N/A vs TT for AutoCross and Daily Driving..
 

New to the board and do not yet own a Z32. I am 41 years old, so don't worry about this being some teenager post. I have been spending my last few years with a Ninja ZX-6, but if I am brutally honest, my reactions are not what they need to be anymore for aggressive riding.

I have been doing a lot of investigations on the Z32 using Playstations GT3 believe it or not. While they only have TT on the game, the base level is the right weight and horsepower for a t-top N/A with intake, exhaust, chip, and underdrive pulley mods, so I figure that is as good as I would get a N/A modded without spending a bundle. The p/w ratios are about right.

I have had more tickets than I can count and my Ninja has proven I probably could not keep from getting more with a TT. I am interested in gettig into the Autocross scene as full out racing is too expensive. GT3 has shown me that with 271hp at the crank, the Z32 can be plenty to handle on a good track and that 300hp+ just spends its time whipping the tail around and spinning tires without getting into expensive traction control schemes. All this would lead me to believe that an N/A is all I need for a DD or Autocross runner for the fun of it. The t-tops are neccessary because I like the open air and the wife wants a convertable Mercedes, so I don't have to worry about the heavier and troublesome convertable Z32.

Now for the debate. Given the fact that I want the t-tops, I know that will add weight and more body flex, and that power is not the be all end all of Autocross; which Z32 handles better in Autocross, the 2 seater or the longer 2+2?

By the way, I have joined this board and am posting here because everyone on this board seems to be much more friendly than on TT.net. Keep up the good work and attitude.

TA Potter

get a 350z - n/a hp is 287, but more like 230 to the wheels

Welcome Mr. Potter......... I know where you're coming from with the motorcycles....... :D I've been on bikes since 1973. Mostly racing offroad. It gets pretty painful as we age, huh.

imho, On the z, if you want to go door-to-door racing there are alot of better cars. I believe if you want to auto-x you can run an n/a in a street stock class. If you go tt, you're automatically moved up to a modified type of class where you're competing against cars with alot more hp. There are a bunch of people here that are more knowledgable.

I bought my z because because it's a beautiful car and I am taking to local SoCal tracks for open track dayz. As my budget grows from the retirement from raising kids, I'll see where this hobby takes me. I you want a real rush, go and try some of those race carts too. You''l be sore from that.

n/a Z is 218-220 hp at the crank

Hey welcome to the site Mr. Potter.
First of all, glad to see someone else on this site does their research with a PS2 controller. By the way, did u notice that on GT3 the Z32 does not have a gas door at all. And in GT4 the gas doors on the two seater Zs are on the wrong side of the fender.
As for the chassis flex concern of a Ttop car versus a non-t top car. I dont think that is that big of a difference. i have a n/a slicktop and a TT t top car. But the question about the 2 seater about the 2+2 is that the 2+2 handles better at high speeds. Most jap tuners run the 2+2 tt b/c of this. For autocross though i dont think the handlin bonus out weighs the added weight gain.
Let me know how ur car does, i am planin on doin a few autocrosses here in Ga. but i m not competing, I just want to race my car and not got to jail.

BWAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....omfg!!!!!! :rolleyes:

well, the 2+0 will handle better at turns, and an NA z will out last a TT in the long run due to lower running temps, but the TT will boost over the NA on the straight aways.... they got 350z's racing against tt supras. its all in the driver.

Welcome to the site; what part of Austin are you from?

Welcome aboard.

The N/A is a much better daily driver, but the TT is quite a bit more envigorating since there's so much power and it's very to get up to the 400HP mark.

Rob, why would he want to spend $35k - $40k when he can get so much more car for $6k - $12k. :rolleyes: