DDM Project 370Z

370z4Steve · 04-24-2009, 06:09 PM

looks great..are these wheels available to order? How much? Also these wheels are mounted without the benefit of spacers right?

does this setup change the diameter of tires/wheel affecting the speedo reading?

M.Bonanni · 04-24-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370z4Steve

looks great..are these wheels available to order? How much? Also these wheels are mounted without the benefit of spacers right?

does this setup change the diameter of tires/wheel affecting the speedo reading?

Thanks Steve! Yes they are available to order. Each set is custom made to order and takes approx. 2 weeks build time. The wheels on my car do not have any spacers.

The for sale thread for the wheels is here...
DDMotorsports: Forgestar Wheels! Forged 1-Piece!

M.Bonanni · 04-28-2009, 10:33 AM

Ordered the second set of wheels/tires today for my track setup. I know we are trying to get Forgestar to make 18s, which would be more ideal for the track, but even if they went into production today, the first batch wouldn't be ready by the next time attack so I went with another set of 19s.

The wheels are Forgestar F14s again, but this time 19x9" front, 19x10" rear. The Redline Time Attack street class rules limit me to a 285 max width tire so an 11" rear rim would be too wide, hense the 10" rear instead. The color this go round will be the piano black (gloss black) with a neon green "time attack" stripe to celebrate the DDMotorsports colors!

The tires will be Nitto NT05, 245/35/19 front, 275/30/19 rear. I debated about doing a 275/30/19 all the way around but decided against it for a few reasons. First, I think this car will want a bit of stagger, I do not want a tail happy car especially with the high speeds of Big Willow where the next time attack is. Also, since they are the same width as the stock sport package tires, this will give myself and Nitto a much better comparison of how their tire stacks up against the Bridgestone RE050. And the final reason is that although I am sure everything would be fine, I don't want to run into any power steering or suspension problems that could be caused by the added stress of running a bigger tire up front. After this next race, the time attack series goes to the east coast and midwest, not returning to the west coast until late September. Hopefully by then I will have lighter weight Forgestar 18s, better tire sizes, and adjustable front camber at the least!

Now its time to find out if the Nismo extended wheel studs from the 350Zs will fit the 370Z...

miguez · 04-28-2009, 11:22 AM

Hey DDM,

Awesome wheel!

I looked up the series calendar and unfortunately you're not coming to Ohio, otherwise I'd be there!

I am curious, are you going to drive your car to the events all over the country or trailer it?

M.Bonanni · 04-28-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miguez

Hey DDM,

Awesome wheel!

I looked up the series calendar and unfortunately you're not coming to Ohio, otherwise I'd be there!

I am curious, are you going to drive your car to the events all over the country or trailer it?

As of right now I only have enough budget to go to the west coast races unfortunately. I am always looking for new sponsors though so maybe a big one will come along that will allow me to do the whole season, nothing like that in the pipeline right now though.

When I do go to races I usually trailer the car just because I have a trailer, and I bring more stuff (tools, spare parts, etc) than I can fit in the Z alone. The car is my daily driver though so it is more than streetable and I plan to keep it that way.

miguez · 04-28-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

As of right now I only have enough budget to go to the west coast races unfortunately. I am always looking for new sponsors though so maybe a big one will come along that will allow me to do the whole season, nothing like that in the pipeline right now though.

When I do go to races I usually trailer the car just because I have a trailer, and I bring more stuff (tools, spare parts, etc) than I can fit in the Z alone. The car is my daily driver though so it is more than streetable and I plan to keep it that way.

Very cool. I am just starting in the world of tracking sports cars, so I have a lot to learn, but it's nice to get ideas and habits from guys like you, thanks for your help!

M.Bonanni · 04-28-2009, 06:44 PM

Pretty cool Redline Time Attack video from Round #1 at Buttonwillow. You can see a quick shot of the DDMotorsports Project 370Z in action at 2:12...

Round 1 of the Redline Time Attack- Video

miguez · 04-28-2009, 10:03 PM

Looks like you hit the proper line pretty well, lots of others were hitting the dirt after the apex...

M.Bonanni · 04-29-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miguez

Looks like you hit the proper line pretty well, lots of others were hitting the dirt after the apex...

I couldn't get fast enough out of that corner to go into the dirt lol. That was one of the corners that the OEM LSD didn't like too well.

miguez · 04-29-2009, 05:53 AM

Was this with different oil in your transmission and LSD?

LiquidZ · 04-29-2009, 08:22 AM

Do the Muteki lug nuts not fit?

I haven't heard of aftermarket lugs, but it looks to be an easy way to shed 3 lbs. from each corner.

Also, I am assuming one isn't a "locking" nut, so Joe Blow could be able to take your wheels. Is that correct?

