Need help deciding
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: CA
Need help deciding
I have a 2003 350z, should i look into buying a new motor(this has 179k miles) or should i modify this one? I wanted to start with light mods and then get into bigger ones like a turbo but not sure if i should get a new motor or not. Any advice would be appreciated thank you
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: CA
Goodness, I was expecting you to be a little more informed since you're trying to make a big decision with the car. When travlee asked what your budget is you responded with your monthly income. I don't know about you but that somewhat tells me you're not too familiar with handling money? Maybe I'm just looking into it too much.
Anyway if I were you I'd do a compression test as iideadeyeii suggested and if the motor is looking healthy I would do basic bolt ons to get familiar with some higher than stock power before doing anything crazy like going FI. If the motor isn't looking too good then I'd suggest a used motor swap since that's what I'm currently doing with my 2005 350z. I also decided to have a JWT Clutch & Flywheel installed, along with ART Test Pipes and a 5/16 Plenum Spacer. All that work including parts and labor cost me about $5300.
That's just to give you an idea of what doing big jobs to this car will put you in. FI is a different monster which can range from $10K (very generous) to $20K+ once you go built motor with supporting mods, purchasing the turbo kit, fixing suspension which you will most likely need to work on, and many more things. You might want to save a whole lot more money and read a whole lot more about the Z on these forums before deciding on anything big. Also keep an eye out on the classifieds section as you can pick up some good stuff for good prices, never too early to start buying parts.
Anyway if I were you I'd do a compression test as iideadeyeii suggested and if the motor is looking healthy I would do basic bolt ons to get familiar with some higher than stock power before doing anything crazy like going FI. If the motor isn't looking too good then I'd suggest a used motor swap since that's what I'm currently doing with my 2005 350z. I also decided to have a JWT Clutch & Flywheel installed, along with ART Test Pipes and a 5/16 Plenum Spacer. All that work including parts and labor cost me about $5300.
That's just to give you an idea of what doing big jobs to this car will put you in. FI is a different monster which can range from $10K (very generous) to $20K+ once you go built motor with supporting mods, purchasing the turbo kit, fixing suspension which you will most likely need to work on, and many more things. You might want to save a whole lot more money and read a whole lot more about the Z on these forums before deciding on anything big. Also keep an eye out on the classifieds section as you can pick up some good stuff for good prices, never too early to start buying parts.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: CA
Oh no thats how much money i have left over after paying all my bills and necessities. Just wondering, where did you get your used engine? Just in case my engine isnt in too good of a condition. I wasnt saying that i was going to put a turbo right away, just that i would eventually do that .This is my first car that im going to do modifications to so im just looking for as much advice as possible. Thank you for the advice
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MY350Z.COM
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Here's my question(S): What are you expecting out of the car? Why turbo?
In order to determine what your next steps are (lots of good suggestions made thus far by others), you first need to be honest with YOURSELF. Do you want all this because "the car is underpowered for your skill level and/or you plan to track it in a class above stock" or "because it's cool"?
I'm not asking for an answer so don't bother. Just pointing out the absolute first step in planning a build.
Finally, y'alls know what my next question is: Can you handle the car AS-IS up to as high as ITS capabilities or at least to 80% of its capabilities?
Unless your name is Steve Millen Jr. or your last name is Andretti or Bondurant, I'm betting that you don't know. Don't take that personally. It's another of those "Ask yourself before you ask others." points.
#drivingschool
In order to determine what your next steps are (lots of good suggestions made thus far by others), you first need to be honest with YOURSELF. Do you want all this because "the car is underpowered for your skill level and/or you plan to track it in a class above stock" or "because it's cool"?
I'm not asking for an answer so don't bother. Just pointing out the absolute first step in planning a build.
Finally, y'alls know what my next question is: Can you handle the car AS-IS up to as high as ITS capabilities or at least to 80% of its capabilities?
Unless your name is Steve Millen Jr. or your last name is Andretti or Bondurant, I'm betting that you don't know. Don't take that personally. It's another of those "Ask yourself before you ask others." points.
#drivingschool
Well the question still stands, what’s your budget? I’m in Houston and my mechanic sourced one from a nearby place called LKQ, however they brought it from out of state so I’m sure they can get one anywhere. Four years after owning the Z I’ve started with drivetrain mods, along with a major suspension overhaul and engine bolt-ons It’s not cheap and if you have $1000 left over each month it will take a while to gather the budget that I have for my current work going on.
Just trying to give you a realistic view of what you’re trying to do.
Just trying to give you a realistic view of what you’re trying to do.