I tracked my MSM for 2 seasons at ~250whp. It was a good car and never broke significantly more than a burned up O2 wire. There were limitations I managed around but ultimately I built a dedicated track car over the winter so I wouldn't be stuck in the middle between streetable manners and track performance.

In stock trim (~150whp) you can track all day without issues beside the tiny intercooler and the oil catch can system. Just plug the catch can drain and put in a simple can with a breather - several threads on the MSM board about it. A $60 ebay IC fixes the other issue. When you start putting down more power, you need to look at an oil cooler in addition to the other supporting things.

I've folded a set of XP10s in half so if you start running under SM records, you'll want to at least vent the sport brakes but realistically a 2,600# car could use a BBK. I also had a wrench on the downpipe studs between every session until I got the M10 Inconel kit. I tapped the turbo for the M10 studs and never looked back. The manifold/turbo studs on the MSM don't shear like the Garrett snails and it has a good OEM bracket supporting it so those weren't a problem. When I built the track car (MSM drivetrain), I put Nissan OEM inconel M8 studs in with resbond just to be sure.

In the end, my MSM is close to stock again and won't see more track time. My track car is using the drivetrain of wrecked MSM not because it is the best turbo ever but because I already had an upgraded IHI turbo and SGDP mated to a 3" exhaust that I liked from the black car. I'll run it until the turbo blows up and then put a tater in or maybe a baller borg depending on cash on hand at the time.

If someone just wants an NB turbo track car, I would recommend getting a base chassis and putting a turbo kit together for less money and less worry about raping one of the more 'special' OEM models.

 

I have one doing sub SM times with 190rwhp. Overheating, stretched turbo studs, blown alternator due to hood vents and various little things have gone wrong. FM kit kept popping hoses as the fittings are smooth instead of bead rolled ends. My car was track prepped with a full cage at a decent price but I think if I did it again I would start with a cheaper platform to get similar results. It did save time to get it on track quickly but was still slow compared to the sportbikes I was used to tracking initially.

 

The best way to build an MSM is to remove everything under the hood that makes it an MSM, and start over.

 

C'mon Sav, some of the MSM intercooler pipes are handy!

 

01 ls
nothing changed but the wheels/tires
w/out my fat ****:


and with it:

 

my broke *** MSM




Bigger radiator
none shitty seats
biger intercooler
a BBK
and none retarded ecu are needed

also being catless sucks boost creep's like a bitch

 

wait so msm is 160lbs lighter then an 01 ls? any other major mods for weight reduction going on there?

 

My MSM with a 6 point rollbar, extra sound insulation etc. and 3/4 tank weighs 2560 lbs - just got corner balanced last weekend.

 

no carpets/ p/s a/c or spare tire

 

This is about the same as my '01 LS. Last corner weight was pre-supercharger; with 4point rollbar and the hardtop it was right at 2500 lbs.

Edit: no weight-reduction mods to my car. Spare tire & 3/4 tank of gas.