Hey guys,

Took my Sedan to a 2 day track event this weekend! Man, what a blast. I had way too much fun. My suspension mods got put to the test for sure and I pushed it to the absolute limit. The weak link was the brakes. Really needed a better pad/rotor combo. The front held up well with Hawk HPS+ pads, but my slotted rotors ate the rear OEM replacement pads like butter. Not sure if it was the autocross experience or just my mad RAW talent (j/k) but I was owning everyone out there in the novice group and was the only one moved to the intermediate group on Sunday.

I plan to do some more edits when I get the chance, but here's the first video. Enjoy!

Video (20Mb) requires the latest version of QuickTime

G35 at Texas World Speedway

'03 AT Sedan | Silver/Willow | Sport | Premium | Full Aerokit | Nav | Injen CAI | UR Pulley | Tein Flex w/EDFC | StopTech Rotors | Kinetix Camber Arms | Cusco Sways | TS ECU | Stillen Exhaust

 

Nice video. How did your time compare to some of the other cars in the class? If I remember correctly, you are running the older 10kg Tein Flex, correct?

The stock non-Brembo brakes are just enough for first time newbies to get themself aquainted with the open track experience. For the novice or someone like yourself who's autoX'd and not affraid to pound the brakes, it will not suffice under open track conditions. I run HP+ front and HPS rear (+ not available for the rear), and that's the bare minimum I'd recommend for open track. I also don't recommend going any higher than this setup, because the stock system won't be able to withstand the greatly eleavated heat and load. If the HP+'s starting to fade _at ~750 degrees), which typically happens to me durring the 2nd half of the day, then it's time to back off and let her cool down. I was talked out of getting Carbotech XP pads, which will NOT fade well beyond the point the rotors self destructs. I've since decided to go full Stoptech kits.

Cheers,

Clint (THX723)

 

Man I have been wanting to do a event like that for a while. I hope they have a G35 meet in Dallas or somewhere with a event like this. I autox here in the past, and would love to run the g35 at the track event!

I am in S.A.

2004 Infiniti G35S, 6MT, Premium, Sport, DP
Mods: JDM Clears, 20% tint, Z-tube, K&N Drop In
Track: 14.32 at 98.79 mph 2.2032 60ft

 

Thanks for the comments. Since it's more of a school, they're not allowed to time laps, but I was passing everyone left and right, and nobody was ever on my butt trying to get through. Passing was only allowed on the straights and only when you got a hand signal to pass. I'm pretty sure that's one of the reasons they moved me out of the novice group. Some of the other cars were: 2 Audi S4's, a G35 Coupe, a modded Prelude, an Acura CL type S, a 300 series BMW, a Boxter, 2 Vettes, a Cooper Mini S (which was probably the closest one to me in speed) a WRX, an S2000, 2 Evo VIII's and a few others I can't remember. The Vette's would catch me in the long straights but then they'd eat my dust in the turns.

Yes I do have the older Tein's and I ran the dampers at 3F/7R. I'm doing some research on pads that will resist more heat and not kill the rotors. So far I'm pretty surprised at some of the compounds I've found. There's a ton out there.

'03 AT Sedan | Silver/Willow | Sport | Premium | Full Aerokit | Nav | Injen CAI | UR Pulley | Tein Flex w/EDFC | StopTech Rotors | Kinetix Camber Arms | Cusco Sways | TS ECU | Stillen Exhaust

 

Here's something interseting I forgot to mention. After running it hard on the track for a good while, the manumatic refused to go below 4th. This happened on a couple of occasions. Not sure what may have caused it. It would downshift fine to 3rd and 2nd gear at first, but after a while it would refuse, even after coming to a complete stop. Any theories?

'03 AT Sedan | Silver/Willow | Sport | Premium | Full Aerokit | Nav | Injen CAI | UR Pulley | Tein Flex w/EDFC | StopTech Rotors | Kinetix Camber Arms | Cusco Sways | TS ECU | Stillen Exhaust

 

overheating the tranny fluid

 

Oh wow, I didn't even realize you were 'AT' ... great work with it at the track On the note of the stuck gear ... I have seen that happened a couple of times to a friend, while doing some spirited driving in the mountains. Only way we got it to reset was to shut the car off and let her cool a bit ... if memory serves me correctly. I haven't seen this happened at the track, but simply because there hasn't been any 350Z/G35 ATs present.

btw ... I just finished editing a cut of my video from Willow Springs ... currently uploading to a server. Look out for the post in about 20 min.


Clint (THX723)

 

Sweet! Can't wait to see it.

The tranny fluid getting too hot would be my guess as well. Time for a tranny cooler?

'03 AT Sedan | Silver/Willow | Sport | Premium | Full Aerokit | Nav | Injen CAI | UR Pulley | Tein Flex w/EDFC | StopTech Rotors | Kinetix Camber Arms | Cusco Sways | TS ECU | Stillen Exhaust

 

it will help some, but I think that when I first started hearing about the tranny locking out of lower gears, people suggested using a special type of tranny fluid. cant be for sure though. sorry.

 

Oh wow... Hey lead foot I'm a fellow Houstonite. I love how your car looks. I have a Silver G35S 5AT and I want to get the Nismo bumper, or even kit if i can. But your car looks sooo nice with the kit and lowered. Is there any chance at all that you could take more vids of your car from the outside. Say like you driving around some streets and someone is taping you from the outside or from a nother car. I just love the look of the car with the nismo kit and lowered. Pleaseeeee of pleaseee I think it would be soo sweet to see that.

 

I'll see what I can do. Next time I'm out there I want to set up a tripod on the long straight and get the full growl of the sedan beast as it comes roaring by. :^ )

'03 AT Sedan | Silver/Willow | Sport | Premium | Full Aerokit | Nav | Injen CAI | UR Pulley | Tein Flex w/EDFC | StopTech Rotors | Kinetix Camber Arms | Cusco Sways | TS ECU | Stillen Exhaust