I'll be there in BSP.

I'll be in CS.

I'll try to get there in CS.

autocross lsd
 

base model 2009

autocrossed twice now, basically everytime i come out of the corner and get on the throttle i start sliding out. I am wondering if this has more to do with my inexperienced heavy foot, the lack of lsd, or the stock tires.

all of the above :tup:

Sorry but that made me laugh.

We had a course n Myrtle Beach and it rained hard. I would understeer in a turn and then go into oversteer. I was basically going in too fast and then hammering the throttle. Eventually, I pulled my head out and slowed down just enough while rolling onto throttle and unwinding the steering wheel.

If you're power sliding without an LSD then that is pretty impressive! With an LSD you can expect even more of that but it is easier to control via throttle modulation. For now regulating your right foot will probably go a long way :)

autocross results
 

This is from the march 25th event in Tucson AZ. I placed 8th. My buddy with the EVO placed fourth/buddy with the roush placed 9th/buddy with the mazda speed 3 got 12th.

Yea I am really wishing I would have gotten the sport package for the bigger tires and VLSD just to start off with. Looked at the $1100 lsd's and thats a lil to much cash right now. I'm wondering if maybe shifting to third to put the RPM's down will reduce the wheelspin and with that i wont have to countersteer as much to keep the car under control. Countering that with keeping the RPM's up enough, around 4000, for the engine to be producing decent power.

Jacob Meuth

1. 51.077
2. 50.576
3. 49.468
4. 48.421

2003 Ford/Mustang Mach 1
STX
48.421
39.802
43
38
897

2
Deana Kraft

1. 51.878
2. 59.227 2
3. 50.089
4. 49.996

2001 Toyota /Celica GT
STC
49.996
40.997
47
45
871

3
Pete Sterling

1. 50.393
2. 51.818
3. 50.942 20
4. 60.629

2007 BMW/335i
FS
50.393
41.574
49
48
859

4
Adam Smith

1. 50.631 20
2. 50.949
3. 51.428
4. 50.464

2010 Mitsubishi/Lancer Evolution GSR
STU
50.464
42.440
51
49
841

5
Nicholas Haines

1. 53.290
2. 51.053
3. 53.375
4. 57.341 22

2012 Subaru/STi
STU
51.053
42.936
53
50
832

6
Andy Phan

1. 51.710
2. 50.133
3. 52.372
4. 52.704

2005 Honda/S2000
BSP
50.133
43.064
48
51
829

7
Chris Bjurman

1. 53.377
2. 52.547
3. 52.237
4. 51.330

2006 dodge/charger srt8
STU
51.330
43.169
54
52
827

8
Cole Reinbold

1. 57.325 2
2. 53.899
3. 53.178
4. 0.000

2009 nissan/370z
CS
53.178
44.297
58
56
806

9
Kevin Carpenter

1. 54.782 24
2. 52.887
3. 51.918
4. 87.595

2009 Ford (Roush) Mustang
SM
51.918
44.961
56
58
794

10
Jeromy Chatfield

1. 57.101
2. 57.160
3. 55.614
4. 56.039

2012 Dodge /Charger
FS
55.614
45.882
60
59
778

11
Tony Nusall

1. 61.438
2. 61.690
3. 58.499
4. 56.891

2012 Dodge /Charger
FS
56.891
46.935
61
61
761

12
Andy Espinosa

1. 57.064 2
2. 55.638 2
3. 55.569 4
4. 55.770 2

2012 Mazda/Speed 3
DS
57.638
47.321
64
62
755

13
Timothy Mazzaferro

1. 58.487 20
2. 59.160
3. 58.072 2
4. 57.102

2005 Mazda/RX-8
CS
57.102
47.566
62
64
751

14
Steven Truett

1. 63.691
2. 63.464
3. 62.472 2
4. 61.519

2004 MINI/Cooper S
DS
61.519
50.507
66
65
707

15
Eric Gutierrez

1. 60.975
2. 59.890
3. 58.898
4. 58.419 2

2007 Chevrolet/Aveo
SM
58.898
51.006
65
66
700
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Time Only [/SIZE]

You are way overthinking, get some tires and just drive in 2nd. Control car with pedal and steering, there is no reason to think LSD is the only thing keeping you away from trophy, especially in a street tire pax class....

