Impressive Morning on my Secret Track

[Jacko3]

First thing I did this morning was brush my teeth and take my G-35 Coupe 6MT for a spin. I felt like my body needed some Gs and thrill. I go to my special track and what do I see----another guy on a super motor bike has discovered my well kept secret track. He had probably lapped the track about twice before i got there. Oh well, the more the merrier. And I think there are two other bikers that have discovered the track as well. I drove normally until I hit my secret track and I unleashed the beast in me and in the car.

So, I took him on. First of all, this road is like a fast track with zero to minimal cars at any time of the day. The total lenght---back and forth is about 2 - 4 miles, and it is normal to have no more than 5 - 7 cars across the whole stretch of the road---back and forth at any time.

As we took off, his acceleration was impressive. I bet he could do 0 -60 in less than 3 seconds. However, as we approached the first of 6 curves, he and his bike was almost laying flushed to the ground at speeds of 1** miles per hour as he went through the curve. I had never seen these super bikes perform on a curve at high speeds before, except on tv. It was a beautiful spectacle. The guy was very experienced.

What amazed me was that my G-35 Coupe caught up with this super fast bike at the curves but as we exited the curve, his superbike would take off. I maintained my acceleration throughout with 3rd and 4th gears.

There are six turns and curves on this road and each time, my car caught up with the bike at the curves, and in fact on the last curve, I thought I could pass him at 1**+ miles but I decided not to pass him as he was literally flushed with the ground and i didn't want to risk him loosing control and ending up underneath my car. My car still had lots of grip remaining to pass him at those speeds on that curve. I think he was impressed as we waved to each other and went our merry good ways. I think he went for another lap.

Of course, my car uses the Toyo Proxes T1R tires, filled with Nitrogen. My rear wheels also have the RAS (Rear Active Steeer). My VDC was OFF during this period. I rarely drive with the VDC ON.

I have no doubts that any car with turbo or superchargers would smoke my car on a stright line any day. But I am sure today that the story will be different when we put the same cars on high speed curves and turns. I was proud of my car today as it kept up with a super bike which is even harder to keep up with, on curves and straightline. Of course, my RAS, the type of tires I have on the car, and the Nitrogen in the tires, may have helped as well. I really wonder what the extra torque from TT or SC would do to the handling of a G-35 Coupe, on this same curve? I also wonder how the car would handle on curves, if it was lighter? What an amazing morning! so, many questions that need answers.

[Beancooker]

Sounds like a fun time. No offense, but if they knew how to ride, or didn't want to sport with you, you would have only seen the bikes once. I used to have a bike like that, and no car, turbo or not, could keep up on a twisty road.

[Jacko3]

Beancooker:

I agree! Maybe the guy wanted to see how well I could keep up. But those super bikes on curves are an amazing spectacle to watch. I probably slowed down to watch the fascination of how such a machine could literally be almost flushed with the road at an angle and yet maintain such a high speed. Pretty impressive! If you think seeing those bikes move in a striaghtline is impressive, wait until you catch one going through a high speed curve almost laying down on the ground. I will never forget this morning.

[SVTCOBRA]

Truly unbelievable!!! Nice write up Jacko!

[groundrocket]

When you lay a bike down like that in a turn you have to keep accelerating through the turn - if you let up on the acceleration the bike will stand up and drift wide in a hurry. I've seen more than one new bike owner who had watched too many superbike races and GP motos think they could do anything the pros can because they have "the same bike" end up high siding and doing $1k + of damage to their new toy (and themselves) because they freaked out and let off the gas in a turn. The noobs were part of the reason I quit riding with groups. Sounds like you have a little fun track to play on down there so enjoy it - be safe and remember - this weekend is maximum enforcement by most of the cop shops to reduce the dreaded death toll on a 3 day weekend.

Have fun!

KJ

[SVTCOBRA]

YES, be safe out there Jacko!! There will be a bunch of Drunk Nascar-wannabees around here this weekend.

[Jacko3]

SVTCobra and GroundRocket:

Thanks for the advice. Other than the secret track, I have been driving like a normal human being all day. Yes, the cops are everywhere. I saw tons of them ticketing people like crazy. I had no choice but to be safe. Thanks for the advice.

