M.Bonanni Project 370Z V3.0 | Clean Slate

M.Bonanni · 03-21-2013, 03:48 PM

Yeah that's my major dilemma as well. Mine is an '09 with 47k miles on it. There's just nothing else out there that I would rather have for what my Z is worth. I would have to come out of pocket a few grand to get something I would view as comparable in speed/looks/aftermarket support/mileage/condition as my Z. 2006-2008 BMW M Coupe (Z4 body style) is probably #1 on the list. Basically an E46 M3 with a different body that I think is better looking, plus it's a tad lighter. That car also has its own problems on the track though, but there are known fixes/preventative measures.

travisjb · 03-21-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Bonanni

Yeah that's my major dilemma as well. Mine is an '09 with 47k miles on it. There's just nothing else out there that I would rather have for what my Z is worth. I would have to come out of pocket a few grand to get something I would view as comparable in speed/looks/aftermarket support/mileage/condition as my Z. 2006-2008 BMW M Coupe (Z4 body style) is probably #1 on the list. Basically an E46 M3 with a different body that I think is better looking, plus it's a tad lighter. That car also has its own problems on the track though, but there are known fixes/preventative measures.

I almost pulled the trigger on a used Z06 from the Bondurant school. They wanted $12K after 1 year of track abuse.

M.Bonanni · 03-21-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

I almost pulled the trigger on a used Z06 from the Bondurant school. They wanted $12K after 1 year of track abuse.

That could be an awesome deal or a crappy deal haha. The thing I don't like about the Z06 is the aluminum frame. Makes it a royal pain in the *** to do a roll cage since you can't weld the steel cage to the aluminum frame. You have to sleeve it through the frame, cap it on both sides, bolt on any gusseting, etc. It can be done by the right cage builder, but it wont be cheap. Plus you can make plenty of NA power with the LS2/LS3 anyway and you can buy Z06 or ZR1 front/rear fenders that bolt right on for extra tire clearance. The only big advantage to the Z06 is that it already comes with a halfway decent dry sump system. Long story short, for the price difference you normally get between the regular C6 and the Z06 you can probably build a better standard model for the same amount of money as buying the stock Z06.

chknhawk · 04-25-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Bonanni

That could be an awesome deal or a crappy deal haha. The thing I don't like about the Z06 is the aluminum frame. Makes it a royal pain in the *** to do a roll cage since you can't weld the steel cage to the aluminum frame. You have to sleeve it through the frame, cap it on both sides, bolt on any gusseting, etc. It can be done by the right cage builder, but it wont be cheap. Plus you can make plenty of NA power with the LS2/LS3 anyway and you can buy Z06 or ZR1 front/rear fenders that bolt right on for extra tire clearance. The only big advantage to the Z06 is that it already comes with a halfway decent dry sump system. Long story short, for the price difference you normally get between the regular C6 and the Z06 you can probably build a better standard model for the same amount of money as buying the stock Z06.

Sorry I am checking in late... but not being able to weld steel and aluminum together is not entirely true. Although it might be expensive as hell there is a way. Developed by honda called friction stir welding.

here is the link friction Stir Welding. And great blog/post on your car. I just spent the better part of my afternoon reading your whole log. Nice work and I think it is really cool that you have so much backing from sponsors in the community. I am working on my first track/autox season at the moment. Been around cars and races all my life but never got the opportunity to try it. We will see how it goes. Thanks for all the info though!

oh.. and if your going to buy that porsche up there .. you might as well just get a GTR. Cheaper and faster.

M.Bonanni · 04-25-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chknhawk

Sorry I am checking in late... but not being able to weld steel and aluminum together is not entirely true. Although it might be expensive as hell there is a way. Developed by honda called friction stir welding.

here is the link friction Stir Welding. And great blog/post on your car. I just spent the better part of my afternoon reading your whole log. Nice work and I think it is really cool that you have so much backing from sponsors in the community. I am working on my first track/autox season at the moment. Been around cars and races all my life but never got the opportunity to try it. We will see how it goes. Thanks for all the info though!

oh.. and if your going to buy that porsche up there .. you might as well just get a GTR. Cheaper and faster.