So first post (Flame suit).

I'm coming from a modified Rx8 that I started to autocross last year. It was NA but tuned (most bolt-ons) with suspension and 18x10 forgestar F14's 265/35's. I toyed with getting it turbo'd but decided I wanted something new/different. That car handled like a dream.

Anyways, my point is I have a 370z sport on order and I want to keep autocrossing. I heard a few things here and there as far as what I should look into modifying first etc. I've been reading non-stop for a few days now but I haven't seen much do's and don'ts in regards to suspension and offsets. So this is what I know...I was hoping you all could add to it so I know what needs to be addressed.

Tire size...The Rx8 requires a square setup. Same size offset and tires sizes on all four corners. The Z it seems based on a few members responses likes a slightly bigger tire in the back but what about offset? Should they be stock like while accomodating the larger tire sizes? What are the don'ts of offsets for racing? Yes I read the offset thread...what I got from that is what makes what look pretty. I don't believe in form without function.

Suspension...whats everyone running in stock class and are springs allowed. Sorry havent checked the rules yet. I'm eye balling the Swift springs since they have great spring rates.

Camber...seems we need camber arms in the front which goes in line with what a racer friend told me that the 370Z needs more camber in the front but would getting the camber arms kick you out of stock...I'd say yes.

Finaly...what class has a good amount of competition for the 370 but is not saturated? :driving:

Just take your Z out as is and race. You will be in CS which is pretty damn competitive. Learn how you and the car take a course....well several courses. After a season make small changes that way you only have one variable at a time.

:twocents:

Well take it this way...I like to plan ahead but you are correct. I prob won't do anything mod wise till the end of the year but if I did where to start will be deteremined by

1) Driver interaction with the car (me)
2) Effectiveness of mod in class

Either way I like knowing the information. I am an engineer at heart but not that type of engineer. I am an Cisco aka IT guy.

P.S. Is there any special way to turn of the traction control? Up up down down left righ select start? The Rx8 was a pain but I didnt have that issue since the base did not come with it. I plan to race without it ofcourse.

You hit the off button.....

Don't talk about modding or even winning until you have proper autox tires on it

I was thinking the hankook v12's since it's a daily driver.



I should have the car anytime between the 30th till the 10th. Carmax takes too long to frieght the dang cars...grrr!

The stock tires will be better than those.

No spring changes allowed in stock class, no offset or wheel size changes either (can be different wheels but at stock offset and diameter).

Yes the car needs more front camber, and no you can't add anything to change it while in stock class.

For street tires the stock shocks are pretty good.

Thats not a proper autox tires. You need hoosiers or one of the autox tires, else you will not win against any good driver.

I had an rx8 too (two), two cars are very different

Hoosiers are great but I would stick with a good street tire because it will help you more on developing good habits.

I'm not trying to discourage you. Modded classes usually have two types of drivers, those that are really fast and noobs that can barely control their car so they end up with a lot of DNFs or slow times.

The Z in stock form is a great platform to compete with. Just watch out for those Miatas they're freaking quick.

F'ing Miatas!!!!! :rofl2: :shakes head:

Yeah, I had trouble with those guys but then again they were on slicks and I was on street tires.

As far as Hoosiers I don't think that is immediately realistic as I would need to buy another set of rims. Although I know a friend that sells used Hoosiers for dirt freaking cheap. So that might be an option but then how do I get the 2nd set of wheels to the track...LOL!! I think street tires it is.

As far as the v12's...I heard those were better tires than the stock Bridgestones that came with the Rx8...Not sure what comes with the 370.

P.S. How forgiving is the 370 at the limit? If I ever got the Rx8 in a slide it was easy to recover. Just wondering what I should pay attention to.

