2014 370z Weekend Warrior Journey
 

Hi everyone!

I joined the forum not too long ago but have only just recently been diving into a lot of the older threads as I begin a journey to transform what used to be my daily driver to a weekend fun car/occasional track toy. I didn't think I'd want to make the Z a track designated car, but that was until I did my first track day at the Ridge Motorsports Park (if you know, you know!) and it was insanely fun.

I definitely owe some thanks to those of you on the forums who have documented similar modifications/DIYs. I figured the least I could do is post some photos of my own adventures. Anyways, I had some free time the last several weeks to go through some pretty straightforward modifications to get it ready for several track days this summer. Phase 1 mods for this year includes KWv3, SPL arms, Hankook rs-4 (275 square), Enkei Nt03, Z1 34 row oil cooler, EBC pads, Stillen brake ducts, fresh fluids all around. Phase 2 couldn't come sooner!

Here's the one decent "before" picture:
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...9-img-1101.jpg

A couple pics over the last couple weeks:
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...0-img-5704.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...3-img-5672.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...5-img-5717.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...3-img-5902.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...9-img-5772.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...5-img-5922.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...7-img-5982.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...0-img-5811.jpg

Before and After:
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...1-img-5690.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...8-img-5999.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...6-img-5948.jpg

I've scheduled an alignment later this week. But given the good weather we've been having up here in the NW, couldn't help but get a couple miles to at least bed the brakes! :icon17:


http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...0-img-6126.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...3-img-6206.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...104318-b11.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...4-img-6239.jpg

More pics in my album if anyone is interested.

Overall, pretty hyped on everything so far. I'm glad I was able to drive/track the car in essentially stock form. Driving it now, it feels like a completely different animal.

The one gripe I have would definitely be the Z1 oil cooler. Not sure if anyone else ran into this issue but the sandwich plate adapter wasn't very intuitive. The surface area geometry seemed too tight to securely fit a 1 inch socket and given the poor contact, I was getting a little too close to rounding the securing bolt. Seemed kinda sketch given this is definitely something you want to make sure is torqued appropriately. Also, the sandwich plate securing bolt isn't threaded deep enough to account for the length of the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and consequently results in a loose fitting sandwich plate. I was able to torque the bolt down to the 25 ft-lbs but I'm pretty sure that's occuring because I'm running out of threads... not because the sandwich plate is contacting the engine. I contacted Z1 to see if I was going crazy but they responded that this was a known (and supposedly rare) issue with the 2014 models. They suggested I take a grinder to the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and remove enough material to get good contact... A little hesitant to do that after paying $600+ on the kit. Anyways, the sandwich plate is secure but slightly rotates with some force applied. I've test driven it and checked for leaks and so far no visible leaks. Perhaps some "sweat" but not sure if just residue from the oil change. Not feeling entirely confident...

I'd be pretty pissed about that, and I'd also be uncomfortable with a rotating sandwich plate! Good album so far! Keep it coming.

Great way to start your thread! I like seeing all the DIY people put in work. Subbed to see more updates.

Thanks! Been learning a lot! It'll be a slow process but the list is long! I'll be sure to post when I can! :)

Another one starting to go down the rabbit hole. :driving: Once you go pass the event horizon. There is no 12 step program to help you. :eek: Your wallet will be empty, and your credit card will be a smokin' pile of plastic.

Truth.

Keep it going!! :driving: :tup:

have fun with it...

I have the same issue with mine. It occasionally sweats oil but I've had it on for 30k miles with no significant oil loss - aka no oil smears on my ZSpeed underpaneling.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I've had the Z1 oil cooler on since about 2012. Not had a drop from the sandwich plate.

Ok, thanks for the reassurance. I'll keep driving and see how it plays out. Hopefully it's up to the task for track use. A buddy of mine (S2000) had a sandwich plate go loose during a track day and spew oil all over the engine bay. He luckily got away without any damage and really secured that sucker down with loctite and safety wire. Perhaps I'm just paranoid.

Don't use Mishshitymoto stuff. There is a long thread about a member who lost his engine over a cut o-ring on the sandwich plate from Mishshitymoto.

Its not just with the 2014 models. I have a 2010 and I have the same issue. Just like you said, a socket on the adapter is a very tight fit. Hard/impossible to get a good seat. Whenever I replace the oil filter, I have to tighten the adapter down as best as I can. But in the 2 years Ive had the cooler, I had one leak that was just a slow drip. I like to check my oil level when I refuel.

