Anyone dissatisfied with the Z's handling?
 

When I drift the car it jerks real hard when the rear regains traction and the car rights itself. I can't figure out if this is due to my 285's on the rear or if there is something inherently wrong with the car's handling...?

I also never feel quite confident taking an 270 degree on ramp at a realy high speed... It's just not a confidence inspiring feel and therefore I don't explore the car's limits. A friend took me on the inside the other night with his ford Focus, what's up with that. :icon14:

On the flip side I did take another friend on the outside of the same onramp and he was riding a Ducati Monster 750. :D
That night I felt confident driving the Z but the other night against my friend in the focus I did not. I just wish the Z instilled more confidence... I'm starting to be tempted to swap the Z for an S2K... seriously. :(

Anyone feel the same... Any ideas on improving the handling.

I love the way the Z looks and it has so much potential both in the looks department and the power department but the handling is just disapointing at this point.... I had great plans for this car and had been waiting for it since i saw the first concept. I would hate to have to swap it for a Honda. The more time passes though the more I'm considering it. It's the main reason I don't have more mods on my car yet... whats the point of dumping $ in if I end up selling it.

First thing in the morning.... Dumping the Z and getting a Focus:rolleyes:


Whatever...

The 285's add even more understeer than what the car came with from the factory. This will make the snap back even harsher. I've got 295's on the rear and that was the first thing I noticed. Although, I can barely brake the tires loose in a corner. So it inspires confidence for me. Negative camber and adjustable sway bars can go along way to inspiring confidence, but what you really need is. . .

to Go to some HPDE's at a local road track and learn to explore the limits of your car safely. Then when that Focus comes back around you will have the knowledge, as well as, the confidence to stomp him. Knowing the limits of your car and how your car likes to approach them is the only way to gain that confidence.

No flame intended.

http://home.comcast.net/~geoffbrown/bh8.jpg

I'm not sure that Nissan had drifting in mind when developing this car. It won't get 1g in stock form but it should out run a Focus. I have no complaints.

Agreed about the understeer. You might need wider tires than 245 up front, or adjustable sways to compensate the handling balance.

didnt bother to read the post...until i saw the second post...but only time i heard of people dissatisfied with it was when they put 20in wheels on the car...wow...you can only imagine...

I find that the Z handles great, I'm able to take curves more than twice the posted "caution" speed (this before my suspension mods). I have heard that some Falken tires are not confidence inspiring. Some say they require high psi as they have a soft sidewall. Not sure if this applies to yours, but is something to look into (also sway bars will help).

Did you turn off the VDC and TCS?

uh yeah the z's handling sucks. definitely not the driver... :rolleyes:

I had Falken tires once on another car, felt the same way after I put them on. Could it be the tire???? Maybe you are just used to a honda with NO torque and are afraid of the torque the Z has???

Yeah, I'm sure the torque I had in my 96 Supra TT in no way compared that of the Z. :rolleyes:

Also, to the flamer in the second post, I don't remember ever sugesting the Focus was a better car, maybe you should learn to read and then put your brain into motion before opening your mouth.

As far as the tires go, I suspected that the extra width might have accentuated the understeer. I initialy wanted 275 Toyo's but they were on backorder.
Maybe the Falken's are the problem... Like I said, one night I take my friend on a Ducati, a few nights later I get taken by a stock Focus...:icon11:
The tires just didn't feel like they were sticking that night which is strange cause it was warmer out than on the night against the Ducati.

As far as safety goes, I'm always safe... I take that on ramp at least 5 times a week and both of these instances were at midnight after working OT with no one else on the road.

Lastly, I was looking for constructive critisism not flames so to those of you who were helpfull, thanks, the rest of you I just feel sorry for you.

Also, I always turn VDC off, it's the 1st thing I do after starting the engine. BTW, there is no TCS on 6MT's.

6MTs enthusiasts have only TCS FYI....

... and it's VDC! :D

Realy, I thought only auto's had it... is it a part of VDC or is it seperate?

Anyways, obviously I was mistaken, thanks for enlightning me.

Oh and thanks for making fun of my dislexia... lol

VDC is the TCS with yaw sensors.

hey clermont,
a group of us have a small G35/Z meet every tuesday at the Kmart on Clairemont mesa Blvd (between the 163 & 805). we meet at 7pm. perhaps you can meet us there this week, and we can discuss your setup. you can see on my post what i have done to my car, and i think the handling is rediculous...much better than stock. i will give you a ride, and we can do some offramps.

hope to see you there,

Chad

those ls+ coilovers and sways might make a little difference in handling, eh ;)

i have the ls+ and nismo sways....great combo...the car definately handles better than the stock setup....while drifting the car is more predictable and when the azz end comes back around there is no whipping....very smooth....i am on stock tires too :)

Thanks for the invite Chad, I'll see if I can make it. Lot's of overtime lately...:icon31:

Maybe I can skip out for a half hour or so tomorrow and come check out your ride.

If not, maybe an other week.

go to some driver trainning at race tracks, that'll help you learn the limit of your car and gain more confidence...

Def sounds like his VDC kicking in.

My Z handles great.....and i've driven ALOT of cars.