Well, this is my first real post, so I thought I'd make it a big one 
Yesterday I went up to Brainerd International Raceway and did a few laps.....170 miles worth. Here's my setup:
[url='http://www.maxerboy.net/images/cars/myZ/newWheels04.jpg']<img width='600' src='http://www.maxerboy.net/images/cars/myZ/newWheels04.jpg[/img][/url]
and the result: 2:04:900. :irock:
I'll start by saying that I am a very good driver -- not trying to be egotistical, just repeating what the instructors at Skip Barber told me and the intructor that rode along in my Z yesterday told me. I just want it to be clear that I'm not trying to claim the Z is better than this car or that car when I say I was passing them.
I am EXTREMELY happy with the car right now. I was passing and keeping up with so many cars on the track: a 400 hp, 1999-ish (?) Saleen mustang; every SCCA spec race car they had running; my good friend's Ferrari 348 TS; a Noble (guy did NOT know how to drive that car); a Pantera; a 1963(4?) Ferrari 250 GTB (yes, that IS correct); etc. The Z is now, without a doubt, one of the best handling cars I've ever driven. I let John (guy with the F348) drive it for a few laps and when we got back into the pits, he wouldn't shutup about how awesome it is . The car is so neutral and balanced that it just inspires all the confidence in the world. There's no fear about pushing it beyond the limits, becaue you can easily catch it if it gets away from you. Acceleration, cornerning and braking are all linear and predictable -- it's almost too easy. However, there is one thing that definately needs upgrading -- the brakes. On the street, with the HPS pads and the BFG tires, it seemed awesome. And it was, until I got about 4 laps in yesterday. There just isn't enough cooling for the stock brake setup. I cooked the pads and fluid pretty bad by the end of the day. I never went out for more than 7 laps, either, before coming in for 15-20 minutes to cool down. I had to pick a relatively early braking point on most turns -- losing quite a bit of time. So that's the next item to get taken care of. After a brake upgrade, John, myself, and a few other guys there agreed that I should be able to break the 2 minute barrier with my Z. And I was told by a few seasoned professionals that anything that can break the 2 minute barrier there is pretty **** good.
I'll have pics and vids later (need to get them from a guy).
Yesterday I went up to Brainerd International Raceway and did a few laps.....170 miles worth. Here's my setup:
- 2003 350Z Superblack Performance Model
- Injen CAI
- Stillen catback exhaust
- Unorthodox Racing underdrive pulley set
- Hotchkis springs
- Hotchkis sway bars (rear set at max stiffness, front set at minimum stiffness)
- Volk TE37 Wheels (18x8.5 +30 Front; 18x9.5 +35 Rear)
- BFGoodrich KD, 245x40 Front, 265x40 Rear
- Hawk HPS brake pads
- Motul 600 brake fluid
[url='http://www.maxerboy.net/images/cars/myZ/newWheels04.jpg']<img width='600' src='http://www.maxerboy.net/images/cars/myZ/newWheels04.jpg[/img][/url]
and the result: 2:04:900. :irock:
I'll start by saying that I am a very good driver -- not trying to be egotistical, just repeating what the instructors at Skip Barber told me and the intructor that rode along in my Z yesterday told me. I just want it to be clear that I'm not trying to claim the Z is better than this car or that car when I say I was passing them.
I am EXTREMELY happy with the car right now. I was passing and keeping up with so many cars on the track: a 400 hp, 1999-ish (?) Saleen mustang; every SCCA spec race car they had running; my good friend's Ferrari 348 TS; a Noble (guy did NOT know how to drive that car); a Pantera; a 1963(4?) Ferrari 250 GTB (yes, that IS correct); etc. The Z is now, without a doubt, one of the best handling cars I've ever driven. I let John (guy with the F348) drive it for a few laps and when we got back into the pits, he wouldn't shutup about how awesome it is
. The car is so neutral and balanced that it just inspires all the confidence in the world. There's no fear about pushing it beyond the limits, becaue you can easily catch it if it gets away from you. Acceleration, cornerning and braking are all linear and predictable -- it's almost too easy. However, there is one thing that definately needs upgrading -- the brakes. On the street, with the HPS pads and the BFG tires, it seemed awesome. And it was, until I got about 4 laps in yesterday. There just isn't enough cooling for the stock brake setup. I cooked the pads and fluid pretty bad by the end of the day. I never went out for more than 7 laps, either, before coming in for 15-20 minutes to cool down. I had to pick a relatively early braking point on most turns -- losing quite a bit of time. So that's the next item to get taken care of. After a brake upgrade, John, myself, and a few other guys there agreed that I should be able to break the 2 minute barrier with my Z. And I was told by a few seasoned professionals that anything that can break the 2 minute barrier there is pretty **** good.I'll have pics and vids later (need to get them from a guy).
