Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Looking at buying a locost or Westfield to do some track days, got about 3-4k to spend, but then thought why not put my zed on the track, it's a totally stock 2005 94k, just had full p3 new discs pads etc, the only issues are clutch related, has the soft sticking pedal when hot so prob needs slave cyl and hose kit"are these hard to fit" what's the overall cost, my other worry is that if I took it on track and the dual mass flywheel went would this cause further extensive damage to the car, reason I say this is because I get very loud scary thuds when dropping from say 4th to 3rd gear with heavy acceleration, which I have been told by a specialist is likely my flywheel, clutch don't slip yet, would rather the comfort as well on track as my back is not very good and I keep getting spasms in my spine. Perhaps the best action may be do the whole clutch assembly and be confident its done but then don't want to waste a possibly good clutch which can be used up on track and put the money on tyres etc Thoughts appreciated "only positive ones please" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gudzy Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 The zed is quite a heavy car to use for trackdays, so brakes and tyres can be worn through quite quickly if you're not careful. I use an mx5 as a track car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 All parts are in stock if you wish to "upgrade" your 350Z for track use. Plenty of informed advice also available for free if you decide to take this route. Just drop me a PM if you require any further help with this. Alex. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I would go for another car - MX5 or MR2 3rd gen probably good bets, quite a few mk1 mx5s kicking around for sale which are supercharged which would be a good blast. As above, the brakes and various other perishables would cost you an arm and a leg if you went tracking often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Do NOT track the car in the current condition. You will be pushing the car to 9/10ths, and if there is a minor problem then this can very quickly become a big problem if something lets go at high speed. You risk not only your life, but the lives of your fellow trackday goers. Now the 'non-positive' rant is out of the way, some more practical advice! If budget is your concern, and it looks like it is with only £4K to go play with, then I'd consider getting an early MX-5. Strip the car, do the brakes, add roll over protection, and most importantly if you have a bad back (previous fellow sufferer here) put a supportive bucket seat with harnesses in. That will give you a very fun little car that is no slower than a Zed for less than £2K, and if you write it off at the first day then you've only lost that much. It would be very easy to do that much damage to either a Westie or a Zed if you had a minor off, so worth considering another car from that POV. Westies are huge fun but if it's a very cold day, or if it's raining, you're really not going to have a very fun day. Something like a '5 or MR2 or even the Zed if you do decide to go that route will be far more enjoyable (and quicker) if conditions are bad. The Westie/'5/'2 will be cheap on consumables, the Zed much less so. None of the cars that have been mentioned would be a bad choice for track use, just depends on what you want out of it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I'd definitely use something lighter & cheaper for the track, much more fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 ...and buy something cheap - I got my VX after 6 months of searching for the right one - everyone says I should track it but I don't want to scratch it as its immaculate haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I can vouch for a Westfield - ok it's a bit more kit-carish than a Caterham but you can still feel everything and they are very controllable as long as it's set up right with the appropriate tyres etc. Newer products are available like a half-roof which means that (if it has a heater) you can get a good deal of weather protection without the claustrophobic feeling and noise associated with the normal roof. Its better if you can get the wider ones with the "independent - sort of" rear suspension, the bigger brakes, the right roll bar and ideally an LSD (in an ideal world). They are super sensitive to getting the right tyres but 5 minutes on the forum would answer that. One advantage is if you break one corner its just a few bits of steel, some welding and plastic (kind of). Equally MX5 and MR2 are great suggestions. I had a 309Gti as a track car and it was great but different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Now I've got my Westie head on - Here are some additional things I would have if I was tracking it - battery cut-off switch, fire extinguisher in an accessible place and, if it's a crossflow it is absolutely imperative that it has been fitted with a side-exit distributor cap - most now have - easy to solve if it hasn't. Also check the noise limits at your local track - a crossflow running on twin DCOEs 40s or 45s with it's original 4 inch 4-1 competition exhaust will most likely fail the modern drive by tests through a combination of induction and exhaust noise. Many have been updated with re-packable silencers or track compliant silencers. It's all easy to resolve If you get an existing track based car or ex race car all these things will already be in place. There are many suppliers of everything you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Thx all That's a bucket full of good advice there, especially Ekona you rely say it as it is and make me lean towards the mx5, I did go to buy one 2 months ago but turned it down after giving it the once over and test drive, I think this put me off them altogether but it was because I was buying to flip it. Had a look on fleabay and looking at Bidding on a locost on eBay with a 2l pinto in it, item no. 221275198836 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) The only catch with a Locost is that they are often quite a mish mash of parts sourcing - so you need chapter and verse where everything came from - whereas with the more established firms like Tiger or Westfield, whilst there are still a lot of derivatives you are more likely to be able to quickly identify and replace stuff. Having said that you might get lucky with a really high quality builder of a Locust with good spec parts (and it will probably be cheaper)...I probably wouldn't but it depends on how mechanically competent you are. Edited September 5, 2013 by NeilMH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Just looked at the ad. They are not my cup of tea but most of the main components they mention are fairly standard. It would be worth checking if there is room for two twin chokes. The lumpiness could be the cam or they didn't update the jetting or other carb/fuelling issue but if it was me I would want to do a compression test on it. Also I'd want a really good look at the underneath. Its very hard to tell but it looks like there may be bits of surface rust on the chassis where the powder coating or similar has come off. Purely surface rust of this type is normal but you need to check that this is all it is, paying particular attention to the welding points. Naturally live axle, without any upgrades can be a bit jumpy and it's normal to have drum brakes with that set up. With a Pinto this is pretty much the most basic end of the market - but can still be fun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Seems like a bit of a mine field with that all said, puts me right off thinking of buying it especially not being fully mechanically aware, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Funnily enough I wan't trying to put you off but this is the almost totally DIY end of the market. If you are not totally mechanically aware you would be somewhat better off with a Westfield - but even safer with an MX5 (as per what Ekona said earlier). At least you start with something a lot more modern in conception and fundamentally less likely to need constant fettling. There would still be stuff to look out for but plenty on here have experience with MX5s. Sadly I'm not one of them. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 A lot of sound informed advice from NeilMH and Ekona. Well done lads. :clap: Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Fiver's in the post mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 It's only seldom that I know anything of use - so when it happens I jump in before the opportunity passes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Right lads heads up, there's a nice little mx5 going in 30 mins, item 360729004776 Is this gonna be any good to buy and then get it track preped. Or is this newer model not desirable for track use, I'm not upto speed on the mx5 but sounds like you guys may be in the know, perhaps I should buy a tatty old one for about 4-500? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Perfect, apart from the rust. There WILL be rust, promise! Mk1 is a better track car as it's lighter, but that's a great buy for the money. Just budget another £500 for rust repairs, just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) Suggest you put up a separate post with heading like "urgent advice wanted on mx5 purchase please" to get max response PS sorry just seen ekona's reply Edited September 5, 2013 by NeilMH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Don't mind a little rust, but ill call the seller and ask the q Ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Check the sills. Then check them again. Then again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gudzy Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Keep your eye on mx5nutz for mx5s to buy: http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showforum=51 Here's one I'd be looking at: http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=128927 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Blimey, that looks and sounds more or less just what the doctor ordered, would save a lot of hassle if I could get a ready to go track car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Oh dear, big error just happened LOL 30 min ago I set up sniper to bid on the mx5, then 10min ago I switched it off As ive now seen the track car however it has still bid and won the car for 998 OH DEAR, what do you think get it do it up or see if I can get a proven track version, how much will it take to get this track ready as me thinks more than 1500? Feel so awkward tel in the seller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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