Nissan 370Z Forum  

Autocross Feedback

Below are a few videos from today's auto-X. Just looking to improve seems as I hit a plateau. I really need to make it to an Evolution Driving School. Some

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Track / Autocross / Drifting / Dragstrip


Like Tree11Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-08-2013, 11:49 PM   #1 (permalink)
Track Member
 
IMWEZL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HNL
Posts: 603
Drives: 370Z/MKVII GTI
Rep Power: 16
IMWEZL is on a distinguished road
Default Autocross Feedback

Below are a few videos from today's auto-X. Just looking to improve seems as I hit a plateau. I really need to make it to an Evolution Driving School.

Some of the habits I know I need to break are looking ahead more, getting a better line and making the best use of available course.

Vehicle Background
370Z CS
Sport Package
Bridgestone RE11 275F 305R both at 38psi
Eibach FSB stiffest setting
Stillen Catback
K&N Drop in filters

**I have a set of Koni Yellows I didn't install yet, didn't have time from when they arrived to today's event**



Thanks!

RUN 1: 50.430 seconds (Usually take it a little easy on the first runs...tried to fix this but runs start after 51 seconds.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5knauolUhw

RUN 2: 49.326
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzA4oj-z4Kc

RUN3: 49.301
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhb1H4sGSR8

RUN4 Fastest run at 49.107
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=045oZca7K8w

Last edited by IMWEZL; 09-09-2013 at 03:32 AM. Reason: FIXED links and official times released
IMWEZL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 07:18 AM   #2 (permalink)
Track Member
 
03threefiftyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 536
Drives: 03 350z 6mt
Rep Power: 15
03threefiftyz is on a distinguished road
Default

I can tell without actually seeing you that you tend to saw at the wheel. You don't seem to steer enough on initial turn-in...then compensate after you get late on the turn by yanking the wheel. You are also a little late on the throttle. The evo school puts on one its best schools out there. Junior has a bevy of volunteers to instruct that event!
IMWEZL likes this.
03threefiftyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 10:23 AM   #3 (permalink)
Base Member
 
nismosis's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 139
Drives: 11 370Z Sport PW 6MT
Rep Power: 12
nismosis is on a distinguished road
Default

38psi rear seems high to me, although I run 285's. Try starting at 34psi next event and see how far you're rolling them over in comparison. Keep dropping until it plants hard.

I will say it was nice to see where the right front corners of our cars are! Nice videos.
IMWEZL likes this.
nismosis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 11:24 AM   #4 (permalink)
Track Member
 
IMWEZL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HNL
Posts: 603
Drives: 370Z/MKVII GTI
Rep Power: 16
IMWEZL is on a distinguished road
Default

You're right about the turn in. Not sure why I do that.

I used to run 35 psi, noticed roll over until the 37-38 psi range. It's time to invest in a good psi gauge

Thanks!
IMWEZL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 02:59 PM   #5 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 187
Drives: 09 370Z Nismo #280
Rep Power: 13
Apollo8642 is on a distinguished road
Default

Another handy tool is a tire pryometer. Check, and data log your tire temps (outside, middle, inside) that will tell you if your running to much pressure or not enough, and even give you clues about what your camber is doing etc. Something to think about is start running nitrogen as well.
Longacre Racing - Online Catalog: Electronic Wheel Scales, Gauges, Pyrometers, Chassis Setup and More!
IMWEZL likes this.
Apollo8642 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 03:14 PM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
takjak2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 1,922
Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z
Rep Power: 142
takjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond reputetakjak2 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

38-39 has been an ideal hot temp for my re-11s.

You are coasting into the the first long left turn. Stay on the gas longer, brake harder.

Good clean consistency though between runs 2-4
IMWEZL likes this.
__________________
Mods | Stuff | Things | Seat Time | Nismo
facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed
takjak2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 08:38 PM   #7 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
gomer_110's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Perrysburg, OH
Posts: 17,992
Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM
Rep Power: 36940
gomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond reputegomer_110 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Not claiming to be an expert here but a few things I noticed:

1. Get your braking done earlier and get back to the gas quicker.

2. If you have to give up all your momentum for a hairpin/tight turn, just go tight to the inside. shorter distance = less time spent in the hairpin.

3. Look into trail braking. It made a huge difference once I started to do it. I'm still not that good at it but can tell the difference between when I get it right vs get it wrong.

4. Lastly, get ride alongs with the fast guys at the events (assuming it's allowed). It's amazing how much you can learn from them. It might even be worth it to offer one of them a co-drive for one event just to see how they handle your car. Local guy did that early this year and then proceeded to drop 1-2 sec off his times going forward.

As far as tire pressures go I ran 38 up front and 34 in the rear with the factory Nismo tires fwiw.
IMWEZL likes this.
__________________
'11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions | Stillen | Motordyne | Uprev | CSF | Zspeed | Z1 Motorsports | AST | Swift | SPC | SPL | Whiteline | Hotchkis | Bride | Schroth | Robispec | Cusco | Nismo | Volk | Forgestar | Hoosier | RJM
'17 Titan Bone Stock
gomer_110 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2013, 09:11 PM   #8 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Shamu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 1,059
Drives: 370Z Racecar
Rep Power: 19
Shamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond reputeShamu has a reputation beyond repute
Default

What 03350z says however a few more questions and tips. More important than a few psi in tires ...what are your alignment settings? I know you can't do much with front camber but toe out is critical. Secondly put camera where we can see your head and hands. I don't care what's in front of you. Lines are less important than you knowing where you're going next. We will help you far more by watching what you do behind the wheel.

