Need help deciding on which 350Z model to purchase

[sube83sti]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here on NicoClub. I just graduated from college and want to trade in my 04 Altima for a 07 350Z. I was wondering which model would be best to purchase for track racing? I was thinking the track model, but is the VCD and TCS worth the money? Also, does the chin and diffusors make any differnce in stock form? And, is the only difference on the grand touring model the leather interior. Also, is the 19'' rear worth it, or is better to have the 18's all around?

I have been 240sx/silvia enthuiast for years. I owned a 97 240sx with a sr20det, and it was great on the track. But now, I want something new and a bit more powerful. Thanks.

[sube83sti]

I plan on modding the car, just like the 240 i had before. Someone advised me to buy the base model and just upgrade with aftermarket parts, but is the lsd, vcd, and brembo's on the more expensive models worth the extra money. What I'm trying to say, if i buy the track model, will i end up replacing the stock brembos with better brakes and replacing the stock lsd with a better one down the road. I plan on track racing atleast twice a month, and drag racing once a week.

[TrackReadyPerformance]

how serious are you about building a track car? at my shop thats what we do, build track cars, mostly spec cars, and alot of club racers.

for track, I would go the the base model. I would then add racing brakes, a cuscu or kaaz LSD, along with all needed safty equipment. plan on a set of coilovers, but might not be required depending on your class.

as far as wheels and tires, it depends on your budget, you will need at least 2 sets for a race weekend, this may also depend on your class rules.

if you know what class series you are planning on running in I can look rules up for you, that way you know what you can and can not do

[Bubba1]

how serious are you about building a track car? at my shop thats what we do, build track cars, mostly spec cars, and alot of club racers.

for track, I would go the the base model. I would then add racing brakes, a cuscu or kaaz LSD, along with all needed safty equipment. plan on a set of coilovers, but might not be required depending on your class.

as far as wheels and tires, it depends on your budget, you will need at least 2 sets for a race weekend, this may also depend on your class rules.

if you know what class series you are planning on running in I can look rules up for you, that way you know what you can and can not do

i went with the touring model instead of the track model as I spend far more days on the street than on track, plus I like the heated leather seats in the winter. The cloth seats in the track model do make you slide less. My one regret was not getting the Brembos, which were an option in the touring, I bought mine off the dealer lot at a deep discount. After driving a few Brembo equipped Z's on the track, I'm going to retrofit. As far as tires, I went with 18's. But remember, the larger the wheel the more jarring the ride on the stteet. So if you're planning more street miles than track miles, you might consider the smaller wheels.

I don't think the diffusers are going to make any difference at all except perhaps at certain tracks with long enough straights to get you above 120mph. I can tell you personally the Z is already quite stable at 120+ without them. The big brembo's will let you carry little more speed than the diffusers because you can brake slightly later lap after lap than with the non-Brembo's,

As far as that VSD traction control, I never use it. I turn it off everytime I start it up. You'll find you'll end up fighting it if you forget to turn it off.

Hope that helps.

[sube83sti]

I plan on racing the car on the weekends, but I will also drive the car to work everyday. For a daily driver and weekend track car, which model would be better?

[Bubba1]

I plan on racing the car on the weekends, but I will also drive the car to work everyday. For a daily driver and weekend track car, which model would be better?

IMHO Track model. Performance wise, all the models are the same, but if you're taking it to the track a lot, make sure you go with the Brembo's which are standard on the track model, and optional on the Touring model.I'm not sure you can get the Brembos on the base model. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[evildky]

for a real race car base model, if you're gonna do serious racing you want the cheaper initial price, and the suspension and brakes will all need upgrading reguardless depending on class, and diff would also likely need to be upgraded or at least add more clutch packs and friction plates to up the brake away torque, and the VDS is the first thing any racer removes or disables

[evildky]

the brembo's are only marginally better than the regualr brakes but cost a hell of a lot more, upgrades are available that make improvements above the brembo set up

[TrackReadyPerformance]

if your going to be traking the car, your going to want racing brakes. that will make a huge difference on the track. plus, brake pads dont last very long when you tack the car, 2-3 track days is the life of you pads even with the brembos. brake pads for racing kits you can generaly find at most race tracks on track days, thats always a plus.

if this was a strict track car, I would try and find a used base model, I have seen them as low as 10 grand, which means you can be racing for under 20 grand.

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

It is all very easy, how much money are you going to spend after you buy your car? If your going to replace eveything that comes on a track car then buy a base model. Just rember if you buy the base model and it sucks don't cry about it down the road, you bought it.

[C-Kwik]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here on NicoClub. I just graduated from college and want to trade in my 04 Altima for a 07 350Z. I was wondering which model would be best to purchase for track racing? I was thinking the track model, but is the VCD and TCS worth the money? Also, does the chin and diffusors make any differnce in stock form? And, is the only difference on the grand touring model the leather interior. Also, is the 19'' rear worth it, or is better to have the 18's all around?

I have been 240sx/silvia enthuiast for years. I owned a 97 240sx with a sr20det, and it was great on the track. But now, I want something new and a bit more powerful. Thanks.

You should wait to see what the 07's are going to have on them. The 07 model has not been released yet. Nissan's last update on the 07 was that they would be released sometime in January, so we'll probably see something soon. I'd expect most of the option packages to be similar to the 06, but the motor options may be different. The Z should receive the new VQ35HR, and rumor has it, there may be a version with Cosworth Heads and a version with 3.7L of displacement. You'll want to factor any changes to come in the new model year into account.

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

I would wait for the 2007 model as well, alot of people will trade in there 03-06 models when the new one hits the showroom floor. That would then be a great time to pick up a used track, or base model with some work done at a real good price.

[MrAlien]

I have 2 race cars, and have some input on this.

track days and racing are very hard on cars, you will go through brake pads just about ever track day, and your drive train will take a toll. not to mention damage that could be caused if you **** up.

I am not trying to scare you off the track, but I do see some one at just about every track day I go to, I see some one that drives their new car to the track, and then cant get home.

what I would recomend: try a track day in a friends car, or borrow a car. a car that is some what prepared for the track. just to see if you like it.

then if you do like it, find a cheap race car, a car that already has a cage, seat, and maybe a few sets of wheels. civics make good first race cars, because they are cheap and quick to fix. you'll get bumoped into a couple times during a season, with a civic you can always go to a junk yard and get new fenders.

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

listen to this guy, very good words of wisdom.