Im trying to build a track/street car and cant decide which root I want to go. I plan on gutting the car and making it as light as possible and mounting a full cage into it all custom work done by me. I currently own a FBO G37 IPL with 340whp but that is mainly my show/weekend car since its expensive to get power out of and very expensive to fix if anything happens to go south. So I am familiar with the platform

I still own my old G35 which is practically stock, but I cant decide what would be a better track car build the GSX or the G35. It will mainly be a weekend warrior/track day car and once its all said and done I'm hoping for 500+whp, with the potential of building further up to 700.

im familiar with both platforms and helped a friend build his GSX so either car would work, im just looking at best bang for your buck in performance/style/Potential

 

I live my g35 but I'd pick the gsx for a track car. It's lighter and awd

 

As a track car the GSX is the smarter choice. Lighter, cheaper to mod, availability of parts, etc. Theyre pretty ugly IMO so it loses in style to the G. The type of tracking racing youre gonna be doing is a factor also.

 

I don't like the 1G so if I was buying a GSX it would be 1995-1997 which those I like. As far as tracking it I will mainly be competing in roadcourse track days and 1/4 mile times. I only know of one one road course track near me so early on it may be only 1/4 mile but once I develope the car more I fine road course racing to be more enjoyable

 

GSX is the smarter and cheaper choice. AWD and lighter from the factory, and parts will be cheaper.

Getting 500hp from a G35 will not be cheap. But a gutted GSX with 300-400hp will be a good track car.

 

"Dedicated track cars don't have to be pretty" - Mig.

If you're gonna gut the car mess up the GSX, the G is too pretty to hack apart.

 

Did you just quote yourself? Haha

 

haha I was wondering if anyone was going to catch that. But nonetheless it's true

 

I have a 03 6MT G35 and was the previous owner of a built 97 GSX with 68,000 miles on the body. Even with that few miles, let me tell you, the GSX broke everything: alternators, sensors, clutches, wheel bearings, differential, water pump (two in a month). Those cars are pushing 20 years old, so I guess that is to be expected.

After the engine went due to a failed oil pressure switch and a burst oil return line, I had the engine rebuilt with all new forged everything: Manley Rods, pistons, bearings, a billet crank and a small T-28 turbo with ETS street intercooler. Full 3" Thermal exhaust with perfomance cat, blah blah blah... Tuned at Mach V in NOVA. I never ran this car on a track so I have no idea what mine would have done, but Forced Performance ran a car built less than mine into the high 11's with that turbo.

The car was very fast...brutally so, especially on the highway, but it blew up the end clutches lock clockwork every 2,000 miles. I just got sick of the money pit that car had become and sold it. The car wasn't meant for what I was using for at that point, so I don't blame the car--it was just bad planning by me with what I wanted out of the car.

Stock, I think the G35 would completely trash it around a track based on the steering feel (SLOW) and the fact that the GSX is a heavy car too, like 3,200 pounds or so. The GSX also has the turning radius of a battleship. I was always amazed how U-turns were so iffy in that car.

That said, it was a good looking car for what it was, comfy seats (not for autocross though if that is your plan) and after being built and tuned it was a beast that could lay the smack down on most anything it came across on the street, until it broke down. With all seaons, the GSX was unstoppable in the snow. Got caught in a blizzard in the Maryland/West Virginia mountains and it was a champ. Well until the TPS went out at a rest stop and I had to be towed to an auto parts store to fix it. If you get one, carry a spare TPS with you at all times! Thank me later