TrackAddict

MoodDude - your car sounds like quite the monster. I look forward to seeing it more closely at Roebling. We didn't really talk much at TGPR. If you liked TGPR, you will love Roebling Road. It is more flowing and except for the front straight you are constantly turning. Sounds like you have your Z nicely balanced with your mods. It should really do well at Roebling.

Are your tires Michelin Cups? Did you get them shaved?

Stop&TurnFreak

Thanks for your kind words, but you guys are fast catching up.

MoodDude

Yea- I spend to much time and money on my car!!! What is wrong with me - maybe I just like to go fast!
Ok guys - I am in no way the best driver, I use to race dirt bikes and mountain bikes in California. When I moved to GA, I did race - yet there was no comp, and would win every event - so I got board with it. So I bought a car (I looked at all the sports car and it came down to the Z and the 8, you can guess what I ended up with) since it seemed like something I could do closer to home. Once I got her - just like my other racing - I am use to moding the sh*t out of what I ride. So now I have a car that should be in the GT series and not just at fun track events. I should have saved my money and just had fun with it stock, yet I get so board in Albany that I start thinking about this (I hate watching TV).
Yea - TGPR was fun - but the last turn always screwed me up. But, I did get up to a max speed of 108 mph on the straight next to the pit lane. Roebling does look to be a very fluid and fast track!
As for the Michelin Cups - no I didn't shave them, want to get as much use out of them as possible since they are so much $$$$!
Is it me - or is there a lot more people who track an 8 than a Z?

TrackAddict

We have a pretty active group of RX8 owners who like to take hits off the go fast crack pipe. There usually are not too many Zs at NASA events although I have met a cool guy from Alabama with a 350Z track edition at various events at Road Atlanta.

I would have bought a 350Z when they first came out but the lack of a back seat got in the way. I love my RX8 but I was a Nissan guy prior to it (240SX, Sentra, Maxima) so I did think long and hard about the Z. I have no regrets on my decision but I hate folks who talk crap about other people's choice in cars. You buy what you like and more power to you.

L8APEX

like a particular Corvette during touring laps, that could manage 130 on the front straight, and NOT be in my trunk.

MoodDude

Well, I really like all the cars that look and drive well. I almost bought the 8, but the Z torque got me - and the Nissan dealer had a great road behind them to test it though some non-traffic turns.
Why do you think that Z owners don't track - I wonder. The car is set up well for it from the factory? Probably because most people buy them for their looks? I went to a Z rally last year at the Tail of the Dragon, and was board to tears. Everyone just wanted to park and look at cars - fun for about an hour - but three days of it? After about 2 hours I left and drove about 500 miles/day in the Smokey mountains.

I will tell you that I wish I had my Dad's 65 Vette although. First car with 4 wheel disc brakes and a sequental transmission. I think the American car manufactures kind of lost the innovation bug after that, until the Z06. I did drive that car - but it felt to big and I didn't like the shifting.
I haven't ever been in an EVO so I would love to see what that thing could do. I have driven an STI, but I have heard that the EVO is so much better? And I do know how to drive an AWD car on snow and dirt, since I have a one and use to drive in the snow every weekend during the winter. Just never have pushed one on the pavement.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

this is going to be a great roebling adventure. Mooddude when did you race dirt bikes? Friend of mine here in macon owns a long sucessful bike/boat/atv place and he was World Champ ATV rider a few years back. He owns a big dirt track now, run enduro's, scrambles etc, bikes and 4 wheelers. Cant wait to see that beast of yours blasting down the front straight and then dropping the hammer for that double apex turn. On the back part of this track the 8's are going to suprise you(if you dont already know)
STF who are you instructing this time. TA are you instructing yet? I need someone in the car with me that doesnt mind hitting me on the head to get my attention. For the 1st time guys ---really--- I'm serious--I plan on driving at least a 9/10. I havent been to date--seriously. Hell I think this is the 1st time that i will have the "same" car for 2 straight track events. Previously I have always "added" something to the car. And now that I have my gauges I will not be thinking about want in world is going on with the engine, i will have a MUCH better idea. So I need someone that I can let hit me in the head
I think my lower final drive ratio is really going to help me on this track--more so than RA.
olddragger

MoodDude

Dirt Bikes where a long time ago - 20 years ago and in Southern California. For that area I was just average. I started racing Moutain bikes after that and actually was sponsored - Maxxis Tires. I still get free tires for my bike, and they give me car/truck tires at cost. Yet, they just started making a Z rated tire and I hear they really suck.

I know the 8's will be great in the turns since I have driven one - so it won't be a suprise.

SilverEIGHT

Yea, and like the same vette that slowed me down in EVERY turn and for some reason I was on his *** at the bottom of 12 and into turn 1...
so where was that 130 coming from?

TorqueAholic

MoodDude,

Your car will be fabulous on the track. Truth is, most cars on the road today can handle a road course amazingly well. Some cars are better suited for track work than others but mostly, the driver is really what makes the difference.

