Buttonwillow Track day and finally full Nismo S-Tune review.
03-22-2003, 10:55 PM
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Buttonwillow Track day and finally full Nismo S-Tune review.
First let me say it was great meeting 2 more members from the my350.com board. Dkmura was great to talk to and get some insights from his many years of racing experience and it was also cool to meet Integrate and talk about our Z's as well. I am not yet going to post any pics from the event because there was an "incident" involving a Z and I think that in the interest of the owner's privacy it's up to him/her if he/she wants to post them and share what happened. There was one other Z there, but I really didn't get a chance to talk to the owner at all and I don't see his car on the scoreing sheets.
I am also going to take this opportunity to do a full and proper right up of the Nismo S-Tune Suspension kit. I have written about it's transforming the car in street applications, but is it track worthy??
I left my house at about 4:30 in the morning for the 2 hour drive to the track. Traffic was light and we made it there by 6:30 even with eating breakfast. We waited at the track gate for a few minutes before the track opened. I had caravaned up there with my friend in his Mazdaspeed Protege for his first track day. We watched as the myriad of S2K's, Vettes, and WRX's pulled up for the days events. I pulled into the track and grabbed a good pit spot (one close to the bathroom!) and prepaired the car for the days action. I had to hurry because I was instructing for my friend and one other student.
To prepare the Z for track use is pretty straighforward; remove the spare and all the tools, bleed the brakes (I already had put the Hawk HP+ front pads in at home, I only use these pads for track days and put the HPS's back in for street), set the cold tire pressure to 30lbs lt side and 31lbs rt side for this counter clockwise track day, re-torque the lug nuts, attach the timing transponder, and that's about it.
Usually Speedventures runs three groups, Red for the fast guys, white for the intermediate drivers, and yellow for the beginners. Thankfully, they split the Red group in two this time and added a blue group for fast drivers that weren't in the fastest cars. It's hard to get in a clear lap when you constantly have 500hp, race tired, Vipers constantly wanting to get by you. I ran in Blue and that worked very well. I got at least 4 or 5 clear laps in every session but the 2nd one where I didn't get a single clear lap because I got out late.
The first session was a learning experience. I have run this track many times, but never in this configuration and only once before in counter clockwise form. The configuration we ran was #14. It has a lot of character with a few elevation changes, a fairly long fast straight (saw 124mph on the digi speedo), a fast (90mph) banked corner, and some blind entries with decreasing radius. There is also only one wall to hit and there is plenty of runoff if you screw up (unfortunately, one person always finds that wall.) It's technical, but you can be awarded for attacking and a little bit of cojones helps as well. I had a best lap in the first session of a 2:09.6 and I was pretty satisfied with that as I was just learning the track and how to string the corners together.
Next I helped my students. I had one ride in the car with me and the other follow me at a moderate pace so they could learn the line. We then had them switch places. Pretty cool as always to help out the first timers and introduce them to a very addictive hobby.
Second session I got to the line late and just had to pass a lot of cars. I never got a clean lap and actually went slower than my 1st session at about a 2:10.1, kinda dissapointing. I made it a point to get to the line early on the third session and I was rewarded with a good string of clear laps. I got my time down to a 2:08 flat. The day was getting hotter and I was letting air out of the tires between every session. The Z seems to respond best if you can keep the tires at 40lbs and no more hot. Come in from your session and immediately bleed the tires. The track was getting hotter as well and it seemed to be losing a bit of grip.
The 4th session came up and the traffic had thinned a bit. Seemed like a few people left and we also lost a few cars to mechanicals (WRX's love to blow up). I got a good string of about 5 clear laps in a row although my best lap was blown by a RX7 that balked me on the last turn. I ultimately ended up with a 2:07.2, but I am confident that I could have run a mid/high 2:06 if that lap had been clear to the end. Oh well, that is what next time is for. Well how good is that lap? I was the fastest timed Z and I was also the fasted "T6" class car (the Z06 here is obviously in the wrong class, should be T4).
Times by Class
I raced that damn A4 all day long. Damn those race tires help. By my estimates, race tires are good for about 8 seconds (about 6% and maybe up to a 10%) on a track like this.
