Crux's TLDR journal
 

I figured it's about time I made a build thread.

***Sponsored exclusively by my wallet***

PHOTO CREDITS: Khoi of KAM Photography https://www.flickr.com/photos/kayha12
and Ek Erik https://www.flickr.com/photos/erikbphotography/

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8224/2...1e64d7e2_b.jpg


Best Track Times:

RE-11 Tires
Summit Point; Main: 1:28
Dominion Raceway: 1:38

Modifications:

Engine/Drivetrain

• Uprev 300rwhp/240rwtq
• Cusco RS differential
• Z1 High-cap finned diff cover
• Z1 Solid Engine Mounts
• SPL Solid Differential Mounts
• Z1 Poly Trans Mounts
• CJM Road Race Pump
• Custom 25 Row Transmission cooler
• 32 Row Oil cooler
• Redline oil/Motul Differential fluid

Exhaust:

• PPE LTH
• Custom AAM single exit

Exterior:

• Shine Auto CF Amuse Kit
• APR GTC-300
• Vents
• More vents
• Hand made canards

Interior:

• Sparco Ergo - Driver
• Sparco Evo 2 - Passenger
• Schroth Profi ii ASM 6PTs
• 4PT roll bar
• Necksgen REV (head and neck restraint system)
• Stock dash
• Everything else removed

Wheels:

• Forgestar CF5V
• 10" F 11" R
• 265/35 F 295/30 R
• Bridgestone RE-11
• ARP extended Studs

Suspension/Brakes:

• DIY brake ducts/cooling
• Project Mu pads
• Powertrix R/T Coilovers
• Swift Springs 13k F 11k R (need to run higher spring rates)
• SPL Toe Arms
• SPC Camber Arms (modified)
• Hotchkis Front Sway Bar (stock rear sway)
• Z1 Slotted rotors (soon to be 2 piece rotors)
• Stainless lines
• RBF 600

Upcoming Modifications

• CJM Baffled Oil Pan
• Dual Oil Catch Cans
• Stickier Tires
• Lightweight Battery
• Corner Balance

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5662/3...0bf21a42_b.jpg

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...dy/Closeup.jpg

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...ef92daf5_h.jpg

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She started off as a used 2009 bone stock (except for a stillen exhaust) purchased around 2012:
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...y/IMG_0417.jpg

Then the mod bug bit and I bought Injen intakes, test-pipes, changed my fluids to Redline, and plasti-dipped my rear bumper. At least I thought my car was hot-sh*t lol.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...y/IMG_0414.jpg

Then I figured some wheels would look nice, so I contacted several vendors looking for Forgestar CF5V's, got a solid price; then Faceglide posted up his beautiful setup in the for sale section in the exact offset, size, and color I ordered. It was a no brainer. Thanks again, bro!

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...y/IMG_4873.jpg

I knew about the powerhouse amuse kit, but figured I'd never be able to afford it. So I began saving up and piecing the kit together. Naturally, I started with the front bumper.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...oody/Front.jpg
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...y/IMG_5363.jpg

Oh yeah, and I picked up an Aerojacket duckbill. The original one they sent me was jacked up, so I sent it back and had the new one on just in time for quite possibly the greatest event in the history of ever: Zdayz.

If you've never been to a Zdayz, stop what you're doing and register. Now. Call fontana and get a room asap. There's a reason there are no vacancies months before the event.

I drove down with (at the time) complete strangers, and now are some of my closest friends. Here's the family photo that won US129's weekly competition.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...0at54819PM.png

After Zdayz, I realized how capable the 370 is. It's as if they designed the platform for the dragon. I swore the next year I would at least keep up with Z1nonly for 2 corners (in his near stock 350z). So I left zdayz with a goal - track time and performance mods only.

Immediately after making that decision, the rest of an amuse kit came up for sale from Aerojacket. They said it was packaged and ready to be shipped. I put my faith into them one last time, and they came through (miraculously).

I also purchased a set of Powertrix R/T coilovers. They're awesome. I also added tire letters by hand, not purchased. This picture was taken before the car was aligned. The springs were still settling.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...f4baac45_o.jpg

Then, in my quest for greater cornering speed came hours of research on downforce and aerodynamics. I'm no engineer/physicist, but there are some basic things you can do with a car to make it handle in ways my novice brain couldn't comprehend.