[heliochrome85]

i live in Speedway, the area of Indianapolis where, lo and behold, The Indianapolis Motor Speedway resides. I hear there is a little race called the Indianapolis 500 going on this weekend. That may explain the 10+ miles of bumper to bumper traffic in any direction. Man, F1 all the way! Screw IRL/Nascar.

[lucidd]

Jacko,

Sounds like great fun!I love those types of roads --- we are gifted here on the coast of BC [canada] with a few awesome mountains - with ski hills ... and with these ski hills, we have roads that lead all the way to the top.

I've never taken my car up there [maybe I will tomorrow :P]... but I usually go up with my bike [Honda CBR1000RR] - a few times a year, esp. when it is nice and hot. I use that as a training ground each year - to sorta "learn to ride my bike again".

And groundrocket, you're right in all the noobs that try to lean... and really just go too fast -too hot into a corner, panic, then wipe it.

I've been riding for over a decade now - and can safely say that if i knew the road well enough, I'd be faster than most cars. --- but actually, even with a 1000cc bike, Pirelli race tires, and some nerves of steel... a G with comfort items gutted, seats taken out, turbocharger etc --- will keep up with my bike... and with enough power, will pass ME anyways.

The advantage that the car has is obvious - 4 tires. The bike has 2 only, and needs more care and attention to go fast.

I'd say, the GTR - with awd and enough HP, with sophisticated suspension dynamics is faster on many racetracks vs. all street bikes.

GTR vs. true Race Bikes [ie. MOTOgp] though - the Race Bike will take it hands down.

LPS. Jacko, ur the devil! lol... You've inspired me to take my G to our Seymour Mountain tomorrow! I'll let you know how it turns out.I've got the 2007 G35s sedan --- and I just put my summer tires back on today - Bridgestone Potenza RE050A's - which was stock on this sport package. pss. I'll be safe

[SVTCOBRA]

i live in Speedway, the area of Indianapolis where, lo and behold, The Indianapolis Motor Speedway resides. I hear there is a little race called the Indianapolis 500 going on this weekend. That may explain the 10+ miles of bumper to bumper traffic in any direction. Man, F1 all the way! Screw IRL/Nascar.

I live near a little track here called Lowe's Motor Speeday....Screw F1 and their whiny-a$$ cars!!! (Hey, You could have had a V8!!!)

LONG LIVE NASCAR!!!!

(Danica )

[Jacko3]

lucidd:

I am glad i inspired you. Actually, this afternoon on sunday, I saw the same guy again on the secret track and we went at it once again, with another of his buddies. His buddy could keep up on the straight way but felll way back to my G-35 Coupe on the curves. My main guy was so good on the curve that he had to let one of his hands touch the ground, while in front of me at speeds of 1** miles per hour as he went through the curve---it was unbeleivable and exciting---truely a sight to see, to say the least. This guy was exceptionally good with his bike.

I found out later on that he was a Marine recruiter. His other buddy eventually made it to our resting area and asked me what type of engine was in my car. I told his buddy that my car had some slight mods but what was important was the suspension system. I told them I had the Toyo Proxes T1-R filled with Nitrogen and a rear active steer (RAS).

It was fun on a golden platter.

Yes, I beleive the GTR with AWD could give a superbike a run for their money on those type of curves given its advanced suspension system.

I would like to say one thing though, this experience has taught me that high horse power either from a TT or SC, may not necessarily be the best ideal on a track. I beleive the power should be carefully matched with the vehicles suspension system, if the vehicle is to be effective on a race track.

But for drag racing, power is everything. Given my experience now, I would easily challenge any TT of SC powered car on any real road course track, as I intend to ensure that I give them a run for their money on the curves. If their suspension systems are not matched against the power they put down on the road, they are toast for me.

In essence, once you put a SC or TT in your car, the brakes and suspension of your car should be replaced or adjusted to fit the new power or else on a race track, you risk loosing control with all that power or you will find yourself slowing down to a level the car can handle with that power. Once you slow down, an NA car with a good driver, since its power, brakes and suspension are optimal and well adjusted, will come by and pass you on a track making you and all your power look really bad.