Here are the overall results by laptime as well to see where the Z compares overall:
Overall Lap Times
Not a bad showing for the Z. So what's in store for my car? Race rubber for sure, remove passenger seat (ran a full interior), race shell driver's seat, intake, exhaust, and the Dastek ECU. We must defend the Z honor from those pesky S2K guys (all actually really great guys in person.)
Part II Nismo S-Tune review.
I have written past posts praising the Nismo S-Tune suspension on the street. It seemed to ride nearly as well as the stock suspension although it did eliminate the porpoising. It had better roll control but not overly agressive and it seemed to have totally eliminated the understeer on the street. But there is only so much you can tell on the street.
The morning track sessions were to also learn the new handling of the car as well as the track. Immediately the car felt good. My 2 benchmark cars in terms of handling are the Porsche Boxster S (w sport suspension) and my previous MR2 Spyder with TRD Sportivo suspension package. I have a lot of track miles in both these cars. While the Boxster was the better all around car because of it's greater HP, the MR2 was still no doubt, the better handler. Even though it only had 138hp, I have simply never driven another street car that could read your mind like the Mr 2. The closest thing that comes to mind was a FF1600.
The Z immediately felt good on the track. I was actually concerned that there might be too much OVERSTEER with my 255/245 tire combo. I spent some laps that I had already blown just feeling what the car would do in different situations. Brake too late in the corner; no problem, just trail off and turn in. Need to slightly tighten your line; no problem, just slightly lift off the throttle. Lifting off the throttle made absolutely no difference on the stock suspension at all. The throttle pedal is now so much more importand in controlling the car as it should be. I could use the loud pedal with such precision to just control perfect slip angles for the back tires; AMAZING!! The flatter cornering attitude also helped me feel what the car was doing as too much lean just throws me off.
In a word, the Z felt PERFECT! It is now the best street car I have ever driven on a track. The car was literally as neutral as you could ever imagine it, but with no side effects (side effects are what Porsche drivers call character). The Z would do whatever I wanted to, lap after lap, with no fear of the car turning around and biting me. This inspires great confidence and allows you to push harder. It is also much less fatigueing. Driving the stock suspended, ill handling, understeer riddled Z was just as fatigueing as driving a scary snap oversteering car. A twitchy car might be fast over one lap, but it will always lose in the long run.
So, IMHO, you can keep your fancy adjustable set ups. People love to use these at the track as an excuse of why they aren't doing well ("My suspension isn't tuned yet.") This also has the advantage of being engineered as a package, with the ARB's, Springs, and shocks all being designed to work together. While you could get a better track suspension, I think the street ride would be too harsh. Even if you had adjustable shocks, it's the spring rates that dictate much of the ride and those are not readily adjustable.
I am not the type of person that defends a product just because I bought it. I have been very critical of the stock Z's suspension setup. And that is where Track Model owners should be a little upset. Nissan should have given us Track Model buyers this suspension to begin with. I am tired of lawyers designing cars and not engineers. If Honda can afford to deliver 5000 nervous S2K's into the U.S. publics hands every year without worrying about litigation, than Nissan can afford to also. 5000 a year is about what Nissan sells of the Track Model. I also had to put another $2000 into the car to get it to this point, but the other choice was getting rid of the car, which I would have done if this kit didn't cure the handling ills of the car or if the kit wasn't available. Shame on Nissan for designing such a great product only to punk out at the end.
I am also going to take this opportunity to do a full and proper right up of the Nismo S-Tune Suspension kit. I have written about it's transforming the car in street applications, but is it track worthy??
I left my house at about 4:30 in the morning for the 2 hour drive to the track. Traffic was light and we made it there by 6:30 even with eating breakfast. We waited at the track gate for a few minutes before the track opened. I had caravaned up there with my friend in his Mazdaspeed Protege for his first track day. We watched as the myriad of S2K's, Vettes, and WRX's pulled up for the days events. I pulled into the track and grabbed a good pit spot (one close to the bathroom!) and prepaired the car for the days action. I had to hurry because I was instructing for my friend and one other student.
