Cannysage

iTrader: (29)

I've read an insane amount of write ups all all parts for the z and I think I have a mod combo that you can't go wrong with. Feel free to object or just chime in.

HKS Hi Power Ti dual exhaust $1500
- Not heavy like the Stillen
- good gain and no loss of midrange power like the Injen SES
- no 50 parts like borla which is vulnerable to leaks
AAM Plenum Spacer $300
- Equal gain to a lot of the more expensive plenum
JWT Popcharger $130
- best bang for a buck
- equal gain in hp, relative to CAI that cost 2x more
Vortech SC $4300
- actually a lot of good stories with others too, such as Turbonetic, APS ST
- less likely to have your engine blown such as the infamous Greddy TT
- Many experience installers can be located.. turbonectics is relatively new
- cheap and cheaper installation than HKS, Greddy
Crawford hiflo Cats
- Good, noticable gains, unlike the other NA mods.
- downside is that it gives out fumes.. some stronger than others.
UR pulley
- so so on power gains on NA
- remember, only the crank pulley give you HP gains
- I believe Vortech SC comes with their own, so it may be a waste

some not so great mods
Headers
- not sure if it's worth the hassle and $. Not enough return on your investment
ground wires
- I guess it helps smoothing out the idle a bit, but mainly for dress-up IMO
CF hoods
- great to have, just remember a lot of them do not clear your plenum or spacer

hope this gives you guys things to consider when modding

Vamos_Rafael

iTrader: (18)

huh???
clutch + flywheel kit to give the tranny a break?
new lsd to put all the power on the ground?
i object SC in general... so thats totally biased im not gonna get into it
1500 for an exhaust is not worth it unless u really want it... (not much gains comparable vs others ur paying the brand)
AAM spacer offer no show quality... get kinetix

Robert_K

iTrader: (25)

$1500!!! for an exhaust... Doubt the power gain is that much different of the lesser cost ones.

Forbidden Donut

i just saved this as a word document for future reference when i start making enough $ to mod.

thanks cannysage

screener

iTrader: (10)

Not to far off the right setup but don't care to much for the FI mod,if you plan on FI then do that first on the list.

Sad to say I'm being a copycat modder,Alberto's setup works and is very simple NA.But I am using hiflow cats compared to his test pipes,and different exhaust.I also lift when I shift.

should also add reflash and experienced driver.
thanks for the write up.

twinship

iTrader: (3)

That's helpful.

The next step would be to put the mods in order, so there's a logical roadmap for modders to follow. (I'm just beginning to think about engine mods, so this is something that interests me...)

Stillen used to market their upgrades for the 300ZX-TT as a series of "stages":

Stage 1 - Pop charger
Stage 2 - Exhaust
Stage 3 - Computer reflash (to increase boost)
Stage 4 - Larger turbos
Stage 5 - Even larger turbos, larger fuel injectors
Etc.

Of course, for the 350Z, we'd want 2 different roadmaps, 1 for NA and another for FI.

Just a thot...

Netko350Z

iTrader: (8)

Scrap the Vortec and go ATI....


Turbonetics ST can be found for less $$$ than a Vortec or ATI Procharger.

Cannysage

iTrader: (29)

I had some new additions to add and to rearrange my oringinal post, but couldn't .. oh well. Here's the mod you should consider, in order

