Hey guys

First of all I beg your forgiveness, these questions have probably been asked a thousand times already.

I took my bay out to the track for the first time, what a rush. Now as you can well imagine I'm ken for a few upgrades here and there, and have a question or two.

First, where do all these Mods stand with the warranty issue, I'm thinking cat back exhaust, cold air intake, upgrading brakes and 19'' rims/tires.

Anybody in NoVa who can recommend a reputable speed shop to do some of the work.

Where do I start - my logic was to start with the brakes, road racing being what it is, its all in the braking, or should I start improving performance?

Which MODS give the most bang for the buck?

Brake upgrade, can you go rotors then calipers or must you upgrade both at the same time?

The questions I guess show more than a tad of ignorance, bear with me I'm just trying to size up square one.

Thanks

Andy
Chrome Silver Touring
Big shopping list

 

I doubt any dealer would give you any trouble for warranty work if you have a CAI or cat-back exhaust, there are even dealers out there selling/installing intakes and exhausts for the Z...warranty work can only be denied if the dealer proves the mod is what caused the problem...

 

Brakes are definitely a good place to start, and while you may not see significantly reduced stopping distances, you will most likely have higher confidence which can really help.

While in theory you could upgrade rotors and calipers at separate times, I don't think it works well in practice. The reason is that the rotors and calipers are typically sized to match eachother (to some extent at least) so you can't really go up a size in rotor unless you already have the matching caliper.

Also, I would recommend getting a kit that has some research behind its design with respect to balance and pedal feel.

The stoptech kit is the one I've heard most about, but there are others out there as well. From what I've seen, the 13" front brake upgrade seems to be the best bang for the buck. Any larger kit will mainly just add unsprung weight, but will definitely look cool and will keep temperatures lower (but that may not be necessary).

The standard, non-brembo rear pads wear out pretty quickly, but are cheap and easy to replace at home, so they shouldn't be a large concern.

In addition to the brakes I would recommend a Nismo S-Tune suspension kit (or similar) to help reduce the understeer.

As far as power adders, at this point I haven't seen anything that really strikes me, except for perhaps the Borla exaust and Doug's Headers (maybe Borla's as well, depending on how they look). Intakes seem to have minimal gains, but maybe can help get you ready for future mods.

If you are going to compete for track times, then a set of lightweight wheels and racing tires will be critical. For just pure fun, I'd stick with mods that you can enjoy on the street as well. In that sense, suspension tweaks and a sweet sounding exhaust (stock sound, but louder) would be tops on my list.

-D'oh!

 

The one mod that gives you the best bang for the buck is more seat time. Commit yourself to at least another track event and build yourself as a driver before you build the car.

One thing that you mentioned that I'd stay away from is the 19" rims and tires. You'll gain ~2-5lbs. rotational mass at each corner with that size rim; thus slowing your car down.

How'd you like Summit in the rain? That surface sure does get slick when it gets wet.

As for shop recommendations, the only people I trust to work on my car around here (aside from myself) are James and Mike G. from CDE (now Ultimate). My suggestion is to attempt to do the work yourself that way you can familiarize yourself with the basic mechanics of your car.

 

Well it appears I’m not too far off the mark with the brake theory at least. From the pics onsite the 19'' rims do look rather sharp, but that was a strikingly pragmatic response with regard to rotational weight - that aspect just had not struck me.

I am planning to get back in the "seat” ASAP, as often as work, budget and cancellations allow, at least once a month I hope. Also considering Skip Barber et al (any thoughts on other schools) - the bug has bitten deep and hard!!

The point was very very very cool. After years of watching motorsport, to be taking my first steps (small though they were) from spectator to driver was a great thrill. Slick frankly was not the word, but as one instructor pointed out those conditions really were a great learning environment, and tempered my right foot. I hated turn four, the chute would not compute in my brain, I really felt I need to brake and downshift, not until session four did I get it anywhere near right, loved turn 3, and 6,7,8,9,10 - awesome complex.

I'm also wishing that I'd gone with the track model for the track, maybe next year, although I love my baby - wondering if up rated calipers and the Nisimo S tune might just give me a little more confidence.

If I stay away from the 19'' monsters, would you consider changing out to lighter 18'' rims and alternative gripier tires?

Will a K&N filter make any differnce at all? Can I install alternative metallic? pads?

Where are Ultimate based?

I used to have no worries tackling almost anything on the cars of my youth, but I'm just a little nervous in tackling the Z - I hate myself for dropping a clanger - but that’s a good point.

Thanks again for the opinions and advice

Andy

 

So T4 psyched you out eh? LOL, it seems to do that to a lot of people, but no one told me that so I love that turn! Off camber full throttle in 4th... wheeeee!!!! However, that can only be done in the dry. Your instructor was right though, having a wet surface really teaches you to handle your car better and be really smooth with the accelerator.

As for wheels, yes, staying with lighter 18" wheels will yield better results at the track (less unsprung weight is your friend). In regards to your brakes, I don't know which pad will benefit your size since I have the Brembos, however, there are other people on this board who do have experience with different pads. I have never been impressed with Axxis Ultimates, but that's my opinion. I will suggest that you flush out the brake fluid with some ATE Super Blue though. HTH.