So I know I was supposed to have been working on it, but unfortunately I have been really sick the past few days so nothing has been done lol. I was supposed to have the diff installed this morning, but Travis has informed me that some other parts are needed to complete the install so I will have to wait until I get those. Looks like next week will be REALLY busy.

Bad DDM. BAD.

LOL

FINALLY started to work on the Z a bit today. I got the Mishimoto oil cooler kit back on the car and realized that its not quite everything I was hoping for. I will not be making a mounting kit for this oil cooler just because it takes a bit too much work to make it fit well being a universal kit. The first time I mounted the cooler to the car I did a half *** job just to get it on the car for testing. This time I took the time to mount it better and although I have it on my car the way I want it, it just takes too much work to make it fit right for me to offer a proper mounting kit. Its still a great kit for those who don't mind spending the time to make everything fit perfect.

Mishimoto universal oil cooler kit:
http://www.doubledownmotorsports.com/370zoilcooler3.jpg

Pure Power oil filter mated to Mishimoto sandwich plate.
http://www.doubledownmotorsports.com/370zoilcooler4.jpg

I have also decided to hold off on installing the SPC rear toe bolts just because I don't need them at this point and because installation requires some drilling on the car to make the holes a bit bigger and I just don't want to do that for a part that I don't NEED at this point.

Tomorrow the Nismo wheel studs will go in, the Hawk HP+ brake pads will go back in, and the spare tire/tools/ trunk plastics will come back out.

I just realized a few days ago the mishimoto guys actually work out of my home town. I havent really seen much of what they have done yet. Im pretty sure theyre a fairly new company. Mayhaps if we can generate some kind of demand for the item they may be interested in making one specificially for the Z?

I spoke to them about that a while ago and they weren't at all enthusiastic about the idea unfortunately. They were more interested in doing a radiator which I am sure will come out soon.

no biggie, we already have plenty of options for oil cooler kits... from stillen to technosquare to the oem option... and I know of another one in development that will include significantly more cooling capacity... I'll share more on that last option within the next week or two

DIY on the LSD sometime soon? That would be nice.

Nope. I am not even attempting that install. I will have a professional do it :).

Nismo wheel studs are in as are the Hawk HP+ brake pads. Pre race nut & bolt check complete as well. Removal of the spare/tools/plastics, alignment, and re-corner balance tomorrow.

Nismo 60mm wheel studs compared to stock...
http://www.doubledownmotorsports.com...heelstuds1.jpg

Nismo 60mm wheel studs installed...
http://www.doubledownmotorsports.com...heelstuds2.jpg

Cool Mike. I've never done that, is it hard swaping those bolts?

Also, I see what I believe are the Eibach springs in there. Still using the stock dampers?

No it is fairly easy to swap the studs. You have to remove the rotor, pound the old ones out, then put the new ones in.

I am not running the Eibach springs, they are the springs that came on the BC Racing ER Type coilovers. Usually they are black but since mine was the test fit set they were red for some reason.

If you have access to a press it is easier to remove the whole wheel hub assembly (held in by the one large nut in the middle).

But a big hammer works just as well.

Would any rear toe bolts for the 370Z require drilling on the car or just the SPC ones?

I am not sure. I am not sure of anyone else who makes them for the car though either. Eibach and SPC are the only ones I have seen and Eibach's are made by SPC so its the same part.

UPDATE:

Alignment is done. I don't have adjustable arms on the front so I am stuck at -1.7 deg. camber up front. Set my rear camber to -2.5 via the SPL Parts rear camber arms. Zero toe front and rear. This is just a baseline for the track and I will adjust as necessary throughout the race weekend.

My second set of 19" Forgestars are done and supposed to be shipping today. Unfortunately they ran out of time and couldn't do the neon green pinstripe so they will just be solid Piano Black. Once they are here (hopefully Thurs.) I will get the Nitto NT05 tires mounted.

The Carbonetic 1.5 way limited slip diff will not be installed until after the race unfortunately. Just no time and a scheduling conflict with the shop that will be doing the install. :( Since that will not get done, all I will do back there is swap out the diff fluid.

Re-check corner balance and swap diff fluid tomorrow as well as a wash/wax. New vinyl layout, wheels, tires on Thursday (hopefully).

Also be sure to follow us on Twitter! I will be posting progress on the car throughout the Redline Time Attack weekend!

Mike Bonanni (DDMotorsports) on Twitter