My New Z Nismo's first track day!

[5thZ]

I only have 2 track days on it so far. I left everything stock to see what it's weaknesses are.
Since the car was new, and I was not used to it, I only pushed it to about 80-85%. I have to say, it really handles very well in stock form. I purchased the Nismo on purpose because I wanted to minimize any required changes and to keep the factory warranty.
I was easily completing the 20-minute sessions with no brake fade and consistently hitting 1.3 - 1.4 G's on the turns.
My only complaint is that the front brake pads were mostly worn at 3,600 miles and 2 track days (they had about 3mm left). I was expecting at least 4 - 5 days out of them (at least they are seriously cheap!). I just changed them and replaced the brake fluid with Motul RBF660 in preparation for my next track day in about a week.
As of now, since I'm not looking to win any races, and only looking for reliable fun, I'm not going to change anything unless I start pushing it harder and something is needed for me to improve my satisfaction with the car. As of now, it feels quick, capable and balanced, so I'm happy!

I'm really glad heat wasn't an issue for you, either on the AT fluid, engine oil, diff, or stock brake fluid. Maybe the Nismo brake fluid is OP? I am still shocked you didn't change out of stock brake fluid to something with a higher boiling point. That and stock brake pads (Akebono calipers are great btw) would have been my first swap to Castrol SRF 700 or Motul 660 and Carbotech XP10/XP8 pad set-up

 

[up4speed]

I'm really glad heat wasn't an issue for you, either on the AT fluid, engine oil, diff, or stock brake fluid. Maybe the Nismo brake fluid is OP? I am still shocked you didn't change out of stock brake fluid to something with a higher boiling point. That and stock brake pads (Akebono calipers are great btw) would have been my first swap to Castrol SRF 700 or Motul 660 and Carbotech XP10/XP8 pad set-up

Nope, heat wasn't an issue, all the fluids seemed to hold up (of course I changed the oil after each track day). I had it tested with blackstone and they said that there was still plenty of life and the oil was perfect!)
I left the original brake fluid just to see how it would hold up. I left it because it was the same as the GTR from the factory, so it's considered a higher performance fluid. If I had the regular Z, I would not have even thought about tracking it without a fluid upgrade. Now that I changed the brake pads, I did use the Motul RBF660 in there, so I will try it with the next track day.
I considered the carbotech pads (it's the only aftermarket that I know of so far for the Nismo), but the set for front and back came out to about $500. By changing only the front with stock pads, it only cost me about $80. As I push the car harder, if I notice any deficiency in braking, I will have to get the Carbotechs. As of now, I decided to go stock one more time because they are very cheap, seem to be adequate and so simple to replace. I think that they only took me about 5 minutes per side once the wheel was off.
The speed on the long straight was about 122 to about 128 mph (limerock), and I'm a very late braker (consistently braking at .9 - 1 G). They held up. I'm looking to go to Monticello next month, and Watkins Glen by the fall. On those tracks, I will reach much higher speeds, so I'm curious to see how the brakes hold up on those tracks as well.
Here is a lap at limerock:

 

[5thZ]

Nope, heat wasn't an issue, all the fluids seemed to hold up (of course I changed the oil after each track day). I had it tested with blackstone and they said that there was still plenty of life and the oil was perfect!)
I left the original brake fluid just to see how it would hold up. I left it because it was the same as the GTR from the factory, so it's considered a higher performance fluid. If I had the regular Z, I would not have even thought about tracking it without a fluid upgrade. Now that I changed the brake pads, I did use the Motul RBF660 in there, so I will try it with the next track day.
I considered the carbotech pads (it's the only aftermarket that I know of so far for the Nismo), but the set for front and back came out to about $500. By changing only the front with stock pads, it only cost me about $80. As I push the car harder, if I notice any deficiency in braking, I will have to get the Carbotechs. As of now, I decided to go stock one more time because they are very cheap, seem to be adequate and so simple to replace. I think that they only took me about 5 minutes per side once the wheel was off.
The speed on the long straight was about 122 to about 128 mph (limerock), and I'm a very late braker (consistently braking at .9 - 1 G). They held up. I'm looking to go to Monticello next month, and Watkins Glen by the fall. On those tracks, I will reach much higher speeds, so I'm curious to see how the brakes hold up on those tracks as well.
Here is a lap at limerock:

