TravisJB Journal

SkyZ

tt-RS, the engine sounds amazing. Maybe if its in budget a p-car? Or the opposite end of the spectrum a luxurious fast car? Jag XF/XF-R however much one of those runs. Amg sedan. All fun practical cars.

travisjb

good input!

will look into the ruckus, looks pretty cool to me!

audi has some appeal... maybe an R8???

wife drives an ISF, so not sure an AMG sedan or jag adds much... have been thinking about porsche, maybe a cayman... will ponder on that a bit

Good input!! Keep em coming

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

ChrisSlicks

2011 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax is the ultimate tow machine, I saw that thing accelerate up a steep hill at 80mph while towing a 10,000lb car and trailer. Incredible torque.

I only live 3.5 miles from work and if the weather is good I use pedal power.

If you can get anything maybe they can lease you a Lexus LFA?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

travisjb

If I go the tow vehicle route, I am favoring a GM product with Duramax / Allison

I can lease whatever, but lease only covers a fixed $ amount, so I'd end up paying a big chuck of that LFA... even if I could afford it, it is not a car I'd want to stretch my budget for... like the high revs and cool display in console, performance is mediocre for a modern supercar, but looks don't suit me

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

leviathan18

wow excellent thread and quite a digest for a night and a morning

a couple of ideas

1st idea reduce cd: flat bottom and dimple it like a golf ball used by VAG in most of their cars the dimple effect helps with air speed under the car

2nd idea: thermal wrap everything you won't believe the change it makes we did in our race car (a honda civic 1998) you reduce engine temps by A LOT and you increase exhaust velocity we used thermal tape in header and exhaust and intake to isolate it from heat and cold side radiator hoses to isolate them and everything we could keep cold to lower temps.

those are my 2 cents

love the rims, love all the effort you have put into this and I would love a pic of the truck hauling that baby if you have one.

sorry for my english not my first language

travisjb

thanks for reading and commenting - your english is fine! headers are already wrapped... have started adding more thermal barriers in other places too for safety, but will put some more thought into what else can be done to optimize the engine... I've noticed that at the track I always run my fastest time during my second lap and times fall off by a tenth or so each subsequent lap... there is definitely a heat soak issue with the drivetrain or possibly the tires

the aero underneath the car is pretty bad, so I will be looking at ways to create a flatter profile... the dimpled surface under the car makes sense, I'll do some more research there

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

travisjb

Ideas...

1. 911 Carerra GTS Cabriolet
2. BMW M3 convertible
3. Z06... buy it at end of the lease and turn into 2nd track car?
4. Audi RS5... not available in U.S. till Sep?
5. Jag XKR convertible in Polaris White with 'Black Pack'

The Z06 would be the only one that I would consider turning into a track car - gives me the option to do that eventually if I really like the car... the others all have a back seat for my toddler... anyone have a strong opinion?

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

leviathan18

Regarding your second car forget the RS5 its a bad joke for the money you get a M3 with mods and eat it alive, a 2011 S4 is a blast 3.0 supercharged seats 4 adults with the torque vectoring rear differential a joy to drive with APR tune that thing is doing low 12 seconds 1/4 mile with a weight of 3800 lbs without driver, extremely nice interior and creature comforts.

if you manage a good under aero you will have nice gains if not ask the lotus guys in the 70s xD

Equinox

You don't modify a work funded lease car. I was just saying too many people have a BMW, so go Audi.

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RCZ

M3 Vert

sig11

The 1 M is pretty amazing and relatively cheap. My favorite car at the NAIAS after the Porsches.

Equinox

1 series Bimmers always gave me the feeling of 'I couldn't afford a 3 series' and they looked too stubby or 'smashed' short. Not a fan. Not sure why BMW is bringing their more affordable cars to America, it will make the lose their 'elite' luxury feel they have here. Something they've lost in their domestic market, where Fords are considered nicer in some stand points.

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leviathan18

and I forgot to say I love audis

travisjb

I ruled out the Jag after a visit to the dealer this afternoon... pretty car but seems like something old ladies would drive... the sales people had no idea how to answer my technical questions

Went to Porsche dealer today too and they convinced me to think about replacing the F250 with a 08-10 certified Cayenne Turbo... I drove one today and man it was a blast! That might be the best approach, if my deal will let me lease a used vehicle

Agree, wouldn't get an S5 and modify it

So my new list is:

tow vehicles / family car
1. Cayanne turbo (1-3 yrs old)
2. new GM 2500 diesel

fun car
1. m3 vert (0-2 yrs old)
2. z06 (0-1 yrs old)
3. 997 Turbo (2+ yrs old)
4. new 997 GTS

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2009 370Z #104
*For Sale*

Equinox

Well owning a 370z Nismo, I'm basically the proud owner of a poor mans 'something that looks similar to a 997 GT3', knowing I can't afford a Porsche Turbo right now, but I'd have a 997 turbo if I could, so I of course suggest that option.

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Check out my Albums
'13 Subaru WRX STi | '06 Porsche 911 Carrera S (SOLD) | '96 Mazda RX-7 6.0L V8 RHD (SOLD) | '09 Nissan Nismo #0058 (SOLD)