Nissan 370Z Forum - Exciting New Nissan 370Z NISMO Team

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

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- - Exciting New Nissan 370Z NISMO Team (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/30461-exciting-new-nissan-370z-nismo-team.html)

Exciting New Nissan 370Z NISMO Team

UPDATE 2/5/11

At the beginning of this thread we wanted to introduce A.M. Performance to the forum, and get some pictures up on what has been happening at the shop. In this update we asked them to tell us why they chose the 370z as their car to compete in, as well as, what they have so far done to improve the cars.

From Mike Sweeney,

We chose the 370 because we think it's a good package that can be made competitive. Our goal is to win races and championships in order to build our brand. In addition, Brian has a good relationship with the Nissan people from his time running the GT-R Time Attack car with Cobb Tuning last year. We also know that Grand Am wants new manufacturers in their series, and finally, we want to build a brand with A.M. Performance, offering parts and services for people who want real, effective, properly engineered, and motorsports proven performance parts for their cars. We saw a big opportunity in the Nissan community, as there just isn't that type of support out there for this brand.

We also think the 370's will look and sound badass, which is important, because race cars have to look and sound cool!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4474627_n.jpg

We have so far stripped two of the cars down completely (as in not a single nut or bolt left on the chassis) to get sandblasted, and seam welded every seam on the cars! (The factory only spot welds, and there is significant rigidity to be found in seam welding) The third we stripped to a point where it can still be used to mock up parts, such as headers, exhaust, and suspension components.

Waiting to be marked for sandblasting.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3145276_n.jpg

The red spray paint is used as a guide for sandblasting.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...4_541107_n.jpg

The car on the rotisserie we built for it.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._8223752_n.jpg

The car is now prepared for welding.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7645146_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4389300_n.jpg

Aerial view of welding the bottom of the car.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2925721_n.jpg

Seam welding in progress.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4255510_n.jpg

Close up of a new weld.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7705691_n.jpg

Completed seam welds in the front.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3159934_n.jpg

The bottom and front completely seam welded.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4732755_n.jpg

We will also be developing and producing multiple suspension pieces for the car. The lower control arms and most of the links in the rear suspension will be included in this, and the pieces we make will be available to our customers. We will be running AST 5200 series dampers, as we think they are a better choice than the KONI 2800s, also allowed by Grand Am (those are the only two approved dampers). We plan on changing the springs from track to track and session to session, due to varying conditions. For braking, we plan on using Brembo front calipers and Nissan rear calipers, working with a Tevis racing ABS system. Finally, we are going to run the extremely sexy 18" Nissan Motorsport Volk Special wheels to fit the 245 front and 275 rear Continental slicks.
(Test fitting shown below)

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2002766_n.jpg

Keep checking for regularly posted updates.

Other Cool Pictures of the cars and shop

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7908552_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3391916_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6292203_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6684050_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...32_16244_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5399475_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5479393_n.jpg

http://l12.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hpho..._3079307_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1103797_n.jpg

UPDATE 2/11/11

We have had requests asking for a complete listing of everything that has been taken off the cars, what is going to be fabricated, and what will be put on the cars. Regarding what has been removed, Literally Everything! The cars have been stripped down to the frame and ever part that can come off has. As far as what is going to be fabricated and put on the cars, we regretfully are not able to provide that information right now, besides the obvious. A.M. Performances is currently working with GRAND-AM regarding this and once it has gotten the O.K., A.M. Performance will send us the list to get to you.

The team was kind enough to answer a couple of posts that came up this past week, and the answers provide a little insightful information on what the team is doing to the cars. Here are the questions and response:

-What are the parts you took off to save weight and if you can, the modifications you will or have done to meet your goal of 400rwhp?-

A.M. Performance,
“There is an astonishing amount of wiring, comfort, and interior equipment that is superfluous to our cause here. Much of the saved weight is purely in the removal of everything that keeps the car comfortable, safe, and quiet on the street. Also, stripping all the undercoating and tar insulation saves a lot of weight. Finally, all the little brackets and doodads that we aren't using add up, and we have cut all of those off the car. Any of the parts we replace will be replaced with a better, stronger part that is as light as it can possibly be.”

-What’s the idea behind the sandblasting, is it just to ready the surface for welding?-

A.M. Performance,
“It preps the car for seam welding quite nicely, and makes for a clean, blank canvas to work with. In addition, it saves a bunch of weight by getting probably about 40 pounds of undercoating and seam sealer off the car.”

Regarding this weeks update: The team has been busy at work seam welding the second car, installing the cage on the first car, and designing the new parts that will be added to the cars.

We have a bunch of great photos for you, so check them out below.

Pile of brackets, etc. we are removing for weight savings.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5650053_n.jpg

Chassis #2 being welded on the rotisserie

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5148611_n.jpg

Chassis #1 ready for cage!

