350z/370z vs R32/R33 for track car ?

[B-Man]

Hey All, 

It's been a while since I've posted on SAU - But I'm going to get back into some Nissan fun-ness. 

I'm basically looking at all options for a registered weekend track car. Budget is probably up to $20K. Bure really depends on lots of factors.

I've done the R33 thing and have had an R32 and love them, but they are getting a bit old and worn out. But then I might be able to get an R32/33 with all the good bits already done.

Been looking at the 350/370Zs too - and you seem to get a lot of car for the $$ (the negative is the lack of snail to boost up when you want)

How does a 350/370z perform on the track versus an R33/R32 GTS-t ? 

Modified GTS-t that's a bit worn out versus a stock 350/370z 

 

Cheers peeps

[GeeDog]

I've sort-of had both, so here's my 2c worth:

I had a 350GT, which was my doily, and I also used it for a bit of motorsport stuff. I replaced all the stuffed bushes (seems to be pretty common), replaced the swaybars with Whiteline ones, and replaced the stock brakes with Akebonos off a 370Z, and it was surprisingly capable as a weekend warrior. It was an auto, and I'm sure a manual would have been better again (manuals also have Brembos stock). There is very little functional difference between a 350Z & a 350GT - the Z is a touch lighter and shorter.

As I started getting more serious about motorsport, I bought (along with my son) an R33 GTST - pretty much stock. I think the 350GT was faster and handled better. As we upgraded the R33, it matched, then exceeded the 350GT's capability. We still have the R33, and short of a very expensive forced induction upgrade on the 350GT, there is no way it would get close to the R33 in it's current setup.

My take is this - if you want a cheapish registered car that will do well in motorsport (track, hillclimb or whatever else) without doing a lot to it, a 350Z/GT would be ideal. If you want a car that you can continue to modify into a track weapon, then an R32/33/34 would be a better starting point. If you plan to go this route, the initial purchase price will be a small part of the final cost.

[B-Man]

4 hours ago, GeeDog said:

If you plan to go this route, the initial purchase price will be a small part of the final cost.

@GeeDog thanks for the info - the above bit I get......

Knowing myself, if I got an RB2xDET, I would be modding the F out it and spending heaps of money. If I want a bit of fun the the V35 might be the go 

Cost over 5 years would be less with the V35, V37 I reckon - same amount of fun

[GeeDog]

Have you still got the GT4? We tracked an ST165 for a while, before the Skylines (am I allowed to call a GT350 a Skyline here?) Similar decision - decided it was too hard to get the power & brakes we wanted, so sold it and moved on.

 

 

[The Bogan]

Big budget (Consumables and breakages) = turbo 32 or 33

Smaller budget (Consumables and breakages)= NA 350/370

 

Opinions may vary 

[B-Man]

@GeeDog no sold the GT4. It was quite a good car. But not practical for me at the time. 

 

Ive been looking at other cheapie track cars too like the Clio RS and those French GTI things. 

 

An R32 GTSt would be perfect under historic rego 

[niZmO_Man]

350GT is V35 Skyline, so you're allowed to call it what it is hahaha