The Z seems hard to improve on....
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Edina, Minnesota
If I’m buying a car that “seems hard to improve on,” it would be a Porsche 911, Aston Martin, Jaguar, or others that are considered final versions with have few available after market modifications.
If I want a car that I can modify with a plethora of available aftermarket products, it would definitely be the 350z. The car is wonderful as it is, but it begs for modification, and there is a huge selection of aftermarket products allowing a customized car that exactly fits the owner’s requirements.
I love that part of the Z (i.e., that you can do so many modifications for a reasonable price).
Just saying.
--Spike
If I want a car that I can modify with a plethora of available aftermarket products, it would definitely be the 350z. The car is wonderful as it is, but it begs for modification, and there is a huge selection of aftermarket products allowing a customized car that exactly fits the owner’s requirements.
I love that part of the Z (i.e., that you can do so many modifications for a reasonable price).
Just saying.
--Spike
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,406
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From: MexiCali dodging potholes
The only thing good about this thread is the title really. The Z is "expensive" to improve upon. Even if you're buying parts used, getting good deals, and doing things yourself it's going to cost money.
Proper Z suspension $2-6k used shocks/springs/suspension arms/braces and new performance bearings
Proper BBK on all 4 wheels $2k used
Average NA mods $2-3k used depending on how far down the rabbit hole you go (~40whp)
Proper gears & LSD used $2-3k
Proper wheels & tires $1.1k used (probably more, but I got Enkei RPF1's w/ 265/35/18 Toyo Proxy R1R's for that much on here so... it's possible)
So for a well handling, relatively under-powered sports car (by modern standards) it's going to cost you at least $9,100 to $15,100 dollars in performance modifications. Don't forget to add professional labor cost for setting up suspension since most people will just mess it up if they try to DIY. I'm sure there's something else I'm forgetting to.
Proper Z suspension $2-6k used shocks/springs/suspension arms/braces and new performance bearings
Proper BBK on all 4 wheels $2k used
Average NA mods $2-3k used depending on how far down the rabbit hole you go (~40whp)
Proper gears & LSD used $2-3k
Proper wheels & tires $1.1k used (probably more, but I got Enkei RPF1's w/ 265/35/18 Toyo Proxy R1R's for that much on here so... it's possible)
So for a well handling, relatively under-powered sports car (by modern standards) it's going to cost you at least $9,100 to $15,100 dollars in performance modifications. Don't forget to add professional labor cost for setting up suspension since most people will just mess it up if they try to DIY. I'm sure there's something else I'm forgetting to.
Not really
At all
But it's fun
Sometimes
For a few seconds
Buy a corvette
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Greenwich, Connecticut
Just strap a rocket on the back of your Z if you want to see some improvements. I was thinking of attaching a turret in the rear hatch of mine with 2 machine guns as my side mirrors. Specially made for anyone that decides to cut me off when driving. Was gonna add a smokescreen machine and something to release spikes for anyone who tailgates me too. There's plenty to improve on now that I think about it...bullet proof tires, armor, active aero etc maybe a big metal block in the rear straight death race style.
Last edited by Jah70; Feb 11, 2014 at 02:11 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Edina, Minnesota
Were not those the additions Q added to 007’s Aston Martin? --Spike
Just strap a rocket on the back of your Z if you want to see some improvements. I was thinking of attaching a turret in the rear hatch of mine with 2 machine guns as my side mirrors. Specially made for anyone that decides to cut me off when driving. Was gonna add a smokescreen machine and something to release spikes for anyone who tailgates me too. There's plenty to improve on now that I think about it...bullet proof tires, armor, active aero etc maybe a big metal block in the rear straight death race style.
I'm not a big FI guy. I don't think I will ever do that. I just don't like the extra weight or how it changes the sound/response. My car has 170K miles so an N/A rebuild could be in the cards. Also as far as headers go, I'm guessing 2 things. 1 your car was an HR (which came with ideally sized tubular headers rather than the DE's POSs) and two headers on a DE really need a tune to capitalize on the gains. The other thing is I think headers will help with the sound of the car with an exhaust... I hate the Chewbacca moan and I think the DE headers are the cause.
O and the DAY I bought the car, the driver's side regulator went out lol. Sucked!!!
I mean, for a race car (judging by your avi), yes. But I prob wont do more than 2-3 track days a year with this. I'd rather take my bike. For the street it is pretty damn good.
O and the DAY I bought the car, the driver's side regulator went out lol. Sucked!!!
I mean, for a race car (judging by your avi), yes. But I prob wont do more than 2-3 track days a year with this. I'd rather take my bike. For the street it is pretty damn good.
Maybe someone can chime in on this. I have Stillen headers on my HR, and im pretty sure the gains are minimal until i get a tune reflash
Thread Starter
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From: Earth
This thread has gone every direction possible. I would like to ground things mentioning the title and how it relates to the Z.