In general with 370 Z you want to use brakes to set car into slower turns, use moderate throttle on exits. Look ahead. ...no really look ahead. I can see you hesitate. Not full throttle in couple places where car should be blazing. Don't be afraid to be aggressive. That's one of biggest mistakes some beginners make. Smooth is key but you can't forget to keep car on edge entire run.
IMWEZL and blackcherry20 like this.
__________________
Grant
Shamu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2013, 02:12 PM   #9 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 187
Drives: 09 370Z Nismo #280
Rep Power: 13
Apollo8642 is on a distinguished road
Default

It looked, and sounded like you were getting a bit of understeer is that right, and are you using the traction control?

Smooth is fast. Smooth braking, gas, and handling. Work on technic, and consistency, get that down, and speed/agressive driving will follow naturally.

For more on tire pressure. You won't be running the same tire pressure front and rear. It's important to check for increased pressure and adjust psi after each run, so you can keep the sweet spot when you find it, if your not doing that already.

For street tires, I run Nitto Invo's 265's front and 305's rear (I want to go wider in the front), and I will run 34 to 29psi front and 30 to 28 psi in the rear, and all depending on the course lay out, and how warm of day it is, but I always run more pressure in the front. I've heard a good place to start on the RE-11's is a 34psi front and 30psi rear.


Here are a couple links that have some good info. Autocross Course Driving Techniques
Autocross like a Pro
Longacre Racing Online -- Tech Article "More Than Pressure"

Here is one of my run from this year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CfwrfYKgyc
IMWEZL likes this.
Apollo8642 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2013, 03:52 PM   #10 (permalink)
Track Member
 
IMWEZL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HNL
Posts: 603
Drives: 370Z/MKVII GTI
Rep Power: 16
IMWEZL is on a distinguished road
Default

VDC was off as well as SynchroRev. Not all the time but once in awhile if I auto-x with synchro-rev it will hold the gas on its own. The late Curtis Lee also experienced this in my Z when I first purchased it. Dealership looked at the car, couldn't replicate the issue so I have just lived with it since.

I do get understeer at times. I had less during this previous event. I'm .846 away from the first place Miata running A6s. My intent is to develop a faster driver instead of relying on mods.

Thanks!
IMWEZL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2013, 06:32 AM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
blackcherry20's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 22,745
Drives: ‘17 badazz Z51
Rep Power: 230392
blackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond reputeblackcherry20 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Nasa-X Classes 2013 V.13.1

nasa-x_classes 2013 V.13.1.pdf
just in case anybody is interested.
__________________
Grand Sport Corvette Arctic White
blackcherry20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2013, 07:43 AM   #12 (permalink)
Track Member
 
03threefiftyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 536
Drives: 03 350z 6mt
Rep Power: 15
03threefiftyz is on a distinguished road
Default

SCCA rules are far from perfect, but NASA's flat out don't work for AX. Basically anything from BSP up would be in NXU....
03threefiftyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2013, 10:52 AM   #13 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 187
Drives: 09 370Z Nismo #280
Rep Power: 13
Apollo8642 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by IMWEZL View Post
VDC was off as well as SynchroRev. Not all the time but once in awhile if I auto-x with synchro-rev it will hold the gas on its own. The late Curtis Lee also experienced this in my Z when I first purchased it. Dealership looked at the car, couldn't replicate the issue so I have just lived with it since.

I do get understeer at times. I had less during this previous event. I'm .846 away from the first place Miata running A6s. My intent is to develop a faster driver instead of relying on mods.

Thanks!
I think a good plan of action is to work on those tire pressures, also might look at a faster tire like the Rival, and as Shamu suggested check and see what your alignment is doing. If your tires pressure doesn't solve your understeer issue try putting in a little bit more negative camber in the front.

Keep us up to date with what you end up doing, and how it feels at your next event.
IMWEZL likes this.
Apollo8642 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2013, 04:07 PM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
cossie1600's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: californee way
Posts: 5,380
Drives: 370, Leaf
Rep Power: 29
cossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond reputecossie1600 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Buying a bigger tire will take care of some of the plow. I have to be the only person that runs more pressure in the back than front
cossie1600 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2013, 10:47 PM   #15 (permalink)
Track Member
 
IMWEZL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HNL
Posts: 603
Drives: 370Z/MKVII GTI
Rep Power: 16
IMWEZL is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cossie1600 View Post
Buying a bigger tire will take care of some of the plow. I have to be the only person that runs more pressure in the back than front
Damn it was PITA getting 275's up front on the Sport 19" wheels. I can't imagine my installers being thrilled about anything bigger.
IMWEZL is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Autocross here I come! Dzel Track / Autocross / Drifting / Dragstrip 47 04-24-2013 12:41 PM
SCCA Autocross at PIR 3/2 & 3/3 Apollo8642 North West Region 0 03-01-2013 12:14 PM
Autocross beginner needs new street/autocross tires Bondfire Track / Autocross / Drifting / Dragstrip 17 04-20-2012 10:35 AM
where to autocross? Pharmacist Canada 1 05-28-2010 09:42 PM
Autocross Anyone? djsizzy Track / Autocross / Drifting / Dragstrip 15 12-14-2009 08:29 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2