So I've put in a JIC II exhaust, LaBree Resonated Pipes, and soon to arrive is a JWT pop charger. I've heard from several motosport companies, including LaBree, that after these mods, headers would barely increase HP (less than 5, if any) because the stock headers are good enough and we've maximized all other important parts.

I'm limited by the 5AT - give me a break, I got $8K off of sticker price on my touring and I'm still in college.

I'd like to know what other mods would offer me the most HP/performance enhancement per dollar? Any suggestions?

 

None of those give you the most HP/performance enhancement per dollar. To get that you need forced induction or NAWZ. If you want cheap performance check the Nitrous forum.

 

OK - I want to preserve my engine and make it last, while staying N/A.

 

Crank pulley and flywheel may be two other things to check out.

And I'm with you - forced induction is cool, but some of us just prefer good 'ol fashined N/A...



And of course, a grounding kit is always good for at least 20hp...

(kidding....)

 

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....0&pagenumber=1

they've got TopSpeed stainless steel headers for $230 delivered. There's a video out there (by a zachcrosen of this board) of a 10HP gain at the wheels... according to the dyno.

note the deadline for the groupbuy is today...

 

Headers vs. Plenum?

 

Both!

Actually, the plenum is pretty reasonable pricewise and easy to install. Headers are much more complex to install. Eventually you'll want both, but to start the Kinetix plenum is a good choice.

 

I just checked out that GB for the TopSpeed Headers, and made a few calls. Combining headers with Straight pipes would give me 2-5 horses, which for the money really isn't worth it since I can get just about 5-6 with the JWT pop charger and install it myself.

As for the Plenum, I've heard problems with the Kinetix and was leaning mroe toward the APS when it comes out early next year.

What's your experience ZB?

 

I would also agree that if you aren't willing to forced induction or nitrous, then headers and plenum are the way to go.

 

Yeah, Kinetix went through a period where their plenums were cracking. They are up to v4 right now (which is the one I have), and I haven't read of any problems with those. I like Kinetix because they are cheap, I get to keep my old plenum, and I get to reuse my engine strut bar.

The APS sure looks nice, but I saw no need to wait.

 

Do you know what the price difference is between the APS and the Kinetix? And does Kinetix replace a bad product with a new one for you?

And you can't reuse the engine strut bar with APS?

 

Im not sure the price of the APS - its not even out yet. Kinetix is $369. For $699 you can get both the plenum and the high flow cats, which is not a bad deal.

Kinetix has excellent customer service. They have replaced all the cracked plenums with new ones. Everything I have read in the forums is consistent.

And no, you cannot reuse the engine strut bar with APS. The APS plenum is taller than stock, requiring a taller strut bar. Kinetix is designed to work with the stock strut bar.

Check out Kinetix here http://www.kinetixracing.com/

Check out APS here http://www.************************/350z/350z.htm

 

just out of curiosity, I don't own a Z yet but i always see people on here talking about adding mods that get more air into the car and out of the car, which is obviously important for gains, but isn't there a formula for all this 13/1 (13 units of air, for every 1 unit of fuel), so what can be done to the Z that can increase the amount of fuel to be burned? does it already come with a duel port fuel injection system? its just all this extra air is kinda useless without more fuel...right?

 

That is what the ECU is supposed to do - alter the amount of fuel to maintain an appropriate ratio. Some Zs run too lean with these mods because the ECU is not reacting properly, and thus the need for a reflash with a new ECU program that will react properly and maintain the correct fuel ratio.

 

So give it to me in lay man's terms -- I have an exhaust, straight pipes, I'm about to install a pop charger, and saving up for a plenum.

You telling me that these mods aren't making/going to make a difference? Or are you saying that to maximize the performance, I need to do something about increasing the fuel mixture? and if that's the case -- what exactly do I need tod o?

 

Technosquare ECU reflash... But my suggestion would be that invidual throttle body kit that someone posted about.. That's how BMW gets the M3 to pump 333bhp out of a 3.2L I6 and the new M5 to pump 507bhp out of a their 5.0L (I think) V10.

 

crank pulley / flywheel / ecu flash... that would be the way...

stock manifolds are ok... once you do the crank pulley and flywheel... then go for the headers...

 

They should make a difference. However, some here think that in order to "maximize" performance - get the most out of N/A mods - you should do a reflash. I am putting 275hp to the wheels with my mods, so I am not sure what else the reflash will do for me.

As for fuel mixture, the ECU should correct for your mods ensuring the proper mixture (~13). The only way to know for sure is to dyno with an A/F reading. That way you will know exactly what your A/F ratio is and whether your ECU is doing what its supposed to do. My ECU seems to be happy with all my mods WITHOUT a reflash. My A/F ratio is in my sig. That is why I am debating whether to get the reflash or not, but some other folks here with similar mods have done dynos and have very lean A/F rations (too much air, not enough fuel). I am not sure why their ECUs are not correcting the problem, but in their cases the reflash has fixed the problem.

 

OK - so a reflash isn't necessary but it could help, and the only way to find out for sure is a dyno.

It'd be hard for me to get a dyno done because of time -- an ECU reflash wouldn't be a detriment, would it? And if it doesn't hurt, what do I need to do?

Someone mentioned "technosquare ECU" -- don't know what that means, but I'd sure like to know what I need to do to get it right!

Thanks for the info guys.

 

The only way to know for sure if it is "necessary" is to dyno. You should also dyno before and after the reflash to see what effect the reflash has on your vehicle. It is also a $600 expense to reflash, and a dyno is $50-$100 each, so keep that in mind.

Technosquare is a company that does the reflash for the ECU. You can see their website here

http://www.technosquareinc.com