Nismo Z Track Impressions (3 Events)

[mark5825]

A few observations and question after 3 track days. First day stock with SRF Castrol brake fluid and Carbotech XP24 pads, pushed fairly hard and was impressed with most aspects, tires/braking/suspension, Sport+ with TC off throttle response was quite sensitive so mainly used Sport. A few times the car did not shift when I pressed the paddle on downshift and upshift but no other major issues.

2nd day added full exhaust and E30 tune, Sport+ unusable with the added power, was using 3,4,5,6 gears. In Sport turbo was still a bit unpredictable but suspension seemed fine and tires definitely got a bit worse.

3rd day I added SPL camber arms, more aggressive alignment and added 100 TW tires (F1 3R) on 18x10.5 setup. I used different tuner and the power was much more consistent with no missed shifts by the trans. I did only use 4,5,6 gears which seemed to help. On high speed trail braking the car got super twitchy so had to back off a bit in those spots. Completely cooked the Carbotech XP24 pads with SRF Castrol (multiple cracks and glazed spots) and was getting some other knocking/vibrations unable to diagnose. When everything was working well I was much more impressed with the car and can see the potential. Still not as fast as my previous Supra or RS3 though.

Any advice or parts or driving style are welcome, especially about how to keep the brakes cooler, maybe ducts or different rotors.

 

[Crownleyian]

Being in Sport and not Sport+ is letting you down a little, as the shifts are faster in Sport+.
I'm sure you'll gain some braking performance with better rotors. Nismo have changed the rotors for the 2026/27 spec Nismo, so surely they know those rotors weren't ideal for lap after lap track abuse. There is a ducting system on our Nismos. There is this air passage under the front splitter that guides air flow to the brakes. That's assisted with a metal plate to divert the air to the brakes, similar to what is on the Darkhorse, It's not ideal, but better than nothing.

 

[Nis Mo Z]

I wonder if the transmission requires a bigger oil cooler for tracking, or were you too close to the redline that it refused a downshifts to save itself. The only time I have issues with the transmission is if I don’t pull the paddles hard enough, as if it requires a deep travel to the paddles.

 

[mark5825]

Being in Sport and not Sport+ is letting you down a little, as the shifts are faster in Sport+.
I'm sure you'll gain some braking performance with better rotors. Nismo have changed the rotors for the 2026/27 spec Nismo, so surely they know those rotors weren't ideal for lap after lap track abuse. There is a ducting system on our Nismos. There is this air passage under the front splitter that guides air flow to the brakes. That's assisted with a metal plate to divert the air to the brakes, similar to what is on the Darkhorse, It's not ideal, but better than nothing.

It was more on upshifts but the most recent day using less gears 0 missed shifts so not too worried about that for now.
Sounds like a lot of people using bigger brake kits I’ll have to look into for that side.

 

[Drago86]

That is impressive cooking a full race pad!

The 18x10.5's cleared the Nismo brakes fine? What wheels/offset were they?

 

[mark5825]

That is impressive cooking a full race pad!

The 18x10.5's cleared the Nismo brakes fine? What wheels/offset were they?

I do have some slight knocking noise at full lock only when going ~40 mph, not sure if it's wheels or camber arms or something else so I can't say 100% they fit but other people are using them as well. Using -3.5 camber with SPL arms.

Superspeed RF06RR 18x10.5 +22 with hub centric rigs.

 

[OptionZero]

You may want to look into Paragon 2 piece rotors
https://paragonbrakes.com/2-piece-rotors-front-380x34mm-nissan-z-nismo/
Fairly well known at this point in the track day crowd, i believe. Nothing but good reviews

I haven't seen a good look at the Nismo's "brake ducting" - sounds like its more of a "brake deflector"? An opening that directs air through the front bumper to a plate on the suspension the directs air to the brakes?

A more directed brake duct setup may be an improvement. It's been essential for 370Z's.

 

[chadgigachad]

You may want to look into Paragon 2 piece rotors
https://paragonbrakes.com/2-piece-rotors-front-380x34mm-nissan-z-nismo/
Fairly well known at this point in the track day crowd, i believe. Nothing but good reviews

I haven't seen a good look at the Nismo's "brake ducting" - sounds like its more of a "brake deflector"? An opening that directs air through the front bumper to a plate on the suspension the directs air to the brakes?

