Howdy ya'll

Just wanted to hello to everyone. Ive recently decided that my next car will be a 2006 base Z. Unfortunately I wont be able to get one till I get back from Afghanistan, which is probably around October or so. Ive done some research and i dont think I've heard anyone have a bad thing to say about the Z. They are amazingly beautiful in all colors; of course, me and the wife havent decided which color we're gonna get.

Im wondering if anyone can tell me about what kind of quarter time to expect from a Z straight off the showroom floor. Ive heard some amazing stories about fast Z's, but Im only hoping to get to high 12's, then maybe put some show into the go. This is our (my wife and I) first sports car, so we wanna enjoy it while we're still young.

I hope everyone doesnt mind if I jump on here every now and then and ask questions. My internet time is extremely limited, and of course, there are alot of restrictions on what i can post, so most likely I'll just be lurking. I hope to be joining the ranks of Z owners soon tho, till then, see ya online.

 

I just joined as well. I hope you stay safe and come home to enjoy the new Z.

To me, quarter times don't matter - the Z is a very enjoyable car at any speed.

 

Ive heard the same thing, Im just wondering what kind of push I'll feel when I put that pedal to the floor. However, I have heard they handle extremely well, which is cool cuz im a powersliding (fwd in my cavalier), go-around-corners-quick kinda guy. I love cars that can handle well.

I dont really have a serious "type" im going for. Some people want show (either interior or exterior), others go, some want serious bass, others wants powersliding; me, I want a bit of it all. Probably put a kit on it, maybe some NA parts, new suspension and sticky tires, and re-do the interior so its a showey go handling fun car.

As an aside, I actually get an R&R in may, so I'll probably be in Iowa then down in houston for a week or so before I have to go back. Im seriously thinking about renting one, I hope they have them in manual.

 

Welcome.

There are plenty of time slips posted in the drag racing forum. If you are looking at only straight line acceleration, I think that you are shorting the 350Z capabilities. The 350Z is a good all-around performer at the dragstrip, track and autocross. Not the best at any one event, but overall capable of competing in all three areas. And the fact that it is also reasonably comfortable on the street.

 

Welcome Nuki! A few suggestions and comments;

1) You might want to consider something more than a base (Enthusiast is the next step up the ladder; i dont think this has changed for 2006?) b/c I do not believe the base comes with a limited slip differential. That is something you will definitely want in the Z car.

2) As davidv mentioned, if you are only worried about straight line acceleration, you should look to the Evo, STi, GTO, etc. The Z is definitely a competitor in straight line performance, but where a stock Evo, STi, or GTO can push a 13.0 stock 1/4 mile time, the Z, with great driver, can usually only score some high 13 second passes (davidv ran ~13.65 with just intake and I've seen others run 13.7/8 stock) in stock setup (this includes limited slip differential cars only; its a bit tougher to launch a non LSD Z). Note that this is still quicker than 90% of cars on the street, but the Z isn't meant to be a drag car. It will blow away 98-9% of street cars on the track.

3) You mentioned wanting to get to 12s, so I'm guessing you will do some modding. All motor (no forced induction) high 12s can be attained, but only a few have attained it. In order to accomplish this you will need the entire repertoire of bolt-ons from Intake, Plenum, Headers, Pulleys, Exhaust, ECU Reflash, etc. AND you'll still need to be a good driver. A safe way to get into the 12s is to go some sort of forced induction. I'd guess it would be possible to supercharge a Z (without rebuilding the block which may be a little risky/shorten the life of the stock engine) for ~6-8k these days with labor/tuning.

Either way, enjoy the car. I've logged 61k miles on my 2003 and loved everyone of them. No complaints...

 

Thanks for the info, I hadnt thought about the LSD issue. I had thought to stay NA since it usually consists of little things you can add over time. Rather than a huge jump in power that costs a large sum of money. I might consider in time, putting forced induction into it.

Dont let my first post mislead ya, I think the Z is the most beautiful car I've seen in a long time, and I have no intention of just using it for straight aways. As my friend is apt to say, anyone can go straight, it takes skill to go around corners.

In reality, this will most likely be a weekend driver/project car. Since we have a young son and the need for a carseat, we definately cant take it as a daily. The fact that I might do another year here in afghan after this one is over, means it will be driven mostly when Im home on R&R's and when I come home for good (whenever that may be). But then, this is just as much for my wife as it is for me (which pretty much gives me the green light to build it up some, since she wants it to be fast, pretty and have an edge look to it).

But when I get home from afghan, whooooo I intend to put it through its paces.. I love driving hard, and thats what a sports car is all about right?

 

if you want to be in the 12's without FI, you need nitrous. a few bolt-ons and a 75-100 shot will do it for you. i dont know how good of a driver you are, but high 13's-low 14's are very capable off the showroom floor.

the new z are heavier by quite a bit than the old ones. if you want speed look at the lighter models, but the rev-up engine is better.

good luck with the car.