I came to the conclusion that I'd make the largest splitter I could per time attack regulations (with the eventual goal to compete), chassis mount it, and have it extend to the oil pan. To keep things light, I used a product called Dibond (think alumalite, but instead of honeycomb, it's a solid core), and minimal aluminum bracketing. I fabricated my own splitter rods and mounted those to the crash bar, as well.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...olling%204.png

With the front splitter complete, I needed something to balance out the rear. The duckbill wasn't cutting it, so I picked up an APR GTC-300 wing. Installation was pretty straight-forward. Initially I ran a tame AOA, and the results were good. I also switched my brake fluid out to Motul RBF-600 and my pads to Project Mu HC800+.

During my first track day with NASA, I was bumped from group 1 to group 2, but was encouraged by staff to remain in group 1. This would prove frustrating for my next track day, keeping me from driving to my potential, and intimidating the other drivers. It's aggrivating to pay $350+ to sit in a train for 10 minutes of a 20 minute session.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...81776909_n.jpg

My first track day was like being back at Zdayz. The smell of burnt rubber, fuel, and brakes is intoxicating lol. I had the privilege to ride along with my instructors and forum member: Respisa (two groups ahead of me). I learned 10x more from the ride along with Respisa than I did in every classroom session and the ride alongs with the instructors.

So with coils, aero, brakes, a new single-exit exhaust, and seat time, it was time again to head to Zdayz and put it all to the test again on the dragon:



The GTR has so much power. I tried so hard to keep up. My lines are way off and my tires began getting greasy at around the 8 minute mark, so rather than end up in the trees, I backed off. Keep all 4 wheels on pavement and you're doing good haha.

and then Hellbender after an hour of picking z1nonly's brain at breakfast:

I almost decapitated a biker leaning into my lane and my splitter scrapes on hard braking.


Once zdayz was over, it was time to prepare for the next track day. I had Hills Garage retune my Z after picking up a set of AAM R-line intakes (injens were sucking up water in any type of rain), in addition to adding a transmission cooler.

Minus all the aforementioned frustrations in being held up in group 1 by staff (not being used to seeing someone go from group 1 to 2 in one day) I GOT SOLOD. I was terrified at first, but just like everyone said, I drove with extreme caution, intent on picking up each flag station and paying attention to my surroundings. It was a huge confidence booster and I had a lot of fun.

except turn 1. f**k turn 1.



Being installed this week: Wavetrac differential, Z1 increased capacity diff cover, SPL solid diff bushings, z1 motor and trans mounts, and PPE headers.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...20rolling2.png

Reserved

Wow nice job. What was your lop time? Do day tell you. I love that track, race it many times on my bike.

Sub'd!

Love it. Looks awesome. If you're going to keep tracking it I'd think of getting into some cooling mods as well just to help out with longevity of your equipment. Keep it up!

NASA HPDE "doesn't allow" you to record your lap time, but you can record video with and/or use data logging equipment. From the gopro footage my times are around 1:30 Spec miatas will run wayyyy faster than that :crying:

I've got a 34 row oil cooler (still running strong, blades!), and a transmission cooler. I'm looking into getting the stillen brake duct kit next, I just HATE taking off the front calipers.

I am talking with Hills Garage about getting a differential cooler, but they've said my car probably won't need it until I get really serious.

Love the setup!

Got some track time in last month and finally got around to editing the footage I took. Fuel starve was a major issue all weekend. It was the worst it has ever been. I had to back off on a couple corners, which killed any hopes of running a hot lap if I was 10 minutes into a session.

It's time for a rollbar/seats/harnesses, as it's becoming very physically demanding in the drivers seat. That'll be a winter project though.

Here's a picture of the car in its current form:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1718/...b3e799c9_b.jpg

The additions have received some hate, but I couldn't care less. My oil temps were at record lows, my brakes were cool - which kept my tires cool - which gave me added grip, and the canards netted me extra downforce, as seen in the video - scraping my splitter on the front straight under braking into turn 1 (which I had never done before).

Overall, the car was predictable and easy to control. With the new additions and my new instructor, I was able to shave a couple seconds off my best time at Summit Point Main.

"can a 370z beat an M3?"
"can a 370z beat a c5 or c6 corvette?"
"can a 370z beat a 911?"

depends who's driving.

Subscribed! Nice build man! your car looks amazing! BTW do you have more pics of the AAM single exhaust? I was thinking on get one for my Z but I dont know if go with the Tomei or the AAM haha!

Where did you get the louvers for the fenders?

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I bought the louvers from Ebay and bent them by hand, then riveted them in place.

PRO TIP! wear gloves. better: wear 2 pair of kevlar gloves. Stamped sheet metal is surgical scalpel sharp.

