Thanks. Good question - that piece needs to be very stiff and well secured given the clearance... To be honest, I don't know yet how it is fastened... I won't see the car in person for a week... next time I talk with Chet I'll ask - or you can can him and ask if you like.

Let's get it on track already! :excited:

I think it would be more efficent if it blew into the center of the rotor instead of just on the surface.

Could be right I suppose, Junior, I've seen many race cars that aim cooling at the 'eye' of the rotor... but the end goal is to cool the braking surface and this setup obviously goes right at it... we'll find out when we get the car to the track - I plan to take temp readings with and without the ducting - that'll be telling data... and if it still isn't enough, I may consider adding some evaporative cooling or redirecting so it also hits the center... but I suspect this setup will be more than adequate for 99.9% of amateur racers

If our resident brake experts happen to come by this thread, I'd be curious of their thoughts

btw, here's an example of brake cooling in a pro series

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1253766802.jpg

Oh man, that brake cooling kit is the same way I fed air to the G3 intakes. Now I'm too stubborn to change it to feed the brakes. You guys got any other ways to cool the brakes. BTW, I don't want the stillen fascia with those vents in the front (I really don't like the look of that fascia, sorry), but I am thinking about fender vents...

there are aftermarket splitters for some cars that pick up higher pressure air near the ground... also some guys pick up air from under the car with naca ducts... finally, some guys create new perforations in their front fascia, but that would obviously ruin the stock look of a car... as for this kit, you're welcome to call Chet and ask him but I suspect he will want to sell one version, if at all

also, here's one for laughs!

Your camera makes those parts look like toys. Weird...

OMG, Travis ur a genius, I want an install of spatula brake cooling, lol... That is actually a really good idea. I was also thinking about the splitter idea, but I never thought of Naca ducts...Good Thinking

Thanks

Suddenly, my mind is changing and I'm starting to like the stillen front fascia... I'm still way too stubborn on looks. Anyway, do you guys think if I use the fang vents like Travis used to cool the G3 intakes and the big sided vents on the fascia to cool the brakes, would this be a problem with drag?? Man, I need to know what the fascia looks like on my car. If anyone can photoshop a black non-nismo Z with the fascia + fangs (I know mike has a fascia without fangs, but it just doesn't work with me) please do...If this all works out, my next order will be Travis' Aeromotion spoiler and a giant splitter. Thanks Travis....

Peace

first off.... great build thread. I have read about 75% of it but could not find a current weight? Do care to share it or did I just mis it. I am considering a 350 or 370 for a track car, so I doing some research before I decide.

Hey Masitr, thx for stopping by and commenting... If you want to talk it through go ahead and drop me a PM with your cell and times available... 370z is a great track car so long as you are willing to address a few shortcomings... this board is invaluable for figuring all that out

I think we are about 3,125 with driver and full tank of gas, but before adding ballast (needed for a class I'm racing now). So without driver and gas that's prob around 2,800. There have been a few changes recently (adds) so will have a new weight established this week.

UPDATE ON BRAKES... I stopped by Superior Racing Development in Tempe to visit my car and Chet today. We looked over the brake setup and the picture I posted is a misleading angle... the duct is >50% over the interior of the disc (EYE) and <50% on the disc itself... I would guess that the air will flow almost completely towards the center with some flowing over the braking surface. As for mounting, the pieces they built actually use the stock mounting bolts that fasten the hub... no new fasteners!

OTHER UPDATES... new custom radiator in... new rear diff cooling setup in, and will have a trick dummy light on my dash so I can tell when it is on/off... ballast and other prep is done

Going to the new Chuckwalla track in western AZ on the 25/26th of SEP (2 weeks) to test this all out... Speedventures may still have spots if anyone wants to join

How exciting! Looking forward to detailed pics.. and the all important results from your upcoming track event!