That's great to hear! Nismo for the win. You probably know those already due to Blackstone but you really don't need to change oil after every track day or weekend. As long as you have a good oil you should get a few track events out of it. I was curious about that so did a lot of research on the 370z forums and that's the conclusion I came to. (Granted you need a big oil cooler on the 370).

Sounds like it was a blast and things worked out! Let us know how your next track events go!

 

[kevinbonds]

Nope, heat wasn't an issue, all the fluids seemed to hold up (of course I changed the oil after each track day). I had it tested with blackstone and they said that there was still plenty of life and the oil was perfect!)
I left the original brake fluid just to see how it would hold up. I left it because it was the same as the GTR from the factory, so it's considered a higher performance fluid. If I had the regular Z, I would not have even thought about tracking it without a fluid upgrade. Now that I changed the brake pads, I did use the Motul RBF660 in there, so I will try it with the next track day.
I considered the carbotech pads (it's the only aftermarket that I know of so far for the Nismo), but the set for front and back came out to about $500. By changing only the front with stock pads, it only cost me about $80. As I push the car harder, if I notice any deficiency in braking, I will have to get the Carbotechs. As of now, I decided to go stock one more time because they are very cheap, seem to be adequate and so simple to replace. I think that they only took me about 5 minutes per side once the wheel was off.
The speed on the long straight was about 122 to about 128 mph (limerock), and I'm a very late braker (consistently braking at .9 - 1 G). They held up. I'm looking to go to Monticello next month, and Watkins Glen by the fall. On those tracks, I will reach much higher speeds, so I'm curious to see how the brakes hold up on those tracks as well.
Here is a lap at limerock:

Were you runing the stock Nissan 0W-20 oil in the car?

 

[up4speed]

Were you runing the stock Nissan 0W-20 oil in the car?

No it was Penzoil ultra Platinum. But I decided to stick with 0W-20, because that what is recommended. I wanted to see how it would perform, and adjust if necessary. As of now, the oil temperatures were fine, and the condition of the oil as per Blackstone, was perfect, so I think I’m going to leave it at 0W – 20 for now unless I notice an issue. If I have a problem, I don’t want to give Nissan any excuse not to cover the warranty. I was concerned, because the newer engines have much tighter tolerances, and I don’t want to have any issues with oil not flowing properly.

 

[kevinbonds]

No it was Penzoil ultra Platinum. But I decided to stick with 0W-20, because that what is recommended. I wanted to see how it would perform, and adjust necessary. As of now, the oil temperatures were fine, and the condition of the oil as per Blackstone, was perfect, so I think I’m going to leave it at 0W – 20 for now unless I notice an issue. If I have a problem, I don’t want to give Nissan any excuse not to cover the warranty. I was concerned, because the newer engines have much tighter tolerances, and I don’t want to have any issues with oil not flowing properly.

I agree with you. My car only has 200 miles on it, once I hit 1k miles going to change it out with AMSOIL 0W-20 and see how it goes. What made you choose the Penzoil?

 

[up4speed]

I agree with you. My car only has 200 miles on it, once I hit 1k miles going to change it out with AMSOIL 0W-20 and see how it goes. What made you choose the Penzoil?

I did a TON of research. Unfortunately, I still couldn't get a totally straight answer. The only thing I can say, is that after reading hours' worth of testing and watching dozens of youtube video tests, I am convinced that Penzoil Ultra is one of the top ones that I can't go wrong with. I learned more about oil than I ever thought possible, and I already forgot 90% of what I learned, lol

 

[5thZ]

While not exactly a 1:1 comparison I have only used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in my 270,000 mile Lexus LX470, my 370Z, and only used Motul X Power for the 370z for track use. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is a really good oil.