So the last two weeks, my car has seen some stark visual changes. Namely; a circa 2004-2006 JGTC Motul/Pitwork/Autech 350z inspired livery.

Why?

The Gran Turismo series has a special place in my heart. It is why and how I got into cars/the car scene, and also where I gained some experience behind a wheel (my first session of my first ever HPDE/time on the track, my instructor tried to move me to group 2 because he said I didnt belong in group 1 [no senna, but still kinda cool]). In that particular series, the Pitwork Z has always been my favorite car (besides in 3 when you could glitch the Pikes Peak Suzuki to over 1000 mph).

Anyway, here's the "finished" setup:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8224/2...1e64d7e2_b.jpg

Man I have to say... Your Z is one of my favorites around here :tup: And the livery looks soo fcking great :drool: outstanding work man! the car It's on point!

Thanks carlitos!

BTW bro do you have more pics of the AAM single exit exhaust? I'm considering to buy it but I can't find too much info abut that exhaust and how much whp gains im going to have :/ any help are going to be great :tup: Thanks!

Hey Carlitos, sorry, I don't have any pictures (i know its been over a month, too). I can snap some tomorrow.

As for gains, probably unnoticeable depending on your current setup.

In all honestly, it's my favorite sounding exhaust with stock headers and test pipes. It sounds so angry.

When i upgraded to PPE LTHs, it went from grumpy to high pitched, which i'm okay with for the performance gains.

UPDATE:

I just got my car back from Hill's Garage, and I couldn't be happier.

I haven't had any time to work on the car, so I had to bring it in to prep the car for the next HPDE at Dominion Raceway in VA on October 29-30

What was installed:
1) stainless brake lines
2) replacement pads (PJ Mu HC800+)
3)Parking brake spring (don't ask how it snapped in half, but it did)
4) ARP wheel studs
5) CJM RR Fuel pump!

and then the basics: Diff fluid flushed, brake fluid flushed, and oil changed.

I love noisy cars, and the new fuel pump sounds like a jetliner at cruising altitude. I cant wait to test it out on the track.

The ARP wheel studs were a preventative measure to keep all four wheels attached to the car. I thought they were going to poke out hella far, but I am pleasantly surprised to find them flush with the wheel face. Well worth the peace of mind, if you're tracking your z.

Up next is a cage and seats :driving:

Awesome setup man love it! :tup:

I love the look of the car with your wrap, Its definitely a head turner!

Dont worry bro hahaa! thanks for your review ;) I ended buying the Invidia CBE :p can't wait to see more pics of your Z! bro... looks soo great :drool:

Great build.


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omfg... I just realized I follow you on insta! haha awesome to see the build!

Love the livery, love the aero mods on the Amuse front bumper, great stuff!

Awesome build. Question front bumper inlets are you running brake cooling kit yet or no?

Clear out your inbox!

What are the wheel and tire specs?? Stock originally or lowered when they were put on??

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Originally lowered on swift springs.

Swift springs removed for powertrix coils

Wheels are 19x10 up front 19x11 rear. tires are 265 F 295R RE-11's

Fantastic wheel, fantastic tire.

Front bumper ncaa ducts are a part of my brake cooling kit. They work flawlessly.


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Would you mind providing offsets? And tire height? Gonna do exact same setup!

Thanks!

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wow what an awesome build thread, if it was a manual it would be my dream setup in a Z. great choice on wheels

Thank you, Redglare!

I get a lot of "wish it was manual" comments, until they see my track footage :icon17:

Wheysted, I'm sorry dude, it's been like 4 years since I ordered these wheels. I'm gonna have to dig around, but I'll message you/update the main page with offset info.

tire size is 35f 30r

Next event is in April. Gonna be some big changes to the car before then!

Here's my recent footage from Dominion Raceway. I still have a lot to learn

Beautiful build man, I have similar goals to yours where I want to make my Z a track/mountain beast! I just finished my bolt-ons and will be tuned soon, and am looking to do suspension next, could you provide me with what you're running suspension-wise?

I'm running the powertrix R/T coilovers with swift spring upgrade: 13k Front 11k rear (EDIT - thanks Hotrodz)

If you're running aero, ask for a little heavier spring.

My setup is a little soft, as my car was originally intended to be set up exclusively for backroads.

Are you sure that you didn't get your spring rates reversed...13k front and 11 rear!

Had some nice weather today, so I decided to wash the Z before she goes under the knife for round 2 of modifications.

PS: I don't even try to clean the wheels anymore :eekdance:

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...oody/11111.jpg

What's next?

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