Am in the process of selling my WRX and have decided on a 350 Enthusiast. I am trying to budget for next season and wondering what is the list of mods and in what order. Shocks- Koni's, ??
Front Sway Bar - Model??. I have read all the threads on tires. I will be running B-Stock
Thank you for your help.

 

Why would you want to modify it right away before even running it at a few events? There are Konis and about 5 different front sway bars available for the car, you'll have to experiment and find which bar you like the best, although they're almost all the same size. Search around and there's a thread that has specs on the Stillen, Hotchkis, 350 EVO, Cusco and Nismo.

 

I didn't say I was modding right away. Just asking for suggestions. I appreciate your suggestions on the sway bars.
A little information ahead of time is helpful .

 

I'd like to think the Enthusiast is the car of choice, as it's running on 17s and is the lightest Z with the VLSD. Both years the highest finishing 350Z at Nationals has been an Enthusiast model.

The Koni Yellows along with 275/40R17 Hoosiers seem to be standard. Only a few people have revalved them, but I haven't so I couldn't tell you if it helps or not. And there's always the higher end shocks like Motons or Penskes if you feel like spending even more money.

Sway bars on the other hand are probably more difficult as there are so many types. From what I've been reading, the 350EVO.com solid 34mm bar is the one to have. I'm trying a hollow 35mm Cusco bar now, and am going to switch to the solid EVO bar as soon as they're available.

Then for alignments, there are probably 4-5 threads between this forum and the Suspension forum discussing alignment preferences.

Good job on selling your WRX and getting into a Z! I've autocrossed a bunch of cars and none are as much fun as the Z. Several national caliber drivers have driven my car and said "Holy cow!! That thing is awesome to drive!" The high speed stability is excellent as well, which makes it really easy to control on fast courses. It really is a blast to drive, not many cars are competitive and really exciting to autocross at the same time.

 

Hollow Cusco? I thought Cuscos were solid.

 

You tell me! I remember a thread a while back that had specs on about 5 different 350Z sway bars. I couldn't remember if the Cusco was solid or hollow, and after an hour of searching this forum, for the life of me I couldn't find that thread. The place I bought it from said it was hollow, but it's not a 350Z shop so I wouldn't be suprised if they were wrong. Either way I'd like to know.. I suppose I could wait till Monday when mine arrives and see for myself.

 

Thanks PhoenixZ33, That was the info I was looking for. I greatly appreciate your response. Is that 275/40's all around? Even on the 7.5 front rim? Hoosiers are not in the budget I am probably thinking Kuhmos.

 

That's the size people are using on the 7.5" wheel. I have some 275s, and also a set of 245/40R17 Hoosiers as well. I have never seen anyone use a 275/40 in another brand, like the Kumho 710 or Victoracer V700s. I asked if any other 274/40s will work and the response I got was "Why would you use anything other than a Hoosier.." You could always go with a 255 Victoracer V700 as well if they have that size. I personally think the 245/40 is a little small, and can't guarantee a 275/40R17 from another brand (710, Avon, Victoracer) will fit.

 

here is the order i recommend...

tires - you choose the compound, but run 245/275 stagger
sways - you choose the company, i run nismos
brakes - if you have the track, upgrade pads. if you don't, get a front/rear brake kit...i run stoptech 332 fronts and am working on the rears
suspension - i think the stock suspension is 'good enough' wut would like to a a bit of negative camber, cheapest way is to drop the car .5-1 inch...i have nothing yet, but am thinking of going koni/rsr or nismo

after that, if you want to add power i would recommend:

intake - jwt
plenum - crawford
headers - you choose, they all run about the same...i run stillen
test pipes - loud, but give you top end kick...again stillen
exhaust - i prefer true dual, but this is a negligible gain other than acoustics...stillen again
ECU - this is the most important....this will give you better response and 100% performance out of mods...

i also run a pulley, grounding kit, and other tidbits...but the overall effect is neglible.

if you want serious power, go fi at the sacrifice of longevity...

have fun...

 

I don't know if that's the best list for autocrossing, since most AutoX events are about 75% driver dependent. Things like Stoptech big brake kits, intake plenums, pulleys and forced induction will yield very small gains. Not to mention half that stuff won't gain enough to make the car competitive in the class it'll be thrown into as a result of using it. Konis, big front bar and Hoosiers are all you need!