To prepare the Z for track use is pretty straighforward; remove the spare and all the tools, bleed the brakes (I already had put the Hawk HP+ front pads in at home, I only use these pads for track days and put the HPS's back in for street), set the cold tire pressure to 30lbs lt side and 31lbs rt side for this counter clockwise track day, re-torque the lug nuts, attach the timing transponder, and that's about it.
Usually Speedventures runs three groups, Red for the fast guys, white for the intermediate drivers, and yellow for the beginners. Thankfully, they split the Red group in two this time and added a blue group for fast drivers that weren't in the fastest cars. It's hard to get in a clear lap when you constantly have 500hp, race tired, Vipers constantly wanting to get by you. I ran in Blue and that worked very well. I got at least 4 or 5 clear laps in every session but the 2nd one where I didn't get a single clear lap because I got out late.
The first session was a learning experience. I have run this track many times, but never in this configuration and only once before in counter clockwise form. The configuration we ran was #14. It has a lot of character with a few elevation changes, a fairly long fast straight (saw 124mph on the digi speedo), a fast (90mph) banked corner, and some blind entries with decreasing radius. There is also only one wall to hit and there is plenty of runoff if you screw up (unfortunately, one person always finds that wall.) It's technical, but you can be awarded for attacking and a little bit of cojones helps as well. I had a best lap in the first session of a 2:09.6 and I was pretty satisfied with that as I was just learning the track and how to string the corners together.
Next I helped my students. I had one ride in the car with me and the other follow me at a moderate pace so they could learn the line. We then had them switch places. Pretty cool as always to help out the first timers and introduce them to a very addictive hobby.
Second session I got to the line late and just had to pass a lot of cars. I never got a clean lap and actually went slower than my 1st session at about a 2:10.1, kinda dissapointing. I made it a point to get to the line early on the third session and I was rewarded with a good string of clear laps. I got my time down to a 2:08 flat. The day was getting hotter and I was letting air out of the tires between every session. The Z seems to respond best if you can keep the tires at 40lbs and no more hot. Come in from your session and immediately bleed the tires. The track was getting hotter as well and it seemed to be losing a bit of grip.
The 4th session came up and the traffic had thinned a bit. Seemed like a few people left and we also lost a few cars to mechanicals (WRX's love to blow up). I got a good string of about 5 clear laps in a row although my best lap was blown by a RX7 that balked me on the last turn. I ultimately ended up with a 2:07.2, but I am confident that I could have run a mid/high 2:06 if that lap had been clear to the end. Oh well, that is what next time is for. Well how good is that lap? I was the fastest timed Z and I was also the fasted "T6" class car (the Z06 here is obviously in the wrong class, should be T4).
Times by Class
I raced that damn A4 all day long. Damn those race tires help. By my estimates, race tires are good for about 8 seconds (about 6% and maybe up to a 10%) on a track like this.
Here are the overall results by laptime as well to see where the Z compares overall:
Overall Lap Times
Not a bad showing for the Z. So what's in store for my car? Race rubber for sure, remove passenger seat (ran a full interior), race shell driver's seat, intake, exhaust, and the Dastek ECU. We must defend the Z honor from those pesky S2K guys (all actually really great guys in person.)
Part II Nismo S-Tune review.
I have written past posts praising the Nismo S-Tune suspension on the street. It seemed to ride nearly as well as the stock suspension although it did eliminate the porpoising. It had better roll control but not overly agressive and it seemed to have totally eliminated the understeer on the street. But there is only so much you can tell on the street.
The morning track sessions were to also learn the new handling of the car as well as the track. Immediately the car felt good. My 2 benchmark cars in terms of handling are the Porsche Boxster S (w sport suspension) and my previous MR2 Spyder with TRD Sportivo suspension package. I have a lot of track miles in both these cars. While the Boxster was the better all around car because of it's greater HP, the MR2 was still no doubt, the better handler. Even though it only had 138hp, I have simply never driven another street car that could read your mind like the Mr 2. The closest thing that comes to mind was a FF1600.