A few updates... I am racing at Chuckwalla this weekend - a new private track in CA just over the border from Arizona... First, terrific track - I highly recommend that you try it... The Z is running 10-12 seconds faster than my M3 and 911 buddies... definitely dialed in... I will have some 720p video up soon in my video thread! I think the color/white balance was off but still will give you a sense for this awesome track

Tires shot, so going to swap old Hoosiers for new NTO1s

Brake cooling is working great! Will take some pics, promise... My brake pads are close to gone... JOSH! please send brake pads lol another event next weekend Thanks :tup:

New radiator is definitely helping keep the engine cool... exactly how much I'm not certain but it was 95f and I didn't see oil temps over 255f and water temp never got past middle

The fuel starvation setup is much improved but not there yet... I'm sorry but you guys are going to have to wait as we go through another design iteration... it's for the best!

This is sad to hear. Sounds like we have a really big problem with this. Good luck on a better solution.

Awesome to hear the cooling is working!

Need to set you up with a quick call with Chris our Brake Manager.. sounds like you're pushing harder, probably time to step the pad selection up to something with hotter temps.. with the AP's you've got a ton of choices. The videos will probably help him determine where you at in pushing the car..

Send me an email or post the vids, I'll make sure they get to him, next weekend shouldn't be a problem if we know what you need first thing next week.

Can't wait!

It was a big improvement... I think I got down to maybe 6-8 gallons with no fuel starvation... also, with the current setup, it registers the wrong fuel level... shows empty with quarter tank and half full with full tank... so, appreciate your patience everyone - I'm sure we'll get it where it needs to be

will do Josh

Photo time!!

Prep.... switching from Hoosiers to NT01s
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...tcIMG_4859.jpg

ready to roll...
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...tcIMG_4876.jpg

rolling!...
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_5581.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_5513.jpg

hold on, 10 degree bank!...
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_5368.jpg

breath...
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_4646.jpg

get on it!... who needs 4 wheels
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_4282.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_4280.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_4257.jpg

... Life is good, gentlemen! :tup:

If anyone has a fav, I'll use it for my avatar

Almost forgot!!! Lambo for lunch

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...amCLI_5506.jpg

Two more notes to end my weekend...

1. HUGE thanks to SUPERIOR RACING DEVELOPMENT (SRD) of Tempe for prepping the car... it was in great form

2. the new rear diff cooler is set to kick in at 185F... every time out, it only took 1 lap at 9/10ths to trip the pump... this upgrade was definitely worth it to me - I can only imagine what kind of temps I was hitting before

Awesome pictures Travis, you definately run that Z hard. I have to admit, the black roof really looks sublime. I wasn't sure how it would work but between the black rims and spoiler, it looks very tied together. Keep up the good work!

Looks like a fantastic track, and the car is looking awesome! Glad to hear it was a success.

Question, these are the 18" Forgestars correct? Ever had the brake caliper touch the wheel (barrel not spokes) during hard cornering?

Finally had time to finish this thread. I have alot of catching up to do on this forum. Thanks for all your R&D I have learned alot from this. Car looks great btw!

I did have some scoring on the barrel once during an event a few months ago... but that was when I was using the stock studs and lugs... when it happened, I noticed that the wheel was ever so slightly ****-eyed and not perfectly flush... now that I've switched to nismo long studs and muteki lugs, I don't seem to have any issues

Sweet shots, Travis!

I do have the Muteki open lugs and I have the H&R extended studs. Do you think the Nismo studs are stronger than the H&R? Or could the cheap plastic centering ring Forgestar supplied be part of the problem?

The wheels look so good on that color.

I doubt there is a strength difference between the studs that would explain it... I don't use the centering rings

Does it happen every time you run? or was it one event? if it only happened once, prob an install issue... also, is it just the left or right wheel or both?

You know, I didn't check my new wheels yesterday - it is possible mine are still rubbing too... will check it next couple days and let you know... if it is rubbing on my current setup, it may be necessary to grind down the calipers just a bit

I only noticed it at one event, a spectator commented that they heard a metallic grinding noise when I was turning hard (front wheel heavily loaded), I couldn't hear anything inside the car. In the pits I noticed the grooves on both the front wheels and removed the wheels to check it over but everything appeared to be tight. I will try the wheels again this weekend and see what happens. Probably just a little too much flex in the stock hubs I guess.

