Trackaholic's GT350 Experience

[Trackaholic]

Why not drive the GT350 exclusively? Make every drive, The drive.

Yeah, might turn out that way! The Z is still very fun, and has lots of character, so she needs some lovin' as well.

It's funny, when I bought my Z I received a promotional DVD with a video on it called "The Drive". So, that thought maybe works for both vehicles.

Oil change is complete BTW. Anthony, I'll keep you in mind when I need to get oil for the next one. Thanks!

-T

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[Trackaholic]

Looking back at my Sonoma track day videos, you may see a crack forming in the windshield. I believe I mentioned that it happened on the HWY on the way to track, but I didn't notice the crack until the next day.

It took a while, but eventually the crack propagated most of the way across the glass, and I decided it was finally time to replace it. Unfortunately I didn't realize there were multiple glass types, and wasn't specific enough with the glass people, and installed the regular windshield instead of the "soundscreen" version, which is used in the GT350 and EB I believe. Oh well, it was $500 to get the windshield replaced, and while the car may be a bit louder now at certain times, it wasn't a night-and-day difference. If I ever need to get the glass replaced again though, I'll be sure to be "clear" on the type required so there isn't any confusion.

Some photos:
1. Car with original windshield, before heading in for repairs.
2. Poor thing looks so naked :(
3. New windshield - good as new (except for the soundscreen confusion)

-T

 

[Trackaholic]

Just spent a bunch on routine maintenance (fluid changes), not so routine maintenance (knock sensor wire harness replacement due to rodent damage), and detailing on the 350Z. She looks beautiful! Had both cars at work, and took some photos of them together. A couple of very nice 350's!

-T

 

[BaylorCorvette]

Fantastic looking car and good to see that you're enjoying it. Can't believe the db limit issue at LS, yet another problem with California. I guess technically some of the tracks down here in Texas have sound level limits but I have never seen them check or enforced. There are so many spec Miata's down here that run open exhaust and I swear they're the loudest cars out there!

 

[Trackaholic]

LS is really the only track I am aware of with such low limits. I believe both Sears Point and Thunderhill are 103 dB. Of course LS has high limit days as well, but they are few and far between, and sell out very quickly.

On another note, just passed 10,000 miles during my commute today. Had a great drive home on HWY 9 and saw a group of 4-5 Mustangs along the side of the road. Must have been on a cruise. I waved and floored it as a way of saying hello.

Loving the car!

-T

 

[icormba]

10K miles already! Alright -T!!

FYI... Rob at ZCarGarage did my Red Brembo swap last week... he had nothing but praise for the driver of the Triple Yellow beast and the GT350 in general.
Should be hitting Alice's Restaurant this Tues for lunch with a couple reject car buddies of mine... '16 SS and '16 Hellcat.
:cheers:

 

[Trackaholic]

Great guys at Z Car Garage!

Your car looks great! Have a great lunch on Tuesday (I'll be at work).

-T

 

[Trackaholic]

Been quite some time since my last update. Not too much has transpired, but I did notice a slow leak on the left rear, so I repaired that, and I did pass 14,000 miles.

I used the typical plug kit for the tire repair, just the rubber "worm" that gets folded in half and inserted from the outside of the tire. Over the course of 194,000 miles in my 350Z, 75,000 miles in my GTI, and 14,000 miles in my GT350 I've probably patched tires about 10 times now, with good luck in all cases. This one was closer to the sidewall than ideal, but it's been holding up fine over the last couple of weeks and the hole was quite small in the first place, so I'm not too worried about sudden failure.

Car is still awesome!

The rattle on the left-most air vent is getting more frequent, but I figure I can fix it with some CA glue whenever I feel the need. The tires are also definitely worn, but pretty evenly given the inability to rotate. I am hoping to make it through winter and then stretch the life until next September or so, at which point I'll be on a yearly tire purchasing plan (get new tires when the rainy season approaches, then by the time the tread is mostly gone it will be summer, so rain won't be an issue).

