Follow-up analysis to Car & Driver crashing Nismo 370Z at VIR

jabrother · 05-04-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rj45

If this is indeed the reality, then Nissan should fix the design flaw, no question.

Although, exclusive of this Car and Driver/Nismo mishap, I don't remember reading a Z road test/comparison test that panned the car's brakes. Not saying these mags are the authority, but Id think one of them would have mentioned unusually bad brake fade/performance during testing.

Bottom line, though, if the Z's basic brake design/setup is a proven safety issue, the manufacturer should step up.

The G37 S has been mentioned to have bad brake fade and it has the same braking system. Seen it in R&T and C&D.

Mike · 05-04-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Valvoline synthetic was a DOT 4+ good for 502 dry, it was the best stuff you could find at crappy parts stores like AutoZone and actually it wasn't bad.

They don't make it anymore.

what he said, it was pretty good stuff for the price. And, when AMLS driver Shields Bergstrom did get my corvette fluid to boil a little, the car still braked for the remainder of the lap, and even when I drove it back to my paddock, nothing like the Z's total brake failure.

The good thing is, noone will ever get this problem on the street, at least if they aren't breaking about 20 laws at the time.

semtex · 05-04-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

The good thing is, noone will ever get this problem on the street, at least if they aren't breaking about 20 laws at the time.

It's only a matter of time before we see a post from a Nismo owner complaining that he crashed into a curb while practicing his drift moves and blaming it on brake fade.

MightyBobo · 05-04-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Bobo, I always successfully ran hp+ on the last two cars with no problems until right before I got rid of the vette when an alms driver took me for a ride and they just started to fadewith h driving after 20 minutes. I didn't
like stock pads on the rear either, but they didn't com e in on time for that event

Ahhhh, gotcha - I know you were in the track game earlier than I was, so I understand.

I probably wouldnt worry a lot about running HP+ on a 'Vette - their brake system is so much better. This car...needs band aids

Mike · 05-05-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Ahhhh, gotcha - I know you were in the track game earlier than I was, so I understand.

I probably wouldnt worry a lot about running HP+ on a 'Vette - their brake system is so much better. This car...needs band aids

as I quickly found out! The car had 1500 street miles on it at the time, so the pads were as new. No pads should wear completely to the backing plates in only 20 minutes on any track.

klubbheads · 05-05-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

It's only a matter of time before we see a post from a Nismo owner complaining that he crashed into a curb while practicing his drift moves and blaming it on brake fade.

No need to practice.... If you ever slided a car before, then Z is the easiest car to "drift". If you crash a Z, you're stupid and should not be allowed to drive over the speed limit ever again in your life, I have driven lots of cars and this is one of the easiest cars to push to its limits. I am sure stupid kids at some point will crash and blame it on brakes.... Happens with every car and every forum.

BTW what’s this animosity towards nismo owners?

theDreamer · 05-05-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klubbheads

BTW what’s this animosity towards nismo owners?

To quickly answer this without going OT to much, so far the Nismo crashes (reported on the forum) have been from owners attempting dangerous driving abilities while on the street, be it drifting, street racing, etc.

On the brakes, great discussion guys, looking forward to what some vendors can come up with to help you guys out who track their car(s).

klubbheads · 05-05-2010, 10:55 AM

^thanks...

scruffydog · 05-05-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weeeee

I'm actually working on making a good DIY on brake ducting for the Nismo. I'll post results soon

it'd better not be cutting 2 holes in that bumper of urs

just kidding

shadoquad · 05-05-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjlazer

Do aftermarket BBKs like Brembo, Stop Tech, etc have this brake problem on the 370Z?

Don't know if anyone else answered this already, but according to the C&D article, it doesn't matter what brakes you're using. The problem is a matter of overheating, in their judgment, although it seems this is mainly an issue if you're putting your Z on a track.

The solution would be some sort of brake cooling modification. Tuners like Stillen may offer an answer via body panels that properly vent the brakes. The stock body panels focus more on aerodynamics for the purpose of fuel economy, but this leads to excessive heat build-up in heavy braking.

That's what I got from the article and this thread, anyway.

Mike · 05-05-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Don't know if anyone else answered this already, but according to the C&D article, it doesn't matter what brakes you're using. The problem is a matter of overheating, in their judgment, although it seems this is mainly an issue if you're putting your Z on a track.

The solution would be some sort of brake cooling modification. Tuners like Stillen may offer an answer via body panels that properly vent the brakes. The stock body panels focus more on aerodynamics for the purpose of fuel economy, but this leads to excessive heat build-up in heavy braking.

That's what I got from the article and this thread, anyway.

Kind of, but the added mass of my brembo gt calipers does allow me to do a full 30 minute session with no problems. I don't know how much longer than 30 they would last though, but 30 is enough

ZKindaGuy · 05-06-2010, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

One thing though... when you walk into a nissan dealership looking at Z's dealers love talking about the nismo, they Love stressing its track readiness. So I would have to agree that nissan is misleading.....

Nissan "the dealer" is NOT the same as Nissan "the manufacturer". You cannot indict the manufacturer for a "sales-pitch" made by the dealership. The dealerships buys the cars from Nissan, the manufacturer. The dealersships are customers to Nissan the manufacturer just as the person who buys the car from the dealership is the customer of the dealership.

So if the dealerships love talking up the Nismo as a "track ready" vehicle, that is a sales-pitch which needs to be sorted out and distinguished by the person who is interested in buying the car from that dealership.

So Nissan the manufacturer is NOT being misleading...the dealership who sells Nissan cars is being misleading.

Joehand1 · 05-11-2010, 08:11 PM

I'm heading to Barber in June for a couple of track days.

Because I value my life, I'm taking my 1987 911 and leaving my 370 Sport Package in the driveway.

Maybe the Z would be OK, but I just don't trust it on the track.

The 911 is relatively slow, but it's bullet proof and the brakes never fade.

jabrother · 05-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Can't say that I blame you there!! At least til you get a pad and fluid upgrade in the 370.

James

08 G37
09 Miata
96 240sx
00 Boxster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joehand1

I'm heading to Barber in June for a couple of track days.

Because I value my life, I'm taking my 1987 911 and leaving my 370 Sport Package in the driveway.

Maybe the Z would be OK, but I just don't trust it on the track.

The 911 is relatively slow, but it's bullet proof and the brakes never fade.

kenchan · 05-12-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joehand1

Because I value my life, I'm taking my 1987 911 and leaving my 370 Sport Package in the driveway.

the 911 doesn't run?

05-05-2010, 10:55 AM	#98 (permalink)
klubbheads Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 221 Drives: Very slow Nismo 370 Rep Power: 17	^thanks... __________________ g35driver OG.

05-11-2010, 08:11 PM	#103 (permalink)
Joehand1 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mississippi Posts: 7 Drives: 09 370 Z Rep Power: 235	I'm heading to Barber in June for a couple of track days. Because I value my life, I'm taking my 1987 911 and leaving my 370 Sport Package in the driveway. Maybe the Z would be OK, but I just don't trust it on the track. The 911 is relatively slow, but it's bullet proof and the brakes never fade. __________________ 2009 370 Z 2006 Ford GT 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera

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