Thanks! That friction stir welding is pretty cool! Still thought, the rulebooks require the sleeving method. Hopefully they will approve that method one day though. Good luck on your first season!

Rusty · 04-25-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chknhawk

Sorry I am checking in late... but not being able to weld steel and aluminum together is not entirely true. Although it might be expensive as hell there is a way. Developed by honda called friction stir welding.

here is the link friction Stir Welding. And great blog/post on your car. I just spent the better part of my afternoon reading your whole log. Nice work and I think it is really cool that you have so much backing from sponsors in the community. I am working on my first track/autox season at the moment. Been around cars and races all my life but never got the opportunity to try it. We will see how it goes. Thanks for all the info though!

oh.. and if your going to buy that porsche up there .. you might as well just get a GTR. Cheaper and faster.

Taking the thread off track abit. Friction Stir Welding is old news. Been doing that since the '70's, with aluminum since the '90's. The company I used to work for, Elliott TurboMachinery. I help in developing TIG welding aluminum to steel overlay.

Mike · 03-21-2013, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

I almost pulled the trigger on a used Z06 from the Bondurant school. They wanted $12K after 1 year of track abuse.

A customer just sent me his brakes to refinish on one that he bought from bondurant. Those things were cooked!

cossie1600 · 03-21-2013, 04:31 PM

That's more like a car that's been through a gangbang

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

I almost pulled the trigger on a used Z06 from the Bondurant school. They wanted $12K after 1 year of track abuse.

You would have to come up with more than that, those M coupes are very rare and they hold their value. At the end of the day, you will have to spend money on nearly every car. There are very few cars you can buy for the money that can deliver the same performance. You would either have to buy an older car and sink a lot of mod money.

God forbid, there is the EVO and STI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Bonanni

Yeah that's my major dilemma as well. Mine is an '09 with 47k miles on it. There's just nothing else out there that I would rather have for what my Z is worth. I would have to come out of pocket a few grand to get something I would view as comparable in speed/looks/aftermarket support/mileage/condition as my Z. 2006-2008 BMW M Coupe (Z4 body style) is probably #1 on the list. Basically an E46 M3 with a different body that I think is better looking, plus it's a tad lighter. That car also has its own problems on the track though, but there are known fixes/preventative measures.

M.Bonanni · 03-21-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

God forbid, there is the EVO and STI.

Eh, I have had two Evos. Been down that road. An EVO/STI would probably produce a better track car for the same amount of money, but I am a RWD guy at heart. Plus I don't like having the same car that 30 other people have at the track that day, which rules out the EVO/STI/S2000. Although I feel like the S2000 is the car I "should" get on paper...I just don't want one. Same goes for the FR-S and Miata.

cossie1600 · 03-21-2013, 07:36 PM

You have no options than. Maybe a little MP3

There is always the forum favorite 5.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Bonanni

Eh, I have had two Evos. Been down that road. An EVO/STI would probably produce a better track car for the same amount of money, but I am a RWD guy at heart. Plus I don't like having the same car that 30 other people have at the track that day, which rules out the EVO/STI/S2000. Although I feel like the S2000 is the car I "should" get on paper...I just don't want one. Same goes for the FR-S and Miata.

M.Bonanni · 03-21-2013, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

There is always the forum favorite 5.0

Thought about that one too. Its on the list, just not near the top. IRS > Straight Axle

03-21-2013, 03:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1321	Yeah that's my major dilemma as well. Mine is an '09 with 47k miles on it. There's just nothing else out there that I would rather have for what my Z is worth. I would have to come out of pocket a few grand to get something I would view as comparable in speed/looks/aftermarket support/mileage/condition as my Z. 2006-2008 BMW M Coupe (Z4 body style) is probably #1 on the list. Basically an E46 M3 with a different body that I think is better looking, plus it's a tad lighter. That car also has its own problems on the track though, but there are known fixes/preventative measures. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

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