I know I asked if they could install my G35 manifold before the tune a few years ago, and they were booked out almost a year. That might have something to do with it.

And not to knock Z1, but mods/performance are def where the money is at. They are def chasing the $ with their business.

 

I'd like to get some opinions on something. My wife and I are vacationing next week in the Smoky Mountains, near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. It's about a 10 hour drive each way from Arkansas where I live.

My plan is to drive the wife's 2016 Chevy Cruze that gets over 40mpg, and it's a great, comfy car, perfect for trips. It'll also keep the miles off the G, which just clocked 46k yesterday.

But I have this feeling inside of me like I'm not really enjoying my G37 as much as I should be if I only take it on short trips around town and stuff. I know the Tail of the Dragon is in the Smoky Mountains and I'd love to drive it with the G.

Am I an idiot if I don't take the opportunity to drive the G to the Smoky Mountains, even though it'll be more expensive and put a chunk of extra miles on it?

Has anyone been there and can offer some knowledge as to the road conditions for a lowered car? We are staying in an Airbnb and I'm a little worried about any potential bad road conditions. Are the curves aplenty and fun to drive or is it going to be so packed full of tourists that I shouldn't bother driving the G?

 

Just do it. You're going to regret it going through nice driving roads and not being in a nice ride. When you stop at some view points do you really want to be looking at the Cruze?

 

You know the answer buddy. Send it and have fun in the G. Don't feel bad about miles. I put 21k miles on mine and I have had it for 10 months going on surf/snowboard trips and going to work. It only had 49,xxx when I got it. As for poor road conditions, I don't know anything about the roads there, but I do know the roads in Michigan SUCK. I've also taken my lowered G offroad a few times on some sandy 2 tracks and trails and it was fine. The z1 underpan did its job LOL.

 

I did just buy a shock tower bar from a forum member and it arrived just in time for me to install it before we leave on the trip. Perhaps it's a sign? 😁

 

Yup, I wish they would have more of their products made in the USA. They keep upping their price on certain things, plus the shipping seems really steep. Their touring exhaust looks nice but after some close inspection, I noticed MIG welds that are then covered up with some pretty TIG pulse welds just for looks. That screams CHINA. I am proud to own my fast intentions exhaust knowing it was 100% made in the USA.

 

Why don't you ask your wife which she would prefer? Personally, my wife does not enjoy riding in my G. She doesn't like the sport seats, she doesn't like the exhaust, she doesn't like the gear shifts no matter how smooth I try, and she absolutely hates the suspension. Given all that, I should have bought a Coupe twelve years ago, LOL.

However, if she's indifferent to the car you take, then by all means drive the G and enjoy it. The Fall foliage should be beautiful.

Yes, it's a sign. Install that bar and enjoy your car.

 

She actually likes the Infiniti! I'm surprised your wife doesn't like your exhaust because you have the same setup as me I believe, and it's very tame under normal driving circumstances. I will agree about the sport seats though, that's one of my complaints about the car. The comfort level is lacking because I'm a big guy, 6'1" and 250lbs and the seat bolsters hug my hips too tight. As others have mentioned, it's like they were made for smaller asian guys.

I currently have the sway bars set too stiff since I'm running Nismo springs (the rear springs are definitely stiffer than a typical G37 setup), so the ride is pretty harsh over bumps, and my wife doesn't even complain about that. I'm planning to set them back to the softer setting while I have the car jacked up to install the shock tower bar. It should be more compliant and comfy then. I think I will take the G, it deserves to be driven and enjoyed. What's the point of owning it if I don't do that?

My suspension setup for the trip will be:
G37 Sport shocks
370Z Nismo springs
Ultra Racing shock tower bar
Eibach sways set to the softest setting
Centric Posi Quiet pads
Z1 two piece rotors F+R
18lb 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 wheels wrapped in Pilot Sport A/S 3+
6lb battery for weight reduction

Taking my laptop with me in case of emergency (car goes into limp mode or whatever) so I can check/clear any trouble codes.

 

Had a long nice message that mobile browser ate.

in short: do it. I have a similar setup to you and on curvies it is brilliant.

if you are going to transit the Dragon into NC, take the time to check this out:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_...na_Highway_215

215 is more technically challenging than the dragon. You’ll likely only see motorcycles there. However, the G is verging on too big to navigate some of the hairpins - it’s perfect for Miata / FB / 280z sized cars, so don’t expect to go full send.

 

Hmm it looks like it's about a 2.5hr drive just to get to NC 215 from where I'm staying. We will only be there for 4 full days so I don't think I'll be able to fit in two different "twisty drives" during our stay. The choice would either have to be Tail of the Dragon (1.5hrs away) or this NC 215. Also, I don't think I'll be going full send on any of the twisties, due to the fact that I doubt my own driving skill and my wife will be riding along with me. But, I will be pushing it as hard as I can safely.

I still have some fears of back-end snap oversteer from my S2000 days. I had a couple bad experiences with that car and it's put a bit of fear in me since then, even 17 years later lol. Although, I was still basically a kid when I owned it (20 yrs old) and didn't have much experience with RWD. I do feel more confident in the G. I have had a couple butt-pucker moments but I've always been able to get back in control. Never experienced any of that snap oversteer that I had in the S2K.

Also, what tire pressures would you recommend for a drive like that?

 

Either one will be enjoyable.

I’d do 32f/35r but I like to throttle steer with stability control off. I’d say do 32 all around and let the stab control do it’s job. You can pull plenty of lateral force without even squealing the tires.

 

It's not so much the exhaust and seats that she hates, or the transmission, although she's no fan of either. It's the suspension. While the OEM sport shocks and aftermarket springs are fine, I've also got polyurethane rear diff bushings, engine mounts, and transmission mount. It's probably those mods that inspire her discontent.

Now that I write this, it's probably 90% the fault of the transmission mount. It can be brutal for someone who doesn't appreciate it.

 

Did you apply Frank's hack to the Nav system for TPMS display? It's so-o-o cool to see PSI values on all four corners.

 

What was your reasoning for getting the engine mount and poly rear diff bushing?

I could do it, I suppose. I have all the proper cables for it. How long does it take, you think, for an experienced IT guy that knows what he's doing? I could try to find time to get it done before we leave on the trip.

 

The engine mounts, transmission mount, and rear diff busing mods were for all the driving benefits that come from buttoning the drivetrain down. Same for the rear diff brace. With the drivetrain firmed up to the frame of the car you waste less energy tossing weight around, energy better applied to the wheels and contact to the pavement. And you have less inertia with drivetrain movement in heavy handling situations. The net result is a car that's much more planted and responsive to the throttle. Obviously the trade-off is more NVH.

Also not so obviously, this is how I see the mods in my head and on the butt-dyno. I'm not an engineer.

If you're looking for advice on all three, I'd recommend the motor mounts over the others. Curiously, the Z1 motor mounts as configured out of the box will lower the engine geometry about half an inch. The rear diff bushings I only did because the diff was off the car for the rear gear upgrade. And the transmission mount I did because it was inexpensive and easy to install (for a shop). But like I said, the transmission mount is kind of brutal.


Just minutes. Literally over before you know it.