Aside from whats already in the works, what would you guys like to see next on this car?

Naked babes. (Hey, you asked an open-ended question. ;))

I don't have the budget for that :D.

Semtex my friend, need to lay off whatever you're smoking ! :)

I'd vote for some weight reduction !

Then after all the stuff you mention above, perhaps

- Redline TA street-class legal roll cage
- adjustable front and rear aero, so we can get some data / feedback on how to optimize downforce
- data logging system so we can get a closer look at what your car is doing on the track

:bowrofl: :iagree:

I don't think it is really waht we want to see next on your car, it's more of what you feel is your current weakest link.

You seem to be getting the suspension dialed in, just need the front camber fixed up. You are working on the brakes already. The oil cooling may still be an issue, but with the dual core setup that may change. You've increased the power a bit with some bolt-ons...so the question is what do you feel the car needs?

I think a good engine tune utilizing the capabilities of the vvel will be a nice addition for some added power.

TWIN TURBOS....what?? ::shrugs:: somene has to be the guinea pig

Keep in mind that this car is still a daily driver first, then a track car second. Weight reduction will be limited to stuff that is easily removed for the track and put back in for street, and lighter weight parts. I am not going to gut the interior or anything like that. Also not going to do a roll cage for the same reasons.

Now adjustable front and rear aero is on the list but I haven't yet found a manufacturer to make something for these cars. APR has universal fitment rear wings, but right now I think getting front downforce is more important as thats where I am lacking the most grip. Maybe my views on that will change after I get some adjustable front camber arms and raise the grip level with the right alignment settings and wider tires.

Data logging is a great idea too :D. I would have to learn how to use it though lol.

Well obviously I will take care of reliability issues first. I am just trying to get a feel for what you guys want to see next. When it comes down to it, every car needs more of everything so I am just trying to see if there is something specific that the community would like to see.

lol, I knew that was going to crop up. As of now, I don't want twin turbos really. I am more interested in NA power and reliability at this point. That being said, if someone were to offer me a free TT kit, installation, and tune I probably wouldn't pass that up. :D

He doesn't want them, just come to me if you are handing that out! :happydance:

Alrighty, Then I'd like to see your car look more like it's supposed to be on the track :roflpuke2:

In other words, some aero mods that increase downforce where it is needed, and add ventilation and airflow for cooling would go a long way in getting the car more looks, as well as improving it's capabilities.

^^Ok, so aero seems to be the hot topic then so far.

Anyone else?

Personally, I don't think you should focus on aero just yet. Aero doesn't replace a well setup car with balanced brakes and balanced mechanical grip. I dont think you are done with all the stuff that can and should be done on that front. I think you should focus on having a bulletproof cooling and drivetrain system. Without those you cant drive. Once you can drive it, then focus on having a perfect suspension setup and stiffening up the chassis. Once thats done, setup the braking. Once the car is SOLID all around, then start adding balanced aero parts...nice big adjustable front splitter + nice big high wing.

Cooling and drivetraing fall into the "already in progress" catagory. I am already set on fixing the reliability stuff. I am talking about in the future fellas, once all of the stuff that is on the horizon is done. LSD, front camber arms, cooling stuff, etc. is all already in the works and will be the things that happen first. What I am asking is where you guys would like to see me go from there. Things like functional aero bits will take months to find someone willing to make them, design them, and build them so I am thinking way ahead here. I already know whats in the immediate future for the car.

So I recently found out that AMG has full bucket racing seats in their black series model cars that they use with the factory 3-point seat belts. Upon seeing this photo it showed me how to safely route the seat belts with full bucket seats for use on the street, which is awesome.

My original plan was to run a reclineable like the BRIDE Cuga, the main reason being that I could run safely with the stock seat belts. The only problem with that is that they are expensive and I would have to wait a while before I had the budget for them. Now, with this idea it has me thinking about the BRIDE Zeta III, which is a full bucket, lightweight, and far less expensive. This mod has been bumped up the list now and hopefully maybe become a reality later in the year!

http://www.ddmtimeattack.com/amgblackseats.bmp

^ Do tell if that works. You already know my interest in the Zeta III seats...:)

I have been pre-occupied with the Project E46 M3 getting that ready for an upcoming show this weekend and have been neglecting the 370Z, but here are a few bits of progress...

Carbonetic LSD will finally get installed tomorrow!

Working on trying to piece together a differential oil cooler kit for the car and find a larger power steering oil cooler today.