I am getting some panel gap by the rear tailights. Seems to be a common issue with these cars unfortunately. I'm not sure if it is growing or if it was always there, but I fear that the gap is expanding. It's like plate tectonics for cars. At some point maybe I can fix that (pretty sure it will take a bit more than CA glue, unfortunately).

Anyhow, that's it for now. Headed to the GT350 Track Attack next week, so I hope to have a nice update after that event. Really looking forward to it!

-T

 

[KiLLeR2001]

Nice Brickyard 350Z. I'm a Nissan guy myself, owned a 240sx for about 10 years now, my entire family is Ford though, so I've always been the oddball (until now). Finally got myself a GT350 and don't plan on getting rid of the 240sx, two completely different types of fun!

Pic: http://tehl33tsite.com/gt350/IMAG4037.jpg

 

[Trackaholic]

Nice Brickyard 350Z. I'm a Nissan guy myself, owned a 240sx for about 10 years now, my entire family is Ford though, so I've always been the oddball (until now). Finally got myself a GT350 and don't plan on getting rid of the 240sx, two completely different types of fun!

Pic: http://tehl33tsite.com/gt350/IMAG4037.jpg

Great looking 240!

I've been mostly a Nissan/Ford owner interestingly enough.

1984 Nissan Pickup
1995 Ford Ranger Pickup
2003 Nissan 350Z
2010 VW GTI (how did that get in there?)
2016 Ford Mustang GT350

-T

 

[KiLLeR2001]

Great looking 240!

I've been mostly a Nissan/Ford owner interestingly enough.

1984 Nissan Pickup
1995 Ford Ranger Pickup
2003 Nissan 350Z
2010 VW GTI (how did that get in there?)
2016 Ford Mustang GT350

-T

Haha yep. I also own a 1995 Nissan Pickup and my dad has a 1997 Ford Ranger. :love:

 

[raiderjatt02]

lol lots of Nissan/Ford people in here. Dad is pretty much all fords and has a 1989 Ranger. And some older Mustangs. Mine are in my signature. Zs and Mustangs!

 

[bodie]

lol lots of Nissan/Ford people in here. Dad is pretty much all fords and has a 1989 Ranger. And some older Mustangs. Mine are in my signature. Zs and Mustangs!

Yup. Rob at Z Car Garage said 4 of his customers now have GT350s.

 

[Optimum Performance]

I can't believe how many miles you have on it. The tire plug location looks more than fine, not close to the sidewall to be concerning. Tire dealers hate plugs because it effects tire sales

 

[Trackaholic]

Had the oil changed at the end of October right after I returned from the GT350 Track Attack program. Car was at about 14,500 miles.

At that time I also drained the UPR Passenger side catch can. It was pretty full (probably too full). Didn't record how long it had been since the previous draining, but the level of fill was similar. I also double checked the new oil level which was very close to the top hash mark on the dipstick. I didn't take a photo though. Last time I went about 5000-6000 miles between oil changes I believe (9000 - 14,500 miles) and needed to add two quarts. Because there have been several threads about oil consumption, and because I am adding more oil to this engine than to any I've driven in the past, I will start to keep better records on the levels of consumption, catch can fill, etc.

As far as the GT350 Track Attack goes, it was great! Great group of owners and family members in the class, the instructors were helpful and friendly and the facilities were pretty amazing. I did the two day class, but didn't get to drive the Boss 302 cars since they were already spoken for. Still, even the regular GT with the Ford Performance suspension upgrade was a remarkable car.

I think my favorite aspects were the skid car and the instructor ride-along. I would really have liked to have had a couple sessions in the GT350 after riding with the instructor, because they showed how much I was leaving on the table in some of the corners. It was an eye-popping experience. Of course it also highlighted why they would wait to the end for that. If you are able to go, it is definitely worth the time, and I recommend paying for the second day because you will be able to practice much of what was learned on the first.

I've attached several photos, one of my favorites being the billboard.
First one is the oil from my catch can.
Second is a nice billboard I'd drive past on the way to the track.
Then several pictures from the track itself. I took the photo of the yellow car, while others are from the pro-photographer at the track and are part of the Track Attack package.

-T

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