I am seriously contemplating the motordyne engineering intake manifold. The initial data seems to indicate good 4-6k rpm gains and not a big peak hp gain which is great for racing / classing. More to come...

Following up on the last discussion... There is zero scoring on my new wheels. So far looks like the brakes clear just fine

Also pleased to report that the brake cooling setup seems to be working well.

And thanks for the kind words on wheels, paint etc! Need to recognize chris soehren of elite auto paint of mesa for doing a world class job!

EDIT... couple more updates...

I lost 1.3 seconds at PIR today... makes sense, I have now +200 pounds ballast (3350 comp weight), stock sway bars, a cracked exhaust, 315 down to 275 rear tires, and am using nittos instead of hoosiers... could have been a lot worse I guess! I was second in class behind an older 911 race car that ran a half second faster. I miss my stillen sway bars the most! Even with 18k/16k springs, the car rolls heavily with the stock sways

Also for those that are doing NASA TT / PT, I have an email into the national classing director about resetting the base class with weight / power... that should establish a min comp weight for a given class at a given WHP... I am targeting TTA base with 320whp dynojet which will allow me to hopefully add back the stickier tires and sways and remove ballast. If I can pull it off, I think I can get 1.5 seconds off

Does NASA use a point system for mods? Would be nice if you could get the sticky tires back, those alone are worth 1-2 seconds over Nittos on a longer course.

This may be TMI, but here goes. There are two core systems for determining class in NASA time trial. NASA Time Trial There is a points system for TTF through TTA... and then the three fastest classes (TTS/TTR/TTU) are based upon weight/power ratios with a few modifiers for super light weight or heavy cars and tires. I was previously in TTS but didn't have nearly enough power to justify the class, and now targeting TTA... The way it works in TTF-TTA is that you have a base class (370z is TTB*) which determines your starting point.... then you have a certain amount of 'points' you can spend before you go up each class. With a TTB* starting point, I have 32 points I can spend. The bonehead that set the base class decided our car belongs in the same base class as a 996 C2! Among all the cars in the TTB* base class, ours is at the bottom in terms of weight / power. THERE IS A BACK-DOOR, however. You can request that your base class be recalculated based strictly upon weight / power. That's what I was referring to above. I asked NASA to tell me what my minimum competition weight would be given a WHP of 320 and base class of TTA. Let's say they come back with "3,150 pounds"... that would mean that I would not take points for any engine or weight reduction mods so long as I stick to that power and weight. I would have 19 points to spend after that.

Here's my current breakdown of points at 3280 pounds min comp weight and using TTB* starting class.. you can spend up to 39 pts and still only go up 1 class...
B* +7
Nitto 275's +8
Weight Redux 20 lbs +1
CAI +1
Exhaust +5
SRM +3
LSD +3
Brakes +2
Shocks/Springs +5
Wing +4
TOTAL = 39, so class = TTA

And if I had TTA starting with 3150 pounds min comp weight and TTA starting class, using Nittos
Nitto 275's +3 (TTA std size is 295 so get bonus there)
LSD +3
Brakes +2
Shocks/Springs +5
Sway bars +2
Wing +4
TOTAL = 19, so class = TTA (can add no more than 19 to stay in class)

The benefit would be that I could continue to make engine mods so long as I stay under 320whp and also drop ~150 pounds. Would also add back sways.

Alternatively, could forgo wing and sways and spend those 6 points on tires... could run 285 Hoosier R6's for example

Thanks for the explanation, it is much clearer now. I would say the R6's trumps the wing (more grip at all speeds beats more grip at high speed) but it would be nice to keep the sways. That's the one thing that made this car so much better in the corners.

Tend to agree with you, Chris. Especially for the tracks I run where we spend 80% of our time below 90 mph. Plus it is super easy to take the Aeromtions wing on/off.

I find it very interesting how Nasa decided to base class this car... The base model is a TTB*, the sport is a TTB**, and the Nismo is TTA*. I had special permission to make mine a non-sport and take a +3 pts for the SRM, given I had swapped the brakes etc. The old Nismo was TTB vs new one at TTA*, so basically it moved up by a full class plus a "*" (46 points). That's like saying that a 370 nismo will post the same time as 2008 Nismo with 315 Hoosier R6's, sway bars, and 20 points of power / weight mods... Seems ridiculous to me! Also, have a look at the base classes for all these "TTB*" cars...