The Z immediately felt good on the track. I was actually concerned that there might be too much OVERSTEER with my 255/245 tire combo. I spent some laps that I had already blown just feeling what the car would do in different situations. Brake too late in the corner; no problem, just trail off and turn in. Need to slightly tighten your line; no problem, just slightly lift off the throttle. Lifting off the throttle made absolutely no difference on the stock suspension at all. The throttle pedal is now so much more importand in controlling the car as it should be. I could use the loud pedal with such precision to just control perfect slip angles for the back tires; AMAZING!! The flatter cornering attitude also helped me feel what the car was doing as too much lean just throws me off.
In a word, the Z felt PERFECT! It is now the best street car I have ever driven on a track. The car was literally as neutral as you could ever imagine it, but with no side effects (side effects are what Porsche drivers call character). The Z would do whatever I wanted to, lap after lap, with no fear of the car turning around and biting me. This inspires great confidence and allows you to push harder. It is also much less fatigueing. Driving the stock suspended, ill handling, understeer riddled Z was just as fatigueing as driving a scary snap oversteering car. A twitchy car might be fast over one lap, but it will always lose in the long run.
So, IMHO, you can keep your fancy adjustable set ups. People love to use these at the track as an excuse of why they aren't doing well ("My suspension isn't tuned yet.") This also has the advantage of being engineered as a package, with the ARB's, Springs, and shocks all being designed to work together. While you could get a better track suspension, I think the street ride would be too harsh. Even if you had adjustable shocks, it's the spring rates that dictate much of the ride and those are not readily adjustable.
I am not the type of person that defends a product just because I bought it. I have been very critical of the stock Z's suspension setup. And that is where Track Model owners should be a little upset. Nissan should have given us Track Model buyers this suspension to begin with. I am tired of lawyers designing cars and not engineers. If Honda can afford to deliver 5000 nervous S2K's into the U.S. publics hands every year without worrying about litigation, than Nissan can afford to also. 5000 a year is about what Nissan sells of the Track Model. I also had to put another $2000 into the car to get it to this point, but the other choice was getting rid of the car, which I would have done if this kit didn't cure the handling ills of the car or if the kit wasn't available. Shame on Nissan for designing such a great product only to punk out at the end.
03-22-2003, 11:09 PM
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Excellent review!
I think I'll have to start saving for that suspesion.
Hope to see you out on the track again some day since I've been slacking off since Laguna.
I managed to spin there but luckily missed all the walls. I hope the other Z driver is OK, and I hope the car is running too.
-D'oh!
I think I'll have to start saving for that suspesion.
Hope to see you out on the track again some day since I've been slacking off since Laguna.
I managed to spin there but luckily missed all the walls. I hope the other Z driver is OK, and I hope the car is running too.
-D'oh!
03-22-2003, 11:22 PM
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I would say the Z is better than the Boxster S. It feels more precise and that is compared to a sport suspended S.
At every track event I have been to this year, a WRX has blown up, at some events, more than 1 blew.
At every track event I have been to this year, a WRX has blown up, at some events, more than 1 blew.
03-23-2003, 12:47 AM
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an excellent review..
Steve... thank you very much for this review. It was better reading than Road & Track.
Of course, I loved your write-up of the S-tune suspension and am happy to hear that it does everything it is supposed to do.
After talking with a Nissan friend here... for your tracking, I think you will be delighted with the R-tune. A lot of people who circuit here switch the suspension prior to racing. Although this is primarily a circuit setup, I hope it helps you for your racing.
Good luck, and hope you win !!!
Of course, I loved your write-up of the S-tune suspension and am happy to hear that it does everything it is supposed to do.
After talking with a Nissan friend here... for your tracking, I think you will be delighted with the R-tune. A lot of people who circuit here switch the suspension prior to racing. Although this is primarily a circuit setup, I hope it helps you for your racing.
Good luck, and hope you win !!!
03-23-2003, 04:22 AM
#7
One of the best reviews I've ever read.. maybe I should invest in the S-Tunes as well.
I notice almost everyone there is running race tires. Are you thinking of doing the same? I also noticed a GSX with 750HP and circuit tires turned in a 2:17? What up with that?
