Performance Numbers :

8/28/98 : G-Tech run set #1. (9/30/98 : G-Tech run set #2. )

Ambient temp - 75deg. Humidity 55%. Barometric 30.01in.
Test weight : 2750lbs. 2/3 tank of fuel. Driver and one passenger.
Vehicle stats : VG30DE, 300ZX 5-speed, 3.9:1 axle ratio, 205/50-15 tires.

If you don't know what a G-Tech Pro is, look HERE

0-60

We did seven or eight 0-60 runs. Best was 4.95secs, worst was 5.72. Traction is the major issue here. Drop the clutch at any more than probably 2000rpm and the car will spin the tires through all of first (about 40mph). Engaging the clutch just off idle and flooring it will get the best consistency - 5.1 to 5.2sec 0-60. the 4.95 was a slight blip off idle, but as I have no tach yet, it was hard to duplicate it. The 5.72sec run had me feathering the throttle all the way through first. FINAL RESULT I'll call it a 5.1sec 0-60 car.

1/4mi

We made just two runs here, as the road we were using wasn't perfect - not enough runoff room to be totally safe, but it was late (11:00pm) and there was NO traffic. . We ran both directions. Run 1 was "uphill" - 14.25@100.7mph. Run 2 was a 13.92@106.3mph. FINAL RESULT This averages to 14.085@103.5mph. Take out the 200lb passenger, I'll call it 14-flat at 104 even.

G's

First gear will pull .55-.60g's from about 2000rpm to the shift point (about 40mph). Traction is an issue here, as once the tires lose traction and spin, the throttle has to be backed WAY off to regain traction. Second gives .42-47g, which runs it past 65mph.

Notes

INSTRUMENTATION : The same G-Tech used in this test gave us the following numbers for our 1995 Mustang GT 5-speed : 0-60 6.1 - 6.3secs 1/4mi 15.1@95mph. 1st gear G's are .53 - .56g, and second is .35-.38g. I feel these numbers are within ± 1% of the real McCoy, as Car & Driver (12/93) gives the Mustang a 15.1@93mph.

PERFORMANCE : I feel it's not a stretch to say my 510 is a 14-flat car (My passenger was an added 210lbs, general rule of thumb is .1 sec for every 100lb, and I'll cut that in half to be conservative) at close to 104mph. Traction is a big issue, and possibly worth a couple of tenths, as I can spin the tires through first even when being careful, but 14-flat is how it should run as it sits (or should I say SQUATS?) now. Remember my estimates? See my estimates page. Remember, those estimates were WAY before this project was completed. Weight was right, 0-60 was better, 1/4mi was worse, but also note I now have 3.9:1 instead of the 3.54 gears, which helps 0-60, but has me reaching for 4th at the end of the 1/4 mi, whereas the 3.54 kept me in third. A fair trade.

This makes me feel better about the performance of the car - against the Mustang GT, this gives me about TEN car lengths in the 1/4mi. Integra GS-R? About sixteen car lengths. New BMW M3? Dead heat. The car doesn't feel as fast as it is, but it's nice to have some performance numbers. The design of the rear suspension limits available traction, as when the rear squats, a ton of negative camber is induced, which gives probably about 70-80% of the traction as opposed if it were a solid axle. I'll keep the independent rear though, thank you. Overall I'm very satisfied with the straight line performance.

WHAT'S NEXT : There's certainly more power to be had, (swapping out the J30 intake for a better design is certainly 5-10 more hp) but I'm not as down on power as I had feared. Traction is now a problem, whereas with the 3.54 it wasn't. Next up are creature comforts (heat is a nice option here in Oregon) and then handling, which is pretty close, but as I added 3" of track to the front, I now have my front tires rubbing on the tops of the fender at full compression. Performance-wise, setting up for autocrossing is next.

Performance Numbers :

9/30/98 : G-Tech run set #2.

Ambient temp - 71deg. Humidity 53%. Barometric 29.81in.
Test weight : 2600lbs. 2/3 tank of fuel. Driver only.
Vehicle stats : VG30DE, 300ZX 5-speed, 3.9:1 axle ratio, 205/50-15 tires.

CHANGES : What's different from the first test is 1) No passenger 2) No air "filter" (was a fine mesh net, not a proper air filter), 3) 3/4" 'air horn' plate on end of MAF (to prep to finish intake plumbing) 4) more complete interior (rollbar, dash, etc)

0-60

Times here didn't improve, as expected. Traction is still the issue, so launch is crucial. Like before, engage off idle and let 'er rip. best was 4.90, worst was a closer to consistent at 5.36secs. FINAL RESULT: 5.1sec 0-60

1/4mi

Times here improved noticeably. We used the same road as before for two of the four runs. Reading from newsgroups and mailing lists, it appears G-Tech reads optimistic to the track by 3% or so, so the FINAL RESULTS will be tempered by that adjustment. Anyhow, I picked up .3 sec in ET, and six MPH. Breathing is obviously improved, as the MPH shows. Notice that only run 1 had a MPH slower than the fastest MPH of the first run set of a month ago. Seat of the pants feel isn't significant - mainly a perception of better high rpm pull. FINAL RESULTS : Now 13.78@106mph

Runs 1 and 2 were on the same road as G-Tech run set #1. Run 1 was totally botched with loads of wheelspin all through 1st, despite my backing off several times. Run 2 was obviously the "downhill" run - I only WISH it was that fast on level ground.

Runs 3 and 4 were on a different, roomier, more level road. Run 3 was also a very easy engaging of the clutch at idle and nail the throttle.

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