The Official 370Z Autocross Thread

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by Justint5387

It should be in FS.

My nats video, in a slower car.

Originally Posted by gomer_110

The pony car guys would love that. Although with the current crop of pony cars it would be interesting.

A fast FS time would have been a high trophy spot in BS.

What is it about the 370z that makes doing well in BS on a national level seem so impossible?

[zpower86]

Originally Posted by Brendan

A fast FS time would have been a high trophy spot in BS.

What is it about the 370z that makes doing well in BS on a national level seem so impossible?

It would likely get beaten in FS as well. FS isn't four grades slower than BS, it's just another class. The more the HP friendly the course, the poorer the 370Z would do against the cars in FS, imo of course. Does anyone know if FS and BS ran on the same days and run groups at Nationals?

The limiting factors compared with a C5 Corvette are:

• 200lb heavier or more than C5
• Viscous LSD which doesn't allow the car to accelerate out of corners unless the steering wheel is nearly straight
• Very limited, non-adjustable front camber. (around 1 degree)
• Power/Torque band is great in the 50-63 MPH range (close to redline), but not great digging out of slow corners. This makes it more course dependent.

I ran BS and won our local BS class in 2016 (10 events) ahead of Brian Johns who is a national champion in ES and 3rd and 4th in BS the past two years. Also won Dixie Champ Tour in the 370. But our local courses were better suited for the 370z (more transitiony) and slick sealed asphalt. Beating one good driver is easier than beating 15. ONE of them isn't going to make a mistake while being in a better car. So even if you were perfect, you'll still be slightly off pace.

If your goal is to trophy at nationals or champ tours, you can definitely do that in a 370Z. If your goal is to win or be top 5, it's just not going to happen.

[gomer_110]

Originally Posted by zpower86

It would likely get beaten in FS as well. FS isn't four grades slower than BS, it's just another class. The more the HP friendly the course, the poorer the 370Z would do against the cars in FS, imo of course. Does anyone know if FS and BS ran on the same days and run groups at Nationals?

The limiting factors compared with a C5 Corvette are:

• 200lb heavier or more than C5
• Viscous LSD which doesn't allow the car to accelerate out of corners unless the steering wheel is nearly straight
• Very limited, non-adjustable front camber. (around 1 degree)
• Power/Torque band is great in the 50-63 MPH range (close to redline), but not great digging out of slow corners. This makes it more course dependent.

I ran BS and won our local BS class in 2016 (10 events) ahead of Brian Johns who is a national champion in ES and 3rd and 4th in BS the past two years. Also won Dixie Champ Tour in the 370. But our local courses were better suited for the 370z (more transitiony) and slick sealed asphalt. Beating one good driver is easier than beating 15. ONE of them isn't going to make a mistake while being in a better car. So even if you were perfect, you'll still be slightly off pace.

If your goal is to trophy at nationals or champ tours, you can definitely do that in a 370Z. If your goal is to win or be top 5, it's just not going to happen.

[Brendan]

So performance wise what do you guys think the ideal street class would be?

[gomer_110]

IMHO there isn't one anymore. It was C street prior to the ND Miata.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

IMHO there isn't one anymore. It was C street prior to the ND Miata.

I think what I am asking how far down would it have to go to. DS?

I hear all the criticisms and I think they are valid, but I think that because we know our cars so well we have a tendency to over emphasize their flaws in relation to their competition. If the car is capable of doing well regionally, at tours, and even getting mid trophy spots at nats, I would hardly consider competing in street to not be a worthwhile pursuit for the folks looking to autocross with a relatively minimal investment into a vehicle they may already own.

I think we all can agree it isn't "the car to have" though.

[03threefiftyz]

No chance it moves to DS.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by 03threefiftyz

No chance it moves to DS.

I'm asking how slow do we think this car is.

I think the car is just fine in BS

[03threefiftyz]

Originally Posted by Brendan

I'm asking how slow do we think this car is.

I think the car is just fine in BS

We're talking about running an M2 in BS next year....I don't see any 370z mounting a serious challenge to the cayman S or M2 from here on out.

[gomer_110]

Street classes need to be for "new and shiny" i.e. newer models that people want to own. The 370z just doesn't fit that mold anymore and as such if it's not classed favorably then so be it. There's always STU (hopefully) and ASP.

fwiw sometimes the SAC and SEB do a good job at following this mentality and other times not so much.

[gomer_110]

This months Fastrack is out and it looks like someone finally realized the 370 belongs in BSP and not ASP.

Now to figure out how to go even faster. Stupid Miatas.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

This months Fastrack is out and it looks like someone finally realized the 370 belongs in BSP and not ASP.

Now to figure out how to go even faster. Stupid Miatas.

that's awesome

[gomer_110]

Originally Posted by Brendan

that's awesome

Just to be clear. BSP has been faster than ASP the last 2 years. The MazdaSpeed Miatas are insanely fast.

Also, I had nothing to do with this letter.

[03threefiftyz]

Meh we were faster than SSP/ASP in 2014, too...

...if you build a rulebook 370z....I'll drive it .

[Justint5387]

How much power does a SP-prepped 370z make?

I imagine it would be over 350whp with the plenum, etc?