Hey everyone,

New to the forums here but owned a 2007 MT 350z and sold it after 5 years when I had a kid. Fast forward to today and all I want is:

A reliable daily driver that can corner. I track bikes (r6, repsol, 600cbrr) but thats getting expensive too. That being said I'm looking to get either a 350/370 but just want phenomenal handling like the M3. What comes close to the M3 with mods in terms of cornering?

Used Honda s2k's have too many miles, BMW and Porsches are too expensive to maintain, Miata doesn't cut it for me in terms of looks..... my preference is a Z

I'm not after beating an M3 on a track nor am I looking to track my Z but given I loved my Z and also drove an M3 and just love the handling, I'm just looking to get any input on what might handle better? THE 350 or 370 if I mod it.

So far after trolling the forums this is what I found:

http://blog.modbargains.com/best-mod...0z-fairlady-z/

 

Try driving a Nismo package Z , it will probably work well for you

 

^^^ Agreed. Both my Nismos were head and shoulders above my "regular" Z (in stock form).

But if Nismo not to your taste/budget/whatever, a Z33, Enthusiast Trim or above, can be made to handle equal/better than M3 or 911 (stock, either one).

Doesn't take too much.... in this order:

1. Good alignment. (But if you're doing all the rest below, you can wait until it's in place or if doing in steps, after each step.)

2. Tires & Wheels - a good set of lightweight 18's and Max Perf tires of your choosing.

3. Adjustable sway bars

4. Shocks/Springs/Alignment hardware - Recommend doing all of this at one time since they're all tied together; saving yourself some repetitive labor and/or costs.

5. And of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't include the requisite mandate: Driving School.

I drove my BIL's M3 for 6 months and loved it but, I love my Z's more. And that's based on the handling.


EDIT: Just went to that link you provided.... pretty much sounds the same as what I just said but for the hardware bias. Oh and it did hit on something I forgot to mention.... brakes. At least good pads and rotors if nothing else. Can't handle if it can't scrub speed.

 

I'd also look into an aftermarket clutch or helical based differential. This gave me a similar rear end feel to my friend's e46 m3...I love that car.

Our VLSD is garbage.

I have a cusco type RS and the rear just carves those corners. Steering with the throttle is a great feeling.

 

I did a full polyurethane bushing kit on my 04 z and it did wonders for the handling with the rest of the suspension being stock.

 

thanks for the responses everyone! Tons of info to digest and learn here.

I'm looking to get a 2007 and above model.

For the pocket a 2007/2008 would be cheaper than the 370 but out of curiosity which would handle better when modded? the 07/08 or 2009+ ?

Again, the goal is just fun and nimble handling as experienced by the Germans.

Thank you again for everyones time and posts !

 

Time for me to put on my Nomex... But overall, I'd take a Z34 Sport/Nismo due to the lighter weight, higher power:weight ratio and stiffer chassis but... there's more aftermarket stuff available for the Z33 at a lower price point.

Note that I've owned both so it's not just an "on paper" opinion.

All said, I love(d) my Z33s but if I were doing it again...

 

Mic,

Is a Z34 really that much better than a Z33?

I love my 35th more than I honestly enjoy my s30's... even my last built 280zt...

I can't get over the "sharp" styling of the Z34. Just something about the 350... Can't put my finger on it.

 

No, "better" is not a word I'd really use to describe a Z34 in comparison. But aside from the arguable styling Z33 people seem to object to - which never bothered me one way or other - the Z34 platform is clearly a high grade evolution.

What people fail to see in the Z34 is the use of lighter, stronger materials including aluminum and composites that, if not for all of the added "features" of the car, would have the car weigh in at some 350# LESS than a comparable Z33. Granted, with all of the stuff in it, net weight is "only" lower by about 100lbs.

Then, consider that all models of the Z34 - except Nismo - already have 26bhp more from the VQ35VHR than the last HR 350Z. Combine that with the 3% lighter, stiffer chassis, well.... one can draw their own conclusions WRT power:weight ratio.

Oh, and that doesn't include the Z34 Nismo, which actually DOES weigh even less by another 100# or so. And.... includes the even higher tuned/powered engine and even less weight...

That's why I'm all for the 370.

And I get what you're saying about the 350Z over S30.... but that's not really a comparison. They are what they are given their point in the evolution. People ask me why I have a 350Z and a 28 year old Z.... "It's for the vintage, no frills, get-down-to-it feel of the car." (And it's relative rarity.) But I wouldn't/don't DD that car nor would I EVER push that car like I do my Z33. It'd get eaten alive before the first turn.

