RZ34 as a track car, what's needed?

[leafyz]

Hi all,

Thinking of picking up a RZ34 as a track car, I used to track a 370z and want to get back into the platform. What is minially needed to just run reliable consistent laps? since the platform is similar, I assume some issues might still present

My last 370Z had some issues needed to be addressed, wondering what's still there
- Fuel starvation, mine starved below 75% on 200tw and aero, so I had to just fill up all the time and do shorter sessions
- Oil cooler
- ICE mode, I would run into ice mode sometimes
- Bad VLSD, but new one has torsen so that's good

Does RZ34 need to have any heat soak issues addressed? I don't mind a little bit but I saw that they might heat soak more than acceptable stock.

leaving out consumables etc since thats needed for every car

Thanks in advance, pic of my old 370z

 

[KrackaC8]

You'll absolutely want an aftermarket heat exchanger to keep the charge air temps manageable.
https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/threads/ams-v-z1-heat-exchangers.9147/

I opened up the oil cooler ducts in the factory plastic undertray and between that and an aluminum oil pan, my oil temps run a lot cooler even on the street.

 

[MCN1SMO]

brakes brakes brakes

Tires

cooling is still an issue

fuel starvation is still an issue ( 2027 is adding a baffle to the tank)

 

[leafyz]

pads/fluids for sure, but does it still have ICE mode issue? iirc people swapped to e46 abs on 370zs

 

[MCN1SMO]

oh and if you get a non NISMO. it needs sways at the very least.

 

[leafyz]

yeah makes sense, I have eibach on my previous one and it was great. Though I consider them to be more strict upgrades rather than necessary to just run laps

 

[Thefunk]

Are you going to make your Z a dedicated track car or a trackable street car? This distinction matters for the upgrade path.

 

[leafyz]

would be a trackable streetcar, probably a track day a month type of deal, driven to/from track

 

[Thefunk]

would be a trackable streetcar, probably a track day a month type of deal, driven to/from track

If that's the case then yeah do as others have recommended. Brakes and sway bars first. Suspension, cooling, and braces. Leave the engine alone it has plenty of power if you can keep it cool.

 

[leafyz]

yeah for sure, I'm mostly worried about the ability to run laps reliably, so those upgrades are first.

I would actually be leaving suspension/everything else alone until I track it a couple times anyway, I always work under the philosophy to build as needed, I've had plenty of fun tracking fully stock cars (with brakes/tires)

 

[Thefunk]

yeah for sure, I'm mostly worried about the ability to run laps reliably, so those upgrades are first.

I would actually be leaving suspension/everything else alone until I track it a couple times anyway, I always work under the philosophy to build as needed, I've had plenty of fun tracking fully stock cars (with brakes/tires)

I did the same with my Z. I was on the track 3 months after I bought the car, it only had sway bars and intakes at the time. A year later after brakes, tires, and suspension upgrades, was back on the track 4 seconds faster.

 

[kevinbonds]

I would do three mods to start with, 1) Better Tires 2) Heat exchanger 3) Pads and fluids. Do a couple track days, she how she performs and then tweak as needed.

 

[Thefunk]

I would do three mods to start with, 1) Better Tires 2) Heat exchanger 3) Pads and fluids. Do a couple track days, she how she performs and then tweak as needed.

Agreed. Just be careful which pads you choose because the rotors can get very hot.

 

[KyleWI]

The only thing I did was 5W-30 Oil and Brake Fluid for my first track day with the Z. Nothing crazy. Had the standard heat soak issue later in the day.

Since I've done pads & rotors. Sway bars. Changed other fluids like clutch, transmission, and diff.

Still rocking OEM tires, they're not great, but actually perform just well once fully warmed up. But they're about at the end of their life now.

 

[trackratZ]

I would do three mods to start with, 1) Better Tires 2) Heat exchanger 3) Pads and fluids. Do a couple track days, she how she performs and then tweak as needed.

Agree, mostly. Number 2 is where it's at if planning on extended tracking, whole day sessions. But, I'd switch #3 with #1, our brake system is the weakest, most dangerous link, again for lengthy sessions, very prone to fade, fluid boiling, warped rotors, etc. Get that taken care of, confidence and peace of mind. Then comes tires. Z's 'greasy' S007s lets you know the car's limits quicker, learn it, not over pushing, more of speed control. Once comfortable with the limits, then upgrade to for example 200TW tires.

I've got XP12/XP10 ready to mount with RBF660, then I'll be happy. RE71RZ set is on-deck too.