I'm considering taking my 06 6MT for a track day (HPDE) event sometime in the near future. I've never done it before so I'm a complete noob.

As a first timer the car's handling characteristics will probably not be a big issue for me. But, I'm just curious, in the car's stock setup (the 6MT has sport suspension (beefier springs and antisways) and 19" rims) what are its typical handling traits? (Mine has new summer high performance tires on it.)

I've done some 'sporty' mountain driving but I don't think I ever pushed it hard enough to 'feel' any issues. Maybe just a hint of understeer....but that might just be bad driving, I don't know.

Anyway, what are potential handling deficiencies I might experience on the track?

And, if they are well known issues with the car, are there simple things that can be done to remedy them.

Thanks for any help.

 

Just keep an eye on bushings for breakage/wear (mostly front end) after your first session. I would say that you should upgrade brakes first, before anything else if you are going to do something. You can do an OEM akebono kit (F + R) for about 1900 bucks.

 

I will be upgrading brakes before going. Probably just pads, rotors and lines.

I'm mostly curious about things like native oversteer/understeer, excessive body roll, etc.

I may have to go to the Z forums to ask thise question.

I posted in the Motor Sports forum here but there is no activity in there.

 

Simple answer: You will probably experience both understeer and oversteer depending on your driving skill. Nobody can really give you a concrete answer.

Z's handle differently then the G's

 

Every car has native handling characteristics regardless of driver skill. Now, it could be that so few people track these cars that it will be hard to find someone here that knows the answer.

True. But I find that more people with Z's track their cars. And most Z clubs have a token G35 or two and there might be a knowledge base there. I might have to contact my local Z club.

Or, maybe after a few track days I'll find out on my own. If so, I'll post my findings.

 

Well, good luck finding anyone who tracks their car regularly using a stock setup.

 

Thank you.

 

PM Dave B. He tracks his car and it's mostly stock compared to a lot of people on here. I bet he could give you some good advice.

 

Thanks, I'll do that. Thanks. I'll post in the local Z club forums too. There are a number of G35 drivers in that club.

 

Take her out and learn what she's all about! If you've NEVER raced anything on a road course before it would be a great investment to get some instruction if they have it available. The instructor should go over, breaking points, entry/exit points, apex's etc.. Also will hopefully go out with you in your car to show you these points on the track and just talk you through everything..

You have a perfectly capable car there to do lapping in (providing it's mechanically sound). And if you want to potentially see how much of a difference suspension and brake mods will make, run the car in stock form first.

But get out there and do it! It's a blast.

 

Thanks. The events I'm looking at, either with a Z club or with the track's own program, you have an instructor in the car the whole time. Passing only on the striaghts with a wave-by. You get 4-5 20-30 minutes run per day. With the Z club there is a meeting and critique after each session. Once you've had several events with an instructor and they check off on your skills then you can drive solo and that costs less. I think they call it HPDE, high performance driver education.

I'm about due for brakes so I'm going to get some track/street pads, probably new rotors, new fluid and maybe steel brake lines. Other than that it will be stock. Will consider further mods in the future if I enjoy the track day events.

Of course, I've been wanting to do this for about a year. Biggest hurdle is finding the time.