Dcocci's Track car/Time Attack build

Hotrodz · 07-11-2015, 10:39 PM

Very cool and welcome to the Z family.

Dcocci · 07-11-2015, 11:18 PM

Since that inaugural event, we've had 5 events all over the tracks in So Cal. Once a month. I have now raced Streets of Willow, clockwise and counter clockwise, Big Willow in the rain, and dry, and Chuckwalla. I missed the Buttonwillow event, which was a bummer because I keep hearing that's the best track out here. I still haven't spun out or gone off the track once! Throughout these events, and continuing the autocrosses, I grew more and more familiar with the car, and where I wanted to upgrade. Autocross has me thinking the suspension is way too soft, and that the open diff is total garbage. Big Willow in the rain showed me again just how crappy the open rear diff is. Chuckwalla in upper 90 degree heat showed me the importance of an oil cooler. Chuckwalla was in early may, and after that I had a clear plan of how I wanted to mod the car.
I had a Stillen oil cooler sitting on the shelf since about two weeks after I bought the car. It was a purchase I made after lurking around here for a while and taking some advice on mods you should do right away if you're planning on tracking. I never installed it until after Chuckwalla when I saw 270-275 degree spikes in oil temp! You can't get any closer than that without going into limp mode! That was the first time I saw the temps creep that high, and that next week the car was in for a oil cooler install.
The install went terribly. It turns out the core was damaged, and pissed oil all over the place as soon as the car started up. Total bummer.
090 (2).jpg

089 (2).jpg

118.jpg

119.jpg
After talking with Stillen, I just decided to cough up the dough and buy an upgraded 25 row Setrab core from them. I was kinda pissed they took the core and didn't reimburse me, but whatever. I might be done with them after that, I don't know. The install with the Setrab core went nice and smooth and has held up well at the track. I've run an autocross and Big Willow with it and it performed flawlessly. Temps spiked at about 240 degrees. I also decided to mount the cooler my own way, on the drivers side of the car instead of the pass. side like Stillen says. There is a perfect spot for it on the drivers side where you don't have to disturb anything mounted in the front. It fits like a glove.
016 (2).jpg
017 (2).jpg

Dcocci · 07-11-2015, 11:28 PM

Here are some random track pics I've taken. Our most recent Big Willow event has been the most encouraging outing to date. I managed to scrape up a 3rd place finish in my class! Running a 1:46 and change. Again, nothing to write home about, but it shows huge progress. That was with a 200lb passenger too! I'm starting to trust the grip of the chassis and tires more in mid corner and coming out of the corner. The open diff sucks and will bite you if you aren't careful! I blew the car sideways in turn 1, but managed to save it and look like a hero lol. Iv'e also been kicking some serious *** at the autocrosses. A friend of mine in his BMW 135 has joined me, and we have been moving up the ranks. Those cars are QUICK
034 (2).JPG

079.jpg

027 (2).JPG

065.jpg

018 (2).jpg

029 (3).JPG

Dcocci · 07-11-2015, 11:45 PM

The last event was also my last event on stock suspension. I decided that a set of coilovers and camber arms would be my next major upgrade. I decided to do this over a LSD because I just really want to see the difference between stock and modded suspension. I think the overall feel of the chassis will improve, and I'll be more comfortable pushing the car and tires. The LSD will be next on the list. (now taking recommendations. I want a clutch type. Maybe a Kaaz?)

After talking to corner3, and seeing what people run on here, I decided on SPL front and rear camber arms, SPC rear toe bolts, and a set of custom valved and sprung BC racing type BR coilovers. These parts ALL look top notch, but the SPL stuff...my god. The upper control arms are beautiful lol.
015 (3).JPG

038.JPG

004.jpg

According to the rules, Redline time attack and Global time attack both say you must run 1 way adjustable coilovers in Enthusiast class. Because of this, and because of BC's option to custom build your coilovers, the BR's were the perfect choice. I decided on 14k front and 12k rear swift springs. These rates should be ok with no aero and street tires. These get installed this week, and We run Streets of Willow counter clockwise...AT NIGHT. That will be fun

I'll be working on the settings, but I'm hoping to be faster right out the box. My best CCW run is a 1:38.1. I'll stay conservative and say a 1:35 will be a success. I'll also be working hard, as this will be my first night run on a track ever. Stay tuned!

