Greetings from the Toronto area!

My car is a 2012 G37x Sedan. Bone stock except for summer wheels. I use the stock wheels for our salty slushy winters.
It’s my second G. My first was a 2002 G35 Sedan RWD purchased new. Now that I think about it, that's almost two decades of G ownership!

About two months ago, I decided it was time for a new car. Checked out the Qs, A4 and 5, Stinger, Genesis G70, BMW 3, and even Lexus.

Meh. For one reason or another I couldn’t get excited about any of them.

I love my G (especially the engine). It’s been almost flawless. Both front hubs [bearings] failed, the cheap phoney metallic coating is flaking off the shift ****, there’s a rattle coming from the rear deck, and there are a few weak spots in the paint. No other issues. Apart from the hubs, I think that’s awesome for a 9 year old daily driver.

So I thought, why sell it? Why not take some of the money I’d spend on a new car and upgrade this one?

I started looking around to see what was available for Gs, and I was quite surprised to find there is PLENTY of aftermarket activity with these cars. I had no idea! Perhaps I should have guessed based on the popularity of the Z cars.

I’m not new to wrenching and modding cars. I did a Scirocco in the 80’s (wheels/tires, suspension, body kit, turbo, stereo), and took it to the Bondurant School (in Sonoma in those days). Did some mods to an Eagle Talon in the 90s. Then there was a 20 year break while I worked and raised kids.

Now I’ve ordered a Factory 5 Coupe kit (which is where the "coupe" in my moniker comes from), but I can’t go pick it up until covid border restrictions are lifted. My covid lockdown project was rebuilding a Ford 302 and a Tremec T5. I’ve never done anything quite that intense before. It was a bit intimidating to start, but it was a lot of fun in the end. Next up is rebuilding the 8.8 rear end, the final piece of the drivetrain that is destined for the FFR Coupe. (BTW, I’m not a mechanic. I’m a 65 year old doctor and a die-hard DIYer who isn’t afraid to tackle anything).

I’m already well on my way having purchased a lot of parts, most of which haven’t been delivered yet:
Z1 CAI
Stillen cat back
Test pipes
Swift springs
Whiteline sway bars
Stillen rear spoiler
OEM sport front spoiler

I’m still researching brakes (probably going with Akebono Sports, but I have to sort out winter wheels first), tranny reflash, and Grom Vline infotainment. Will likely do a remote tune by AdminTuning.

Can’t wait for the parts to arrive so I can get to work!
Cheers
Philip

 

Welcome, Philip! Tons of information available here.

The G is a great platform for modifications, you're going to have fun with it for sure.

 

Welcome!

Phil i'm from Toronto too, do you want to come track with us next year? Ill give you details when the time comes if you are interested.
Its a great group and they rent the track so its only us on it! There are rules for passing, no one ever touches paint. It's a great environment and a lot of fun.
They set up groups too. 1 group for new people (with instruction as well so you can get up to speed and not feel nervous on first day), intermediate, and the super fast/ very experienced group. Everyone is really friendly and helpful too.

You can join us for a track day and if you like it, hell join us us for all them after 😁👍

*btw brakes wise: im running project Mu hp+, GREAT PADS! I love them on the street or track the same. They aren't loud either. Some noise sometimes but not much tbh.

 

Thanks for the welcomes, John and DevilsG.

I'm definitely interested in tracking the car, DevilsG. Where do you go?

It's been 7 years since I was on a track. I spent 4 years prepping a Mustang GT for open track racing. Took it to a test day at Shannonville and lasted only 4 laps before burning the clutch cable on the exhaust. The Mustang never made it back to the track. Now it will end its days as it sacrifices parts for my FFR Type 65 build.
I have done the 4-day Bridgestone Racing Licence course on the Driver Development Track at CTMP (the last year it was Mosport and a few years before the new owners reconfigured it). I followed that with a few weekends of racing F1200s on the big track at CTMP. On the third weekend, my car and my racing career came to a very abrupt stop on the inside wall of turn 2 at about 90 MPH. Mangled the car and my ribs, missed 10 days of work, and decided I couldn't afford to do that again.

So I haven't been on track since 2013. Although my need for speed has waned with my testosterone levels over the decades, it's not gone. So, yeah, I'd love to join you at the track. PM me!

