. This allowed me to mount the mirror lower for better rear visibility. Hopefully this will work well on the track, but I won't know for sure for a couple of weeks, first event as Summit Point coming up on the 11th.

 

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...sp?RecID=28337

its about $300, much better! The oem battery I had had 600 CCA, this one is 680 and fires it right up. you do need to buy a special charger for it too

 

That's not bad, thanks for the link! Any problems with an oem alternator charging the battery while driving?

 

that was my first thought too, how does the alternator work with that battery?

 

so far so good, I havent ran it on track yet. we will see!

 

Hey Hoon, SCCA time trials is coming this weekend to VIR! Still able to enter since its capped at 140 and I think its getting close to that number! A friend of mine are both running our Z's in Tuner 3 class.

 

I'll be at Summit this weekend with my Audi buddies. We have the track for the weekend and all of 60 people signed up. Should be plenty of track for everyone.

 

Just got back from Summit. Started to snow in the afternoon so everyone pack it in early. Otherwise good weekend.

Windows stayed attached to the car and no major issues there. There is some visible distortion when looking thru them at an angle, but I don't really notice it when driving.

The brake cooling scoops survived intact so the material is strong enough and heat resistant enough, although it was freezing cold, so probably not the best test.

It was so cold that I was struggling to get the tires to grip all weekend, it would take 5-6 laps to get any grip at all and even then it was not what it should be. I did manage a high 1:23 time just a few tenths off my best, but that's about it. Not sure if the tires are just getting cycled out (quite possible) or if they are not liking the freezing temps. Also, I was running a higher wing angle of 9 degrees vs. usual 5. I increased it in attempt to make up for decreased rear weight, but that seemed to be a mistake. I felt like I paid with decreased front grip instead. So next time the wing is going back to 5 degrees and no more.

I didn't realize that the new lower rear view mirror location obscures the view of the camera, so my videos are total crap this time around. Also the mirror is still shaking quite a bit so I'll have to figure out a better mounting solution. Not sure what though....

 

Since my inside videos suck, here's one my buddy was taking trackside

 

Video from my friend's car. It's a Cayman GTS. This was his first time running in combined black/red group that included instructors. He was very excited to be there :P I give him a pass and watch him overdrive his car all over the place. Eventually he gives up and gives the pass back

 

After event inspection revealed that the front left brake pad is worn down, the caliper is stuck and the tire is corded. So I guess the Akebono calipers lasted 3 years. I ordered another rebuilt set as I hate doing caliper rebuild and Summit has them for $180 /pair. Also got a couple new Goodyear 3Rs for the front, since the 3 remaining tires appear to have some meat left on them.

 

Got all the parts to replace front calipers. Also got last two sets of PFC pads for this fitment in existence. They are no longer made. Once these two sets are gone I'll have to find a substitute.

 

$180? that is damn cheap. I paid $400 for some originals. Good to know there are replacement options.. I'm glad I went this route instead of the wilwoods.

 

Yup. Wasn't sure what I'd get, but these appear to be correct. There is a $90 core charge, so I'll need to return the old ones.
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Just FYI- Amazon prices fluctuate depending on market conditions. I jumped on these after a quick parts number search: front/rear calipers, pads, adapter bracket, rotors, syn fluid was less than $700 total. No core required.
Previously had rebuilt Brembos, the Akebonos (if they truly are or not) stops better, at least on streets IMO.

Beautifully executed rear mirror mount, was that 3d printed?