Case in point: Last weekend at the Walter Mitty I saw a guy out-brake, out-corner, and pass a Ferrari 328 GTS in a late 60's Corvair during one of the races.

Also, I timed a guy in a mid 70's Pinto and another guy in a late 60's MGB and they were both circling the track in 1:47 to 1:49. To put that in perspective more than half the drivers in HDPE 3 can't crack 1:50 around Road Atlanta regardless of what they drive. I am talking about guys in ZO6 Vettes, Porsche 911's, Sti's, Evo's, etc.

See the Pinto Here: Fast Pinto Click on any picture you want to view a larger version and/or make a comment. (You have to register to make a comment)

I will post more pictures of the Mitty this weekend.

I am looking forward to meeting you at Roebling.

MoodDude

I want a Pinto now - just kidding. Kind of like when I raced in my big yellow Mountain bike with Spongbob sticker all over the place - everyone would laugh at it, until they saw me on the podium.

SilverEIGHT

I was just handed flight and hotel reservations for a trip out to Washington State to do a little recononisence for an upcoming video I will be shooting & producing. Leave on Sunday May 21-23. Looks like I'm out!

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TrackAddict

BOO!!! I think you are bailing 'cuz you don't want to be seen at Spanky's with us.

Stop&TurnFreak

Spankiessss.......................................

Stop&TurnFreak

And as for the Pinto comment, /cough/1:39:43/cough/ .....

L8APEX

sorry to hear you will not be joining us silver. That sucks that work does not ask you first. Aint that a bitch.

SilverEIGHT

When they first told me, I was kind of bummed out. Then after I started hearing stories about that area of the country, I started to get pretty excited. I've never been to the Northwest and if it is as exciting as I'm thinking.. I'll have plenty of photos to show off. I might have to start another website... "SilversTRAVEL"

TrackAddict

Did anyone say that 2 weeks from right now we will be on track?

MoodDude

Question for you guys since no one on the Z forum pages knows:
Have any of you ever had a track day with Chin? They are the only ones right now that you can drive Barber Motorsports Parkway with, heard great things about this track except for the fines you get if you go off track.

TrackAddict

I have heard of Chin. It is an open track club you join and they put on events at a variety of tracks including Barber. I have also heard that Barber has relaxed their fine structure considerably so an off doesn't cost thousands anymore. Apparently at an SCCA sanctioned track day there a guy went off and hit the armco. He had to cough up $400 to Barber for track damages. Every track will bill you for track damage anyway so it is a bad idea to hit tire walls and armco. Barber would also charge you to replace any grass you tore up on your way into the walls though.
There are other clubs that rent out Barber. Go to their website and look at the schedule to see who is running and when. I will definately drive Barber, if not this year, then next.

Stop&TurnFreak

32v cobra has done a day with them, and siad good things pm' him

TrackAddict

T minus 12 until departure for Roebling.

Final prep list
Fresh RA1s mounted/balanced - complete
Clean air filter - today
Bottle of Techron - today
Fresh oil/filter - next weekend
Fresh coat of wax - next weekend
Check brakes, suspension - next weekend

MoodDude

Dumb me - I woke up late and missed my AutoX today - oh well.

TrackAddit - when you say check suspension - could you give me some tips on what to check. I know how to check the sways, look at the dampers for leaks, see if any bolts are loose on any of the suspension links, and inspect the bushings. Is there anything I am missing?

Got my car corner weighted the other day. Man is this car heavy! I had to check my old numbers - I thought it was 3200#, but was 3605# with me in it. This time I am now at 3616# w/ me in it. I guess all the stuff I lighten up got off set with the Koyo Radiator. Yet, my car is 50/50 cross, 50/50 right/left, and now 51/49 front/rear!
Anyone have any ideas how to get weight out of this car? And don't say put a Rotary in it!

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Lighter driver
Remove rear seat, braille battery, what kind of wheels are you running? Z has a lot of carbo fiber body parts available. replace stock seats with racing type, run with 1/2 tank of gas, empty windshield wiper fluid tank( dont laugh it could be as much as 5lbs!), on an on! I think my car was around 2950 with me out of it.
Suspenion check is bascially what you are doing, making sure also no binding parts anywhere, checking alignment(very important) especially for a track like roebling. I also check my plugs and clean my maf. I put my track pads on 1 week before the event--good slowwww bedding! Lube the sway bar bushings.
TA you already have your Track brake pads on? So you got the toyo RA's again. Same size from our friend?
olddragger

MoodDude

Lighter driver - ha - I do weigh 200# although.
I don't have a rear seat - it is a 350Z.
I have a dry cell battery already.
Wheels - SSR GT7's with Cups on (265 front and 295 rear), pretty hard to find anything lighter.
I did empty the windshield wiper fluid.
I always corner weigh with 1/2 tank of gas.
Seats - Next year was my plan.
I don't know about replacing stuff like my doors and corner panels with CF, since I still drive her on the street and don't think it would be safe?

Does cleaning your MAF make a difference?