Car Class Base Weight HP (mfgr) Weight / HP

Corvette C5 (inc. FRC w/o Z51) B* 3246 400 8.12
Mercedes SL55 AMG ('03-'06) B* 4280 510 8.39
Mercedes E55 AMG ('03-'06) B* 4087 469 8.71
BMW Z8 B* 3500 400 8.75
Ford Mustang Cobra R ('00) B* 3590 390 9.21
Porsche 996 C2 (3.6L)('02-'04) B* 2959 321 9.22
Mercedes SLK32 AMG ('02-'04) B* 3220 349 9.23
Lotus Exige ('06) B* 2015 218 9.24
Porsche 993 RS 3.8L B* 2800 300 9.33
Ford Mustang Cobra SVT ('02+) B* 3665 390 9.40
Audi RS 4 (4.2L) (AWD)('07) B* 3957 420 9.42
Porsche 997 Carrera ('05-'07) B* 3075 321 9.58
Nissan 370Z (non-sport) B* 3300 331 9.97

Ours has by far the worst weight / power ratio... And remember the 370z Sport is a TTB** and the nismo is a TTA*... TTB** includes the AWD Evo X MR and TTA* includes the current Lotus Exige S, Ferrari 355, 2004 Corvette Z06, and Porsche 996 Turbo. Basically, we get screwed in NASA TT! lol

It'll be interesting to see if I can make this car win in TTA. At some point, I'm going to move back up to TTS and hopefully that'll play to my favor - given it takes all this base class BS out of the equation.

Any news on the fuel starvation fix progress? Also, does your brake cooling setup keep you dust boots intact or do they still get cooked?

Damn Travis, the car looks amazing and sounds like it performs well too. Car has come a long way and looks like all that hard work has paid off. Enjoy it now. I took mine in a different direction since it was never intended to be a hardcore racer, but sometimes I wonder what if, lol. Gonna look into doing some trackdays now that its finally getting cold again.

Re fuel starvation, I ran the car today at Chuckwalla and was able to get down to only several gallons... not the <1 gallon that I was hoping for but still a major improvement... I think Richard of nohotwire would say that there is something out of place but everything seems to be installed correctly. It's a satisfactory solution as far as I'm concerned and will have to do until I switch to a permanent racing fuel cell

I haven't checked the dust boots lately and not sure if we swapped them out when we put the brake cooling in so don't know if it is going to keep them from suffering the heat... I can tell you I'm getting no fade and no ice mode, so happy about that!

Thanks, yes, it is finally getting dialed in. I seem to still pick up 0.5 second every time I go to the track and it is some combination of continued refinements to both car and driver. I was a half second from winning last time out with NASA in TTA.

Your car is coming along great! I continue to follow... glad your SC setup is working out

If you want a hard core 370z just for the track, check in with Jay!

I drove a ZR1 today at the track. Man! Serious power... still like the Z better though! :tup:

Looking good Travis, glad to hear you continue to make such huge gains each time out.

Is Richard ready to sell his fuel tank modifications? Is it possible/safe to ship a fuel tank across the country?

thanks. wish he would come on here and post! :) I think it's ready to go but that's going to be his call... he answers his phone... re shipping, yes, but he's creating a kit so you don't have to ship anything!

Had the car dyno'd today for NASA classing... fortunately, it came out just below 300whp, which means that I'm all set to run NASA TTA at 3,100lbs competition weight! So now I have sufficient points available for:

+3 Nitto NT01 275 series all corners
+1 Modified LSD
+5 dampers/springs
+2 sway bars
+2 brake calipers
+4 rear wing

and two points left over for something else... this is exactly the outcome I needed... last time I ran exactly this setup but carrying nearly 200 pounds of ballast... I'm hoping that by dropping the ballast I can make up the 0.5 second between me and first place... we'll find out on 27 November