350Z from JPOC

Alright guys. Just having a poke around because the site was mentioned over on the JPOC (Japanese Performance Owners Club) forum where I can usually be found.

I drive a 2004 UK 350Z. It's standard-ish - just got a grounding kit, JWT Popcharger intake kit, HEL brake lines and EBC USR slotted discs with Ferodo DS2500s. Have more plans, but all on hold as I might need to direct budget to racing next season.

I run the motorsport website MSportUK.com and am always up for motoring adventures whether it's a pan-European banger rally or getting stuck into some proper motorsport. Have done a bit of single-seater racing and looking at doing some old-skool Porsche racing next season.

Only had the Z on track a couple of times, but one of those was at Spa which was pretty epic. Had a Gen7 Celica before which I took to the Nürburgring (it was closed both days when I went back there with the Z!) where it was frankly, not really up to the task!

Right, some pics...

Dirty in Wales (it's always dirty!)



Arriving at Spa to wet track and dense fog. (March 09)



But it eventually cleared, allowing me to get in the way of some Ferraris!





Giving it some stick at Kemble... (Sept 09)




Innards (engine bay could do with a bit of tidying up)...


One of the old Celica cooling down at the 'ring. (2007)


Think that'll do for now! Maybe see some of you guys around if we do any JPOC joint meets.

welcome to TOA

Welcome to the TOA.....nice 350z...

welcomes dude that realy is a dirty 350 lol

welcome mate

hello and welcome,

350's nice, how did it fair against the ferraris on the track? engine bay isnt too bad btw.

and if you ever need another driver or your team does i will do ANYTHING, i will do whatever it takes!!!! (im not joking)

Cheers for the welcomes!

ezza wrote:

hello and welcome,

350's nice, how did it fair against the ferraris on the track? engine bay isnt too bad btw.

and if you ever need another driver or your team does i will do ANYTHING, i will do whatever it takes!!!! (im not joking)

It didn't fair too badly all things considered, though it was one of the slowest cars amongst some serious machinery. It was full of Astons, Ferraris, Porsche GT3 and GT2s. All a bit silly. Spa's a power circuit, and they have a lot more of it so I wasn't much competition for any of them. The grey 360CS was pretty rapid, but there was also a full-on 430 GT3 race car - that was unbelievably quick. Even the other 350Z there was a twin turbo so had about a 140bhp advantage. Only really an S2000 and some slower Caterhams to play with! In fairness though, I fell in love with Spa as a circuit when I raced there a couple of years back so would have had fun if I was there on my own!

Fair enough, not too bad then. Only been on silverstone myself with my old B18 eg, loved it soooo much, i wanna get on more trackdays when my cars sorted.

What plans u got for the 50? whats next?

When I bought it I got the non-GT version without the leather, cruise control and silly sub because the plan was to stick a couple of Bride seats and harnesses so it was a bit more track friendly. All been put off a bit because of other things, but the plans still there long term. Maybe put some coilovers on it. Looking at a better exhaust too, but mine was replaced under warranty so it's only a couple of years old. Maybe wait till it needs doing, then upgrade. Who knows?!

Yeah no point gettin the high end model for a track whore. Id say coilovers first but iv never driven one so im not sure how they handle from the factory.

or theres always power left to get back with wheels tyres and brakes, 1kg rotational mass= 5kg non rotational mass

They feel pretty heavy as standard - not a lot of roll through the twisties, but you really feel the bumps on the road. Does feel a lot more at home on track, but some people have said that suspension changes make the car feel a lot lighter. Just need to make sure it doesn't go much lower though - keep catching the front as it is.

I've, been looking at getting some of the 350Z Rays alloys. They're about a third lighter than the ones on it now so bound to improve matters. Probably get them as a track set and stick something sticky on, then get my current wheels refurbed for general use. Gonna have to wait till after xmas now though!

I imagine them to be a bit heavy and clumsy but i suppose being a new (ish) car they are lighter than they look and have good centre of g and weight distribution.

Well i suppose you know already but 99% of coilovers will let you retain std height with better rates so thats not too much of a problem, also if its purely for track and your not worried about looks/brands im sure you'l find some cheaper lighter wheels, just maybe not a decent brand, but again i suppose theres the risk of them not being up to alot of hammering on track with slicks.

Infact i think its tein, they make coilovers with a little airbag on top so you can raise the car a couple of inches when needed but when they deflate it sits on the coloivers, but they are very expensive if i recall

Neh, they acutally are pretty heavy - more of a mini GT than an out and out sportscar, but weight distribution's as close to perfect as you'd expect from a front engined, rear drive car.

Been looking at cheaper wheels, but a lot of the budget ones don't clear the Brembos and tend to weigh more. Cheap set of Rays off eBay and a good refurb should see me right.

Suspension will need far more research. If it was purely a track toy then it would be a no brainer, but I also do lots of miles on crap roads and motorways so compromises will have to be made!

Fair enough, i suppose some rays will look alot better than cheaper ones too, as for susp im not sure what to sugest, full adjustables would be ideal i suppose to set everything how you want, maybe teins with the in car adjustable dampening buisness?