Without a power adder, the brakes of the G-35 Coupe are just on the fringes of adequate. With a TT or SC, those brakes would certainly be insufficient. These are just my experience. It could be different for someone else---anyone could see it differently.


Modified by Jacko3 at 8:07 PM 5/25/2008

[lucidd]

Wow... was that fun... different than going up on a bike - but awesome for my G sedan.It was nice and hot, very few cars - since the mountain ski season is closed for the summer... saw a few other bikes - but just a few.Love the high reving VQ - 7400rpm. From 6000rpm and up - it really pulls hard - but below it can lag quite a bit... when going uphill on a mountain anyways.

The thing is, with 306hp - it still needs more ... perhaps 400 hp - which a turbocharger and cat back exhaust will do the job. I hit about just hit triple digit speeds before I had to slow down for the turns - where my bike did 35-50% faster.

The best part was the engine sound - when it hits the variable intake/exhaust changeover, it really screams nicely to redline. And the transmission -6m, although it is very difficult to drive during traffic - is awsome when pushed, and the ratios are about right. Heal-toe / matching revs - as the engine screams at 5000+ rpm is quite fun. The dynamics on this new G is quite well balanced --especially going uphill, the weight is nicely transfered to the back - giving extra grip to the hot sticky potenza summer tires. VDC off... full throttle, the back end sticks and stays tight to my steering angles -which only means the LSD really works. This car is very controlled and behaved at high speeds! ... wonder what 4WAS would add to the dynamics...

Now that I've pushed it to near limit... It gives me a bit more confidence in this rwd car.

I will look into intake... then exhaust. Just for fun ... turbo?

L

[Jacko3]

lucidd:

Well done! How do you like the beastly swirl technology sound coming from the engine when you revv it up---ain't it a beauty? Infiniti understands cars as far as i am concerned. Yes, the G-35 needs some extra power. However, this should be matched with bigger brakes and better suspension.

Last time i took a G-35 sedan on a spin, i thought it was ungodly to leave such a machine in the hands of regular consumers. It was really sporty.

And you are right about the way the transmission feels. All infinitis seem to have been designed to operate optimally at high ends. So, the more the car is babaied, the more uncomfortable it is to drive, and the more problems the car actually has. So, we are stuck with a car theat neds to be routinely pushed or else it will die a slow death in the garage or on the streets.

So, +1 to you and Gwoods for driving these cars the war they were meant to be driven.

[Minmey15]

I find rear active steer to be unnatural. It is alright up till certain speed, but once we get up to certain speed, it makes me feel like it is very artificial and unnatural.

[Jacko3]

How so, and why? At low speeds, its effect is negligible or minimal. At higher speeds, it keeps the rear from sliding away. This means you will find the 4WAS on the G-37 very odd as well, as the RAS is just half of what is possible in the 4WAS.The 4WAS helps the G-37 to enter even more tighter corners than the G-35 with RAS.

[soul_hfk]

nice write up jack

[lucidd]

Yes, handling is definitely something that should be added with more power added. I guess today, with [racing] going up the mountain, my brakes were not too important... and I was downshifting so that my rpms were well over 5000 at any given time... did I already mention the awesome sounds? I've found the stock brakes on the G very sufficient... 13" rotors all around*

--- props for the rider - touching the ground with his hand during full lean, sounds like an crazy spectacle! we got a few pretty gift riders here too - with balls too...

Oh - and excuse my ignorance... what advantage does nitrogen filled tires give?

thanks for the feedback btw L

[Beancooker]

Oh - and excuse my ignorance... what advantage does nitrogen filled tires give?

According to Jacko, it made the car handle better. According to the rest of us, it keeps your tires at a more consistant pressure for longer stretches of time.

Remember, the air you breathe (and fill your tires with) is already 75-78% nitrogen.

[Jacko3]

Beancooker:

10% more Nitrogen could be a deal breaker. As far as i am concerned, my cars stability on the road has improved dramatically. While i know that air contains about 70%+ Nitrogen, you can't rule out the effect of an additional 2o+% Nitrogen in replacing the other gases in air.

I know it is hard to beleive, why don't you try it and see if you like it or not? It won't hurt anything. Worse case scenario, you can remove it and replace with air. I am very confident that my car's handling improved with the pure Nitrogen in the tires. Try it and see.