I notice almost everyone there is running race tires. Are you thinking of doing the same? I also noticed a GSX with 750HP and circuit tires turned in a 2:17? What up with that?
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03-23-2003, 06:34 AM
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Thanks, Steve!
Now, my next question probably is the least of your concerns, so bear with me. Do you know if the S-Tune better loads the front suspension so that the feathering issue is drastically reduced, or almost eliminated? What do your tires look like now (besides the chunking on the edges that can occur with heavy track use)?
Now, my next question probably is the least of your concerns, so bear with me. Do you know if the S-Tune better loads the front suspension so that the feathering issue is drastically reduced, or almost eliminated? What do your tires look like now (besides the chunking on the edges that can occur with heavy track use)?
03-23-2003, 06:43 AM
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Very nice, Steve. Any plans to put some race tires on your Z when you go back to the track?
I'd love to see how far that moves you up the list. It looks like, aside from one modified RX-7, the only cars faster on street tires were 'Vettes and a Viper.
I'd love to see how far that moves you up the list. It looks like, aside from one modified RX-7, the only cars faster on street tires were 'Vettes and a Viper.
03-23-2003, 08:52 AM
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Steve,
Thanks for the great review. It sounds like the S tune worked out really well. I've been waiting anxiously for your results!I'll be you were dying to get home from your vacation...heh...that doesn't make much sense, does it?
I do have a question though. I've been considering getting the S Tune spring/shock combo. However, instead of using the NISMO swaybars, I've been thinking about combining the NISMO shocks/springs with either Dwhnshift's Evo adjustable swaybars (when they are released), or the cusco adjustable units. From what Dwnshift has said, it sounds like his bars will be very similar to the NISMO bars at their stiffest setting. What they will allow for however is a bit of oversteer setting for autoX (set the front to medium and back to stiff), which will be my main racing arena, rather than track events. Also, I plan on running 275's on 10" wheels out back, and 245's on 9" front wheels on the street. The standard F/Stiff R should eliminate a good deal of the understeer inherent in this wheel/tire combo. If and when I did a track event, I could just stiffen up the front bar to make things a bit safer. Then again, the NISMO setup was created with that exact stagger size in mind (245/275). . I want to go as simple as possible, and still retain a little adjustability for various wheel/tire combos that I'll be running. I used an adjustable suspension setup on my Type R for a while, and found it to be a big pain in the ****. For autoX, I'll eventually be running equal width F/R tires most likely. This may just give me enough oversteer with full NISMO kit, which was designed for a staggered F/R setup. I'm just afraid that the stiff settings on either the Cusco or Evo bar will be off just enough from the NISMO bars that I won't truely acheive that neutral setup when I want it...since those NISMO bars and shocks/springs were setup as a single unit. What do you think about this situation Steve? I keep changing my mind. I may just stay 'non-adjustable' and be happy...working on getting the most from driving the unadjustable setup. What do you think?
Thanks again, and enjoy the car!
Thanks for the great review. It sounds like the S tune worked out really well. I've been waiting anxiously for your results!I'll be you were dying to get home from your vacation...heh...that doesn't make much sense, does it?
I do have a question though. I've been considering getting the S Tune spring/shock combo. However, instead of using the NISMO swaybars, I've been thinking about combining the NISMO shocks/springs with either Dwhnshift's Evo adjustable swaybars (when they are released), or the cusco adjustable units. From what Dwnshift has said, it sounds like his bars will be very similar to the NISMO bars at their stiffest setting. What they will allow for however is a bit of oversteer setting for autoX (set the front to medium and back to stiff), which will be my main racing arena, rather than track events. Also, I plan on running 275's on 10" wheels out back, and 245's on 9" front wheels on the street. The standard F/Stiff R should eliminate a good deal of the understeer inherent in this wheel/tire combo. If and when I did a track event, I could just stiffen up the front bar to make things a bit safer. Then again, the NISMO setup was created with that exact stagger size in mind (245/275). . I want to go as simple as possible, and still retain a little adjustability for various wheel/tire combos that I'll be running. I used an adjustable suspension setup on my Type R for a while, and found it to be a big pain in the ****. For autoX, I'll eventually be running equal width F/R tires most likely. This may just give me enough oversteer with full NISMO kit, which was designed for a staggered F/R setup. I'm just afraid that the stiff settings on either the Cusco or Evo bar will be off just enough from the NISMO bars that I won't truely acheive that neutral setup when I want it...since those NISMO bars and shocks/springs were setup as a single unit. What do you think about this situation Steve? I keep changing my mind. I may just stay 'non-adjustable' and be happy...working on getting the most from driving the unadjustable setup. What do you think?
