Good Afternoon Ladies & Gents.

I haven't been active on this forum in years. I had a Z and had to end up suing the dealer to get my money back. Then decided just to get a daily driver instead.

Anyways looking on picking up a used high mileage Z for 10k out the door. I have already started putting money in a separate account and should have between 1700.00 - 2k in mod money by the time I actually get the car.

Here are the mods I want to do on day 1
1. Short Throw Shifter
2. Aftermarket Front Strut Bar
3. Used Coilover Kit
4. Aftermarket Front Upper & Lower Control Arms
5. Nismo Sway Bar Kit
6. Front Under End Brace.
- I am decently handy so I will be doing all the labor by myself and with friends.

I only commute to the train station less than 2 miles away and I have other vehicles in the event of some downtime. I have been away from the car game for awhile for members here in the older crowd with a mortgage you feel my pain.

I would like to drive this car at auto x events and very little street driving for 1-2 years then upgrade to a built shortblock and a sts turbo kit. and have a goal of 550whp. My last car project was 5 years ago and I did 822rwhp/797rwtq mustang cobra.

 

I need a real computer to type out what I want too.

 

Aren't short throw shifters on the Z completely useless and a waste of money? Not many people have those.

 

Guess I will see during test drivings a few, if its already close stock i can put 200.00 elsewhere.

 

I don't think you need a short throw shifter. I also would get other mods before the front and rear strut bars, not needed really with stock engine/exhaust unless you plan on tracking it very regularly. There are plenty of other mods you can do that will actually help you better.

 

What I have learned so far in 2 years of auto X is the best mod is to become a better driver. I still run in the novice class (next year I will go to C Stock class) and have beaten several modded 350Z and 370Z, and I am stock.

Last year I took an instructor at least once each event and really listened to them and learned alot.

Do I believe I can do better times with some mods? Of course. But I bet I can go alot faster by getting better and better myself.

Driver mod FTW!

Stay in stock class and enjoy for now.

 

I fully agree I want to be a better driver and that's why I want to get into Autocross. Working with an instructor will definitely be part of that next year. I have watched youtube vid's where stock 350z with suspension and a great driver have been GTR's on courses.

 

After about 2 years I plan a built shortblock and go turbo thats why I am a hesitant on mods that will be removed later and I have no use for them. Skipping headers, and exhaust, since I want the STS Rear Kit.

 

1. Useless , and may cause problems
2. The stock one is used on most race cars, no need to spend money on something else
3. Send some money here, $2k+ for something good.
4. SPL is great, but Kinetics upper works good, rears , will have to get back to you.
5. There are better and cheaper
6. Useless, the car is really stiff. A 4 point rollbar will stiffen it more and actually be useful.

Nothing wrong with modding to prepare for FI , that kinda what I have done. My car is ready if I feel the need, but it's still fun running down fat cars with my stock motor.

Also look into a Diff, clutch and flywheel.

 

No mention of tires or brakes in the budget?

 

Posts of said videos because i highly doubt that, The GT-R makes ok drivers into Artyon Senna

And honestly OP your list of parts is doo-doo. Your autocrossing i would first get new adjustable shocks, new brake pads, blank rotors, ss brake lines, and tires like Koni Yellows or D-Specs, and Hankook RS3s and learn to work the car stock. Than move up to sway bars, springs or coilovers or whatever after that.

Also a turbo kit is overkill for autocross, unless this car is going to be a time attack car, you might only get to like 3rd gear for autocross, unless it is a very straight course with minimal turns

 

I can believe that. I was just at the Nurburgring. You'll be surprised at what cars will keep up with the high dollar machines on tourist days.

 

I can understand, i can usually keep up with most of the cars at the track, there are certain cars i know can destroy me with ease, and if you have seen a GT-R in person on a track, you will understand when i say the best driver in an underpowered machine will do decent but wont be able to keep up at all.

 

R35 , very hard to hang with on a fast track, if has to be a tight course to play with them. Older GTR 32 to 34 , just another car on the track.

 

Exactly my point. No way there are videos like that on youtube unless its a very tight course and even then its not as close as these guys are making it seem

 

For me, I'm speaking for the Nurburgring on tourist days when most people go. You'll be surprised at the what cars will hang with exotics to include R35's.

It's not the R35 at all. Most of the laps I ran at the 'ring had accidents. Most R35 owners will not go about 6/10 and that's being generous. Of all the tracks I've been on, I've never seen so many accidents in a single track day. Those little hatchbacks on race tires don't have much to lose if they crash.

 

Like me and Terra both said, If its a tight course, your going to do decent, but the video you put up proves my point. Its the Nurburgring and that GT-R driver is terrible compared to the driver in the Type R Civic, by no means a normal Civic and he is still ahead by at least 5 car lengths. Switch the drivers, no contest. In car racing, 5 car lengths is a lot to lose by. And if they are crashing their cars like you say they are, they cant drive, point blank.

Im not a fanboy but i have driven a GT-R, and a couple other exotics on the track and the GT-R is the clearest winner when it comes to giving the driver the ability to do work on a track from stock. Most of the other exotics require some level of skill from the driver. GT-R was made for the everyday driver who wants to be Michael Schumacher on their daily commute.

Here is what a pro driver can do with the car.


Can you see the difference in driving skill?

 

I'd post links but I am on my work computer at the moment. But you can easily youtube 350z beat GTR on track and see a few links. In addition I love the GTR I know its an excellent car I just wanted to demonstrate what the driver mod can do. Hell there are even TT 350z beating GTR's street racing. It all depends on your driving skills and how much money you are willing to dump. I rather dump 12k over 4 years into a 350z and make 550rwhp than pay 1000.00 a month for a used GTR for 5 years with no money to mod JMO.