I'm looking to buy a 2003-04 350z. Now I know there has been other posts on this kind of stuff, so before anyone decides to troll, please don't. I'm just looking for help. I want a decent whp 350z that could still be daily driven without having to worry about mechanical problems. I went to school for 2 years in automotive technology so I know what I'm doing, but that doesn't make me a "pro". Money isn't REALLY an issue but I don't really want to spend over $15k on upgrades then another $1k every other month on fixing problems. I am just here for advice on modifications I could buy (hoping for AT LEAST 400whp dd) without running into frequent issues. Now don't start saying "good luck doing that with $15,000, newb" and so on . I can spend more IF needed I just really hope I won't have to. I don't really want to look into eBay items and what not, just a list of name brand mods that are actually worth buying. I had a 2004 350z back in 2011 but I only had it for a month because a friend t-boned me in his cavalier... -.-

But I'm ready to get back into another Z, and I already had my fun in a stock one so I want to experience some extra horse power. Please don't leave me with all kinds of flame and troll remarks because I really don't have time to have people talk to me like I'm stupid, just asking for help. This will be bought probably in March so I can start buying all the parts suggested from your guys comments and I'll post pictures and videos on the build coming spring time .

 

You will have NO problems with 15k for upgrades......... Or does that include cost of car too since you don't have a Z yet?

 

your best best is to get an 04 (03 was the first year and had a few small problems)
And an 04 would be the cheapest to buy as well.
So say you pick one up for 9k or 10k.
**assuming you want to be all motor?
Just rebuild the entire block with possibly a stroker kit. those will be your biggest hp gains pretty much while staying N/A
With a full built motor, Intake and HFC's Id guess you would be around the 350-400 whp range.
But a solid tune(s) will get the full potential out of it forsure
Anyone feel free to correct me if im wrong

But the stroker kit alone will run you about 6k
So you would have to consider installing everything yourself if possible to make it happen.

Or even go FI but then again running on stock internals with high boost doesnt always end well

And this is not including suspension or wheels either

 

That 15k in upgrades. I am buying the car in March cause I don't have anywhere to store one at the moment and don't want to deal with it in winter an that way I will have time to find storage for next winter too

 

vortec super charger with some minor mods and tune and i will be flirting with the number

 

I know I'll be modding it but what brand name stuff do you prefer. Vortec supercharger, okay great. Price really isn't an issue on mods as long as it's gonna hold up, not trying to do an engine rebuild or swap, been there done that lol. Just good name brand stuff like intake spacers, headers, full exhaus, maybe coilovers if not just lowering springs, all that good stuff so I know I'm gonna have a perfectly built car. Not gonna throw some cheap eBay crap on a nice car lol

 

If you do coilovers stay away from anything under $1500. If I were you and went with coilovers get the KW variant 3. They are on my car and are awesome for a daily driver type car and occasional track.

 

OP

For the powah: Vortech Supercharger, Good exhaust
for the suspension: KW V3, new bushings, Control Arms with adjustable caster and camber
For the drivetrain: OS Giken Diff, new diff bushings

 

Daily driving a FI 350z is not a good idea.

 

No way this will be a dd

 

So you think it's just a dumb idea to try to build a dd 350z?? Always been a dream car since I was young and loved the first one I had. And what is "FI"? Sorry I'm pretty new to all the build ****

 

Pouring that much money into a ten-year-old car seems like a dopey idea. When you're done, the modded car will be worth about half of what you paid for the car itself. All that money down the drain for something that's probably going to get you into trouble in one way or another, and that trouble will cost you even more money.

 

FI = Forced Induction

 

I would just buy a stock 06+ 350z and a s14-15 with a SR20 swap.

 

You won't reach 400hp easily with NA, I'm not sure if that's even possible no matter how much money you put into it. FI (SC or turbo) is the only option for that power but DD an aftermarket FI car is asking for trouble. You may be able to run a vortec SC with around 400hp and be decently safe but maintenance will be more frequent and gas mileage goes down etc.

 

Not possible bolt-on NA route.

OP, 400WHP in a Z will not make a good DD.

 

vortech for a dd, i would just keep it stock and trick it out wit phat rims and BASS

 

I don't care about the resell value, I plan on keeping the car as long as possible even if I pass it down to my kid. I love the car and it's something I want to keep for myself. I make enough money to do this and I know you're probably thinking, why not just save up for a house and what not. My job moves around so I'd be wasting money to buy a house I won't even get to live in that long . I just ret houses as job sites move. Another thing is ever since I seen my first 350z I knew that it was the car that I wanted. My first 3 cars were s13 hatches but never had an sr or anything fancy. My first ride in the z I was in love, and I've drove too many cars to know that the z is my life long car lol. 400 hp or not, like I said I'm not TOO familiar with all the mods and such which is why I'm here for suggestions so I know what I'm getting myself into and how it's going to be in the long run. Either way I WILL have another 350z after winter, modded or not. Coilovers, wheels, and tint is a MUST for me. I'm not big on systems and "bump" all too much and it just weighs the car down. Just like a nice casual stiff ride with some good power.

 

Thank you for the advice, I'll definitely look into this

 

sub'd for ideas and perspective,

I just got the swapped engine in my z running and plan on trying to achieve the same goal next summer 400whp(+) DD, your not alone OP (:

You said you are set on the car no matter what. So that's said and done.
when I bought my Z I didn't know much about cars but was "mechanically inclined", and just by reading on this forum daily I was able to figure out an engine swap and started building a vague list of my future mods and gained a very good understanding of these engines and FI options.

this forum is FULL of knowledge. greatest car specific forum I've ever been on.

so if you got the time, read read search read. oh and check out the private classifieds, some nice stuff goes up for sale in there frequently.

Good Luck !