The title (“The Z seems hard to improve on”) couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact the Z is delivered as a basic sport car begging for modification. And, there are many options, products, and choices owners have to improve and individualize the car.
--Spike
The title (“The Z seems hard to improve on”) couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact the Z is delivered as a basic sport car begging for modification. And, there are many options, products, and choices owners have to improve and individualize the car.
- The Z safely handles many different wheel and tire setups. This is an extremely popular modification that buyers often do first on their Z’s.
- The Nissan engine is sound and accepts a wide range of modifications and add-ons.
- The Z has a plethora of cubbies and mounting positions for a variety of A/V solutions, including SubW’s, door pods and kicks, external amplifiers, and even car PC’s. I cannot think of any car with more A/V options.
- Owners have many options for body kits, seat replacements, and custom interiors.
--Spike
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Edina, Minnesota
Sorry, but I disagree with most of what you say here. You make a lot of junk comments here with little substantial content. Nothing you mention here can be backed with statistics (and you don't offer any or mention sites we can look at for verification).
--Spike
--Spike
Theres a diff between improvements and changes. All the things you listed have potential downsides that are either inherent to the Z's design or take a lot of $$$ to overcome. For example cheap tires/wheels will be heavy, slippery and make a ton of road noise. Good ones are $$$$$. Lot of engine mods have a weak HP/$ ratio. The boomy interior and tire noise kind of make SQ a challenge compared to something with an enclosed trunk, and subs and **** = weight. I've never really been a big body kit guy though I do like lip kits. So there are a lot more things to consider.
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From: Greenwich, Connecticut
Thread Starter
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From: Earth
Cheap tires will be noisy, cheap wheels will be heavy. Z engine mods are pricey and bolt ons don't make much power. Z interior is loud and stereo equipment does add weight. So what exactly don't you agree with?
New Member
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From: Edina, Minnesota
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
This is simple. I don't agree with your junk statements. You present statements, but not any facts.
--Spike
--Spike
Lol, which of your statements can be backed with "statistics"?
Cheap tires will be noisy, cheap wheels will be heavy. Z engine mods are pricey and bolt ons don't make much power. Z interior is loud and stereo equipment does add weight. So what exactly don't you agree with?
Cheap tires will be noisy, cheap wheels will be heavy. Z engine mods are pricey and bolt ons don't make much power. Z interior is loud and stereo equipment does add weight. So what exactly don't you agree with?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 112
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From: tampa
This thread has gone every direction possible. I would like to ground things mentioning the title and how it relates to the Z.
The title (“The Z seems hard to improve on”) couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact the Z is delivered as a basic sport car begging for modification. And, there are many options, products, and choices owners have to improve and individualize the car.
--Spike
The title (“The Z seems hard to improve on”) couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact the Z is delivered as a basic sport car begging for modification. And, there are many options, products, and choices owners have to improve and individualize the car.
- The Z safely handles many different wheel and tire setups. This is an extremely popular modification that buyers often do first on their Z’s.
- The Nissan engine is sound and accepts a wide range of modifications and add-ons.
- The Z has a plethora of cubbies and mounting positions for a variety of A/V solutions, including SubW’s, door pods and kicks, external amplifiers, and even car PC’s. I cannot think of any car with more A/V options.
- Owners have many options for body kits, seat replacements, and custom interiors.
--Spike
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
I agree with your statement. The only problem is that you are stuck with a very ugly Honda Civic that might compete with the Z in a straight-line run, but is inadequate in any handling comparison. There is no comparison between a Civic and 350z. I'm surprised you even mention this. Duh!!
--Spike
--Spike
I think the meaning behind the title is that without the right amount of $$, the Z is hard to improve on for performance. i'm not opposing what you said in terms of aftermarket parts, as I'm sure there are mountain-loads of aftermarket support (both cosmetic and performance), however they do cost some serious cash. for example, for a fraction of the price to upgrade performance on a Z, you could build a civic to keep up, if not beat, a Z.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Greenwich, Connecticut
Where have you been dude lol
This troll's only worth one post; he's burying himself just fine.
I've driven a V8 Vantage... it was beautiful.
If you're an Aston Martin fan, read through a couple of these articles (http://www.speedhunters.com/?s=aston+martin), I guarantee you'll enjoy them.
If you're an Aston Martin fan, read through a couple of these articles (http://www.speedhunters.com/?s=aston+martin), I guarantee you'll enjoy them.
Last edited by pyshin; Feb 11, 2014 at 04:22 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Earth
I think the meaning behind the title is that without the right amount of $$, the Z is hard to improve on for performance. i'm not opposing what you said in terms of aftermarket parts, as I'm sure there are mountain-loads of aftermarket support (both cosmetic and performance), however they do cost some serious cash. for example, for a fraction of the price to upgrade performance on a Z, you could build a civic to keep up, if not beat, a Z.