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5368254_n.jpg

The Machine shop ready to prototype parts

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4463683_n.jpg

The NISMO bodywork

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...0_648335_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3495526_n.jpg

The shop GT-R, which A.M. Performance will use as a test mule to make parts for Nissan's other sports car.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7923317_n.jpg

Racetech Seat in car to figure out mounting

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6430682_n.jpg

First bends for the main hoop

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2151753_n.jpg

Three mains!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2454793_n.jpg

Racetech belts showed up today, with their super-slick new style adjusters.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1649654_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6289518_n.jpg

Andrew (right) and Drew hard at work drawing awesome new parts with green lines

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6525363_n.jpg

TIG welding the first cage

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3295370_n.jpg

Working on the halo bar

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4900887_n.jpg

Future updates will be posted as replies from now to keep the initial thread length reasonable.
So keep an eye out.

nice :)
turn my car into a race car!

Thats nice. I like seeing someone take it up to the next level.

Hope the shop pays attention to our threads so they don't go into limp mode!

Somewhat misleading press release. They didn't buy Nismos. They were all base models. I have some of the interior pieces from one of the cars.

That aside, I think it's pretty cool that they're going to be running.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2275806_n.jpg

Oh snap I wonder if they still have that front and rear bumper.
lol!
DIBS!

about time.... go get that cayman!!

I hope this breathes life into the future of Z car racing. With the birth of the GTR, the Z has been a factory second regarding racing.

Better bring those oil coolers...

:-P

Looks awesome!!! More pics of those cars being torn down!!

Here's their Facebook page.
A.M. Performance | Facebook

In for future updates, great new for Grand-Am fans!!

Just found out that their first race entry is going to be the Barber 200 April 7-9.

Event Information

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeOne (Post 903850)

Better bring those oil coolers...

:-P

Looks awesome!!! More pics of those cars being torn down!!

And have Miata doors.....

even on there facebook they said the purchased 3 nismos but then go buy nismo stock bumpers lol? they bought base models converting it to look like a nismo lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee (Post 903604)

Somewhat misleading press release. They didn't buy Nismos. They were all base models. I have some of the interior pieces from one of the cars.

That aside, I think it's pretty cool that they're going to be running.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2275806_n.jpg

Well everyone knows that the base model is faster than the NISMO anyways

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemers (Post 927683)

Well everyone knows that the base model is faster than the NISMO anyways

:stirthepot::stirthepot::stirthepot::stirthepot:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemers (Post 927683)

Well everyone knows that the base model is faster than the NISMO anyways

I know what tree said lol and my comment was adding to that. That even there facebook they said they bought 3 nismos, and also in a post they made on face book said they bought 3 nismos. I just found it funny that they keep making the same typo, really think they purchased nismos, or wanting everyone to think they got nismos lol

Hey Guys,

Just thought I would respond to the this whole NISMO vs. base model discussion.

We announced the cars as NISMO Z's because that is how they will be raced in Grand Am and how they will be marketed. As you all know, a good racecar build starts with just the frame and built up from there. So it really doesn't matter what we started with since they are all the same when it comes to the chassis. We thought it would be more confusing to announce that we would be racing base model Z's, but I hope this clears it up.

Bottom line, when the cars are fully built they will be running NISMO bodywork. The only other difference between base model Z's and NISMO Z's is motor and suspension, which we will be changing out for race spec items anyway.

Hope that clears it up. Please keep checking back with exciting updates on the car build progress and product releases!

Quote:

Originally Posted by toner123 (Post 927658)

even on there facebook they said the purchased 3 nismos but then go buy nismo stock bumpers lol? Fail, they bought base models converting it to look like a nismo lol

We will be buying a LOT of stock NISMO front and rear bumpers because we race in Grand Am and our competitors will be using our car to brake for corners ;).

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.m. Brian (Post 930204)

Eh, but you bought and tuned base model 370z, not a Nismo 370z and made it better.
Sorry but you are prepping base model 370z cars and using the title 'NISMO' as just a marketing angle.

Don't understand why you have to angle for a Nismo Z in the Grand Am? Why can't you say you're just bringing back a Nissan Z? That's really what you're doing...

And the difference between base and Nismo are motor and suspension, "which you are changing out anyway", so it's still, in the end, a Nissan Z, with no affiliation to Nismo.

Just curious. Regardless, nice to see Zs back out in competition. Build looks good so far.

Because!!! The Nismo is made from GOLD

I'm sure NISSAN wants to see the NISMO name out there...

It's not a big deal at all. These are purpose built race cars so it doesn't matter what they start from. Hell, is a NASCAR Impala really an Impala? No!