 

true, true....but that is why i said If you were after some power. in the end, i've netted prolly only 20-25 rwhp, but my power curve is much flatter and consistent than it used to be. plus, i run track sessions where brake kits are required to ensure deep, consistent braking...which is where i make most of my time up on some of those other 'bigger' cars.

 

Hey Phoenix,

Which Konis do you use and where do I find these hoosiers ?


How much do the 17's help over 18's ? I have a track model with stock 18's. The stock tires have like no traction so I'm kindof nervous about doing an autox with them. Just wondering if its worth getting 17's for autoX (and is there anythign that will fit over the Brembos) ?

 

I guess you don't autocross. Autocross is racing on cone-outlined courses on skidpads or parking lots, MUCH different than track driving. Even at that, a good driver in a relatively stock 350Z can put the hurtin' on most cars event at track events. You could probably cut that list in half, execute the remaining mods properly and have the same result. Anyways, back to autocrossing..

 

The Koni Yellow is the common shock/strut for autocrossing, not just for Z guys, but for pretty much everyone. There are cheaper and more expensive brands, but the Koni Yellow seems to be the best thing for the money. Tirerack.com, 350EVO.com and a few other places sell them.

I get my Hoosiers either from Tirerack.com or used from the Corvette guys... lol. 275/40R17 is the front tire size the Z06 Corvette uses, and at least in my region there seems to be no shortage of guys selling almost new tires. New from Tirerack they're $236 each, I usually find used ones with one or two races on them for 80-100 bucks each. You can also use the 245/40R17 size. The Hoosier tire is called the A3S04. The R3S04 is the road race compound and while it'll work, it's not as good as the A model. There are other brands too; the Avon Tech R, Kumho V710, Kumho Victoracer etc. All work, all have their advantages and disadvantages.

Since you have a track model, it depends what class you want to run in, if you use 17s or 18s. If your car is stock and you run B Stock, you have to run the stock size track wheels. I don't know what he common sizes that are being used for the 18s.. there's a thread in this forum already talking about that.

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=94076

The only real advantage I see to switching to 17s is the cost of tires. Like I said, if your car is stock and you want to run stock class, you have to stay on the 18s. If you don't care, getting a seperate set of track wheels with Hoosiers on them is a good idea, as you can't cruise around on Hoosiers daily, I don't even drive to the track with them on. A friend of mine runs 5Zigen FN01RC wheels, in 17x8" on his G35 Coupe with the Brembos.. those 17's easily clear the Brembo calipers.

 

I was thinking of second set of tires/wheels but Why cant you drive on the hoosiers ?

 

They're too soft, by the time you get to the track the tire would be covered in nails, wood chips, rocks, pop can tabs and other junk they'll pick up from the street. Punctures are hard to fix properly, and they don't have tread, like at all. You can drive on the street with the Kumho Victoracers, those will be fine.

 

no, i do not - why run around cones when i can run on a full track? =)

j/k, autocross is cool...just not my thing. and you are right, dirver is everything, whether on track or in an autrocross event.

 

Because auto-x is more fun.

The tire to have is the 275/40/17 kumho 710 on all 4 corners this is not an opinion in any way, this is a fact.

Here are my planned mods for my 350z I'm going to run nationally in BS in 05

Jic Y pipe to straight pipe this saves you an amazing 50 lbs

volk ce 28n 17's in stock size and offset saves you 8 lbs per corner.

koni Yellows may save a little weight not sure.

Hotchkis hollow 35mm FSB save 6 lbs.

Carbotech bobcat brake pads w/ super blue fluid.

that is 80lbs savings which is alot.

I corner weighted my car last night and got 3246 with me in the car stock 1/4 gas. I see the car weighing right at 3000 lbs auto-x
prepped.

 

Heh, different strokes for different folks...

As for your corner weight of the Z, I didn't think they were that light, and that aside how do you expect to lose 246 lbs? I have jettisoned all unnessary weight and know that I am well over 3100 w/o myself in the car.

-Rich

 

i weigh 160 so I acutally only expect to drop around 80- 90 lbs. the 3246 was with me and the 3000lbs goal was without me. Sorry for being so confusing.