Z32 Sucks at Mountain Passes

[Initial_Z]

That's what I figured today after a whole afternoon test run with my roommate's DC2 at GMR. Weight is the biggest issue with this car (yeah everybody know that), but it's more significant when it comes to mountain road.

The uphill run is a little bit frustrating. The weight make it sluggish and eventhough I hit boost out of almost every corner exit, there weren't enough straight way to make the turbo useful, not mentioning the turbo lag. I can go hand in hand with the N/A DC2, but never really be able to pull away far enough. We can hit 60 on a certain path until the top.

The downhill run is in the other hand, a bit scary. The weight is not just disadvantage anymore, it's a real handicap. Eventhough I dont have to hit the gas as much, I had to put alost of stress on my brake and front tires. I had to constantly hit-release the foot brake at the corner entry and during the turn, and sometimes it just doesn't respond at all. Stopping a one-and-a-half ton of metal going down hill is a lot harder than I expect. I dont think I did ever pass 40 on the down hill, and this is where I can't keep up with the Dc2.

I have both riden and driven in the DC2 at GMR sometimes before today and I have to say it's very solid on the hard turn compare to my Z. I admit it has alot of understeer but at the same time It grab on tightly. It doesn't give the feeling that I'm ready to slide out of control at any moment in the Z.

I'm sure there's alot of experience guys here in mountain run would want to chime in some tips and thought. What do you guys think ?

[vikesfankevin1986]

Um...don't drive in the mountains? My Z seems to fly in Minnesota...

[VigorousZX]

Maybe look at the Z as a grand tourer, for your application an NSX seems ideal.

[simmode1]

Maybe look at the Z as a grand tourer,

My recommendation?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhEC1KNvIyk[/youtube]


Just kidding... If that S14 and Miata can keep up with an R35 on the touge, any car can be made to perform more sharply when properly modified. But the touge really is the province of lighter cars, as proven by Keiichi Tsuchiya many times on the Touge Max Trial videos.

What are your suspension, wheel and tire specs again OP?

[TooZXY]

My recommendation?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y3OFf0 ... r_embedded[/youtube]

[gbeto60]

B4CH! next time u go invite me over! I want to test my rainbow.

[ztommyx]

i believe it's the driver or your car is not running right.
i've driven my Z many time on mtn canyons and i've passed 8 cars in a row on a good mtn stretch (downhill)-- my record.

you drive on lower gear and have up to 7500 rpm

[Phideaux]

^^I agree with Tommy.
Because i by no means am a professional driver, but i can sure as hell pass cars and take hard corners in the Canyon...and i have an N/A, running stockers. I'm sure that when i put my fattie wheels on there i'll be in even better shape.

p.s. tommy that's a lot of cars haha what canyon where you in?

[ztommyx]

^^ it was the canyon going to strawberry lake, but coming back

[vulcanrush]

what??? i thought z's were the best cars at everything. but you know, if you don't have a budget, get those loser honda's and their horrible 50/50 weight distributions.

[ArticDragon192]

Like everyone on 3ZC, including myself told you: learn to drive better. Better tires and better brakes make a huge difference on a Z. Not only do you have the wrong sized tires, but they probably are all season or something similar, tires that aren't meant for aggressive driving. Crappy pads will make your car dangerous in the canyons. Some good pads alone will make a big difference in stopping the Z.
Set up the car better first before trying to have fun with it, because a crappily set up car will get smoked by anything and anyone.
Set up a good baseline and go to the track (go kart track doesn't count) and get a better feel for the Z. Lots of the LA Z guys are fast in their Zs. Hell, the NAs are the ones always leading the cruises ahead of the TTs, lol

[DCaff300ZX]

Like Edgar says, proper vehicle setup and correct driving lines/strategy will smooth out your runs, and make them safe to boot.
The Z32 is a pretty damn good cornering/handling car for a stocker, and any suspension/tire upgrades put it in a pretty small group that isn't specialty, or more heavily modified...

[takethewall]

Car setup is very important. The biggest weakness I've found in the car on track are the brakes. But after upgrading to good pads and fluids it made a big difference.

The z32 is a plenty capable car. But like others have said it really comes down to driver skill. I'm usually second or third fastest on auto-x days and eat up 350zs on the road course in an NA z32. Go to a few autocross days, track days, and a drift event or two and then hit the canyons with your buddy and see what a difference some real experience behind the wheel can make.

