Nissan, NASA Create Spec Z Series

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

We don’t always cover motorsports here at TTAC, but when we do, we make sure it’s grassroots. Following the Spec Miata, Spec E30 and Spec Focus race series, NASA and Nissan have partnered to create a Spec Z series for the 2003 to 2008 350Z coupes that were so popular earlier in the decade.

Modifications to the cars are limited to a Nismo catback, Nismo LSD, Nismo Flywheel and a Spec suspension kit featuring new shocks, springs, coilover sleeves, anti-roll bars and BF Goodrich R1 tires. Horsepower will be limited to 258 wheel horsepower for the 03-04 cars, 265 for the 05-06 cars and 275 for the 08 cars. Contingency cash will be available for both the regional and national levels.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Tbp0701 Tbp0701 on Feb 06, 2012

    I'd be a little concerned about the rearward visibility, especially with a pack of them in a race. Or maybe everyone will just know they all have serious blind spots. What about the cooling issues?

  • Djoelt1 Djoelt1 on Feb 06, 2012

    Business 101: NASA is a business and if they can increase their income by creating another spec series, why not do it? They would have spec F150 racing too if more tracks allowed trucks. Sports is a business. Those "traveling" kids teams are a business for the organizers and everyone involved (except the kids, who pay $5000 or more for a season of "traveling").

  • Niky Niky on Feb 06, 2012

    Seems like a fairly reasonable series. Spec everything, horsepower limit, and given how many first-generation 350Zs are on the road, it should be fairly easy to build a big field interested in a quick road-racing series.

  • FJ60LandCruiser FJ60LandCruiser on Feb 07, 2012

    No brakes upgrades? The Z's dust-free brake pad material (Brembo or not) isn't exactly good for a road race, and fades pretty damn fast.

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