370Z: How much "performance" is gained by going with the Sport package?

[K03sport]

I put performance in quotes because the Sports package doesn't add any power, it adds larger brakes, larger/wider wheels (forged) and tires, F/R spoilers, and a viscous limited-slip rear diff. (not including the Syncro rev match as that is a driver's aid).

According to the brochure, the 370Z+Sport w/ F/R spoilers has a drag coefficient of .29 compared to the non-sport Cd of .30.

The larger brakes may stop better, but how much better? 10ft, 20ft ?The larger brakes are heavier, so how does that affect accelleration?

The larger/wider wheels/tires offer more traction to aid in accelleration and corning, so what is the difference in 0-60? What is the difference on the skidpad?

The brochure also states that the new 19" forges wheels "are nearly 20% lighter than those on the previous Z." So, that is about 5lbs +/- .5lb. That's compared against the 350Z, but not against the standard 18" 5 spokes. Again, what's the advantage other than they just look awesome (and are made by Rays and arr forged).

The limited slip rear diff is always nice to have, but is it absolutely necessary driving around town?

So, 350Z/370Z forum readers, as good of a deal as the $3000 Sports package is, what, if any, performance advantage will it give a 370Z against one without?

I would like to think there would be some "increase" in performance, instead of just looks and bragging rights and $3k added to the sticker.

Just about every 370Z pictured in the brochure is outfitted with the Sport package, so either it must do something great or maybe it just looks better...I'm not sure.

Discuss.

[aris_unlimited]

I'm not sure exactly what the sport package brakes are, but if they are anything like the brembos on the 350z then they are worth the upgraded cost alone.

The LSD would be useful on the streets and on the track, although a lot of people prefered aftermarket LSD's on the 350z. So unless they made a better LSD I wouldn't worry about that too much.

The lighter wheels is always a bonus, losing rotational mass is more beneficial then losing body mass. Although I personally don't much care for the look of the sport package wheels lol.

As for drag coefficient. That is not really a big deal unless you are hitting very high speeds.

Deduce from this what you will and decide wether or not the upgrade would be worth it to you.

[K03sport]

I'm not sure exactly what the sport package brakes are, but if they are anything like the brembos on the 350z then they are worth the upgraded cost alone.

Sorry, the Nissan Sport brakes are 4-pistion opposed aluminum calipers w/ 14"x1.3" vented discs and 2-pistion opposed aluminum calipers w/ 13.8"x.80" vented discs. The regular brakes are 12.6"x1.1"F and 12.6"x.63"R . Behind all of these numbers, what does that mean in terms of stopping distance? No claims are made or posted.

The LSD would be useful on the streets and on the track, although a lot of people prefered aftermarket LSD's on the 350z. So unless they made a better LSD I wouldn't worry about that too much.

The lighter wheels is always a bonus, losing rotational mass is more beneficial then losing body mass. Although I personally don't much care for the look of the sport package wheels lol.

As for drag coefficient. That is not really a big deal unless you are hitting very high speeds.

Deduce from this what you will and decide wether or not the upgrade would be worth it to you.

Sure...Cd is not all that unless you're deep into the speedo, but even at freeway speeds .01 less is still better, although not detectable by humans.

A LSD is always usefull, but not necessary. I'll agree about less rotating mass on the wheels/tires, but there is nothing wrong with stock 18" wheels, which most pictures of, don't do them any justice.

In fact, a non-sport package 370Z looks off or unbalanced when looking at a 370 fitted with the sport package. It's weird...as if Nissan is trying to sell everyone a 370 with the sport package...hhmmmmm.

[xjmxstac]

I'm not sure exactly what the sport package brakes are, but if they are anything like the brembos on the 350z then they are worth the upgraded cost alone.

They are bigger than the z33 brembos. Bigger braking surface area=more stopping power, also equipped with beefier pistons. This pic is from the g37 sport compared to the earlier brembos from Track and Nismo packages. Maybe the lighter wheels offsets the heavier brakes?

