seductiveSRT

iTrader: (2)

Well, the time has come for me to enter the Z community at last. I am currently in the process of selling my e36 bimmer and once that happens this spring I will be in the market. Obviously being new to the community I have a few questions and I do know how to use the search button but I feel I need specific input for my needs. Here it goes... I will be looking for any Z (03-08) anything under 30k will be fine price wise. My interests for the car include occasional road racing, maybe a few trips to the drag strip and some basic NA mods at first. I have read that the HR motor is not good for FI but I am not sure I would even consider that for a couple years anyways so that is not an issue. I want to know what is the fastest Z around a track and what I can gain from basic mods( true dual, intake, spacer, reflash, etc.) Should I be looking at an 07 enthusiast (I HAVE TO HAVE THE LSD), or the 03 enthusiast since they are the lightest? Does the 07 respond well with those basic mods I am looking at? Or should I be looking at an 06 with the revup motor? Thanks for everyone that takes the time to read this and offer some advice/criticism. I am very excited to enter this community!

Adam

Strider619

08/07/HR enthusiast if you want LSD. I don't see any reason to not buying a brand new vehicle if you have 30k. Bear in mind that some years have famous problems (note that it's a small percentage but something you have to check if you're buying a used car) like 03's for tire feathering, 06's for oil consumption, I hear some 07's have clutch pedals sticking to the floor (mine doesn't). 07/08's are the fastest since it's durh the newest ones. Don't expect much from basic mods from the Z, it actually responds best to FI.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

That gives you 6 months to drive the various years and models, and see which best suits your needs.

seductiveSRT

iTrader: (2)

I will drive all of the available models, I just am new and wondered if there was some experienced input that someone on the forums could offer me seems how whether a motor will respond well to mods or not is something I can not find out by driving the car. Or what have the most aggressive potential around a track. Thanks though I really do need to be driving every model I should have cleared that up in my first post

ssnake86

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seductiveSRT

iTrader: (2)

whats a period mean?^^

Z1NONLY

iTrader: (2)

The new 07/08 models are fastest in a straight line, but I have yet to see one at the autocross track with an experienced driver. (We had an 07 last month, but it was the driver's first time autocrossing)

I am not a fan of the hood hump, (I think it looks more muscle-car[ish] and less sports-car[ish]) but if I were in the market now, I would go for an 07 or 08. Considering that the methods for measuring HP have changed since my 05' was rated at 287, the 306 HP in the new Z is a very conservative rating. The power gap between the 03-05 regular Z motor and the new HR motor is much bigger than 19HP.

PerfZ

iTrader: (3)

Adam, check in with ZROC. Z Club in Central Ohio. We're on the web

KManZ

iTrader: (8)

Do your research on this one, especially on the newer HR; though there are limited mods now, give it a year or two. The engine is ~80% newer, and from the dissection they did at Forged, it appears that it is built quite a bit more stoutly than the VQ it replaced, meaning it will handle boost boost better.

If you want fast power on the cheap, there is no Stage 1 and 2 kit like there is for the SRT4. The Z loves boost, and it loves your wallet even more. Don't waste money on NA mods unless you are going all out. While you are waiting for more HR support, get to work on the suspension

seductiveSRT

iTrader: (2)

great thanks guys, this is all very useful! I will obviously test drive all of the models, but I am thinking 07 enthusiast and just get some suspension/brakes/bpu stuff done. I will definitely check in with ZROC! I am also not a fan of the hood but maybe it will grow on me as I am sure it has done with several others. In terms of instant power, I did not like the lack of traction with the SRT4 so I am not looking to go big power right aways anyway. The F/I build would not be for a couple years. I will let you all know my finds when driving them and will continue to read about some track times from the new HR to the old 03-05 models. If anyone has anything else they would like to add please do so as this is not just about me it is about anyone looking to buy a Z that would like some experienced input on which models are better for tracking, straight line acceleration, reliability, etc.. I also read that someone said for tracking the Z I would want an 03-05 because they are the lightest and "raw" as one member put it.