Thanks again, and enjoy the car!
03-23-2003, 09:12 AM
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Originally posted by YellowBullet
Put some R-compound tires on that Z and see how it REALLY compares to other cars. Until then, we won't know.
Put some R-compound tires on that Z and see how it REALLY compares to other cars. Until then, we won't know.
03-23-2003, 02:42 PM
#13
Steve,
Thanks for the report. Especially the NISMO susp. kit review. Sounds like Nissan should sell that as part of the Track version. I would have had to have it then. Right now there isn't enough difference to justify the Tracks higher price. Guess I'll have to start saving for the NISMO kit. Hope no one was hurt in the Z accident......Did Dkmura get to test the NISMO suspension at all? Steve do you have a better idea now why the stock suspension bounces/porpises so much? I noticed the NISMO kit's springs are progressive (so are the Eibachs). Is this part of the problem.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the report. Especially the NISMO susp. kit review. Sounds like Nissan should sell that as part of the Track version. I would have had to have it then. Right now there isn't enough difference to justify the Tracks higher price. Guess I'll have to start saving for the NISMO kit. Hope no one was hurt in the Z accident......Did Dkmura get to test the NISMO suspension at all? Steve do you have a better idea now why the stock suspension bounces/porpises so much? I noticed the NISMO kit's springs are progressive (so are the Eibachs). Is this part of the problem.
Thanks again!
03-23-2003, 05:10 PM
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Actually, I don't know where Karner's times are (they were posted on the time sheets at the track), but with just CAI and exhaust (and coilovers) he was running 2:00 on RA1s. He ran with and without the rear wing, didn't seem to make much difference on this config. And of course, Mr. Speed, Hayashi, didn't run his S2K this time.
Get some race tires on that puppy.
SC
Get some race tires on that puppy.
SC
Originally posted by raceboy
The fastest stock HP S2K on race tires was 3.3 seconds a lap faster than me. Race tires are good for a lot more than 3 seconds. No fear though. Race tires will be on my car soon. Then a true one on one comparison will finally be had.
The fastest stock HP S2K on race tires was 3.3 seconds a lap faster than me. Race tires are good for a lot more than 3 seconds. No fear though. Race tires will be on my car soon. Then a true one on one comparison will finally be had.
03-23-2003, 07:21 PM
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Droidekaus:
I have really been wondering about the feathering issue and what has been causing it for you guys that experience it. I might have very well have been experiencing it myself except for the fact that I drive the **** out of my car so tire wear will always be rapid. To me, it would seem that feathering would be caused by the lack of any negative camber, combined with the incorrect toe settings. It almost seems that a bit more negative camber, accomplished simply by lowering the car, could dure the problem along with a slight toe in on the front.
J Ritt:
I think your plan sounds very logical. I run virtually no tire stagger with my 255R/245F S03's. Even though this is less stagger than Nissan's S-Tune recommended tire sizes I think the car has that perfect neutral balance, although I would have to say there might just be a hint of welcomed oversteer most of the time. The ability to use an adjustable sway bar and really crank in the oversteer for AutoX would make a lot of sense with then being able to dial it back for open track days.
Church:
Sounds like you were there, did I meet you? What car were you running? Anyway, you are absolutely right. I need to get some race tires. I have always been against them, but the Speedventures timing format brings out the competitive devil on my shoulder! The 350Z/S2K rivalry could be as great as the long running Mustang/Camaro rivalry. Rivalrys are great fun as long as they are kept friendly (which I intend to do). My poor Z also has to carry around my 240lb fat *** as well!! I also need to see if the procedure I have will reset the airbag light if I remove my passenger seat for track events.