A more directed brake duct setup may be an improvement. It's been essential for 370Z's.

The nismos have a air deflector on the front swaybar. Haven't taken a look at it myself though.

 

[OptionZero]

Better than nothing, probably not as good as directed ducting?

 

[trackratZ]

A few observations and question after 3 track days. First day stock with SRF Castrol brake fluid and Carbotech XP24 pads, pushed fairly hard and was impressed with most aspects, tires/braking/suspension, Sport+ with TC off throttle response was quite sensitive so mainly used Sport. A few times the car did not shift when I pressed the paddle on downshift and upshift but no other major issues.

2nd day added full exhaust and E30 tune, Sport+ unusable with the added power, was using 3,4,5,6 gears. In Sport turbo was still a bit unpredictable but suspension seemed fine and tires definitely got a bit worse.

3rd day I added SPL camber arms, more aggressive alignment and added 100 TW tires (F1 3R) on 18x10.5 setup. I used different tuner and the power was much more consistent with no missed shifts by the trans. I did only use 4,5,6 gears which seemed to help. On high speed trail braking the car got super twitchy so had to back off a bit in those spots. Completely cooked the Carbotech XP24 pads with SRF Castrol (multiple cracks and glazed spots) and was getting some other knocking/vibrations unable to diagnose. When everything was working well I was much more impressed with the car and can see the potential. Still not as fast as my previous Supra or RS3 though.

Any advice or parts or driving style are welcome, especially about how to keep the brakes cooler, maybe ducts or different rotors.

Looks extreme on those heat cracked XP24 pads! I've used XP12/XP10 combo on other track cars before and have held up great. Castrol SRF should be fade-free at least. Are our Zs, even Nismos, really that deficient on stopping power for just a full day's tracking? Worrying...

 

[OptionZero]

https://ctbrakes.com/choosingcompounds/

Carbotech website says the XP24 is their highest rated racing pad, so it seems you've already done all you can there

The limiter has to be airflow.

Titanium shims, 2 piece rotors with good venting, and directed ducting have to be the next step

 

[romancao]

In stock form, the A90 is indeed faster than the RZ34. However, I believe that with the same level of modifications, the Z will not be inferior to the Supra. The Supra's bumpsteer is an unsolvable issue.

 

[OptionZero]

The Z is a chassis from 2009, so it has its own demons to deal with. Good news is many are known by now and at least some have solutions

solvable
oil cooling - hoot vents, upgraded coolers
power steering cooling - cooler
brake cooling - ducts, fluid, pads, rotors
clutch slave - fixed on rz34, otherwise upgrade kit needed
fuel starve - auxiliary fuel pump on opposite saddle or more extensive fuel delivery upgrade

Less solvable without $$$
ABS ICE mode - m3 abs controller (or better), custom wiring, drill mounts on hub for new sensors, good luck
Dynamic rear camber curve - someone smarter than me can explain it better, our geometry does not allow smooth camber change under load on track
Weight

 

[rocksandblues]

In stock form, the A90 is indeed faster than the RZ34. However, I believe that with the same level of modifications, the Z will not be inferior to the Supra. The Supra's bumpsteer is an unsolvable issue.

Having tracked both a supra and Z. The Supra is better initially and better mod for mod. The bump steer was on early models and is gone after 2021 and then also easily solvable.

The Z is fast but heavy and wallows. I experienced ice mod and brake failure. I am still a fan of the Z and want it to be on the track more. Just really really spend your first money on brake upgrades.

 

[mark5825]

Having tracked both a supra and Z. The Supra is better initially and better mod for mod. The bump steer was on early models and is gone after 2021 and then also easily solvable.

The Z is fast but heavy and wallows. I experienced ice mod and brake failure. I am still a fan of the Z and want it to be on the track more. Just really really spend your first money on brake upgrades.

Do you have suggested specific brake mods? I’m thinking of the Paragon 2 piece rotors, pads TBD (waiting on carbotech response) and some type of cooling kit. There's a few for sale but I don't see many people actually using them.