Last month did my finally track event, Track Night at AMP.. did ok but was working with my timing apps and messed them all up so no times. Funny hard to judge what I am doing without times.

But the real reason for running was to see if I could keep under the sound. Which is 98 DBs, and it was did not get bounced or even a warning. So felt good about that. Sad part, I could not get a sound reading to see where I was....

Sound is always a concern, since I have Z1 Headers / Z1 Test pipes resonated / FI Exhaust with 18" resonated muffler. Just wanted to make sure sound was ok...


A couple of pics
Attachment 138788

Attachment 138789

:driving:

Hey Dane...I have enjoyed reading through your journal. Could you please tell me the size winter tires and wheels you went with? I am in the process of researching a set for the winter. I have read that 18s will fit the bigger sport brakes. Just curious what you went with for your setup....Thanks!

Amazing exhaust combo you must like the way your Z sounds. How was the fitment did everything bolt up nicely?

I can't say, I not very mechanically incline, all thumbs.
Had a performance shop I worked with do it, they did not say they had any problems....

Yes, I get lots a comments.... especially at full throttle

Today is the day, 8 years ago purchased my Black Cherry Sport 6 speed 370Z.
Still enjoy it as much today as back then.

It was a long day, should have walked out, but it was Black Cherry and I was the first one to every drive it, spent way too long at the dealership, must have been the red-mist effect

:driving::happydance:

Well was getting ready to pull the Z out and take a ride, neighbor came up and stated how great it looked and sounded. Made me smile...

I was out looking for a new daily, only because, I enjoy looking for a new toy. Was at a dealership and the sales person committed on the car...

So glad I have this wonderful car, and that people take notice of it...

Last Sunday went to Cars and Coffee here in Knoxville TN, Lots of comments on the car.
Most interesting two.
1) nice build, what color is that, the person has 2009 Z. I take a build sheet with me, for a bit older and I do not remember every thing I had done. Makes me smile, when I hear that.
2) since I am all thumbs when it comes to car mechanics, I have a local shop do my mods. I ran into the person who put the mods on. (he did a great job) He still talks about my Z, ran into by my Z and he was explaining to a friend, everything he did. Said he would steal it, but there were too many people there. I cannot think of a bigger compliment.

Makes me, feel real good about how my Z came out.:driving:

couldn't resist this, was on the dragon today
Attachment 139551
:driving:

Dig it!:tup:

Have two of them in my garage. :tup:

cool

Odd question to ask... Always have an itch for cars, so it is hitting again. Now the Z is the longest car I have owned and its not going anywhere.

But the itch is back.. The mini cooper convertible has been fun, had it about a year and my GF wants it. So that is why part of the itch.

Now i have about 20K to play with. The only requirement is it has to be an automatic.

I drove a C6 corvette, but it felt heavy as steering response, but here there is a very active social club.

So with that in mind, and remember it has to be an auto..

Give me some other ideas.

Thanks for the help :tiphat:

Over the weekend I purchased a 2016 Miata Mx-5 Club Stick for a new daily driver

Attachment 141388

But in talking to the sales person, I mention my Z, he said bring it in he wanted to take a look at it.

So I arrived at the dealership and park in front, and all the looks from the sales people inside, he comes out and looks it over and comments about the color and everything (a car person he is) Then asks me start and rev it up and comments on the sound.. I thought it was just funny

Then I got home and one of the neighbors and talked and he commented on the car....

so I had a lot of smiles today, made me realize again why I own a Z
:ughdance:

Never forget the Z, but enjoy the new ride!

Congrats on the new daily!

Okay so l think we should start a pool on how long he will last until he takes it to an auto X event!:stirthepot:

If you don't then I guess you are a hair dresser! :wtf2:

The Z is not forgotten, I took it out and I was like ok, need to do some track days with it and let it run....

This will happen in May - Planning a Track Night @ AMP to knock off the rust, then hopefully a lapping day at mid-ohio in June,

Now need to start planning the rest of the year

LOL, oh it will, just have to look at my crazy schedule..... already saying ok, need to look at the brakes and upgrade the brakes pads :icon17:

Right on! I have really enjoyed my NB over the the last year. The car is so fun on short tracks in particular. Unfortunately there are no mountain or canyon roads around here as it would be fun to run down them German sportscars!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I always get a giggle from people and comments, so new neighbor moved in, in his early 30's and comments on the Z. Smiles on my face... its a bit funny in the apartment complex with the Z and MX-5, seems I have the most sporty cars of everyone and enjoying them both
:happydance:

decided to add something to the car --

Attachment 142360

eye candy, in several favors
:icon17:

next things to do with the Z

1) roof wrap - carbon fiber wrap
2) side skirts - debating, need to find out the cost to get wrap or buy carbon fiber
3) canards -- have a pair of stillen, not sure, going to see the cost of carbon fiber wrap or look for something different
4) Diffuser - thinking

Me -- start reviewing more driving videos and working on driving on a sim Currently using accosta costa, at AMP in a 370Z nismo. Funny my son and I at times run together, but I am about 3 seconds off him. Spend more time on it and cannot find the 3 seconds. Just have to try different things, hoping I find out where to get it and when I finally go back to tracking, something sticks.