Dcocci · 07-19-2015, 01:14 PM

So...coilovers were not installed. My shops compressor was being serviced all week after work. GREAT. This paved the road for what would be an awful week with the car. Already bummed, I decided to suck it up and go another round with the stock suspension. Leaving straight from work, I went to go wash the car using a touchless car wash. Bad idea. The 370 is apparently too wide, and I curbed a couple wheels on the equipment. What......the f. They say fake parts break hearts, but when you curb a real deal wheel, it crushes your soul lol. Saturday, my plan was to show up in the afternoon and setup the EZ up and chill with some people who were running during the day. When I showed up at around 2:30, it was already pouring rain. It was a nightmare to say the least lol. It was POURING out all... freakin... day. The track was flooded as hell. A couple groups ran, and the safety team at the track shut the track down for a little bit in hopes that the rain would die down and water would drain down on the track. When the organizers called an emergency drivers meeting at 6:30PM, I thought they were going to call it a day and pack it up. Instead, they left it up to us drivers to determine if we should kill the day, or give them an hour to set up a modified course using another part of the track that wasn't flooded. We voted, and decided to run. My first and only run was at about 8:30. It was still raining at this point, and visibility was awful. I decided rather than to concentrate on lap times, to just keep four wheels on the course and not get into any trouble. I put a wheel in the dirt/mud, but zero damage. After that, I apparently missed my groups next run. It was about 10:30 at this point, so I decided to say screw it and pack it up. Us Nissan guys went to Buffalo Wild Wings after that to get over the night lol. It was a crazy night, but at least we got out there with a run. I left frustrated, but also with a ton of respect for the drivers who didn't bitch and got out there, and the organizers for giving the drivers the vote. Next week the coilovers will be installed and the alignment will be done. Next round is at Big Willow, and hopefully it doesn't rain out!

Dcocci · 07-19-2015, 01:15 PM

a couple pics

rain.jpg

rain 2.jpg

07-11-2015, 10:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684386	Very cool and welcome to the Z family. Dcocci likes this. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

07-11-2015, 11:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 12	Since that inaugural event, we've had 5 events all over the tracks in So Cal. Once a month. I have now raced Streets of Willow, clockwise and counter clockwise, Big Willow in the rain, and dry, and Chuckwalla. I missed the Buttonwillow event, which was a bummer because I keep hearing that's the best track out here. I still haven't spun out or gone off the track once! Throughout these events, and continuing the autocrosses, I grew more and more familiar with the car, and where I wanted to upgrade. Autocross has me thinking the suspension is way too soft, and that the open diff is total garbage. Big Willow in the rain showed me again just how crappy the open rear diff is. Chuckwalla in upper 90 degree heat showed me the importance of an oil cooler. Chuckwalla was in early may, and after that I had a clear plan of how I wanted to mod the car. I had a Stillen oil cooler sitting on the shelf since about two weeks after I bought the car. It was a purchase I made after lurking around here for a while and taking some advice on mods you should do right away if you're planning on tracking. I never installed it until after Chuckwalla when I saw 270-275 degree spikes in oil temp! You can't get any closer than that without going into limp mode! That was the first time I saw the temps creep that high, and that next week the car was in for a oil cooler install. The install went terribly. It turns out the core was damaged, and pissed oil all over the place as soon as the car started up. Total bummer. 090 (2).jpg 089 (2).jpg 118.jpg 119.jpg After talking with Stillen, I just decided to cough up the dough and buy an upgraded 25 row Setrab core from them. I was kinda pissed they took the core and didn't reimburse me, but whatever. I might be done with them after that, I don't know. The install with the Setrab core went nice and smooth and has held up well at the track. I've run an autocross and Big Willow with it and it performed flawlessly. Temps spiked at about 240 degrees. I also decided to mount the cooler my own way, on the drivers side of the car instead of the pass. side like Stillen says. There is a perfect spot for it on the drivers side where you don't have to disturb anything mounted in the front. It fits like a glove. 016 (2).jpg 017 (2).jpg carlitos_370z and OldManGorman like this. __________________ -08 Porsche Cayman S

07-11-2015, 11:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 12	Here are some random track pics I've taken. Our most recent Big Willow event has been the most encouraging outing to date. I managed to scrape up a 3rd place finish in my class! Running a 1:46 and change. Again, nothing to write home about, but it shows huge progress. That was with a 200lb passenger too! I'm starting to trust the grip of the chassis and tires more in mid corner and coming out of the corner. The open diff sucks and will bite you if you aren't careful! I blew the car sideways in turn 1, but managed to save it and look like a hero lol. Iv'e also been kicking some serious *** at the autocrosses. A friend of mine in his BMW 135 has joined me, and we have been moving up the ranks. Those cars are QUICK 034 (2).JPG 079.jpg 027 (2).JPG 065.jpg 018 (2).jpg 029 (3).JPG carlitos_370z and OldManGorman like this. __________________ -08 Porsche Cayman S

07-11-2015, 11:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 12	The last event was also my last event on stock suspension. I decided that a set of coilovers and camber arms would be my next major upgrade. I decided to do this over a LSD because I just really want to see the difference between stock and modded suspension. I think the overall feel of the chassis will improve, and I'll be more comfortable pushing the car and tires. The LSD will be next on the list. (now taking recommendations. I want a clutch type. Maybe a Kaaz?) After talking to corner3, and seeing what people run on here, I decided on SPL front and rear camber arms, SPC rear toe bolts, and a set of custom valved and sprung BC racing type BR coilovers. These parts ALL look top notch, but the SPL stuff...my god. The upper control arms are beautiful lol. 015 (3).JPG 038.JPG 004.jpg According to the rules, Redline time attack and Global time attack both say you must run 1 way adjustable coilovers in Enthusiast class. Because of this, and because of BC's option to custom build your coilovers, the BR's were the perfect choice. I decided on 14k front and 12k rear swift springs. These rates should be ok with no aero and street tires. These get installed this week, and We run Streets of Willow counter clockwise...AT NIGHT. That will be fun I'll be working on the settings, but I'm hoping to be faster right out the box. My best CCW run is a 1:38.1. I'll stay conservative and say a 1:35 will be a success. I'll also be working hard, as this will be my first night run on a track ever. Stay tuned! Zbrah, carlitos_370z and OldManGorman like this. __________________ -08 Porsche Cayman S Last edited by Dcocci; 07-12-2015 at 12:30 AM.

07-19-2015, 01:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 12	So...coilovers were not installed. My shops compressor was being serviced all week after work. GREAT. This paved the road for what would be an awful week with the car. Already bummed, I decided to suck it up and go another round with the stock suspension. Leaving straight from work, I went to go wash the car using a touchless car wash. Bad idea. The 370 is apparently too wide, and I curbed a couple wheels on the equipment. What......the f. They say fake parts break hearts, but when you curb a real deal wheel, it crushes your soul lol. Saturday, my plan was to show up in the afternoon and setup the EZ up and chill with some people who were running during the day. When I showed up at around 2:30, it was already pouring rain. It was a nightmare to say the least lol. It was POURING out all... freakin... day. The track was flooded as hell. A couple groups ran, and the safety team at the track shut the track down for a little bit in hopes that the rain would die down and water would drain down on the track. When the organizers called an emergency drivers meeting at 6:30PM, I thought they were going to call it a day and pack it up. Instead, they left it up to us drivers to determine if we should kill the day, or give them an hour to set up a modified course using another part of the track that wasn't flooded. We voted, and decided to run. My first and only run was at about 8:30. It was still raining at this point, and visibility was awful. I decided rather than to concentrate on lap times, to just keep four wheels on the course and not get into any trouble. I put a wheel in the dirt/mud, but zero damage. After that, I apparently missed my groups next run. It was about 10:30 at this point, so I decided to say screw it and pack it up. Us Nissan guys went to Buffalo Wild Wings after that to get over the night lol. It was a crazy night, but at least we got out there with a run. I left frustrated, but also with a ton of respect for the drivers who didn't bitch and got out there, and the organizers for giving the drivers the vote. Next week the coilovers will be installed and the alignment will be done. Next round is at Big Willow, and hopefully it doesn't rain out! Zbrah and OldManGorman like this. __________________ -08 Porsche Cayman S

07-19-2015, 01:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dcocci Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 215 Drives: 2014 370z black 6spd Rep Power: 12	a couple pics rain.jpg rain 2.jpg Zbrah, carlitos_370z and OldManGorman like this. __________________ -08 Porsche Cayman S

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