All Z's have ABS. The base model is a great starting point if you are going to mod it up. You have a good list of mods, but don't think you have to follow exactly what the magazine did. No sense running spacers when you can just buy wheels with the right offset to being with. Approximate cost you are looking at,

Base model Z - $18k
Clutch style LSD - $1.5k installed
Hotchkis sways - $250
18" wheels with tires - $2k (18 x 9.5 Rota P45R would be a good choice)

That's roughly $22k and it would be a nice handling car. If you do indeed plan on doing any kind of road course racing, you will need a BBK. Next step is that + some sort of coilover or shock/spring combo.

Coilovers - 2k (could also do spring/shock for 1k, RS*R/Koni)
BBk - 2k

Now you are in for $26k but have a very nice track ready vehicle. Next step if you really want to get serious on the track is roll cage, harness, racing seats, etc. If you want to keep it a good daily driver, then you could add some bolt-ons. Honestly I don't think bolt-ons add much HP, and I would do all brake/suspension mods first.

 

buy the base trim and drive it to its limit first to see how much more u want. staying NA is more reliable, but those bolt ons give u very moddest gains compared to FI. it is also not very cost efficient in terms of getting more hp. if u feel the z is slow, then go wit a turbo. it's ur best bang for the buck

 

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, you'd like to see some validation would ya? SEARCH!!!!! You will not be the first person that has gone turbo. The guy I told you to ask about in this thread has a turbo. He said, " I laugh at $20K". He is well beyond $20K at this point. Call a shop that does turbo installs for this car and tell them what you want and they'll give you an estimate of cost and how much hp you'll make. A built VQ motor is nothing short of $6000 without installation. A fully built motor can get to $14K. This ain't your friend's Civic.

 

Im always amused when people with no concept of how much things will cost for a 350Z start spouting off. Let him live in his dream land TK.