SCCA STR 370z Progress Thread.... It can be done!

[AK370Z]

Originally Posted by Apollo8642

Mike_STR why do you need to run a full tank of gas? I haven't had any issue with full starvation of any kind, but I race autoX at about 3/8th full tank, and haven't gone below 1/4 tank in a event, where I hear you start having issues, what are your thoughts on that, and plans to install the fix for the issue?

You're playing with fire sir !!! Still no fuel starvation? EVERY single guy I ran into autox events, they all said the same thing,"yeah gotta keep the tank full or else fuel starvation." I haven't hit fuel starvation yet but I ALWAYS run full tank. My longer autox event drive (2 hours from my house), I stop 20 mile before autox venue and fill up.

Actually, I need to keep a track of how many events you do with 3/8th full tank until you hit the fuel starvation. Just for the sake of gather data. What year Z btw? Any video of your Z running at the event?


MIke STR: How do you cope with tire pressure increase? You simple check before event and run all day? I run 37F, 38R and sometimes I find myself running at 45-46 psi hot! Do you go out and check pressure/adjust before each run?

[AK370Z]

Now that's close! lol How you didn't knock that cone over as your hands are still turning, is a mystery! lol

BTW, your video has that black surround can be taken out with 3 second option change. Are you using Window Movie Maker to finalize video?

[Apollo8642]

Originally Posted by AK370Z

You're playing with fire sir !!! Still no fuel starvation? EVERY single guy I ran into autox events, they all said the same thing,"yeah gotta keep the tank full or else fuel starvation." I haven't hit fuel starvation yet but I ALWAYS run full tank. My longer autox event drive (2 hours from my house), I stop 20 mile before autox venue and fill up.

Actually, I need to keep a track of how many events you do with 3/8th full tank until you hit the fuel starvation. Just for the sake of gather data. What year Z btw? Any video of your Z running at the event?

I have an 2009 Nismo, and you can find all my last year autoX runs at https://www.youtube.com/user/Apollo240sx In the SSCC autoX videos I don't think I ever ran less then a half tank on their track. I figure the sweeper might do the trick, but still have never had a problem there regarding fuel.

Just to be clear my car has been fuel starved on the track, but never auto crossing. For the Oregon SCCA Solo we usually only get five runs, and they are pretty small, usually always sub one minute. As for the national events up at Packwood Wa they are one minute and up. I've never burn threw a huge amount of fuel where I've been worried.

There are now two other 370Z's running in the scca autox group with me, so I'll have to ask them what they are doing.

[MIKE_STR]

Originally Posted by AK370Z

MIke STR: How do you cope with tire pressure increase? You simple check before event and run all day? I run 37F, 38R and sometimes I find myself running at 45-46 psi hot! Do you go out and check pressure/adjust before each run?

Yeah. I have a friend that will check my pressure while I'm in line. Front pressure builds so much faster than back.. but that's where all the weight is.

The car seemed to do the best with 37 front / 35 rear psi.

[synolimit]

Originally Posted by Apollo8642

Try putting it on a real set of scales, and post pics to protect your word. Those scales can be off a hundred plus or minus or even more some times and who knows when they were last calibrated.

Really? What part did you miss about me standing on the scale with and without the car? Both times it was a 160lbs difference which is what I weigh. So you're wrong about it being off.

[wrxrcr]

Bump, done anything new with the car.

[MIKE_STR]

Originally Posted by wrxrcr

Bump, done anything new with the car.

Installing the rotors, new brake pads, and maf tubes next Thursday. Also, making some alignment changes for this year. First event is March 15th. Can't wait.

[Masterbeatty]

How do you like the SPC front upper arms? Have you noticed any slippage?

[MIKE_STR]

Originally Posted by Masterbeatty

How do you like the SPC front upper arms? Have you noticed any slippage?

I haven't had the slip problem yet... They're on there bloody tight though. I'll probably work towards welding a bracket on them at some point because knowing my luck... They'll slip in Lincoln.

[Masterbeatty]

Nice! I'm building my car now for str as we'll. I didn't want to jump into asp just yet until I have more seat time and more funds to appropriate all the needed mods to be able to compete. My only gripe is the stupid 9in wheel limit and finding the right wheels not custom made is a real pain in the jimmy.

