haven't had the opporunity yet at VIR, but since I added the wing, I love taking Road Atlanta esses at full throttle.

So you went off kind of in the middle of the straight where the kink is?

Is this the first time you have run square? I've never ran any other way. Switching from 295/40-18 hoosiers to 275.40 NT01s for the next set, but I've been bouncing between 275 and 295 the whole time I've had it. The NT01s were a lot cheaper and I have heard they last longer

I usually run 275 NT01 square, this time was running 265 Yoko square... there is a noticeable difference favoring the NT01s. With the added power (for what it's worth!), my car will definitely benefit from +30 rear tire

Yes, in the middle of the straight/kink *another facepalm*... and just so everyone doesn't think I'm a complete idiot... many of the turns at VIR are blind, including this "straight"... you come over the crest and if your car is in the wrong spot, time to ditch... I think that's why it gets all the comparisons to the ring

Here's one of the better videos of VIR full course... first 15 seconds shows the area I went off. Should be no problem if you stay in the middle, of course! or keep eyes forward

Aha! Just found another vid... "inexperienced driver took the esses / rollercoaster too fast and..."



"... aw, sh*t!"

Our very own mightybobo! lol

Hypothetical... what's the best low-maintenance race car? not street legal is fine
(I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the Z !!!)

I suspect "race car" and "low maintenance" don't ever go in the same sentence. You could shoot for a cheap car for cheap maintenance. Miata? Shove a LS1 in it if it's too pokey for you :)

Well Travis sounds like you still enjoyed the track some reguardless.

These episodes with heat makes me think LS1 motor more and more. I'd love to keep the VQ and run a mild Boost but.........

Glad to here about the SPL parts. I received my tow arms and must say I should of went with them first. Great quality. I'm ordering the camber arms today.

Miata's are the lowest cost and lowest maintenance track cars out there if they have the stock drivetrain. Perhaps not as challenging on one hand as on the straights and the wider corners you can nit a sweater, but everything is in the corners that matter.

Stock and spec miatas with rollcage, fire system etc go for cheap money. Modified miatas with alternate engines can be quick as stink - but, then you have to be prepared for the higher consumable rate and ready to deal with the gremlins.

As my corvette tuner told me, the only production car that is race ready and low maintenance is a GT3. Built from the factory for this stuff and all you need to change is brake pads and tires.

You didn't say cheap.

Yeah the Miata thing is what I keep going back to in my head from time to time. I mean, you could probably keep 2-3 Miatas ready to go just as backups for the cost of running a 370Z. But on the other hand, it's a Miata...

It's a consideration for down the road... at some point, the 997 GT3s will get cheaper and that'll be the time for me to jump in that pond... I do wonder if I will like the driving dynamics of the 911 though... the thought of a rear engine car has always been a turn off for me

Good point on the backups, but then that's 2-3 sets of brakes to bleed, oil to change etc. And good point on it being a Miata... have trouble imagining that being fun on a long track like VIR

Sticking with the Z for now, but thanks for entertaining the thought!

So, have any of you guys worked with CIN Motorsports out of Charlotte? I just talked with the owner Bobby and seems like a good guy - definitely understands thermal management on a race car.

Funny you ask. I was just coming back on line to suggest that now that you are up in GSO, you go talk to Bobby. They are a top notch shop. Do all the work on my friend Bryan Settle's 350z race car, and lots of other track and Nissan junkies that I know.

Was lapping a GT3 this weekend, the driver wasn't pushing it very hard, which with a car like that I can understand.

Cool- good to know, thanks. I did talk with Bobby directly. It's down to them and motionlabtuning, also in Charlotte. Will make a decision later this week. Both good shops from what I can tell.

A Radical. I talked to an owner of an SR8LM at my last trackday, he told me the car was pretty cheap to run mainly due to the low weight. I don't remember the exact figures, but his brake pads and tires lasted a loooong time. As in: multiple trackday seasons (!!) for the pads. And the tires are relatively small, which keeps cost down as well. Of course the SR8LM is the top of the line Radical, but the base model can be had used for 370Z money... Oh, yeah, I did get to ride along for a 20 minute session, in one word: Insane! What a machine, cornering and braking are out of this world. Acceleration as well of course, but that's to be expected with over 460hp. But I assume that an SR3 will offer the same cornering and braking thrills with slightly less maniacal acceleration at a more doable purchase price.

Ooh. DSR. Those suckers are cheap to operate and are blisteringly fast.

Yeah! The SR3 RS looks like an amazing ride with the right blend of performance and track reliability. Then there's the temptation of the street legal SR3 SL that is just a hair slower but powered by a Ford Ecoboost, which would be cheap to rebuild and maintain.

Both are going to be on my list as long-term (2 years out) replacements for the Z.

After much deliberation, I've decided to take the car to CIN Motorsports of Charlotte! Reputable, licensed UpRev tuner and talented crew! Dropping the car off tonight to get moving on the HG and improvements to radiator airflow.

http://www.cinmotorsports.com/index.php

Awesome. Travis if you get a chance could you take a pic of your deleted AC and PM it to me? I'd very much appreciate it.

I will toss a friendly plug for the CIN Motorsports guys. Good Z guys all around, they support the Z community and attend many of the southeastern Z events like ZDayZ, etc. CIN has built some cool cars over the years (when you stop by, ask if the Turbo'ed LS1 350Z is hanging around. Word of the wise(r) bring a second pair of underpants).

That is that most most amazing Z I've ever seen or heard.

Caterham.

Caterham Cars

You just need to step up and put 350z heads on your car with real engine controller.

Mk4 Challenge Model | | Factory Five RacingFactory Five Racing

Starts at 20k, but can go up to 40k if you have them build it for you and race ready.

Travis here's those hatch springs.

Amazon.com: Sparco 01608 Spring Hood Pin - Set of 2: Automotive

sorry for delay on this... let's see if I can get Bobby and crew to do this - they've got the car now

I'm sure they appreciate that Dustin, and you should know that when I was talking it through with them they actually gave you guys a positive plug.

Both good options, thanks! Hope we're all hanging around here on page 242, which will be around the time I'm ready to make this decision! :)

Perfect... Ytm thanks!! Big rep on the way

So, I'm going to be looking at potentially another engine... oil line came disconnected in addition to HG and whatever else... fingers crossed that I shut it all down in time! arggggghhhhh... not giving up but I could use a freakin beer... I think I learned this lesson already, but never ever skimp on oil line fittings

LS3 :tup:

Ouch. Hoping for the best.

Dustin, would you please PM a quote to ship a NISMO rear bumper cover / fascia to CIN motorsports? No emblem, no mounting hardware. Ideally, painted brilliant silver. Thanks.

I spoke too soon... received an email update from Bobby 30 mins ago

"Your [engine] is running my man! and seems to sound ok too. Bobby CIN Motorsports"

Relief!... There's no question one of the oil lines was completely lose, but it must have blown off right after I pulled off track and shut it down.

And of course Bobby is living up to his reputation - working deep into Saturday night. I picked the right shop!

Nice! Congrats Travis. Sounds like you'll be back on track soon.

:tup:

Op what engine are you on?

What oil are you running?

Travis,
Sorry for not seeing this post until Sunday. If I can get my laptop to remote access to the shop I will gladly get you a quote together.

If anything else I will back in the office Tuesday and will take care of it then. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions. :tiphat:

#3... motul 300v... can't blame the oil for my issues!

Thanks, man!

I found this discussion between Jay and you. So this must mean you dont need a AC bracket made to replace the AC to delete it. Just another belt smaller belt, correct?

''Originally Posted by jayfightmoves
The AC delete is pretty easy. Once you snatch the compressor off replace the stock belt with a Gates K060500. This is a 6 rib belt rather than the stock 7, however it should be fine as it will have no compressor load. Lace the belt through the; power steering, alternator, tensioner and crank pulley normally. Then only use the upper most grooved pulley to complete the loop. We removed the AC side smooth idler and the center ribbed idler as they have no use in this configuration.''

^ yes. I believe the Gates belt # you want is

# K070750

... found that in an old email... could be wrong so don't blame the messenger!