Nissan 370Z Forum - Leguna Seca

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am (Post 1684586)

Thank you sir.

I am running stock dot 3 brake fluid at the moment. I will upgrade to Dot 4 and CT XP8 pads before my next track event.

I consider myself lucky (for many reasons) to have rotors still.

Haha seriously. I would be scared to death with the stock setup at laguna seca. Also, not to go too off topic, think about trying out a sinister brake pad set up.
What other comments do you have on the Z's performance at that track? Did your suspension setup serve well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg (Post 1684970)

Haha seriously. I would be scared to death with the stock setup at laguna seca. Also, not to go too off topic, think about trying out a sinister brake pad set up.
What other comments do you have on the Z's performance at that track? Did your suspension setup serve well?

Watching for brake fade was a constant worry. I will not do it again with stock pads. My final parts arrived yesterday. If the XP8's do not work out I'll consider the Sinister's.

The 370Z had a lot of grunt to go up hill and catch up to some others. Without an oil cooler you'd be out quickly. With one, I went without a problem.

My suspension served me very well. I always felt in control. I never pushed as hard as the car could go around a turn. The tires never sang. I worked on looking at the flaggers, before I looked down the track.

By re-watching my own video, I know I want to be in third gear in the cork screw, jump into fourth gear between turns four and seven when possible and grab second on the last turn before the main straight.

I also know the Z can do what many cars can not do at Laguna Seca. It can double apex the "Andretti Hairpin", turn two. I tried it towards the end of the day. Only the maneuverable cars like the Miata and Lotus seemed to do it.

The Z has some trouble at Laguna Seca vs the very powerful cars like the Corvette, Mustang GT500, M3's and GT3's, which are prevalent. With that said When one of these cars passed me, I could keep up briefly with power, unlike the Miatas. I think the Z may be better suited for Sears Point but until I step up to a dedicated track car, the Z will attend me at each track.

Man, I am so jealous. That is my favorite race track. I was out in San Jose for a wedding last year. I drove south to check it out in person. I wish I could put my Z out on it. Congratulations, bud :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am (Post 1686510)

Watching for brake fade was a constant worry. I will not do it again with stock pads. My final parts arrived yesterday. If the XP8's do not work out I'll consider the Sinister's.

Should talk to Sixpax - I warned him about this for his event coming up. Didnt realize it'd be so bad, you'd warp your rotors. Even more reason to get pads...

The 370Z had a lot of grunt to go up hill and catch up to some others. Without an oil cooler you'd be out quickly. With one, I went without a problem.

My suspension served me very well. I always felt in control. I never pushed as hard as the car could go around a turn. The tires never sang. I worked on looking at the flaggers, before I looked down the track.

Always a good practice

By re-watching my own video, I know I want to be in third gear in the cork screw, jump into fourth gear between turns four and seven when possible and grab second on the last turn before the main straight.

It was hard to tell, but it sounded like you were short-shifting a lot? Couldnt really see your gauges, was just going off engine noise. Sounded like you had a good 500-1000 RPM left til red-line at least, but I could be wrong...

I also know the Z can do what many cars can not do at Laguna Seca. It can double apex the "Andretti Hairpin", turn two. I tried it towards the end of the day. Only the maneuverable cars like the Miata and Lotus seemed to do it.

The Z has some trouble at Laguna Seca vs the very powerful cars like the Corvette, Mustang GT500, M3's and GT3's, which are prevalent. With that said When one of these cars passed me, I could keep up briefly with power, unlike the Miatas. I think the Z may be better suited for Sears Point but until I step up to a dedicated track car, the Z will attend me at each track.

Laguna Seca is a fast track with plenty of good, long straights. Anything with power will smoke ya in those really. Only late-braking, solid lines and good exits will you keep ahead.

I'll watch the rest when I get home later :-p

You need to be in 4th before turn 5. Turn 1 can be taken flatout

Sounds great - Awesome track review man!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo (Post 1687335)

I'll watch the rest when I get home later :-p

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600 (Post 1687379)

You need to be in 4th before turn 5. Turn 1 can be taken flatout

Thank you. I tried several things while I was there and filmed 3 other sessions as well. So I have observations not present to every one. You are both correct with your observations. If I leave it in third too long I often saw the rev warning light flash, set at 7000 rpm. I've decided it is worth shifting into fourth between turns 4 and 7, four times, even if only for a moment.

Stop hitting second going into the corkscrew as it screws me up moments later. I do not need the torque as seems natural, but facing straight down hill, gravity works fine to accelerate the Z here.

I havent been to laguna seca in 6 years, but there are definitely spots where you can go much harder at. I know you had stock pads and I am not sure what tires you have, but the turn before rahal should only require a lift and turn in. also I didnt hear much tire squeal, you definitely left some on the table

Overall I think you did great for your first time man, keep it up and post more vids!

Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new fangled science stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600 (Post 1689059)

I was going to comment the same, but I had to keep reminding myself that he was holding back due to lack of pads/fluid, which can mean a LOT.

The whole time watching you, I kept thinking, "He can be much more aggressive". Both with steering, and throttle.

I didnt get a chance to watch the whole thing yesterday, I'll try to tonight again. How did you feel about the car's performance? Being your first time out, did you feel there was more than enough power/handling to keep you challenged for more sessions in the future? I only ask this so that future over-modders read this and understand, they can take the car out as-is for their first times and be perfectly fine ;)

Stock cars are fine, I would just do the brake pads and fluids as a precaution, everything is just a bonus. unless you are on slicks, the tires should be screaming, thats one of the signs of how hard the car is being pushed

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600 (Post 1689269)

Sorry, I should have said, "As-is, but with pads/fluid and an oil cooler" lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck (Post 1689103)

Overall I think you did great for your first time man, keep it up and post more vids!

Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new fangled science stuff

Thank you. I will.