| |
Monthly Updates
One year of track pounding and our 350Z project
keeps on ticking!
November '06:
We team up with
Galpin
Auto Sports and
Vortech to add a V2 SQ SC Trim High Output unit to our 350Z!
More details soon!
July '06: We swap out the Bridgestone S-03s with top of
the line
RE050
Pole Positions and upgrade the brakes with a
Racing Brake
OE kit.
October '05: We swap out the factory Engine Control Unit
with a Technosquare ECU to gain more power and useable RPMs.
Does it work? Read more...
Sept. '05: After struggling with brake issues for an
extended period of time, the up coming shoot-out basically
forced me to beg, cajole, and grovel for better brakes. After
talking with the experts at Performance Nissan and BrakeGuru.com,
and after my experience with the NISMO Test Date in July, we've
decided that a set of NISMO R-Tune brake pads may suffice for
the time being, for a short sprint type race. Finally received a
set of R-Comp tires from a friend in exchange for some work, so
we went back to the scene of the crime again, Buttonwillow, for
a two day HPDE with R-Comps and NISMO R-Tune pads.
Initially I didn't think the NISMO pads would hold up,
considering how much trouble I've had over the past year with
the brakes on the 350Z. What happened over the weekend surprised
me. These R-Tune pads not only held up for a very grueling
weekend, they provided enough brake torque to activate R-Comps
with relative ease. To say I was impressed after this weekend
would have been an understatement. The R-Tune pads exhibited all
the typical race/track type compound characteristics, including
the lack of initial cold bite, but once warmed up they worked
exceptionally well with the R-Comps. For once, I did not have
significant brake fade issues at the track. Granted,
Buttonwillow was unseasonably COOL for a weekend, but I would
highly recommend these pads to anyone looking to track their
Nissan/Infiniti.
August '05: There are no more brake intensive tracks in
California than the California Speedway, with its oval/road
course configuration where you brake from nearly 120 mph down to
~40mph to make a sharp right hander. Full write-up of the
Speedway to come soon. Brake problem re-surfaced so we'll need
to address this soon, before heading out to Buttonwillow again
in September.
We've also signed up with our local dealer,
Performance
Nissan, to help us build out the car even more. Next
stop is a big brake kit!
July '05: Although no significant work has been done this
month, I did get a chance to drive a similarly modified NISMO
350Z at Streets of Willow racetrack.
My review of the NISMO 350Z
can be found here. Since the FreshAlloy 350Z wasn't allowed
on the track, I can't give you a direct comparison.
June '05: Back to the scene of the crime...Where I cooked
and destroyed the rear brakes. Buttonwillow Speedway. June in
Buttonwillow is HOT HOT HOT. The one day event proved the new
brake setup to be a significant improvement, as it held together
with the improved Hawk Performance pads without significant
signs of fading.
May '05: After a long winter hiatus, Project 350Z took to
the track once more. While the biggest weak point, the brakes,
were slightly alleviated, the car clearly needs significantly
more brake (just as any other car, including the track version,
do) to compete well. The NISMO suspension and all the engine
modifications bolted on so far performed flawlessly, as the
Project 350Z passed it's first major test on track.
April '05: Finally worked up the balls (and bought the
right tools) to work on the header. DC Sports provided one of
the finest aftermarket headers built for the VQ, a stainless
steel kit with equal length, mendrel bent pipes (no kinks!).
Took two days and approximately 18 hours, if you have access to
a lift this may take less time. Some cuts and bruises later, the
car fired up to a beautiful ROAR.
March '05: Fuel economy on the Project 350Z took a nose
dive from ~22mpg average to ~18mpg average due to new job in
downtown L.A. and the daily stop and go. I thought all the rain
would play havoc with the AEM cold air intake, since I did not
install the by-pass valve. So far so good, the AEM intake held
up through the heaviest rain season in L.A. for almost 100
years.
February '05: Finally found a couple of weekends where I
can concentrate and work on my car in the garage without
freezing my @ss off, the stock suspension came out in favor of a
set of NISMO springs and dampeners (the S-Tune suspension kit)
along with NISMO swaybars genourosly supplied by
Grubbs Performance.
The Project 350Z developed a slight click in the rear
suspension, along with some camber problems initially due to the
much shorter ride height.
Performance
Nissan in Duarte diagnosed it as a torn spring seat,
replaced the rear spring seat (the rubber cup the spring rests
on) and aligned the suspension. Problem solved. I would still
like a set of camber arms front and rear to gain additional
camber for track use.
December '04: To alleviate the brake problem on the
track, Rotora was contacted for a quick solution: New slotted
brake rotors and Axxis Ultimate pads were installed.
November 04: The Project 350Z debuted at SEMA 2004 in
front of the Las Vegas Convention Center in it's glorious new
scheme as part of Bridgestone's fleet of display vehicles, under
a flowing Bridgestone banner. The vehicle generated a buzz
around the convention and turned heads as automotive
enthusiasts, press, and aftermarket tuners and manufacturers
clamour to be part of the project. Bridgestone and BBS was
gracious enough to provide us with a set of BBS RGRs in 19" x 9"
front and 19" x 10" rear, and 245mm front and 275mm rear S-03s.
>>
Forum: Speak
your Mind
|
| |
| |
2004 350Z Performance Model
In Stock Form
Good: Lots of torque, excellent aerodynamics,
communicative steering, stock suspension rivaling high end
German design
Bad: Brakes not suited for the track
Ugly: Did we mention the brakes?
Upgrades
Tires
Bridgestone RE050 Pole Position
Engine/Power
Vortech SuperchargerTechnosquare ECUAEM Intake
DC Sports Exhaust and Header
Wheels
Forged BBS RGR 19"
Brakes
Rotora Slotted Front and Rear Rotors
Hawk Pads
Stainless steel lines
Suspension
NISMO S-Tune
NISMO Rear Sway Bar
Transmission
B&M Short Throw
Future Upgrades
Forced Induction
Multi-piston Brake SystemNISMO clutch |
|
|
