Grattan

[Gaan919]

Not too many Max's that track here...too bad, it's too much fun. ;)
Here's a few pics from Grattan Raceway during Memorial Day:

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1183851/album/540/405/7d7.jpg
http://onfinite.com/libraries/1183852/album/540/405/7d7.jpg
http://onfinite.com/libraries/1183850/album/540/405/7d7.jpg
http://onfinite.com/libraries/1183728/album/540/405/7d7.jpg

rt

[Kowalski]

what suspension setup do you have?

[Gaan919]

stock SE suspension with 60k miles. Progress RSB, ebay FSTB, Cattman camber bolt.

[DasTeknoViking]

Wait for my pics...... I'm going to AutoBahn tomorrow. Just finished prepping my car for the racing.

I'm going to be feeling out my Maxima at Autobahn tomorrow. If the car does like its supposed to or close enough to my liking I will be going to the AMS Track day on July 2nd. Its at Autobahn.

Do you gave a race harness ? If you dont, I HIGHLY recomend it. Out stock seats are VERY comfy for daily driving and I don't wanna really abandon them. I have done plenty of AutoX and when its time for racing- My Sparco 4 point harness gets bolted in.

Where is this track you where at ? I've never heard of it.

[NIGHTMAREuki]

these pictures bring tears to my eyes....
what rubber u got?

[Kowalski]

stock SE suspension with 60k miles. Progress RSB, ebay FSTB, Cattman camber bolt.

i was wondering... that is some horrible body roll... can't wait for my suspension...

[Gaan919]

Hey Blackbird...no harness needed. Get the CG-Lock and you won't slide around. They're like $40 or so on ebay. Many clubs do not allow a 4 point harness without a harness bar or a cage. Grattan is in Michigan. I also ran Road America (WI) and Gingerman (MI) in April.

rt

[Gaan919]

nightmare...tires are Nitto NT01's in 225/45/17 on 350Z wheels. I should of gotten the 235's. Body roll was definitely terrible.

rt

[DasTeknoViking]

I bolt my harness into the OE locations... should be safe enough as its bolted to VERY secure location.

I seen that CG Lock, but I really like the Sparco harness better :)

How do you do it with stock suspension ? It must be like trying to get Noah's Ark around the course !

[Gaan919]

the RSB helps. I'm definitetly upgrading the suspension in the near future but any track time is better than no track time. I'm running -2 deg up front and -1.5 deg in the back as far as camber is concerned. Front tires do wear out on the outside edge but I rotate the tires either throughout the day or from track events. There was another 5th gen there running Tein S and Tokico's...he looked pretty flat around the turns.

rt

[Mr Grey]

Let us know next time you head out there. I would eventually like to get into road racing, but at the moment just like to get to know more about it. I don't mind spectating to learn. Don't be hesitant to post in the meets section.

[Gaan919]

no problem. I plan on going to Gingerman to instruct on 6/8/07. It's a Friday and they have open tracking.
http://www.arocdetroit.org/ for another event at Grattan in the Fall
http://roadamerica.fbody.us/ for a nice event at one of the best road course in America.
Costs usually range from $120 to $200+.
You can always do test and tunes during weeknights at Gingerman raceway for $60 (http://www.gingermanraceway.com/).
Car preparation is pretty minimal: fresh fluids, good brake pads, helmet.

rt

[Kowalski]

no problem. I plan on going to Gingerman to instruct on 6/8/07.

i would show but i have a rehearsal dinner to attend and ocean's 13 is coming out...

[DasTeknoViking]

Deff bring ALOT of brake pads.

My car's shortcomings :
BRAKES !!!!! I boiled my fluid, and I destroyed my pads and front rotors. I run SS lines and Hawk HPS pads and just normal OEM rotors.

LSD- my car has MAD wheel spin out the corners.

AutoBahn was bad ass, and SE-R convention is fucking BAD ASS. Lots of guys I known for a long time. I have a full house of mofos from all around the country. I got tons of pics and videos.

Drag Racing is for fast cars.
Road Racing is for fast drivers.

[Gaan919]

Blackbird...the bang for the buck fluid is Valvoline Dot 4 that can be had for about $6 for a big bottle. I cracked my rotors and destroyed my pads at Road America. But then again, we have under-sized brake system, heavy car, and Road America has 3 very long straights. I have since upgraded to the 6th gen brake system with Yellowstop race pads and all is good. You can just run Axxis Ultimates in the rear for both street and track and not have to worry about them. As far as mad spin out of the corners, get some R compound tires and you should be good. ;)
http://onfinite.com/libraries/1184362/album/540/405/a2b.jpg

rt

[DasTeknoViking]

I'm going to give Baer 13" 2 piece rotors a try with 300ZX calipers. Some kinda Hawk pads.... I love my HPS for the street.

[Kowalski]

where can i buy HPS pads? just curious...

[DasTeknoViking]

TireRack.com best place to get that kind of stuff. They got them in stock, and unlike Ebay or other sources that "could save you $$$"- TireRack will get you the RIGHT parts the 1st tme and fast.

[Gaan919]

tirerack.com usually carries them for decent prices and will probably get to your door within a few days.

rt

[DasTeknoViking]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/BlackBirdVQ30DEK/IMG_4204.jpg

2007 Grand Prix GT- 260HP/280TQ SCed 3.8L rental car

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/BlackBirdVQ30DEK/IMG_4255.jpg

2001 Max 174K miles, tons of mods.... leaving the Pontiac bitting the dust. Check out the comparison in suspension squat/dive/roll..... For it being SCed it sure as hell couldn't keep up with my car on the straights. I didn't even know the thing was SCed till he overheated the engine and tranny temp was at 350F !

Lesson- Maxima has a great cooling system. GM- not so good here.

[walec05]

gm.......100k mile warranty on all new vehicles.

[Gaan919]

nice pics Blackbird....I love the way your car looks. Now go pick on M3's or vettes. Leave those slow sedans alone. ;)
I'm actually pretty impressed with the Maxima cooling system. The radiator looks very thin but apparently does the job.

rt

[DasTeknoViking]

For some reason my temp gauge never ever moved when I was just going crazy with the POWA ! I do have a set of gauges in the car, but they are not hooked up because I don't have the adapters for the senders to make it all work. I will have some soon thou ! I would like to see what my oil temp and coolant temps where.

I don't think I can hang with Vettes or M3s just yet- well E46s atleast. My lack of traction due to the lack of LSD is what is killing me, and my brakes are pathetic. But those issues can be fixed, albeit very expensive upgrades- but it will make the car sooo much more suited for this type of racing.

Beware of the crazy Polski in a mean sounding Max in your rear view mirror.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/BlackBirdVQ30DEK/IMG_4276.jpg

[Kowalski]

quaife still available from this guy... $1150 shipped...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=522919

[DasTeknoViking]

Yeah.... well hes selling a used diff for almost the same price as a new diff. And hes wondering WHY he can't sell it.....

[Kowalski]

Yeah.... well hes selling a used diff for almost the same price as a new diff. And hes wondering WHY he can't sell it.....

lol, i thought he never installed it but I didn't catch that Blu had it installed...

[Brian]

mike, get dot 5.1 brake fluid . it has a higher boiling point that 2 or 4 but is still compatible with them. Dot 5 is not.
if you want something from TR let me know, I'm going past there in a couple of weeks. I may stop in if people need stuff.