[gbeto60]

Have you guys driven B4CH`s car? its a laggggggg hog, big turbo and auto... hummmm... I say drivers counts but his car is not made for canyon runs... straight line will kill my a** but again, his car is lazy.

[Initial_Z]

^ I'll take that as a compliment lol. Will let you know when we decide to do the next time attack at Riverside, should be sometimes before thanksgiving. Will setup camcorder to record everything and make another full report.

[simmode1]

Have you guys driven B4CH`s car? its a laggggggg hog, big turbo and auto... hummmm... I say drivers counts but his car is not made for canyon runs... straight line will kill my a** but again, his car is lazy.

Wow. It's performance should come as no surprise, in that case. Mountain roads require responsive engines, carefully selected tires & suspension for neutral handling, and quick gear changing.

This car is setup all wrong for touge from the ground up. But thats not really a commentary on all Z32's. Just this one and others similarly prepared. Thread title should be "MY Z32 sucks at mountain passes..."

[ztommyx]

Like everyone on 3ZC, including myself told you: learn to drive better. Better tires and better brakes make a huge difference on a Z. Not only do you have the wrong sized tires, but they probably are all season or something similar, tires that aren't meant for aggressive driving. Crappy pads will make your car dangerous in the canyons. Some good pads alone will make a big difference in stopping the Z.
Set up the car better first before trying to have fun with it, because a crappily set up car will get smoked by anything and anyone.
Set up a good baseline and go to the track (go kart track doesn't count) and get a better feel for the Z. Lots of the LA Z guys are fast in their Zs. Hell, the NAs are the ones always leading the cruises ahead of the TTs, lol

please refrain from using/talking about 3ZC... this is NICO

... and half the people in here including myself HATED that mod-abuser site

[ArticDragon192]

please refrain from using/talking about 3ZC... this is NICO

... and half the people in here including myself HATED that mod-abuser site

Really? Refrain from mentioning 3ZC? Hahahahahaha.
I will reference different forums as I see fit. On Zilvia I reference TT.net, 3ZC, and NICO (rarely), whenever I see fit. No one there complains. I usually cross reference other forums. So what's the big deal here? I know this is NICO. I've been around here various years. Won't stop me from referencing other forums though.
I don't get why people hate 3ZC either.

[ChromeSkull]

I also have a Z32 Automatic (LWB) and i my last car was a Honda CRX Del Sol both are stock (dont know about the Honda now lol).
The sol was sharper but it couldnt maintain as much speed around a corner. As for DC2's i know they ARE a superior car to a del sol as 2 of my friends own one (one JDM & one EDM). I can easily out do them anywhere after 60mph.
In the twisties (below 40mph) try sticking the shifter into 1st. Youll be reving its nuts off but youll not have the Auto shift up lowering your power output for when you need to be back in 1st. As getting it to downshift is a Royal Pain!
I have seen a post about a Manumatic mod for our automatics though on this forum which would help you with the Shifts.
But it was for an S13/14. (they use the same computer apparently... do not quote me im just getting it from elsewhere).

[simmode1]

I have seen a post about a Manumatic mod for our automatics though on this forum which would help you with the Shifts.
But it was for an S13/14. (they use the same computer apparently... do not quote me im just getting it from elsewhere).

Do you this? The paddle shifter conversion?
240sx-paddle-shift-conversion-t179677.html

Too bad all the pic links are dead...

[ChromeSkull]

Would have to find a proper stick like in the arcades instead of some flappy paddle rubbish.

[simmode1]

some flappy paddle rubbish.

Oh god. Not this again. Most of todays fastest cars have paddle shifters. To be honest, I'm not even sure why anyone wouldn't love paddle shifter unless you're into drifting. I just about every other form of grip motorsport, paddle shifters or sequential transmissions are superior.

[legion]

The only reason I can think of why people would be against paddle shifters is that it makes it less "fun" than your typical stick-shift.

[car nut]

I have seen a post about a Manumatic mod for our automatics though on this forum which would help you with the Shifts.
But it was for an S13/14. (they use the same computer apparently... do not quote me im just getting it from elsewhere).

Do you this? The paddle shifter conversion?
240sx-paddle-shift-conversion-t179677.html

Too bad all the pic links are dead...

FYI, big difference between a twin clutch transmission and an automatic with paddles to change the gear you're in.

[simmode1]

Good point. Actual twin clutch transmission with with paddle shifters = good. Regular auto transmission with some bolted on paddle shifters? Ehh... Not so much, but still better than your regular old slushbox.