Hard to answer without knowing your skill level or tires. Its harder to correct than the rx8 from the speed factor, but it is not a Corvette. The vlsd keeps the car in check pretty well.

Street tires are fine, just buy better ones. The v12 didnt impress me, they felt like the quoeter version of my ecoplus tires

Understood...I am a competant driver...Some say I am much better than that but I do not like tooting my own horn so to speak cause I am my biggest critic. I still need to work on looking ahead and keeping both hands on the wheel. I've been seen doing drifts in a hairpin turn with one hand...LMAOO!!! I didn't even know I could do it till it happened.

Story: We were at Sebring and we were lucky to have two large sections to ourselves which meant we could build a much bigger track than normal. Well, on day two we had a very high speed course (third gear in the Rx8 = 80 mph). On the final turn the track designer decided we should slow down...A LOT...and added a very tight hairpin which requires you to shift into first. Well, if you know anything about Rx8's the synros don't like you shifting into first at any decent speed. You almost have to come to a stand still. Fortunately my tranny was in good condition and I know how to do it. I attempted a sad excuse for heal toe without the heal and could not blip the throttle. I got the car into first and tires SPUN big time and I turned into the DK of the autoX. So much so that the spotters in the final turn were applauding me as I exited. I think I saw Vin Diesel too (he gave me the finger).

I did that three times in a row...LOL!! I think I secretely wanted to do it cause it was fun...shhh dont tell anyone! Eventually, I got better at it.

The point is I know enough to not be dangerous...lol!

Whats a good affordable autoX tire? Lets say in the $900 range for the set and have decent treadwear?

You rarely use 1st gear in the z, so forget about clutch kicks. If you hit 80 in the rx8, prepare to hit 85+.

Lastly if you have a sport pkg, you better get on thd Costco deal for re11 by mar 31 and prepare the dry anal raping. U r going to spend closer to 1400 regardless of what you buy. You wont be doing drifts once you realize how expensi e the tires are

That story was mostly for laughs...lol! Besides with the syncro rev match if you manage clutch kicks...well damb! LMAO!

Yeah tire prices = :facepalm:

All you have to do is win National tours/pro's and your tire budget goes down :).

The irony is I will sign the paper work for the 370Z then promptly after getting home with my new car I will recieve an e-mail from MazdaSpeed motorsports approving my sponsorship/membership. :roflpuke2: :welcome: :crying:

One thing I learned in amateur racing. No matter how much you win, you will basically give it back within a month if not immediately. To win at the national, you will need to travel and get a new set of tires too. Might as well buy $1000 worth of scratch tickets, might get more back in return

If you include tires/AST contingency....I came out slightly above for the Dixie Tour. If only that would happen at every tour/pro lol.

That's if you are close to the tour, not a good gamble for most people. The last time I won, I basically used half of it on travel.

It wasn't exactly close...little over 800mi each way.

Yeah I read Dixie tour and then looked at your location...damn that's some dedication and love right there

I know that for a beginner the stock brakes are fine but what about the stock brake fluid. Any chance I need to worry about boiling it as a beginner?

This was the reason I made the "post your setup" thread. These kinds of questions have been asked 100000 times. The stock brake fluid is fine, the stock brakes are fine, the stock CAR is fine.

Go out and drive your car, exactly how it is... Then determine what you need to add/remove to get it to where you want it. Everyones driving preferences are different.

The problem is those that know what works or not have not posted in that thread and those that have posted haven't written a review of there setup in detail so the rest of us can know what to expect from those mods. I realize that is not an easy thing to do. Typically you only see that from vendors trying to advertise a product. This is how I chose the setup for the Rx8...A vendor took the time to compare a series of shocks and springs to determine which combination was the best buy. Same for wheels and tires.

That thread should be stickied...It should have all those who post to put more detail in how the setup feels as compared to stock...ETC. ;)

I will eventually be more help in that regard but like it was said I plan to drive it stock at first (for a few months) before making any mods.