[MIKE_STR]

Originally Posted by Masterbeatty

Nice! I'm building my car now for str as we'll. I didn't want to jump into asp just yet until I have more seat time and more funds to appropriate all the needed mods to be able to compete. My only gripe is the stupid 9in wheel limit and finding the right wheels not custom made is a real pain in the jimmy.

There are actually tons of options. What offset do you desire? I've done tons if research. I'm using tsW nurburgring wheels that weigh 18lbs a price. +35 with a 25mm spacer in the rear. Really not a big deal.

[travisjb]

how much does that spacer weigh?

[MIKE_STR]

Originally Posted by travisjb

how much does that spacer weigh?

Maybe a pound. It's right in the center... Not a big deal. Got it from Z1 Motorsports.

[synolimit]

Originally Posted by travisjb

how much does that spacer weigh?

Someone weighed a bolt on z1 20mm for me and it was 1.7lbs. So more, unless its a non-bolt on.

[MIKE_STR]

Ok... a lot going on since race season hit again in Utah.

New Parts:

GTM 8 quart capacity oil pan...





Nice piece. Seemed like a better value than just doing the oil pan spacer modification. There currently isn't an allowance in the ST rule set that lets me install an oil cooler. So, an extra large finned aluminum oil pan seemed like the best way to control oil temps.

Once the car has been running for awhile..., it doesn't really make a difference temperature wise. However, it takes a lot longer for the oil temperatures to get to 220 degrees now. I never saw anything over 220 down in California... which was nice. It looks like oil coolers are on the agenda for 2015 (FINALLY). So, maybe the SCCA will get with the times. Until then, this is a good solution.

I got the car tuned @ Specialty Z in Chatsworth, CA. Sebastian is a great guy. Great customer service and a quality experience.

Current Power Modifications:
3" Custom Single Exhaust
Berk High Flow Cats
Z1 Intake Silicone Intake Pipes
K&N Drop-in Filters.

Here's the Dyno in 4th Gear:


Here's the 5th Gear, Money Pull, 1:1...


El Toro Pro Solo Results...

http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/...lToroFinal.pdf

Yes, I finished 15 out of 18 competitors. Now I just have to find out why...

WHY?!

Simple really... I could always drive better. That's a given.

Secondly, the car had gobs of power that I couldn't use. What a hand full! I really was on the wrong tires as well. I had switched this spring to the BFG Rivals (245/40/18) because no one seems to make a 255/40... except, of course, for the Yokohama ADO8R.

Why switch to the 245/40? Gearing. The car has tons of power. The 255/35 Hankook RS3's that I had been using previously were like rubber bands. As a result the gearing was limited in 2nd gear. With the 255/35 and a 7500 rpm redline, the top speed in 2nd gear was about 62mph. With the 245/40 its about 64ish.

The extra speed in 2nd gear wasn't worth the less tire. I should have known that. However, you'll learn through reading this thread that I make a lot of dumb decisions which ultimately lead to me loosing my *** at every event I attend.

Next tire, if I stay in STR, will be the ADO8R in 255/40/18. Best of both worlds... just $350 more a set... *sigh*

I also think my spring rates are too high. The gentleman driving the ultra fast BSP 350z pointed this out earlier... in this actual thread. Why don't I listen to people? The car really didn't seem to have enough lateral grip. Obviously tires are an issue.. but I think a slightly softer spring front/rear will help with the grip and ultimately putting power down "better".

Luckily, I already have sets of 12k, 14k, 16k, and 18k springs. I currently have 18k on the front and 14k on the rear. I'm going to try 16k front and 12k rear.

Honestly, I've just about given up on STR. I synced one of my left side videos with a left side video that Brian Peters, the living legend, posted on facebook.

Now, this isn't scientific... but based off the sync, he put about half a second on me just in the launch shoot. Then, about another 2/10ths exiting the first pinch, about a half a second exiting the large sweeper, and by the time we reach the last element... about another second. The lines driven look to be the same. The biggest difference is the power delivery. Every where I need to put down power he's putting time on me.

My Sunday Runs:
El Toro 2014 Sunday Runs - YouTube

Peters Video...


This course was a very "flowy" course. The no power wonder MX5's never even had to lift... Neither did STX for that matter. I don't think Max Hayter hit the brakes in his BRZ more than once on course. Once those cars get moving... they're so damn good at speed maintenance.

So..., I decided to buy a set of 18x11" wheels and do some NASA events locally. I still plan on doing some local autoX events in STR. However, until I can literally kill the local competition, it's not worth spending all that money to go get pounded at a National level.