Hey guys,
I am new to the forum and first I would like to say that I am impressed with the forum and I have found it extremely usefull in maintaining my Track Model Z and thank you all for your input.

I purchased the track model to be able to enjoy some track days that my car club here in Houston go to, but I find my self less then impressed with the Z cars handling. I think that for the money the car is great, but I would like to get it really dialed in. There are a lot of posts about HP and Rims here but what I would like is to see some different set-ups you have done to make your Z handle like a true sports car.

My car is still completely stock and I find that it has too much understeer intially, and then has a tendency to switch really quickly to an oversteer around the tighter curves even when you are reserved on the throttle. Higher speed turns it handles beutifully, but it is rather dependent an a smooth surface. It is time to go shopping, but I would really like to see the tested and tried set-ups you have.

Thanks again for a great forum and I hope to figure out how to get the Z dialed in!

 

tires (and wheels if you are so inclined) should be your #1 mod, followed by a means to adjust front and rear camber and rear toe. From there, figure out what the car is doing that you don't like. There is no mystery to setting the car up, it just becomes a balancing act of budget/time/driving style. Took me a little while of playing with some different components to get mine to handle as I want, but the end result was well worth it - it is the second most neutral car I've ever been in

 

I agree. When I first bought my Z a couple of years ago, at first I was disappointed in the handling and missed my Miata. Then I changed wheels/tires and it became a whole new car.

 

Welcome. If you are an inexperienced racer, go to autocross and the track half a dozen times, then make a decision about the set-up.

If you are an experienced racer, you already know what to do.

 

Use the search feature. Believe me we don't only talk about rims and HP lol.

 

A stock Z shouldn't snap into oversteer without provocation. Make sure it's aligned properly and have the correct tire pressure (35psi all around).

If it's still unstable, somebody is doing something wrong...

By the way, some steady state understeer with lift-throttle oversteer is a good thing in most situations.

 

Thanks for your replies guys I really do appreciate it I guess I should work on my search skills!

I have tried to find a thread on what tire size and rim size works for the Z but, again, all I found was what offset to use for 20" rims. I am assuming that 18 is ok although 17 might be better. Either way I guess a wider tire both front and back would be the way to go. I see alot of guys putting very wide tires in the back but I assume that this would just increase the understeer even more. Do you guys have prooven setup?

Z1 what components would you recommend for adjusting adjust front and rear camber and rear toe? I am new to this car and not sure what aftermarket components I should be looking at.

Davidv I would not say that I am the most experienced racer but, but I have been faster then what I am in the Z. As it is a new car to me I am just looking for someone to point me in the right direction.

Kolia I agree that the understeer into oversteer is not a bad thing, but it snaps over and is very hard to controll so I would like to tone that down a bit.

Again thanks for your suggestions.

O

 

both a 17 or 18 will work fine. More options for aggressive 18's compared to 17's, but options are out there for both

There are basically 2 schools for making them handle. That can involve running staggered or non staggered tires. I subscribe to the school of thought that neither is better not worse, just different. The rest of your setup and tuning will determine how well it all works.

I personally run staggered 18's, as I much prefer it style wise as compared to non staggered setups. I also do not like how slow the turn in response gets with the big tires and how much heavier feeling the car gets. Others will say the non staggered is the best thing since sliced bread. Neither is better.

If your stock car has snap oversteer, you're either not taking the right line (or getting on or off the gas at the wrong times), or you are horribly out of alignment. As stock, they understeer when pushed to the limit unless its wet out, or if you lift at the apex.

For front/rear camber, I run the Cusco front arms and some custom rear toe links and lateral links that are not commercially available - but the best setup out there is SPC for sure for the rear as it gives a ton of adjustment and is very inexpensive

I've got loads of other stuff done suspension wise, from bushings to coilovers to wheels, sways, lower arm bars, etc. I would not say there is a defined "ultimate" setup, as alot of it has to do with you as a driver, and of course, your going to be facing the limitations of the tire you run

 

Exactly.

Octogoogles if your Z snaps between over/under steer, do check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure will have the tires roll on its side wall and you'll loose grip all at once.

I don't know what your background and previous cars are but the Z is generally praised for it's handling, steering feel/feedback and ease to power slide by most automotive magasines.

What tires are you running anyways?