Introducing GRM's Newest Project: 2003 350Z

With the acquisition of Nissan Sport, it was obvious we needed another Nissan project car. To make a long story short (you'll be able to read much more about this in upcoming issues of GRM), we just picked up a lightly modified 2003 350Z Touring. We put 400 miles on it driving it home from Atlanta, and we're thoroughly impressed! So far, a thorough cleaning, new rear lift struts, and a new window motor are the only things on our list to change. Before we head in any one direction with the car, we'd like your input–what should this car become?

STR/Trackday car.

Not an LS1-2-3 swap

I like to see nissan/datsun stuff. That is all.

Interested! I liked my 2006 350Z, just didn't feel like putting the money into it needed.

I also want to see an HPDE/TT type build. Something you could drive to work on nice days, or brunch on Sunday, or hammer your local favorite track depending on the weekend.

I love the Z when it is understated, like a gentleman's sports racer. Avoid garish paint and huge wings, keep it classy but fast. Something you could take to work all week, then hit a track day with your BMW buddies.

Yeah, I see the 350Z as a really good candidate for a mid-power track day car. A step up from a CRX or Miata, but not quite the power or expense of a C5 Z06. More reliable than an RX-8 and without the convertible-related issues of an S2000.

I'd like to see how to address the weak early-350Z transmission, then go through and identify what needs to be beefed up, upgraded, etc. to make a bone-stock 350Z into something that can lap VIR without breaking, overheating, or melting the brakes in less than an hour.

pinchvalve wrote: Avoid garish paint and huge wings

Is this a dig at Nissan Sport? I don't really remember that magazine very well.

pinchvalve wrote: I love the Z when it is understated, like a gentleman's sports racer. Avoid garish paint and huge wings, keep it classy but fast. Something you could take to work all week, then hit a track day with your BMW buddies.

This. All day long.

Dual purpose street and track car

spec z/occasional DD

ShadowSix wrote:

pinchvalve wrote: Avoid garish paint and huge wings

Is this a dig at Nissan Sport? I don't really remember that magazine very well.

I don't think it is - I had a subscription with these guys (and I liked it) and felt they did a decent job at covering the Nissan scene.

I would like to see you use Nissan parts - what does Nissan offer?

Could you come up with a fix for those fugly door handles?

I check into the perceived faults with the car, heavy, eats brakes on track, and see if they're really problems and what the solutions are. It also seems like Nissan supported these cars well from the get go with go fast parts. What's in the NISMO catalog? What of that is good?

Datsun310Guy wrote: I would like to see you use junkyard Nissan parts - what does Nissan offer that you can find at the pick-and-pull?

FTFY

Turbo, baby.

If you do a lightened flywheel, get ready for bearing clatter. I put an ACT on my brothers 03 and immediately in neutral idling you could hear the tranny clattering away. After researching 350z forums that was part of the reason Nissan went with the HEAVY dual mass flywheel that was on it.

PS, it will NOM NOM NOM tires all day long.

No dig at anyone except the FNF crowd I suppose. I am just saying that this:

is better than this:

Put it on a diet, give it some suspension and lets see what it can become. Brakes and tires get more effective and last longer the lighter the load on 'em gets.

Be independent and objective (no sponsor bombing please!)

Mirror the BMW build of several years back when GRM was trying to make a "cheep" M3. See if you can make a "cheep" GTR.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Be independent and objective (no sponsor bombing please!)

This for sure!!! And as I have said in the past I subscribe to GRM to here what you and Tim and the others have to say about things. Please keep it "real" if you know what I mean.

pinchvalve wrote: No dig at anyone except the FNF crowd I suppose. I am just saying that this:

I was with you until I saw the aqua blue rotor hats and calipers. I would take the silver one

jstein77 wrote: Turbo, baby.

I would prefer an ebay turbo kit. Make a time attack car out of it IMO. I see the 3.5L v6 is good for over 400whp stock plus a couple psi.

JoeyM wrote:

Datsun310Guy wrote: I would like to see you use junkyard Nissan parts - what does Nissan offer that you can find at the pick-and-pull?

FTFY

To be honest - No. Many of us don't have the time nor desire to go digging through junkyards for parts that might be worth using.

Otherwise, I generally agree with others have said: STR/HPDE build with an eye towards evaluating different OTS products for the best bang-for-buck. Mainly concentrating on suspension and brakes at frist.

Whatever you do, get an aftermarket LSD for the Z. Even with 275mm Star Specs on the rear, putting power down with a viscous unit is lacking. I've heard the OS Giken is the best, but it's hard to tell with all the JDM, y0 stuff on the 350Z forums.

1st thought:
1. Get wrecked (rear ended) 07-08 350Z.
2. Swap in the VQ35HR to the lighter 2003 chassis.
3. Make the unicorn BSP 350Z build - ~300whp, 3000lbs.

2nd:
1. Get wrecked GT-R.
2. ???
3. AWD 550HP 350Z!