I ended up using a wrench instead of a socket. Worked far better.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

First track day of the year in the books. Overall, a TON of fun pushing this car so hard on track and learning the limits of the car. Also, I'm really glad I was able to hit the track (The Ridge) last year in completely stock form to see just how different the car feels/compares after these recent modifications. Both my girlfriend and I drove and split 7 20 minute sessions in the beginner group. Given my limited experience, we handled ourselves pretty well with the rest of the pack. Our main goals were consistency, finding the line, and generally just learn the car.

As far as how the car held up, I went into this track day fully aware that the brakes were going to be the most obvious limitation. My first two sessions, I'd almost say I was too paranoid of my brakes that I wasn't nearly aggressive enough in the brake zones and thus not driving the car nearly as hard as it could be driven. By the third session, I essentially threw caution to the wind and finally got the confidence to be hard on the brakes and started seeing a TON more progression with braking later and shortening lap times. Started having LOTS of fun and getting consistent times (and honestly surprised the brakes were holding up). I continued to make sure to use each cool down lap appropriately, parking the car with no brakes, popping the hood/brake+clutch fluid cover. We made it through 6 sessions pushing the brakes hard and it wasn't until about session 5 that we were getting some bad vibration when braking, but no noticeable fade. Session 7 for our group got merged with Group B so less time for the car to cool (20 min break vs. 40 min). Immediately into turn 1 going around 110+mph and slamming on the brakes I noticed substantial brake fade. I took the remainder of the lap at 50-60%. Luckily it was the last session of the day and most drivers had gone home already, so plenty of room between each car. At Turn 13, with no cars around and a corner with loads of run-off, I applied the brakes and the pedal went completely to the floor and went off course (in the safest manner I could). Despite how safe it was, I still will never forget that moment.

So with all of that, definitely going to be upgrading the brakes sooner than I had anticipated. I know I could probably just get away with upgrading the pads, but at this point, I feel better just going straight to the Akebonos as I've been eyeing them for a while anyways. I was really hoping these two pot calipers would at least last for 3-4 track days this summer but I just don't want to attend another track day if I have any sort of doubt that my brakes are not up to the task. Next, I'd love to get a go-pro and start collecting more data/info on my driving habits to continue improving and being consistent (telemetry would be awesome but need to do some more research). Lots of fun had and despite the confidence crushing brake fade in the last session, the day went extremely well all things considered. Let the rabbit hole continue as I contemplate selling a kidney for proper big brake kit.. or a 991.2 GT3.


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http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...6-img-6445.jpg

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http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...4-img-6293.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...9-img-6286.jpg

Here's a thread to help you with the GoPro. Also get a polarized lens filter for it.

http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...os-inside.html

There is other cameras out there too. I used both a GoPro Hero 3 Black and a Garmin Vribe.

The fun continues (and so does this rabbit hole). Finally got my hands on some Akebonos, Carbotech Xp10/8, and Z1 SS lines. Had to wait a while since Z1 have one of the calipers on backorder indefinitely so went with CZP. I still have some of the "plain" titanium shims off Ebay on the way and then bed the brakes and good to go. Will definitely hold off on more mods until I can get some more seat time!

Some random questions...
- Do I need to bother with grease/lubricants for the pads and shims? Not a daily driver and I don't mind the squeal.
- If/When I inevitably fry the dust boots, am I still good without them?

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...9-img-6476.jpg

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http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...2-img-6591.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...3-img-6619.jpg

Awesome evening track event at The Ridge. Got to meet another member here, Sam, with his Nismo Z. Had fun tailing each other and learning the track and we both got bumped to Group B! Just a couple pictures I snapped. Now I need someone who can drive my car so I can take pictures...

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...9-img-6691.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...8-img-6706.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...7-img-6705.jpg

Experiencing fitment issues with Whiteline front sway bar bushing brackets. Has anyone experienced this or have suggestions? The holes don't line up/are too narrow to fit over the bolts. It's close but the bracket stops and won't fit right at the threads.

Would it be unwise to just bore the existing holes out just a bit larger or would that compromise the bracket?

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...ng-bracket.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/alany...gainst-oem.jpg

You can put the bracket in a vise and use a hammer to bend it out a little. It wouldn't take much to do. From the picture, it looks like it is bent too much. and you need about 1/32" for it to fit.

I didn't think about that.. Thanks for the suggestion, will give it a shot and see what happens! :tiphat:

You could also put the bracket on the floor and hit it with the hammer too.