Still waiting on the Berk Cat-Back unfortunately :(

Cool, sounds like progress. Be sure to check in with Robert at Redline re the diff cooler. He's hopefully wrapping up the R&D this week on mine.

Oh sweet! Maybe he can be my answer to both the oil cooler and diff cooler!

Couldn't wait any longer. Hotchkis sways and SPC front camber arms ordered. Also the Carbonetic LSD going in as we speak!

Nice, are you going to ask to see the original lsd to see how badly you chewed it up on the track?

I certainly could.

It would be great to get some shots of that OEM LSD after the chunk of metal you saw fall out...

UPDATE:

Carbonetic 1.5 Way Carbon LSD is now installed in the car!

Initial impressions are better than expected. I have experience with this diff in my old 350Z race car, however, the race car also had solid differential mounts, no interior, and a loud exhaust so I wasn't quite sure on how much noise it would actually make in the 370Z with full interior, stock cat-back exhaust, and regular diff mounts. The instructions say that the diff will emit the most noise immediately after install and the noise will quiet down as the diff breaks in. Well, I heard no noise at all from in the car right after install. I performed the break in procedure and still no noise! I can also tell you that it is not at all jerky like most other 1.5 way LSDs I have tried. Starting from a stop and tight radius turns were all very smooth. This is an incredibly streetable LSD and I vow that whatever cars I have in the future will have a Carbonetic LSD in it. I haven't pushed the limits of the car on the streets with the diff yet as I haven't changed the oil after break in, but like I said, I have experience with the Carbonetics diff in my old 350Z race car and it performed incredibly so I am not at all worried.

Now onto the fate of the stock VLSD. The good news is that the large chunk of metal I pulled out of the housing when I changed the oil after the first race was not part of the VLSD like I had originally thought. It was a magnet that gets glued to the inside of the housing from Nissan to collect metal bits floating around. The bad news is that the stock VLSD was indeed completely shot and acting as an open diff, however still in tact. I am guessing that the heat generated in the diff housing during the first track day broke down the glue holding the magnet to the housing and thats what caused it to break free. So to offset that, I am going to order a Project Kics magnetic drain plug which will serve the same purpose.

http://img.boardreader.com/94/b1/kic...c0f9b664f5.jpg

I am relieved that the actual diff didn't have parts breaking off of it, but still concerned with the amount of heat generated back there. From what I understand, the Carbonetic LSD will generate less heat than the stock VLSD, but I am still working on getting a differential cooler kit on the car sooner than later.

+ 1 on Carbonetic... I had more noise initially as a result of running the wrong gear oil... and mine creaks every once in a while now when accelerating from complete stop... but noise is now minimal... break-away on track is progressive and predictable... I suspect the characteristics of this diff will change over time, will be interesting to see how impressions change over time

The diff cooler my shop is working on will be done some time in July... we're taking our time with it, doing it right

Well hurry up. My next event is August 1st. :D

Should be plenty of time for your 8/1 event...

By the way, LV is not too far from Miller Motorsports! Let me know if you can make the drive to my 7/11 event and I'll get you in as guest to PCA

I was actually asked to instruct that event lol. I am thinking about it. Its still a 6 hour drive and even though I could drive for free, it would still cost money in travel & lodging. Formula D is also in Vegas that weekend and VegasDrift wants to put my Z on display so I might just do that instead since the Super Lap Qualifier is only a few weeks after that. Although I would love to run MMP one of these days.

I'd offer to put you up at my in-law's place but I'll spare you that ! lol

Hope you can make it - will be my first time at that track so I could use some coaching

lol

I will let you know if I end up making it. :)

SPC front camber arms will be here Monday, Hotchkis Sways come on Tuesday. :)

yay for front camber adjustment, your track times will thank you :)

As will my tires. :D

you mean your tire sponsor? :roflpuke2:

Nah they don't care. I still have to pay for the tires, just not as much :D. I am sure they still make a bit of profit off of me.

partial sponsorship certainly beats no sponsorship!

^ Yeah lol

Also looking into seeing if the Nismo finned differential cover for the 350Z/G35/Titan will fit the 370Z. I am 90% sure it will. This will help with cooling the diff. Getting in touch with my Nismo supplier now...

http://www.g35parts.com/9083/osc/ima...odiffcover.jpg

Nice lid. That will help quite a bit at the track.

It will help but it won't be enough by itself for the track junkies. A pump and radiator will still be required, every little bit helps though.

It might not be enough by itself for the stock VLSD, but with an aftermarket LSD that generates less heat it might. Only one way to find out.