M.Bonanni · 04-29-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miguez

Was this with different oil in your transmission and LSD?

Nope. I didn't get time to change out the LSD or Transmission fluid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidZ

Do the Muteki lug nuts not fit?

I haven't heard of aftermarket lugs, but it looks to be an easy way to shed 3 lbs. from each corner.

Also, I am assuming one isn't a "locking" nut, so Joe Blow could be able to take your wheels. Is that correct?

The Muteki lugs fit, however the total weight savings is 3 lbs all together, not 3 lbs. per wheel. They are a spline drive nut so you need one of their keys to get them off. So basically they are all "locking" lugs.

LiquidZ · 04-29-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

The Muteki lugs fit, however the total weight savings is 3 lbs all together, not 3 lbs. per wheel. They are a spline drive nut so you need one of their keys to get them off. So basically they are all "locking" lugs.

Ooops. Thanks for the clarification. Good to see that they are locking.

How are Nitto Invo tires for street/track use? I have no experience with Nittos, but I know the Mustang guys swore by them.

M.Bonanni · 04-29-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidZ

Ooops. Thanks for the clarification. Good to see that they are locking.

How are Nitto Invo tires for street/track use? I have no experience with Nittos, but I know the Mustang guys swore by them.

The Invos are awesome on the street. Very quiet. For a track tire though I probably wouldn't suggest them. The have a harder compound which improves tread life, but its not as ideal for track use. The Nitto NT05 is their stickiest "street" tire and has gotten rave reviews from the track and time attack world.

LiquidZ · 04-29-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

The Invos are awesome on the street. Very quiet. For a track tire though I probably wouldn't suggest them. The have a harder compound which improves tread life, but its not as ideal for track use. The Nitto NT05 is their stickiest "street" tire and has gotten rave reviews from the track and time attack world.

I am assuming that you won't get the NT05 since you stated this Z won't be a full blown track car?

04-28-2009, 10:33 AM	#108 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Ordered the second set of wheels/tires today for my track setup. I know we are trying to get Forgestar to make 18s, which would be more ideal for the track, but even if they went into production today, the first batch wouldn't be ready by the next time attack so I went with another set of 19s. The wheels are Forgestar F14s again, but this time 19x9" front, 19x10" rear. The Redline Time Attack street class rules limit me to a 285 max width tire so an 11" rear rim would be too wide, hense the 10" rear instead. The color this go round will be the piano black (gloss black) with a neon green "time attack" stripe to celebrate the DDMotorsports colors! The tires will be Nitto NT05, 245/35/19 front, 275/30/19 rear. I debated about doing a 275/30/19 all the way around but decided against it for a few reasons. First, I think this car will want a bit of stagger, I do not want a tail happy car especially with the high speeds of Big Willow where the next time attack is. Also, since they are the same width as the stock sport package tires, this will give myself and Nitto a much better comparison of how their tire stacks up against the Bridgestone RE050. And the final reason is that although I am sure everything would be fine, I don't want to run into any power steering or suspension problems that could be caused by the added stress of running a bigger tire up front. After this next race, the time attack series goes to the east coast and midwest, not returning to the west coast until late September. Hopefully by then I will have lighter weight Forgestar 18s, better tire sizes, and adjustable front camber at the least! Now its time to find out if the Nismo extended wheel studs from the 350Zs will fit the 370Z... __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

04-28-2009, 06:44 PM	#112 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Pretty cool Redline Time Attack video from Round #1 at Buttonwillow. You can see a quick shot of the DDMotorsports Project 370Z in action at 2:12... Round 1 of the Redline Time Attack- Video __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

04-29-2009, 08:22 AM	#116 (permalink)
LiquidZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,940 Drives: Mag. Black 2009 370Z Rep Power: 704	Do the Muteki lug nuts not fit? I haven't heard of aftermarket lugs, but it looks to be an easy way to shed 3 lbs. from each corner. Also, I am assuming one isn't a "locking" nut, so Joe Blow could be able to take your wheels. Is that correct? __________________

04-24-2009, 06:09 PM	#106 (permalink)
370z4Steve Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: west Posts: 231 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 672	looks great..are these wheels available to order? How much? Also these wheels are mounted without the benefit of spacers right? does this setup change the diameter of tires/wheel affecting the speedo reading?

04-28-2009, 11:22 AM	#109 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	Hey DDM, Awesome wheel! I looked up the series calendar and unfortunately you're not coming to Ohio, otherwise I'd be there! I am curious, are you going to drive your car to the events all over the country or trailer it?

04-28-2009, 10:03 PM	#113 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	Looks like you hit the proper line pretty well, lots of others were hitting the dirt after the apex...

04-29-2009, 05:53 AM	#115 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	Was this with different oil in your transmission and LSD?