2013 Car and Driver Lightning Lap

m4a1mustang · 03-15-2013, 12:38 PM

There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to tire, IMO. Get the widest tire you can on the thing. That's why all the dedicated track guys are running as wide a tire as they possibly can... maximum grip.

The NISMO should be faster than a Sport on a road course. More tire and more rigid. And at a track like VIR the aero enhancements will help. The NISMO generates 150lbs of downforce at 75 mph, which is not insignificant at VIR.

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-15-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to tire, IMO. Get the widest tire you can on the thing. That's why all the dedicated track guys are running as wide a tire as they possibly can... maximum grip.

The NISMO should be faster than a Sport on a road course. More tire and more rigid. And at a track like VIR the aero enhancements will help. The NISMO generates 150lbs of downforce at 75 mph, which is not insignificant at VIR.

Key word is "should" But I don't see anyone taking the pepsi challenge on that test. I think it hasn't been done cuz putting them side by side would destroy Nismo sales.

b1adesofcha0s · 03-15-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Key word is "should" But I don't see anyone taking the pepsi challenge on that test. I think it hasn't been done cuz putting them side by side would destroy Nismo sales.

More like no one's cared enough to do it.

7speed · 05-08-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to tire, IMO. Get the widest tire you can on the thing. That's why all the dedicated track guys are running as wide a tire as they possibly can... maximum grip.

The NISMO should be faster than a Sport on a road course. More tire and more rigid. And at a track like VIR the aero enhancements will help. The NISMO generates 150lbs of downforce at 75 mph, which is not insignificant at VIR.

Maybe but edmunds had a different take...........

"Handling Comments: (Slalom) Added stiffness makes Nismo harder to handle in our slalom which isn't very smooth. I'm confident this car is quicker on a racetrack, but the sharp bump at cone 3 makes it a challenge here. Same speed as the normal car, but a lot more work to get there. (Skid pad) Communication is good, but overall this doesn't seem like a great street setup, and grip is inexplicably less than the standard Z"

Track Tested: 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z vs. 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring

m4a1mustang · 03-15-2013, 02:53 PM

In this case, I'm pretty certain it would be faster. That 150+lbs of downforce alone is going to help pick up time over the Sport through the climbing esses and downhill run to Oak Tree, and in the off-camber section through Hog-Pen.

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-15-2013, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

In this case, I'm pretty certain it would be faster. That 150+lbs of downforce alone is going to help pick up time over the Sport through the climbing esses and downhill run to Oak Tree, and in the off-camber section through Hog-Pen.

Thought out post. Either way, I'd like to see the difference regardless. But the sport has to be swayed springed and aligned

m4a1mustang · 03-15-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Thought out post. Either way, I'd like to see the difference regardless. But the sport has to be swayed springed and aligned

Modded vs. stock really makes no sense. It would be a useless comparison, IMO. It's common knowledge that you can mod a Sport to outperform the NISMO. Especially since the 370Z NISMO is not really anything special (no seam-welded chassis like the 350 NISMO.)

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-15-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Modded vs. stock really makes no sense. It would be a useless comparison, IMO. It's common knowledge that you can mod a Sport to outperform the NISMO. Especially since the 370Z NISMO is not really anything special (no seam-welded chassis like the 350 NISMO.)

i dont thin k $800 in improvements vs $9000 in upgrades is that big a deal...

You talkin like im throwingin robispec'd KW's and SPL everything. Gimmie a break dude.

m4a1mustang · 03-15-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

i dont thin k $800 in improvements vs $9000 in upgrades is that big a deal...

You talkin like im throwingin robispec'd KW's and SPL everything. Gimmie a break dude.

What in the world gave you that idea?

All I said is there is no point comparing a modded car to a stock one. It doesn't make much sense. Like I said, it's common knowledge that one can mod a base 370 to outperform the NISMO model. It's easy. No point in comparing the two, IMO.

theDreamer · 03-15-2013, 03:26 PM

Wait...can I use my Z for the comparison then? I have a few upgrades....

cossie1600 · 03-15-2013, 03:27 PM

The 15hp helps down the two long straights

370zrider · 05-06-2013, 09:07 PM

Looking at the general results of the 7 lightning lap events, it seems somehow weird to me that they have tested the 370z only once.

There are other cars that have been tested more times.

Link:
Lightning Lap 2013: Hot Cars, Hot Track, Hot Laps - - Car and Driver

.

theDreamer · 05-07-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zrider

Looking at the general results of the 7 lightning lap events, it seems somehow weird to me that they have tested the 370z only once.