My plan is to go with the SSR Type C's, 10.5" rears, and 9.5" fronts. I simply cannot afford to go with the Hoosiers as they die after too damn few heat cycles. I am going with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, 295R/265F. That should give me plenty of bite. Also doing intake, exhaust, and piggyback Dastek ECU, all hopefully by the next event.
Come by and say hi at the next event, I'm a pretty friendly guy.
I have really been wondering about the feathering issue and what has been causing it for you guys that experience it. I might have very well have been experiencing it myself except for the fact that I drive the **** out of my car so tire wear will always be rapid. To me, it would seem that feathering would be caused by the lack of any negative camber, combined with the incorrect toe settings. It almost seems that a bit more negative camber, accomplished simply by lowering the car, could dure the problem along with a slight toe in on the front.
J Ritt:
I think your plan sounds very logical. I run virtually no tire stagger with my 255R/245F S03's. Even though this is less stagger than Nissan's S-Tune recommended tire sizes I think the car has that perfect neutral balance, although I would have to say there might just be a hint of welcomed oversteer most of the time. The ability to use an adjustable sway bar and really crank in the oversteer for AutoX would make a lot of sense with then being able to dial it back for open track days.
Church:
Sounds like you were there, did I meet you? What car were you running? Anyway, you are absolutely right. I need to get some race tires. I have always been against them, but the Speedventures timing format brings out the competitive devil on my shoulder! The 350Z/S2K rivalry could be as great as the long running Mustang/Camaro rivalry. Rivalrys are great fun as long as they are kept friendly (which I intend to do). My poor Z also has to carry around my 240lb fat *** as well!! I also need to see if the procedure I have will reset the airbag light if I remove my passenger seat for track events.
My plan is to go with the SSR Type C's, 10.5" rears, and 9.5" fronts. I simply cannot afford to go with the Hoosiers as they die after too damn few heat cycles. I am going with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, 295R/265F. That should give me plenty of bite. Also doing intake, exhaust, and piggyback Dastek ECU, all hopefully by the next event.
Come by and say hi at the next event, I'm a pretty friendly guy.
03-23-2003, 07:52 PM
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Question on the Speedventure experience not the Nismo. I am doing their event next weekend at Sebring and I have never been on a track so the nerves are starting to set in mainly about trashing the Z, how would you rate them for the Novice experience?
03-23-2003, 09:04 PM
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Originally posted by westpak
Question on the Speedventure experience not the Nismo. I am doing their event next weekend at Sebring and I have never been on a track so the nerves are starting to set in mainly about trashing the Z, how would you rate them for the Novice experience?
Question on the Speedventure experience not the Nismo. I am doing their event next weekend at Sebring and I have never been on a track so the nerves are starting to set in mainly about trashing the Z, how would you rate them for the Novice experience?
Don't be nervous. You will not crash if you do not want to. You can go as fast or as slow as you want and the Z is not a car prone to doing anything weird on you. Accidents are virtually all testosterone related and nothing else. If someone is faster, just let them by. Hope that helps.
03-24-2003, 07:13 AM
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Originally posted by raceboy
Speedventures is actually one of the best clubs I have ever been out with, especially for the novice driver. You will be put in a beginners group and assigned an instructor. In your first session you will ride in their car with another student following in their own car. You will switch places half way through. In the second session, it will be more one on one with the instructor.
Don't be nervous. You will not crash if you do not want to. You can go as fast or as slow as you want and the Z is not a car prone to doing anything weird on you. Accidents are virtually all testosterone related and nothing else. If someone is faster, just let them by. Hope that helps.
Speedventures is actually one of the best clubs I have ever been out with, especially for the novice driver. You will be put in a beginners group and assigned an instructor. In your first session you will ride in their car with another student following in their own car. You will switch places half way through. In the second session, it will be more one on one with the instructor.
Don't be nervous. You will not crash if you do not want to. You can go as fast or as slow as you want and the Z is not a car prone to doing anything weird on you. Accidents are virtually all testosterone related and nothing else. If someone is faster, just let them by. Hope that helps.