Everyone be safe :driving:

today did not take the Z, took my mini and did the tail of the dragon with it for the last time. Need to get some pics of it, since I have been here I have taken all the cars that I have own on the dragon :driving:

Took, the Z out on a 50 mile drive, made me realize how much I miss driving it. It is most comfortable car I have. So I think I am going to target July to do a Track day/night. Also need to find another weekly drive around here, there are options
:driving:

add a carbon fiber wrap to the roof, since it seems to take a beating and wanted to protect the roof
Attachment 142958

Looks good!:tup:

Thanks ---

Just a couple little thoughts on a Monday...
Over the weekend was working on the Z a bit and it was idling, someone walked by and said sounded nice... always makes me grin.....

Then found this a few days ago, I think it is my favorite picture of me in the Formula Ford I ran, this was at mid-ohio and taken by my 10 year old son at the time

Everyone have a great day
:hello:

well its Friday, made some decisions

1) track night at AMP on Aug 12
2) Playing Assetto Corsa at AMP with the Nismo in the game, will find out if this helps, at least I feel better about the track
3) got the roof a carbon fiber wrap (been posted)
4) sold the Stillen Canards -- just did not do anything for me
5) working a windshield banner using Steve McQueen quote from LeMans - we'll see if it works...

Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.

6) looking at lips for the Z..
7) debating on going to a driving school again.... Looking at AMP school, because its close

Just thoughts.....

Thanks for the look
:hello:

well on the list from Friday, item 5 is done, came out pretty good...
just different
Attachment 143586

Attachment 143587

Well at the place that it was done at, look under there lights and went, I think its time to have the paint rub/clean/glazed professional. Targeting this for the winter months.....

Did my first SCCA Track Night of the year on Wednesday
-- COVID 19 setup
masks for all meetings, no indoor meetings
Good social distancing / masks 80%
I felt comfortable in going and participating
-- driving
forgot about the 'S mode' - which would explain funny feeling on down shifts (I do not heel / toe)
Traction control, was reminded real quick to turn off
Tires - Michelin PS4S front 36 / rears 32 -- good wear
no rear sway bar -- to tell the truth I have no butt feel
find out why the seat seem to move, seems as if something was not locked on the back..
best time was a 1:51:79 -- not bad for me...
-- Turns
13 - 16 the carousel lot of body lean, its a bit fun, leaning turning left and shifting... From 2nd to 4th...
Turn 6, for me is a 2nd gear corner
Turn 1, is from 4th to 2nd, and start breaking at about the start finish line.
-- Things I have to improve
Shifting, go to be more smooth and makes sure 'S Mode' is on.
Traction control make sure it is off
-- Note
I played Assetto Corsa, and have AMP and Nismo, it did help in making me feel more familiar with the track. but the sim vs the actually were a bit different on shifts and of course not a really feel

:driving:

SCCA Track Night picture

Attachment 144047

:tup:

:driving:

just working on my list of what I am thinking and trying to do

Compeleted
1) SCCA Track night at AMP Aug 12
2) Carbon Fiber wrap on the roof
3) working a windshield banner using Steve McQueen quote from LeMans - we'll see if it works...
Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting. - it worked
4) Stillen Canards - SOLD
5) buy the XGPS160 - SkyPro GPS Receiver - done


To Do
1) SCCA Track night at AMP Sept 16 -- sold out
2) More Assetto Corsa play time, now I have a stick shift to use -- drive different tracks and cars
3) Get paint protection - touch up, as I said at one point after 9 years lots of swirls
4) Canards -- but not Stillen
5) Lip / Skirts / Steering wheel -- still thinking
6) Driver school
6.1) will be back at mid-ohio next year, with the Z
6.2) Others still thinking -- any suggestions
7) figure out an easy way to data from track days video/times/etc..
7.1) Garmin new Garmin Catalyst -- looking good, looking for black friday special
7.2) ApexProd

My main thoughts now, are to try to work on improving my driving skills. The season is pretty much done, need to make the mental effort now...

thanks for the read
:tiphat:

well living in an apartment complex with a little bit of a loud car always make me worry. But I met a neighbor the other day who said my car was BAD ***, because he loves hearing the sound when it starts up........

always makes me laugh and feel good about my Z

Took the Z out for a Sunday drive and makes me remember why I like to drive it :driving:

In the past 3 weeks have done the tail of the dragon 3 times, not all in the Z.
But it is the most enjoyable. The other two were my GF Honda Element and my MX-5, with the top down of course...

With being semi-retired, trying to do the dragon, when ever I am home...

On the tail of the dragon

Back end

first time trying from my google photos, if you can't see it, please tell me, I need to learn new things..

Well a beautiful fall day here in Knoxville
So took the Z out on the dragon
great fall drive not a lot of traffic
Just a fun drive

Attachment 145370
Rest time on the dragon

Still green there.

nope the fall colors are out, which made the drive special
I have been driving the tail since September 30th, except for one week
twice in the Z
once in a Honda element
the rest have been in my Miata

Wanted to watch how the leaves changed and have no excuse for not going once a week... :driving:

Well decided to sign up for this course
Driver61 - Sim Racing Fundamentals MasterClass (MX-5)

https://driver61.com/sim-racing/sim-...aining-course/

did it for two reasons...
1) my sons are always 3-4 seconds faster than me...
2) just maybe some of what I learn will help me in on track days

I'll let you know on how it all goes... starts this week and goes for 5 weeks...

:driving: