Despite being down about 90 hp, Cronin's 350Z walked away from the VeilSide car on the track. It was consistently over 10 seconds faster around the Streets of Willow Springs, proving to be substantially better balanced and more nimble on its toes. Getting the white Z rolling from a stop, though, proved to be quite the process. The grabby Tilton isn't the only tricky part; the extra-tight 2-way LSD bucks and pops in anything but a perfectly straight line. Once things get rolling though, the precise steering and the ultra-quick throttle response make for mile-wide smiles all around.
While Cronin's 350Z felt like it could be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and thrown around, the delicate fiberglass bodywork of Coca's car meant that caution had to be taken during the flogging session, for fear that the ultra-rare body kit would quickly become a track casualty.
The gigantic 20-inch wheels and substantial weight of the audio/video equipment made high-speed corners impossible in the VeilSide car. Despite the firm coil-over suspension, the car rolled like an Audiobahn delivery truck. When launching, the orange monster would either bog or spin the rear tires while squatting down on them, a phenomenon caused by the weak stock clutch.
It's not fair to pick favorites in a comparison such as this. One car was designed as a track day machine, and while it manages to look quite clean, it wins no trophies and attracts no women. The second car, while equipped with many performance-oriented parts, was designed from the ground up as a show car, and thusly doesn't post the world's fastest times around the racetrack.
But we're not parents, so our favorite is the white one.
Veilside Vortech Nissan 350z
EngineEngine Code: VQ35DEType: 3498cc V-6, aluminum block and headExternal Mods: Vortech Supercharger, front-mount intercoolerEngine Management Mods: High-flow fuel pump, rising rate FPR, piggyback ignition computer
DrivetrainLayout: Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel driveDrivetrain Mods: 3.538:1 final drive
SuspensionFront: VeilSide Pro Sport SuspensionRear: VeilSide Pro Sport Suspension
BrakesFront: 15-inch vented floating rotors with 8-piston fixed Stop Tech calipers, Stop Tech pads, stainless steel-braided linesRear: 15-inch vented floating rotors with 8-piston fixed Stop Tech calipers, StopTech pads, stainless steel-braided lines
ExteriorWheels: VeilSide Bacarrot 20x10-in. (F), 20x11-in. (R) Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport, 255/30R20, (F) 285/30R20 (R)Body: Custom VeilSide Version 3 body kit and overfenders and carbon-fiberinserts installed by Reflections Auto Body
InteriorSparco Monza Seats, PS2, Pioneer head unit, audio visual system installed by Audio Options
SponsorsSparco USA, VeilSide, Denso, Michelin, Audio Options, Image Dynamics, Tru amps, Pioneer Premier