 

I like Mic’s posting on this thread…

I greatly improved my 350z’s handling with aftermarket wheels, tires, springs, shock absorbers and sway bars. And as Mic mentions, do the entire replacement at the same time to insure a “balanced” and optimal result.

Porsche weighs less and is nimble with a great suspension, and BMW is a perfect blend of handling and comfort. Both cars are exceptional “right out of the box.” A well balanced 350z can come close to these exceptional German cars.

 

I've also driven the 370z and enjoyed it. It is a nice progression for the Z line. It's better composed and a bit more refined. However I miss analog feeling of cars so I'd love to have an old Z some day. In the meantime I've turned my attention to the S2000 platform, where momentum and handling is superb. Here is a video of the s2000 in Germany running with a BMW M4. This dude drives the crap out of his s2k.

 

I think its best to have one of each

 

Thank you for all your responses. I think I've made my decision - with no urgency I'm going to find the right Black 370z.

It may never be an M3, 911 or an Audi RS5 but my goal/aim/focus was a reliable, low maintenance cost (compared to Germans), good looking (I love the Z) that I can drive daily (200-300 miles/week) and have fun on turns and corners and once in a while take it to the Autobahn in Joliet, IL.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's responses ! THANK YOU!

Any further input please share!

 

If you get a nismo 350z you can still find a sub 20k mile one on the market for 20-27k.
The Nismo 350z is better handling then any stock 370z Including 370 Nismos I have ever been in. Its stiffer then the 370z if all the % claims by nissan are correct. The 370z will beat it in the straights but lose in the corners.

I was only able to find ONE example of a 350z nismo up against a 370z Nismo and the 370 beat it on time at willow springs by .2 seconds. Same driver stock tires on both.
That being said you can easily mod an HR to 300 Wheel HP with just 2 exhaust mods and its not unreasonable if you are willing to spend abit more to hit 320hp NOT doing cams. This is bolt on 370z power levels. Better handling, stiffer car, Same power? 370z should have a slight weight advantage still.

 

Interesting.... I've owned BMWs and a Porsche 911 (old one) and they are stellar cars. BUT....it's for the same reason quoted (maintenance & repair) that I won't own one now. Good luck on your search!

Tip: If you are buying a 370, make SURE you buy one with Sport Package. Base+Sport, Touring+Sport, no matter. The brakes alone are worth the extra $$ - but if buying used, it's not much more between non-Sport and Sport since a lot of people buying these cars don't know-don't care . (Explaining the plethora of A/T cars... including the Nismo..... < G-R-O-A-N > )

Opinionated much?

And while the VLSD isn't a Quaife by any stretch, it's better than none. And the Sport comes with the 19" Rays wheels. The rest of the stuff in the Sport package, SynchroRev and Spoiler are just bonuses; although I will admit that the SynchroRev works very well and it has actually bested my best heel/toe downshifting a few times.... but I don't like it simply because it's "tech over talent" and I want to stay in practice, old school that I am...heh heh.

Same reason I hate Nintendo (paddle) shifters in cars....

 

Coilovers, brakes, wheels and tires. I walk away from bikes and bimmers in on blood mountain, and can hang right there with my friends base model 05 911. Oh yeah plus driver mod is the most important thing you can have. If your hamfisted your hamfisted and won't be able to make anything handle well.

 

OMG yea that guy gave me a whole new respect for the s2k and its power platform. But I've read his spec sheet and he has at least $10k of parts if not more and around $35k invested in that car total if not more.


If you do get one buy a 05/06.. Before the electro steering rack and fly by wire. But after the 2.2L and with the updated sway bars and chassis for stability. AP1's are a crazy mess if you lose it. AP2 is MUCH more user friendly haha

 

I'll throw in that the SPL mid links in the rear (eccentric toe bolt delete) and A-arms in the front provide all the flexibility needed for alignment specs to make the car handle like a dream (lowered + in spec).

My set up is bilstein coilovers, SPL parts above, a few SPL solid bushings and one whiteline urethane to replace worn ones (as recommended in one of the stickys in our suspension section), Quaife LSD, Motordyne sways.

That's may seem like a lot of stock part replacement but under $5k total I think.

 

Thank you for your responses. This now makes me even MORE curious. It

So if I get a 350 , it WILL be an HR.

If I now look into a 370, it might be with the recommendations posted above.


Can I safely conclude that a 350 HR modded vs a 370 modded will corner better?

 

That all depends on the driver.

I won't get into that can of worms. Laff.