The LSD would be useful on the streets and on the track, although a lot of people prefered aftermarket LSD's on the 350z. So unless they made a better LSD I wouldn't worry about that too much.

Agreed. It doesn't hurt to have them. I'd sure love to have them when I need it.

The lighter wheels is always a bonus, losing rotational mass is more beneficial then losing body mass. Although I personally don't much care for the look of the sport package wheels lol.

It took me some time to appreciate the design of the later GT and Nismo RAYS forged. But definitely a big plus on weight reduction.

As for drag coefficient. That is not really a big deal unless you are hitting very high speeds.

Earlier z33 track edition and Nismo have the same feature: front and rear diffusers, which was found to generate more lift with the reduced coefficient of drag. The later 07-08 Nismo's offer a complete opposite setup with front and rear wings that generate downforce. You'd think that a track car would need the downforce more than the other trims, right?


Modified by xjmxstac at 7:23 PM 5/10/2009

[quiksilverx181]

I put performance in quotes because the Sports package doesn't add any power, it adds larger brakes, larger/wider wheels (forged) and tires, F/R spoilers, and a viscous limited-slip rear diff. (not including the Syncro rev match as that is a driver's aid).

According to the brochure, the 370Z+Sport w/ F/R spoilers has a drag coefficient of .29 compared to the non-sport Cd of .30.

The larger brakes may stop better, but how much better? 10ft, 20ft ?The larger brakes are heavier, so how does that affect accelleration?

The larger/wider wheels/tires offer more traction to aid in accelleration and corning, so what is the difference in 0-60? What is the difference on the skidpad?

The brochure also states that the new 19" forges wheels "are nearly 20% lighter than those on the previous Z." So, that is about 5lbs +/- .5lb. That's compared against the 350Z, but not against the standard 18" 5 spokes. Again, what's the advantage other than they just look awesome (and are made by Rays and arr forged).

The limited slip rear diff is always nice to have, but is it absolutely necessary driving around town?

So, 350Z/370Z forum readers, as good of a deal as the $3000 Sports package is, what, if any, performance advantage will it give a 370Z against one without?

I would like to think there would be some "increase" in performance, instead of just looks and bragging rights and $3k added to the sticker.

Just about every 370Z pictured in the brochure is outfitted with the Sport package, so either it must do something great or maybe it just looks better...I'm not sure.

Discuss.

I see some track-oriented gains from the sports package on the 370z. Most of the upgrades, like larger brakes, larger/wider tires, and trim pieces are designed to keep the brakes cooler (larger disc), as well as wider wheels for greater traction and (supposedly) trim pieces that create downforce.

I say its worth it, the upgraded brakes alone are worth it.

Limited Slip is always useful, as everyone else has said.

Not all track-oriented performance gains need to result in extra power. Some of the upgrades found in the sports package are all better to have before any upgrades to power. You need to be able to stick to the road and make more than 20 minute runs before upgrading any power.

[JETPILOT]

Bigger braking surface does NOT mean more stopping power. The breaking force is limited by the tires grip. Bigger brakes will only allow you to better absorb and radiate the heat from the brakes. Unless you are out on the track bigger brakes won't do much for you on the street unless you are breaking the law many times over.

Wider/stickier tires will give you shorter stopping distances.

The VLSD is useless on the street as well. It's a track/autocross modthat will allow you to put down power sooner.

Coefficient of Drag. It's a marketting term which means nothing in the real world. Coefficient of Lift is more important but almost never talked about. it has been mentioned that the track model 350Z has 0 coefficient of lift which is nice for a production car, but downforce is preffered than just no lift.

Forget the sports package unless your going to the track unless yo uhave to have it for the synchro match.

[xjmxstac]

Bigger braking surface does NOT mean more stopping power. The breaking force is limited by the tires grip. Bigger brakes will only allow you to better absorb and radiate the heat from the brakes. Unless you are out on the track bigger brakes won't do much for you on the street unless you are breaking the law many times over.

