A brand new year and planning to jump straight back into track days. So, to prepare for Sandown next week:
1. Bled the front brake fluid and topped up RBF600.
2. Replaced the front brake pads with another set of Project Mu Type HC+.
Comparison of old pad to new. Old pad had worn down to 9.3mm (including the backing plate), which is below mininum thickness of 10mm. New pad is 15.7mm including backing plate. Therefore, the pad's life of 6.4mm was used up from daily driving and 6 track days (4 Winton, 1 Wakefield, 1 Sandown).
New pads fitted. I'll also be trying out some DBA 4000 series rotors (fitted a couple of months ago) for the first time at the track next week.
Today was my first time at Sandown as I had finally plucked up the courage to try this track. It was a great day - the weather was kind to us, MG Car Club are a great bunch of people who run events very well and lots of fun was had by all.
Thank you to Ray, Ying, Dan, Tran, Mugsee and Charger for coming to watch and support. Big thanks to Ray for doing the lunch run, that chicken rice was great. Thanks Ying, Jas and Mugsee for taking pics too! Also thanks to Jason, Shaun, Drew, Laura, Adrian and JimJim for the moral support. Without you guys participating, I doubt I'd be out there alone having a go.
Circuit map:
Speed vs Distance graph for lap where I reached 197kph and my best lap:
Thoughts:
- I still need to figure out the line to take as well as braking and acceleration points for turns 6, 7 and 8.
- I need to work on braking from close to 200kph while downshifting two gears.
- I need more power to keep up on the straights with the Exe counterparts who have turbos. 
- The proximity of the walls scare me.
Session 1
1:40.1700
1:45.0500
1:37.3600
1:36.6300
Session 2
1:37.1000
1:34.9200
1:34.3700
1:34.9500
Session 3
1:35.4400
1:38.2300
1:34.0700
1:33.9600
Session 4
1:33.5700 PB
1:34.9000
1:33.7800
1:40.4800
More results:
http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?12/10/2008.SAND.Q1.I
Photos courtesy of Mugsee, wokstar, senk9 and UnCo.
Dyno'ed the car for a second time since stock, this time with the addition of the plenum spacer.
Result: 167.3 rwkW
Specs: 2006 350Z | 221kW VQ35DE | K&N Panel Filter | Motordyne Intake Plenum Spacer
For comparison, here are the stock graphs. There was only a slight gain in power from 5000RPM to redline. Torque was improved throughout the whole rev range.
31st August 2008
Installed a Motordyne 5/16" plenum spacer. This is meant to allow more air into the engine, especially the front two cylinders which are normally starved of air due to the angled design of the factory plenum. Mid range to top end response should be improved. First impressions are that there is no real discernable difference in how the car pulls. I'll be happy if the dyno and acceleration results prove the claims correct.
13th September 2008
Bypassed the throttle body coolant by rerouting it through a metal L piece pipe. Thanks for getting it for me Silas.