[lucidd]

cool, thanks for the info... and jacko, how much is nitrogen for 4 tires? and where do u fill?

i do know that when my tires are hot on my car, it goes above 40psi-- that's y I fill air only when tires are cold...

[Minmey15]

How so, and why? At low speeds, its effect is negligible or minimal. At higher speeds, it keeps the rear from sliding away. This means you will find the 4WAS on the G-37 very odd as well, as the RAS is just half of what is possible in the 4WAS.The 4WAS helps the G-37 to enter even more tighter corners than the G-35 with RAS.

Yes, I do find 4WAS on G37 to be unnatural as well. I am just saying it feels unnatural, and I prefer driving without one, and I am sure experienced drivers would agree that Nissan's active steers are under development still. It does help until certain speed though.

[Beancooker]

Beancooker:

10% more Nitrogen could be a deal breaker. As far as i am concerned, my cars stability on the road has improved dramatically. While i know that air contains about 70%+ Nitrogen, you can't rule out the effect of an additional 2o+% Nitrogen in replacing the other gases in air.

I know it is hard to beleive, why don't you try it and see if you like it or not? It won't hurt anything. Worse case scenario, you can remove it and replace with air. I am very confident that my car's handling improved with the pure Nitrogen in the tires. Try it and see.

They put it in the tires that I just got. I told them to put it in the fronts if they are doing the rears also. They did, and it was free too.

Makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. The only difference that I noticed is that I had to go back, and have them put more in, since they only put 35psi in her. I like it at about 42.

Been driving it same as I always have, and haven't noticed anything yet.

Maybe if I get on 101 and head north, I might notice it, however I think I'll notice the better grip of the wider tires, over anything that the nitrogen offers.

Jacko, I just thought of something, what were your tires pressurized at before the nitrogen, and what about after?

If you ran say, 42psi with air, and they filled the tires to 35 psi with nitrogen, then you will notice it "sticking" to the road better. But if the pressure is equal, I can't see where the difference is.

I noticed right away when they only had 35 psi. The ride wasn't stiff/bumpy enough. It also stuck to the road, and probably would handle a little bit better, but I'm stuck in my ways of 42 psi.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

This has nothing to do with Nitrogen Vs. O2, but I will agree that upgrading the tires alone can have a huge effect on the handling...

I went on a long drive through a whole bunch of twisties and dips last night, I pushed it harder than I ever could before...

No more shimmy shakes, no more losing grip! It's like a new car, as far as handling is concerned, if it was light out, I could've gone even harder, but I don't want to crash my baby, so I keep things safe

The only downside, is acceleration, which is compromised with the 20 inch wheels, but it does look nice, Jacko, I suggest you should get some anti sway bars, front and rear, my buddy has 240sx, and he's taken turns at 75mph I would avoid going into at 50mph... Best mod for handling IMHO...

[Jacko3]

Beancooker;

I didn't ask my mechanic what PSI he was using. But i do know that with air, he has always used 35 PSI. I will ask him when next I go for an oil change, probably this week. I iwill let you know then.

[Jacko3]

Brandaiddesign:

I would say that the tires had more to do with the improved handling. However, Nitrogen did add some more to the improved handling. When I first bought my Toyo Proxes T1R tires, I installed them with air. After 1.5 months, as they did my brakes, I asked that they fill all 4 tires with Nitrogen. Lo and behold, the car felt a lot more pinned down than ever before. Perhaps the additional weight of the 20% + Nitorgen did enhance this performance effect. I dunno. Or, it could be that different tire brands respond differently with pure Nitrogen in them. I probably couldn't say the same thing with Bridgestones or Michelins. All I know is that all tires are not the same. And, all I know is that pure Nitrogen in Toyo Proxes T1Rs are excellent for handling.

+1 with the anti sway bars. But i wonder how it would work with the RAS---make it better or worse or no difference at all. I dunno.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

You could pop one up front, and if you like the handling improvements, I'd say put it in the back as well... but look into the RAS, I still think it would improve the handling, It makes your car super rigid, you'd be able to push ahead of the bikes while cornering IMHO...