Z Nismo @ Atlanta Motorsports Park

[sdktheway]

The pad transfer looks ok and fairly even. Beleive it or not, hard fast braking will keep them cooler. If you drag them to try to avoid hard braking, they will heat up more. As well as trail braking and hitting ABS and stability control.
Also, I'm wondering if the slots in the rotor accelerated the wear a little as compared to blank rotors (like the stock ones)? I think they do wear the pads a little faster. I actually like blank rotors the best for the track, since there are a lot of disadvantages with other types of rotors. J hook seems to be really good as well.

Am I crazy or does this car not have any lights on the dashboard that pop up when the car is engaging traction control/stability control? There are times when I know i'm engaging it and over the limit but other times maybe i'm not aware and that's part of what's eating my pads up. I've never really turned traction control off yet besides the time on a skid pad honestly. I know this car could spin me around quick if i'm not careful but I'd like to start testing that out this weekend at VIR on the second day if things are going well and the instructor riding along thinks it's alright.

 

[up4speed]

Am I crazy or does this car not have any lights on the dashboard that pop up when the car is engaging traction control/stability control? There are times when I know i'm engaging it and over the limit but other times maybe i'm not aware and that's part of what's eating my pads up. I've never really turned traction control off yet besides the time on a skid pad honestly. I know this car could spin me around quick if i'm not careful but I'd like to start testing that out this weekend at VIR on the second day if things are going well and the instructor riding along thinks it's alright.

The best way to drive it on the track is to put the transmission in Sport+ and then push and hold the traction button for a few seconds until the word "Traction" appears on the dash. It will let you make the car rotate without interfering (thus wearing out pads) and you can make the car dance (as long as you have the skill to do that). But if you get in over your head a little, it will still save you. Bottom line is that it will allow "proper" driving, but if you start to go beyond the laws of physics, the electronics will attempt to save you.

I had a little taste of it when I was coming around a long sweeping turn, I was in auto mode (I shouldn't have been apparently) and at the apex where I was at the limit clawing for traction (approx 1.3-1.4G), the darn transmission BANGED the next gear right at the apex. So of course it threw the balance off and put the car into an abrupt oversteer. I actually felt the electronics kick in to save me. I would have saved it myself, since I reacted quickly and calmly and lightened up the throttle slightly (but not too much) and counter steered instantly and rode out the drift. But it definitely helped reduce some of the stress by helping me out since it all happened in 1/2 second. One complaint I have with the car on the track is that the transmission software should take into account the G forces and steering angle, and know to either do a soft gear change, or even better, hold the gear slightly longer. I think it would be a very easy software change.

 

[Crownleyian]

So how does the car behave if you take it beyond its limits or you unsettle it, will it progressively oversteer or suddenly snap oversteer?

 

[up4speed]

It's actually fairly neutral with mild understeer at constant speeds. You can easily transfer it to oversteer with a little throttle application. The oversteer is very progressive and controlled if you are not ridiculous with the throttle and feed it in smoothly. When driven properly, the car is very communicative and easy to play with and control. I like that the Traction mode will save you from something stupid and help you rotate in the corners, but doesn't interfere in a way that takes away from the fun.
I haven't experimented with all nannies off yet (I'm not even sure if I can do that). I didn't try because Traction mode is perfect (in my opinion) on the track. Also forgot to mention, you should always use the Traction mode on the track because it shuts off all the other electronics that have crash detection, etc. You don't want to be coming up on a car and have the car panic brake for you when you don't want it or expect it, especially in a turn!

 

[trackratZ]

Good review there @up4speed

Nismo suspension bits are actually pretty good as a package, buttons down the Z nicely on track. Looking into it, know someone at local Nismo shop...after brake pads and fluids first. I'll target Willow Springs in the fall.

 

[up4speed]

Good review there @up4speed

Nismo suspension bits are actually pretty good as a package, buttons down the Z nicely on track. Looking into it, know someone at local Nismo shop...after brake pads and fluids first. I'll target Willow Springs in the fall.

Thanks!
I actually took a guy for a ride at a track day. He owned a 370Z. He upgraded the suspension with coil overs, sway bars, bushings, bigger brakes, and a few other engine mods. When I gave him a ride, he was blown away. Even from the passenger seat, he was so impressed at how balanced, and effortless the car was at speed, and how the chassis felt stiff and tight and how the brakes felt so strong and effortless. He kept commenting on how he thought that no amount of money that he threw at his car would make it feel as composed, effortless, and balanced as my car felt. He was truly impressed, and of course it made me feel really good about the car as well!

 

[5thZ]

Thanks!
I actually took a guy for a ride at a track day. He owned a 370Z. He upgraded the suspension with coil overs, sway bars, bushings, bigger brakes, and a few other engine mods. When I gave him a ride, he was blown away. Even from the passenger seat, he was so impressed at how balanced, and effortless the car was at speed, and how the chassis felt stiff and tight and how the brakes felt so strong and effortless. He kept commenting on how he thought that no amount of money that he threw at his car would make it feel as composed, effortless, and balanced as my car felt. He was truly impressed, and of course it made me feel really good about the car as well!

That is interesting. The weight balance is better on the new Z slightly. Also, if that guy got a rear sway bar on the 370z that could explain some of the cons. Best approach commonly said is upgrade front sway but leave rear stock. Wonder if he also over sprung or under sprung his coils.... Hmmmm

 

[up4speed]

That is interesting. The weight balance is better on the new Z slightly. Also, if that guy got a rear sway bar on the 370z that could explain some of the cons. Best approach commonly said is upgrade front sway but leave rear stock. Wonder if he also over sprung or under sprung his coils.... Hmmmm

Possibly. I don’t know the details because I just met him that day. I agree with you, all I can tell you is that he was a decent driver, and put down decent lap times. I don’t know how good or anything, but you can usually tell who’s got their stuff together pretty quickly.
The compliments definitely made me feel good, though, being that my car is fully stock, and considered very capable even though it’s on the heavy side. I definitely get compliments every time I go to the track from people telling me how they can’t believe how fast that car is, etc.
I definitely find the car very capable, and impressive for its weight. If that car was 700 pounds lighter, it would be a complete animal on the track!