0. I almost forgot Wheels!
- not only a visual mod, but will give you better traction and cornering
- you may want to get springs and sway bars later to minimize the roll
- eibach - dirt cheap and minimal chance of 'sagging' later
- Hotchkis is a good brand for sway bars.. with sways, gotta watch out for dips and such on the road.. can easily crack or snap!
1. JWT Popcharger
2. PLenum/spacers
- If you go FI later, stay away from the plastic Kinetix Plenum
- a lot of them, you'll have to change out the strut bar. AAM, stock clears it.
3. UR Crank Pulley
4. Hiflo Cats
5. Exhaust
- I love HKS, but you all are right, 1500 is ridiculous
- but can't beat the build the quality, though
- rememer, if you're going to go FI later, it's highly recommended to get a true dual
- There are many other great exhaust, I just feel the HKS shines above all, in terms of quality, sound and with my rest of the future mods.
6. SC/TT - I don't see ATI being main stream.. when I started reading about the z, 3 years ago, I read about 2 engines blown with the ATI (not to say that they aren't reliable, now) right off the bat and at least 6 blown with Greddy, so far; badly tuned? running too lean? too much oil consumption? whatever the case, I'm staying away.
7. ECU reflash
- whew, all these breathing mods, adjusting the a/f ratio is in order! and to have everything work together like a symphony
- Techno Square is popular
- piggy back engine managements are also available as an option after FI
8a. Clutch + flyhweel
- recommended after FI
- all that WHP will be a stress on your tranny
- you will want to avoid heating up the tranny/gear slippage
- JWT is a very popular one
8b. For AT
- you may want a valve body upgrade - level 10 and stillen is popular
- valve body upgrade will give you better shifting and elimate some of the 'latency' and shift quicker
- Torque converter - hand in hand with VB.. will ease the stress on your tranny and elimate slippage

eltness350

iTrader: (58)

for exhaust ....how about this one?? http://dezodmotorsports.com/pd_dezod...orts_xpipe.cfm
don't need no stinkin mufflers!! lol

LIdrew

Stage 1:
Lighter Wheels and wider tires
Fujitsubo Y pipe and exhaust
JWT clutch set up
Turbonetics ST

Stage 2:
Suspension
Big Brake Kit

Cannysage

iTrader: (29)

I have heard a z with a custom exhaust syster without mufflers, in person. It was the most horrid sound I've ever heard.

Robert_K

iTrader: (25)

Please keep in mind that I just bought my Z and need to get some work done to my house frist before major mods. But here is what I'm thinking of doing. I've replace the oem air filter w/ a K&N. Looking at the CF induction duct and CF tubing w stock air box. Some brand of air plenum, high flow cats, and a cat-back exhaust. Think that should add some extras hourses to make me hppy for a while. I don't plan on FI it anytime soon but if I did I'm thinking a SC and notthing too big. I want the SC over the turbo cause I don't want the turbo lag. Suspention: All brands pretty much do the same thing for what the part is designed for just depends on what brand you want and how much you want to spend.
EDIT: Oh and some light weight wheels w/ more tire.

thezedsled

iTrader: (1)

Good list...

tienlo

1) Roll cage
2) Helmet
3) Premium unleaded
4) Experienced driver
haha

Vamos_Rafael

iTrader: (18)

plus one million!
i think + racing buckets and harnesss

Diesel350

iTrader: (6)

You can get it for $1400.00 and it has been shown to give a 12hp gain on the dyno.

Personally I think it's one of the top quality exhausts for the 350Z.

jakesford

why spend money on a pop charger if you want FI, i mean it would be the same as buying headers and then going turbo...

keep your mods in order, think about what builds on eachother, and what can be done at the same time. If you were wanting to lower your car, it would be a very good time to put camber and toe kits on, saves time and a trip to the alignment shop,

Robert_K

iTrader: (25)

$1400/12whp = $116.67 a whp vs lets say $800/10whp = $80 a whp. Doubt that it make that much of a difference. 3" piping is 3" piping. I'm not saying that its a poor exhaust. I just find it a bit extreme to spend $1400/$1500 for a cat-back.

Diesel350

iTrader: (6)

But the question is, is that $800 exhaust good quality? I don't care if I'm saving $800, if I'm not getting a quality exhaust your basically throwing your money in the toilet. Different strokes for different folks I guess. You pay for the best you get the best.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Wow. You'd like to discuss the pros and cons of all that stuff in ONE thread? It will be the “Mother All Threads.”