The larger the surface area is, the farther the caliper is out from the center of the rotor, hence a better stopping leverage. Bigger pads that go along with the larger surface area dissipates heat better. They also grip a larger area of the rotor which transfers the piston(s) clamping force over a larger contact patch.

But ultimately, all that force is transferred to the pavement through your tires.

[JETPILOT]

The larger the surface area is, the farther the caliper is out from the center of the rotor, hence a better stopping leverage. Bigger pads that go along with the larger surface area dissipates heat better. They also grip a larger area of the rotor which transfers the piston(s) clamping force over a larger contact patch.

But ultimately, all that force is transferred to the pavement through your tires.

I agree with almost everything you said. Larger pads do not dissipate heat better.

The distance it takes to stop your car is dictated solely by the tires grip.

[quiksilverx181]

I agree with almost everything you said. Larger pads do not dissipate heat better.

The distance it takes to stop your car is dictated solely by the tires grip.

agreed. To the OP, do you plan on tracking at all?

[K03sport]

agreed. To the OP, do you plan on tracking at all?

I doubt I will ever see a track with this car. At most, I may participate in a few Solo events, but nothing serious.

I move around about every 4 years, so there is no telling where I will end up next. I could even return to AK and there weren't too many car events from what I remember.

They are bigger than the z33 brembos.

That is a huge caliper compared to earlier Brembos. I could see where the larger caliper could offer more heat dissapation and the larger pistions can offere creater clamping force. The sport brakes might offer a few feet shorter stopping distances, maybe even up to 15ft. One thing they would be good at is fade resistance, but I won't be tracking the car, so again, not an issue.

This car would be strictly commuting duty. Some might say that would be a waste, but the same could be said for people who have trucks and never haul anything or go off-road.

True on the aspect of the tires. Go power or stopping power is useless if it exceeds the grip of the tires. The tires offered with either wheel aren't bad. The sport package obvioulsy has the advantage due to greater width front and rear.

Sure, the Sport package is a great deal in itself, but it may not be necessary. A Base 370 should be more than capable as a spirited commuter car.

Now I just have to go look at the Genesis Coupe.

[xjmxstac]

I agree with almost everything you said. Larger pads do not dissipate heat better.

The distance it takes to stop your car is dictated solely by the tires grip.

Maybe I should rephrase that statement. A larger contact patch requires less brake pressure to stop a rotating mass, therefore generates less heat.

Agreed. Tires ultimately bind your car to the pavement.

OP: The sport brakes are overkill for daily driving. If you decide to track it, there's always an option for better aftermarket brakes.

[K03sport]

Agreed. Tires ultimately bind your car to the pavement.

OP: The sport brakes are overkill for daily driving. If you decide to track it, there's always an option for better aftermarket brakes.

Like with most people, this car would never see a track. If it does, it is because I am attending a driving school of some kind. Therefore, the regular "small" brakes should do just fine, as would the "small" tires on the "small" wheels.

Just trying to make sure that the Sport package isn't one of those "I should have got that one instead" type of packages or "this car is crap without the XXXXX package". Brakes and wheels can always be upgraded later. Besides, I would need to put a M+S tire on it anyway (Nokian WR2).

I would truely love to see the "base" car tested by (online) magazines, but they only test cars that are "given" to them by the manufacterer and why would the manufacturer give up their "slower" less gizmo laden car to be seen by all. Entice people with the ultimate fruit.

I've watched the many vidoes on youtube with the 370Z vs. XXXXXXX, and I must say, the 370Z kicks some tail. It beat the Mustang GT and trounced the Genesis Coupe 3.8 in the quarter mile as well as in other tests. True, the 370 is a 2 seater and the others are 2+2s. But as a total package, the 370z is where it is at in the $30k sports car price point.

Maybe I should look at a 2-3 yo BMW Z4 3.0s. I've looked at the Miata, and as nice as they are, I felt cramped and I'm not a big guy by any means.