[QUOTE]Originally posted by Russ
We recently had a tech day down here in south Florida among many of our
local members and several clutches needed adjustments.

 

zsak, keep an eye on the Florida forum for the next mod session - free corner clearings. Our record is 6 cars in one day cleared (plus an x-brace, CAI, etc.)

As far as autocrosses, not many in Daytona, but in Jax, Tampa, and southern Florida there are quite a few. We did have a small SCCA event at the Speedway a few months ago, maybe it will be repeated this year.

 

Zsak, just interested, can you give me the negatives of the Z? I have heard lots of em but am interested on what an Ex-Z owner has to say.


[QUOTE]Originally posted by ZSAK
Well as some of you may know, I finally made the deal and traded my 350z track for a sebring silver s2k. All I can say is WOW.

 

Zsak, congrats on the car. In reference to your queston about oversteer, the rear ends of a 2002-2003 is less prone to coming around than the 2000-2001 but you still need to be careful. Don't try to hit the limit on the streets, go to a big empty parking lot and play a bit or better yet go to a track event or autoX.

The car is setup to be very neutral but if you lift off the throttle in the turn you have a good chance of getting the back end to step out. My advice is to slowly get used to how the car drives and learn how it takes a corner. Don't apex a corner early, with this car you can trail brake and dive in at the apex. Trust me, from a heavy 350Z to an S2000 you need to rethink how to go around a turn. If you pay attention to the car, in the end it will make you a better driver.

 

Hey guys thanks for all of the advice. Chiung I did check out that forum and seems I missed mod day by a few days. I will definetly need to check out next time it comes around. Hopefully by then I will be able to purchase some mods to put on lol.

S2KDUDE, you are right about the change in cars and driving skill adjustments. I am taking the car slow for now until I can get to an autox event and really learn her. Thats the only way I know how to teach myself safely The steering so responsive I have to get a better hold of it, just from shifting a little agressivle the car gets squrlley. But it is all fun.

Ok now a little review of the Z from an ex owner just for you forsaken, Well to start off I though the car was great. It had the power had better handling than my previous car, it looked great and had more room than the S. However there were some problems that needed attention. I had replaced my tranny once, and it seemed it was about to go on its third very soon . The seats were wearing rather quickly which werre replaced at 12k miles, and are on the verge to be replaced again. There was a little too much rattle from the plastic dash pieces they used so I wasn't too thrilled with that. The last real major problem I had was that the paint was very thin, not sure if the S is like that, but I had rock chips and such from day one of owning the car and it just got worse. Now the things I miss about the car are the fabulous Brembo brakes, I think they just looked soo nice. I wish they had a set for the S, who knows maybe later down the road I will find a decent package for relatively cheap. The exhaust note was very intoxicating too, sounded very exotic to me. That the car being a little more stable at higher speeds, I am guessing this die to it being heavier.
As far as performance goes this is a tuff call. They are such too different cars and its hard to say which is better. It really is what you like, blonde or brunnette if you know what I mean.
I hope this helped a little.

 

ZSAK,

The S2k is very sensitive to alignment settings and tire pressure, but first off make damn sure that there are no spring spacers left by the dealer.

My recommendation to you is to take the car to a high end alignment shop and and have them setup the UK alignment specs ( most honda dealers wont give you the level of service you need to do this properly). Dont let them just get it close, demand that they get it spot on. Also insist that they put weight in the driver seat equal to your weight. Some alignment shops like to make the left side settings different than the right side in an attempt to compensate for the crown most roads have, Dont let them do that.

Set all your tires to 35psi, prefereably while the car is out of direct sun light. Then drive the car hard for awhile getting the tires upto temp and then check the tire pressure while they are warm. You want to see 37 to 38 psi. Dont let the pressure get above 39psi. Adjust the pressure as needed to bring all 4 to 37psi while the tires are hot. Let the car cool for a couple hours and then check the cold tire pressure. This will tell you what your pressures should be when the tires are cold, probably 34psi or so.

Do these things before you go to an AutoCross.

Check your oil at every and mean EVERY fuel fill up. Most S2Ks will suddenly start to burn oil and continue to do so for a couple thousand miles. This usually occurs sometime between 2K and 10K miles. Keep it topped off and not just above the minimum mark with dino oil. Only go to Synthetic after the oil burning stops.

I hope this helps... Oh yes... Congratulations!

 

Thanks davepk for the advice, somethings I never considered. What is the difference in UK spec alignment compared to US spec. Whats the best way to look for if the spacer is on, I am assuming take off the wheels.
I did check my oil the other day it seems like its clear with it toped off on the top line. Do those X;s signify anything. Also if I do notice burning oil what would I need to do to correct that.
I feel like such a noob with this car lol. Give me a question anything about the Z or even a stang and I can tell you what you need. Oh well the whole pleasure of owning a new car.

 

ZSAK,

There is no US spec per se, just the suggested ranges in the helms manual. The UK specs came about due to high variability in alignment settings when new cars arrived in the UK and the consequent complaints from new owners of unstable/ mishandling cars. A number of UK dealers ( or maybe just one, i'm not sure) got together at a track and came up with the UK alignment spec. The same problem exists with USDM S2Ks as well.

Taking the wheel off is probably the best way to be sure there are no spring spacers left on the springs. There area number of threads here that have pictures of these but the short of it is they are foam rubber peices that fit in between the coils of the springs on all 4 coilovers.

If i recall correctly the full range of X's on the dipstick corrospond a 1 quart of oil, or there abouts.

I dont think anyone has ever "noticed", as in smoke, the burning oil that occurs during break in. The primary telltale is the reading on the dip stick. If you notice the car starting to burn oil via the dipstick you should step up your vigilance of the oil level. Its possible for this engine to burn as much as a quart in a single tank of gas. Its not common but it is possible. The good news is that once it starts the oil burning will last 1 to 2K miles and then stop completely.

There is a chance you will "notice", as in smoke, burning oil when making aggressive right hand turns at an AutoX or track event. This is fairly common and usually occurs on the same turn over and over again. The usual remedy is to install an oil catch can. There are a number of threads here detailing the installation of one.

 

That is some awesome information. oh ya on a side note I think I figured out why my car felt more squirly than i thought it should be, one of my tires in the rear had a nail and was about completely flat. Once I got that fixed it got more stable. Talk about a very touchy car lol.

 

Hey ZSAK,

I am in the position to buy a new Base Z or a used S2000. I am confused as heck. I live in So Cal and the climate sure is great for a convertible car.

I have driven both and I like the S2000 shifter more. I thought the clutch for the Z was "really" hard. Did it get softer when it is used?? Anyways, the car I am planning to get is for a daily car.

My concern for the Z is tire feathering (hope it is fixed for the '04 model).

I guess I will wait and see if I can find a good deal for a used S2000, probably an '03.

Thanks,
Tony