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan (Post 930287)

We need to specifically homologate the NISMO Z so we can use the aerodynamic body work. Obviously Nissan wants the top brand of the Z represented, which again is why we are building the cars as NISMO Z's. If we started with NISMO Z's of the lot they would look exactly like they do now :).

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.m. Brian (Post 930299)

Ding ding ding. :tup:

fair enough :tup:

though it would be way more fun if you can say a 'BASE MODEL NISSAN 370Z' just spanked all the competition :rofl2:

kidding. good luck with the build, gents.

NISMO stands for Nissan Motor Sport. So is Nissan providing all the parts?

are anyone on the team japanese? or are you like a i-wannabie-a-japanese-tuner like phelan? :icon17: ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.m. Brian (Post 930299)

Makes sense! Nismo bodywork might just work a little better than stock pieces at track speeds too. You guys are building what the "NISMO" version of these cars should have been, doing seam welds, special suspension pieces, engine work beyond simple tune and a sport exhaust. etc. Cant wait to see what you do with brakes and venting. I'm hoping parts for dual street/track use comes of this effort!

Can you guys do much to motors in Grand Am? I know some guys who worked on development of Grand Am Boxsters and 350Z's and seamed to remember decent level of engine work allowed. I have to look at that series again to see rules and cars. Its really a more pure form of production car racing in my opinion.

I keep on meaning to stop by as I drive by your shop every day on my commute from Bonny Doon to San Jose.

Keep up the great work. Very exciting to see the 370Z being developed into competitive race cars.

Wow. Thanks for even addressing the comments a.m. Brian!! That is impressive to me. I will very much be following your progress as I am sure many of us will. I am SO very excited to see the Z's out there mixing it up with the others.

Are you all getting any help from Nissan/Nismo by way of sponsorship?

Quote:

Originally Posted by toner123 (Post 927658)

even on there facebook they said the purchased 3 nismos but then go buy nismo stock bumpers lol? Fail, they bought base models converting it to look like a nismo lol

That's the best way to do it. Mike thanks for the wheels, more pics coming soon. I'm def gonna stay in contact, hopefully we will do more business in the future.

Followed you guys on FB. Hope to see some awesome things out of you.

I don't know maybe I see things different then everyone else. I open the door to insult when I get done saying what i am about to say. Regardless if there changing everything that makes a base different then a nismo it is still not a nismo. Vin number alone says that. How would you feel if I sold a car to you saying it is a nismo when really it is a base because I changes the suspension and the body pieces. I am going to bet you would be pissed at me. So let me ask this my engine is more powerful then base nismo I got KW suspension and some new sway bars, can i start telling everyone I own a nismo and be respected for it? I bet not I would be the laughing stock of the forum more then what i already am. If there changing all this stuff there car isn't even a nismo if it really was then, it is like Phal said a 370Z. The nismo name is just being used for marketing so now a bunch of kids can run around saying that Nismo is the best, no z compares to a nizmo, when in fact that info could be debated. Just because they put a NISMO front and rear bumper on there doesn't give the right for someone to say there car is one. True Nismo will have the tag with the manufacture number.

Edit: I am not saying what there doing isn't cool because it sure as hell is. There doing a great job from the pics I seen and hope they do well in the race, but I want them to call it for what it is not some BS marketing act. If thats the case they should have spent the money on the real NISMO and not on some base models and advertising it to be one. Kind of like the replica body kits all you guys got upset about.

NISMO or base, whatever they start with will be wholly other when they are through. I am glad that they will still call them 370Z's.

i suppose if atleast one of the guys is an engineer from nismo (preferrably from japan), then i think promoting their base as a NISMO-Tuned car is okay. this is why i jokingly asked.

i dont really care eitherway but using a base as a nismo-z is a little tricky to understand. it needs to be a nismo-engineered car to be badged nismo imho... are these guys from nismo? or are they a local shop that makes race cars? i donno.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toner123 (Post 930882)

I completely agree with your points on selling a street car as a NISMO when it is not.

These are not street cars, these are racecars racing in a professional series. You will find nothing different with the "M3's", "Mustangs", "Camero's" etc. that we are racing against. As much as Grand Am Continental Challenge is showroom stock racing, you still need to make multiple makes compete evenly against each other, they all need to run reliably, and that all takes different mods for each car. There are homologation sheets available online to show exactly what is different on the racecars that race in Grand Am as opposed to the car you buy off the showroom floor.

The Nissan NISMO 370Z is the car that our race car is modeled after, not a base model Z. Just like the BMW M3 Grand Am racecar is based off the M3, not the 328, or whatever the base BMW equivelent is.

Very cool, will be following this one closely! Hope you guys come out with some great stuff for us. Good luck at GrandAM! See you guys at Homestead Miami if you are ever bringing the cars down! Would love to get to meet you.