Its freaking autox, there are too
many variables for a normal driver to test

Well 1...Not everyone sticks to autoX and 2...there may be tons of variables but you can usually tell what works and what doesn't.

Like my Rx8 was tale happy and I knew it...Everytime I went out to the autocross I kept thinking...**** I need to settle down the tale on this car a tad. Some removed the rear sway bar and others would make the springs rates softer in the rear.

And the point I made above was for a Vendor to do this. I bet they would sale lots of suspension mods if they prove one setup for a certain type of race better than another. :hello: Like what a vendor did for the Rx8 people in regard to Koni yellow and Tein springs. It was the best budget setup around...Period.

Well, on my car I have had everything from Koni singles, to koni doubles, and now motons. Alone with springs from 400lb to 900lb in varying configuration. Also, used a bunch of different sway combos, but this was all on a 350...not 370z.

What works for autox might not work for the track (also rules too, see oil cooler...). Unless you are one of the bigger companies, you are not going to have the budget to test what setup works best and what doesn't. There is a reason why autox is a copy cat game. People tend to read up on what is competitive and go from there, it is way cheaper and easier than making your own leap of faith on every part. Now the 370 is getting cheaper, you are going to see more drivers on the track and around the cones. If you look back the last two years, chances are that you are lucky to see 750 cars in total (estimate and I am going off on an average of 25 cars per state) doing autox or track. The numbers will pick up as the 2009 starts to dip into the teens though.

My stock RX-8 was fun and everything, it was just bloody slow once you go over 60mph.

Ask those who bought their cars in 2009-2010, see how many parts and info were available then. If they knew what they do now, I bet there are tons of parts they would either skip or change on.

A brake cooling duct is finally available after 4 years. Trailer hitch is still not available in mass production. Wheels seem to be an issue too as you are basically stuck with the overpriced sport wheels (it is hard to buy 18x9).

I knew someone was going to say that...I figured it was understood. :)

This is my point exactly...Those who are "competitive" should share there knowledge since they more or less know MORE what actually works for the Z. I mentioned vendors since I haven't seen much info consolidated in one thread.

I hear ya :shakes head: Mine does run much faster than a stock Rx8 though. I've surprised the crap out of some higher horse power cars but power is power and the Rx8 was lacking.

Funny there is more discussion regarding forced induction on the 370Z then handling...On the Rx8 forums its the reverse. I think they are confused...LMAO!!

I think most of the guys on here does share. You just have to find the right posts and read it as some people aren't going to post the same thing for every newbie. Of course how many are truly competitive or even competing in general? If you flip through the national results or even the local results, maybe <20 cars?!? Anyway until one of the guys (one of the more competitive one is here)can drag a victory for the 370, it will continue to be the car that looks great on paper and never can put it together. Think of it as a 1st overall pick that never materialize. Just be patient, once the price of the car comes down, you will see more people driving it. Just look at the S2000

One of my favorite car was my FC RX-7. Back when gas was $1.50 a gallon, it got me through college and 40K miles per year with no issues. I tried hard to love the RX-8, I bought two of them. I tried really hard to love it, but just couldn't do it. When Mini Cooper started passing me on the straights, I said F this and traded it for the 370. I had a guy that was undressing me in a slightly modded RX-8 to my stock one. Yet when he got behind the 370, he never even had a chance to come close to my bumper. The difference in power was too much to make up.

:icon18: :roflpuke2:


My mods were enough to give me about 20 + wHP. AEM intake, BHR ignition, BHR midpipe, Greddy exhaust, Flywheel, Cobb tuner. The major difference was in the ignition, midpipe, and tuner.

That was pretty much what he did. All the bolt ons, Konis & R6s. I rode on a stock car with R888 and you can see the power difference.
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/1...compare.th.jpg

Yet compare to the Z the car is virtually a pylon

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3...zrx8vir.th.jpg

Back on topic, just do a search and comb through some of the older posts, you should see some information.