 

Hell yea, Sent!

Damn, you have done open wheel laps too, im jealous! That must have been so much fun. I've always wanted to try that, The grip must be unreal in those things. I love the idea of real downforce and having to go faster to get more grip, it must take the brain awhile to adapt to that logic in practice lol

 

Aurora, ON... I've a friend with a 2008 G37S Coupe who lives in Bond Head.

 

He's welcome to join us too if he is interested in track events with fellow nissan enthusiasts, Rochester. Just let me know.

 

The Bridgestone Racing School cars scared the crap out of me. Car plus driver = 1,200 pounds. 170HP makes it 7 lb/horse. That's like having about 600 HP in a G37.
But that's not the scary part or the amazing part. Anyone can put a big engine in a car and accelerate at warp speed. It's the cornering and braking that boggles the mind. The van Diemens corner and brake at just over 1G. The first few times out, my brain absolutely couldn't comprehend it. I truly believed that it was impossible for the car to do what it was doing. And that's only one lateral G. F1 cars can hit instantaneous 5 Gs. Five times what I've experienced! That's truly mind-bending!

The driving style also takes some getting used to. It's WOT followed by panic braking with not much in between, and you're cornering on the ragged edge. I was doing 20 minute sprint races, and I was almost exhausted by the end. Imagine the F1 guys at way higher braking and cornering forces doing it for almost 2 hours!

I've never thought of my G35 or 37 as track cars. To me, they're family sedans. Too heavy to be nimble and tossable. Mine has a 7AT which makes it a lot less fun. Pathetic downshifts! (I'll have to do something about that.) But with some sway bars and more rubber, the G37 could be a hoot at 9 tenths! I'll join you for some laps and find out!

 

Man i really need to try some open lapping one day, it sounds like such a rush lol.

As for the G on the track as a heavy car. I threw some kw's on mine (v1), Whiteline drive shaft bushings, z1 rear differential brace, spl rear camber arms (ones with the Spherical bushings) + eccentric lockout bolts, Hotchkiss sway bars, soul function 4 point lower front brace + both front lower lateral arms braces, 6 point in the rear + lower and mid braces in the rear as well, and a strut brace in the engine bay. Man what a difference! ( i need some spl front camber arms to finish off what i started though)

The car feels much lighter now with how it corners and transfers weight side to side ( when oddly enough i made it heavier instead ). I will say i have become a brace ***** after seeing the difference. The car has become a handling machine. In fact, i want the fender bracing too now lol

I run bridgestone RE71r tires in 245/40/19 up front and 265/35/19 in the rear and put in some project Mu hp+ brake pads at all four corners ( my stock pads would fade after 3 laps and start smoking so..yea lol (LOVE THE NEW BRAKES btw lol). Oil cooler was a must too, so i went with the stillen kit.

Anyhow just thought share the setup I'm running for cornering since i love it so much.

 

https://whiteheadperformance.com great shop btw. They have helped guide me in the right direction to reach the goals i had for the car as well as solve some issues i had with it after purchase ( like the gallery gasket). Incredible work and really great people as well.

 

Thanks for the info, DevilsG. I had already found Whitehead, but I haven't met them or ordered from them yet. Good to know they are trustworthy people.
There's also Simone Performance right in my back yard. Haven't dealt with them yet either, but the owner's daughter manages my online marketing. Small world!

 

Just realized I have dealt with Whitehead. I bought my Stillen rear spoiler from them. Still waiting for it.

 

If its been awhile, send mike an email for an update. They always have a fleet of cars they are working on and are always super busy, so email instead of calling and a little patience is usually the best communication with them.

 

No worries. I only ordered the spoiler 8 days ago. I'm not expecting it for a week or two.

Have you ever dealt with Touge Tuning in Mississauga? I ordered Swift springs from them.
They have an AWD dyno good for 3,000 HP in 2WD and 4,600 HP in AWD mode! I think my G will come in a bit below that.
Might go there for tune. Who did your tune?

Just got a roll of 4 gauge wire. I'm heading outside to measure up a bunch of grounding wires.

 

No tune yet for me. I just started building last year. I always do handling first than move on from there. Why don't you email Mike at whp and ask his opinion on tuners in the city? He's super helpful.