There are other cars that have been tested more times.

Link:
Lightning Lap 2013: Hot Cars, Hot Track, Hot Laps - - Car and Driver

.

Because cars like the Vette, GT-R, etc. have had some big upgrades done over the years. While the Z has bee exactly the same, with Nissan changing the colors.

370zrider · 05-08-2013, 12:33 AM

that sounds reasonable.

What do you guys think about the 370z when you see this list ?

If you were about to buy a $43k sports car, would you choose a Z over the rest of the options?

.

theDreamer · 05-08-2013, 07:31 AM

A tough question to answer.
If I was in the same age, money, etc. I would probably still lean heavily towards a Z with a close second being the BMW 1 series probably (if we were only counting new car purchases). The tough part about today though is that Nissan has escalated the price so much without offering any advantage over a 2009 model that it is getting hard to justify the price difference. If they took the route of the GT-R and added new performance features, interior upgrades, car dynamics, etc with the price increase it would be an easier decision.

03-15-2013, 12:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to tire, IMO. Get the widest tire you can on the thing. That's why all the dedicated track guys are running as wide a tire as they possibly can... maximum grip. The NISMO should be faster than a Sport on a road course. More tire and more rigid. And at a track like VIR the aero enhancements will help. The NISMO generates 150lbs of downforce at 75 mph, which is not insignificant at VIR. b1adesofcha0s and ZMan8 like this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook! Last edited by m4a1mustang; 03-15-2013 at 12:40 PM.

03-15-2013, 02:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	In this case, I'm pretty certain it would be faster. That 150+lbs of downforce alone is going to help pick up time over the Sport through the climbing esses and downhill run to Oak Tree, and in the off-camber section through Hog-Pen. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

03-15-2013, 03:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4211	Wait...can I use my Z for the comparison then? I have a few upgrades.... __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

05-06-2013, 09:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
370zrider Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mexico Posts: 106 Drives: 370zM6tour12nosport Rep Power: 13	Looking at the general results of the 7 lightning lap events, it seems somehow weird to me that they have tested the 370z only once. There are other cars that have been tested more times. Link: Lightning Lap 2013: Hot Cars, Hot Track, Hot Laps - - Car and Driver . __________________ Stillen [gen3 CAI + headers + HFC + Exhaust + UD Pulley + lightweight flywheel] + Uprev e-tune+ PC680 Odyssey battery + oil cooler + MishimotoThermostat = 312whp + 252wtq @1,500mts or 5,000ft elevation

05-08-2013, 12:33 AM	#14 (permalink)
370zrider Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mexico Posts: 106 Drives: 370zM6tour12nosport Rep Power: 13	that sounds reasonable. What do you guys think about the 370z when you see this list ? If you were about to buy a $43k sports car, would you choose a Z over the rest of the options? . __________________ Stillen [gen3 CAI + headers + HFC + Exhaust + UD Pulley + lightweight flywheel] + Uprev e-tune+ PC680 Odyssey battery + oil cooler + MishimotoThermostat = 312whp + 252wtq @1,500mts or 5,000ft elevation

03-15-2013, 03:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	The 15hp helps down the two long straights

05-08-2013, 07:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4211	A tough question to answer. If I was in the same age, money, etc. I would probably still lean heavily towards a Z with a close second being the BMW 1 series probably (if we were only counting new car purchases). The tough part about today though is that Nissan has escalated the price so much without offering any advantage over a 2009 model that it is getting hard to justify the price difference. If they took the route of the GT-R and added new performance features, interior upgrades, car dynamics, etc with the price increase it would be an easier decision. UNKNOWN_370, b1adesofcha0s, RoshDawg and 1 others like this. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[FOR SALE] Work t1s step lip 20x9.5 10.5 +3 +0 lightning silver	Garrydg07	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	4	10-14-2012 09:52 PM
NJMP Lightning Track	Zxces50	Track / Autocross / Drifting / Dragstrip	1	08-10-2012 07:01 PM
my Z in the middle of a lightning storm	Danny3.7	Photography	15	08-29-2011 07:09 PM
2011 Lightning Lap	theDreamer	Other Vehicles	20	01-07-2011 11:03 AM
Car and Driver tests $30K-$60K cars in VIR Lightning Lap.	onethreefive	Other Vehicles	14	12-13-2008 04:23 PM