Best Driver's Cars (Motor Trend Mag)

Endgame · 08-31-2009, 12:10 PM

What I thought was odd was that Pobst seemed to love the Z in every other way aside from the sound of the engine. That was the only REAL factor keeping the Z down. I also noted that the Cayman S (still a sweet car!) weighed in about 30 pounds below 3200. Also, the distribution of weight is exactly opposite what the Z's is; I know, weigh on the rear is better than front, but it is still in interesting point to what Porsche has been saying - 50/50.

Thus, for those who happen to like the Z's engine sound or simply do not care, you could have a car that is a bit closer to the new Cayman S than this article lead you to believe. All you have to do is:

1. Reduce weight roughly 80-100 pounds (this would make a Base + Sport pack 370z about 15-30 pounds heavier than the Cayman S - REMEMBER: the Nismo is heavier than the Base+Sport)
2. Increase HP by just a tad to offset the added weight of the Z and the great PDK transmission.
3. Tweak the suspension.

I would imagine that a 370z with those tweaks may match if not best the older Cayman S's. In my mind, I could do all that with an extra 10-12k into the Z and still be 30k below the cost of a Cayman S.

Now, I was VERY shocked and please that the GT500 did so well over the Camaro SS and the field!

VCuomo · 08-31-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

What I thought was odd was that Pobst seemed to love the Z in every other way aside from the sound of the engine. That was the only REAL factor keeping the Z down. I also noted that the Cayman S (still a sweet car!) weighed in about 30 pounds below 3200. Also, the distribution of weight is exactly opposite what the Z's is; I know, weigh on the rear is better than front, but it is still in interesting point to what Porsche has been saying - 50/50.

Thus, for those who happen to like the Z's engine sound or simply do not care, you could have a car that is a bit closer to the new Cayman S than this article lead you to believe. All you have to do is:

1. Reduce weight roughly 80-100 pounds (this would make a Base + Sport pack 370z about 15-30 pounds heavier than the Cayman S - REMEMBER: the Nismo is heavier than the Base+Sport)
2. Increase HP by just a tad to offset the added weight of the Z and the great PDK transmission.
3. Tweak the suspension.

I would imagine that a 370z with those tweaks may match if not best the older Cayman S's. In my mind, I could do all that with an extra 10-12k into the Z and still be 30k below the cost of a Cayman S.

Now, I was VERY shocked and please that the GT500 did so well over the Camaro SS and the field!

I would think you could do those 3 tweaks for well under $10K - $12K!

Endgame · 08-31-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

I would think you could do those 3 tweaks for well under $10K - $12K!

Well... I agree, but I am talking a titanium exhaust (like Amuse). That will inflate the cost some.......

I am talking:
Wheels
Tires
Coilovers
CAI
Titanium Exhaust including Y Pipe (amuse)
Dyno Tune
Bride Seats
Lighter Rotors...
etc...

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08-31-2009, 12:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	What I thought was odd was that Pobst seemed to love the Z in every other way aside from the sound of the engine. That was the only REAL factor keeping the Z down. I also noted that the Cayman S (still a sweet car!) weighed in about 30 pounds below 3200. Also, the distribution of weight is exactly opposite what the Z's is; I know, weigh on the rear is better than front, but it is still in interesting point to what Porsche has been saying - 50/50. Thus, for those who happen to like the Z's engine sound or simply do not care, you could have a car that is a bit closer to the new Cayman S than this article lead you to believe. All you have to do is: 1. Reduce weight roughly 80-100 pounds (this would make a Base + Sport pack 370z about 15-30 pounds heavier than the Cayman S - REMEMBER: the Nismo is heavier than the Base+Sport) 2. Increase HP by just a tad to offset the added weight of the Z and the great PDK transmission. 3. Tweak the suspension. I would imagine that a 370z with those tweaks may match if not best the older Cayman S's. In my mind, I could do all that with an extra 10-12k into the Z and still be 30k below the cost of a Cayman S. Now, I was VERY shocked and please that the GT500 did so well over the Camaro SS and the field!