J Ritt -

Since you want to compare times, I would think that you should go first. What did you run on 11/18/05 at SOW in your 350Z?

Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I did have a serious mechanical problem right about the time I made the first post on this thread. It was fairly costly, but I am back on the road.

 

Ummm...okay, I ran a 1:29.8xx yesterday. The car had more in it, but I'm still dialing it in. I've run 1:28.xxx on Hoosiers, and a pro driver did 1:27.xxx in my car this past spring. I didn't see a whole lot of Evos going faster than that out there. The Z06's on Hoosier race slicks weren't going any faster...the E46 M3 racecar wasn't going any faster...I also don't think the STi's were faster, nor the Elise, nor the Boxster, nor the 911 GT3. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, I just don't like when people bag on the 350Z saying how slow they are. It's true that there are a lot of people with them at the tracks that aren't very fast, but you're making a gross generalization based on your experience driving one. When set up properly and driven decently, they can be pretty quick. They do have potential.

Does the Evo have more potential overall for a faster lap time when built (at just about any track)...yes. That has been proven by people pulling off 1:24's at SOWS in highly modified Evos. But typically, the big difference between the evos and Z's that you see at the track is a huge horsepower advantage to the Evos (for obvious reasons). I have yet to see an evo with anywhere close to 300hp(like my car) that is significantly faster on the track. Therefore, to simply dismiss the Z as uncompetitive vs. these other cars isn't very fair. Just because you find it easier to go quicker in your Evo vs. your Z doesn't make the Z a bad car.

Anyway, perfect day for the track yesterday...no?

 

Personally, I really like the 350Z overall. I just think it's great that we live in a time where you can go to just about any showroom and find a track-worthy car at a reasonable budget. Affordable cars like the Evo, Sti, S2000, RX-8, and 350Z are up to performance levels that used to be reserved for Porsches. And cars like the Z06 are a match for yesterday's exotic supercars.

Emre

 

350's are great cars, and are pretty well balanced at the track. Like the Evo, with light mods, than can be VERY quick at the track. I don't think many 'educated' track junkies would ever bash a 350.

 

damn, and i thought i was rather "active" when i signed up for 7 (but due to hurricanes, and family reason, was only able to run 4.

Next year i'm shooting for 6-8.

Best of luck out there.

 

High 1:29s are an excellent time, congratulations. I am in mid-1:32s now, so you are more than 2 1/2 seconds faster. I will concede that you are the better driver. I just keep working on it.

How is your 350Z set up? I think you agree that a properly set up EVO with the right driver is faster around SOW than a properly set up Z with the right driver.

As for bashing the 350Z, I owned one, fairly heavily modded, and tracked it at least 15 times, and have now tracked my EVO way more than that, so I have a point of comparison that most people don't.

 

Thanks Richard. 1:32 is pretty darn quick too. I don't know that I'm the better driver, but I've been doing autoX's and trackdays for 6-7 years now with many different groups around the country. I've gotten some good instruction during that time as well. That's why I was asking if you've ever taken a pro school, or if you were teaching yourself. As I said, if you have the time and money, some good instruction will take you to the next level. I get the pro drivers I know to work with me at every opportunity I get!

I know that you had a Z, and I appreciate it when people do a comparison. I didn't realize that you had taken the Z to the track so many times though. I thought you took it a few times, and gave up on it because you thought it didn't have potential. It really is a good car if set up right.

My Z has double adjustable Koni / Truechoice coilovers on it, adjustable control arms, StopTech's, Nismo differential, lightweight flywheel, ps cooler, radiator, intake, and exhuast. All my mods are for handling, braking, and driving under track conditions. I'm definitely more into balance than big power, and I LOVE RWD cars. My car was set up and corner weighted by Unitech Racing, a team that runs 350Z's in Grand Am Cup. That's why it handles well!

I do agree that an Evo has more potential for a faster lap time for sure. Like I said though, it usually ends up that the fast Evos are pushing big power, which a Z can't do without big $$$. I don't agree that an Evo is necessarily any more fun to drive though. I simply enjoy RWD more than FWD or AWD, and I feel like I can challenge myself more with it.

 

Here are my 350Z mods. I didn't have time to install the 3.9 final drive ratio before I totalled the car at Buttonwillow Raceway in August 2004.



2003 Nissan 350Z Track -- Silverstone (NAV & all options except side airbags)

Engine Modifications
Nismo R-tune Cams
UR Racing Pulleys
TechnoSquare ECU - custom flash
Z-xtreme Grounding Kit

Engine Breathing
Crawford Plenum
Borla Headers
Borla Dual Cat-back Exhaust
RT High-flow Cats
JWT Popcharger Intake

Engine Cooling
Koyo Racing Radiator
Nismo Thermostat

Driveline Modifications
Tilton 8 lb. Flywheel
Tilton Rally Clutch
Nismo Limited Slip Differential
Purchased but not installed: EVO 3.9 Final Drive Ratio (ring & pinion)

Suspension Modifications
Tein Coil Overs with Electronic Damping Control
Nismo S-tune Swaybars
Crawford Strut Brace

Wheels and Tires
Competition wheels and tires: Nismo 5-spoke forged 18" x 18.5" front, 18" x 9.5" rear, with Kuhmo Ecsta MX 245/40/18 front, 275/35/18 rear

Street wheels and tires: Stock Rays forged 18" Track wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position tires, 225/45/18 front, 255/45/18 rear

Other Modifications
Drilled Titanium Pedals
Airbag Cut-off Switch (passenger side)

 

^^That's a nice mod list you have Richard. And congrats on the active duty on the track. I am really looking forward for my first DE day this Dec. or early next year.

J Ritt, sounds like a pretty darn fast time you have out there. I may eventually opt for some Stoptechs for my Z soon!

 

Do you mind telling us what happened? I assume this failure was track-related?

 

That's awesome

 

I'd rather not get into the details for personal reasons. It was a mechanical failure that required a major expense.

One piece of advice: If you track your EVO, change your spark plugs often.

 

Fair enough, glad you got it fixed.

 

I remember when you told us that happened. Very unfortunate, but aren't you glad you got the evo?

How often? (I always appreciate advice for someone who tracks their car as often as you)

d

 

Comparing the tires you're running and the Hoosiers J Ritt is running you guys should be running about the same times. Hoosiers should easily be worth 2-3 seconds over the MX.