I assume posting on the 350z forum this will be a bit bias towards the Z but let me go into this for a second.

I have a 2005 Anniversary 350Z that I have been using for a HPDE car (76 K). I've been having a blast with it for 2 years now. But I am at the limits of the stock components.

For example, as we all know the stock suspension doesn't allow for camber adjustment.

I'm also missing the power my previous V8's had.

So my options start getting expensive quickly.
The upgrades I think need to be done.
1. Front Adjustable Camber arms
2. Rear ones?
3. Coil Overs
4. Set of Rear rims so I can run a square setup
5. New tires
6. Exhaust
7. forced Induction - Turbo or SC

I've been tossing the idea around of getting a C5 Z06 or a C6 Z51 corvette. (z51 is the Vette track suspension) Might be able to find a R titled C6 Z06 for around the same price.

The 350Z is already an R titled car. So any money I put in it will not help it's resale value.
The Vette's are going for around 19 - 28k. Depending on year, mileage and title.

I paid 9k for the 350z. I thought it was a bit high but I wanted a DD car that I could track also. And it was right down the road from me for sale.


So, what I'm getting at. Should I sell the 350 and look for a Vette or put $$$$$$ in the 350Z?

 

You're looking at $3k to $10k...will the Z51 package have the bells & whistles you are looking for?

One thing I like about our cars is the vast selection of aftermarket parts at a relatively reasonable cost. So you can pick & choose which components you want.

Does the chevy aftermarket compare similarly to availability and price? I can only assume its similar?


You dont have to have an R-title to recognize no value increase when dumping money into a car!!

May I offer these two perspectives??

#1 - can you rent / borrow / ride-along with a similar corvette to see how it does in a track environment? Maybe see if there is a driving school where you can rent the car, some track time, the instructor for a few hours and feel the car out?

#2 - what about going in the opposite direction and finding something that is the holy grail of track handling? Such as a lotus? or a Miata? I have nothing against corvettes ... but they are a dime-a-dozen.

​​​​​​​

 

Depends on what you want to spend, if you get a z06 you will need to do the heads at a minimum unless you want to replace a 12k motor

i paid 2300 is for my heads installed

 

Chevy has an awesome aftermarket arena, but its not cheap

8k got me 49 whp. Now labor was alot of it, but you get the jist

 

I figured as much (figuratively) but I dont have my finger on the pulse such as a person like yourself!

Gotta pay to play!

 

Yeah, the Z51 or Z06 suspension has adjusability built in.
yeah, the Vette has a huge selection of aftermarket parts.

If I go in the higher end of 10k. Then counting my car base price I paid it would be 19k. At the bottom end of the Corvette but now I have to understand that once using force induction the motor most likely will not last as long as a NA one.

 

I already have a 2017 Grand Sport Vette. I just don't want to beat it up on track.


I also had a miata for a past track car. They are great in the corners but gutless.

 

Seriously??? You have a Grand Sport and its a garage queen??? Oy....... sorry, I'm docking you points. Drive it!!!

But back to the original question (which seems out of place given the above revelation but anyhow).... your list for the Z looks fine up to the last item. Everything on that list is "proper attire" for an HPDE car. Sunk cost.... I mean, you gotta play with suspension to get it right and possibly save some tires and cut a faster line. Why are you hesitating on those basic suspension bits?? And tires? Well, if that's a big issue, don't track. Seriously. All of that stuff is a requirement, IMO.

FI, not so much. While HPDE is a great learning environment, I would still rather put that money into professional instructions to get the most out of the maximized Z car without turbo/blower. You also made the comment about the Miata being gutless. Maybe in the grand scheme of things they are... but they are one of the most fun cars out on the track short of a fenderless ride. The "good drivers can scoot those little pieces of sh*t faster around Laguna than some guys with twice the power and a fat ***" (That's quoting a buddy who races one in SM and puts down times as fast as or faster than many of the HPDE Vette and Z guys.... which is who he was referring to with the fat a$$ comment to raise my ire. It did not. Hahahaha.)

But yeah, gutless? Perhaps.... learning to carry momentum around and through corners and you don't need more guts. And that's a lifetime investment.

But suit yourself, you need torque, go V8, whatever flavor.



Boy, I haven't gone on that rant in a while..... Hahahahaha....

 

Thinking of you Mic!!!

 

Yeah man, I can't take a 80k car to the track when 1. the bank owns it still. 2. Wife bought me the 350z so I had a track toy.

I've been doing HPDE events for 8 years and have my SCCA license for open Test N Tune days. Issue it giong full "track car", I live 1.5 hours from the track and don't have a truck / trailer to haul a dedicated track car.

I know I don't need Forced Induction, it just I want it. LOL. But the parts listed for the Z, wouldn't need done on a Vette. IMO, the "upgraded Z" suspension would be what you find in a "base" corvette.

 

What needs to be done / why ? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

the exhaust valve guides wear out, causing it to wear the stem of the valve, and it eventually breaks dropping it into the block

https://www.google.com/search?q=ls7+dropped+valve&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS760US760&oq=ls7+d ropped&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0.1967j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UT F-8



2k for heads vs this

https://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Per...03674/10002/-1

 

Wow! Thats almost worse than the HEMI valve seat problem.

The powdered iron valve seats expand / contract at a different rate than the rest of the head also causing the seat to fall out and well...

 

Ok guys, I decided that I am keeping the Z. I've already put to much of "me" in it and I still like the car a lot.

I was considering putting in Forced Induction to give me the HP bump I was wanting. I know these motors are are good for 150K+. Mine has 79k right now. What I'm worried about is loosing the reliability of the stock motor. I will most likely go with a Super Charger, Vortech. And do a conservative tune.

I know each motor is different and one might last better than others, but is there any big side effects of doing F.I. that I should know about before going down this road?

 

Just plan on spending a little bit more than you budgeted bc something always comes up. The old adage Cheap / Fast / Reliable!

 

? Budget more for what?
Kit?
Tune?

 

Everything...something will jump out that you aren't prepared for. If you have near endless funds than it wont be an issue. A supercharger on 8-12psi running 425hp on a good tune with regular maintenance wont hurt an OEM block.

Add an oil cooler too

 

I have a 19 row cooler already with temp gauge. Upgraded Power Steering cooler too.

That's what I was wondering about. Forced Induction on a stock motor. .

 

Should I get a true dual exhaust before going F.I.?

 

Have you gutted the interior? A lot can be gained by losing the extra weight, then upgrade the suspension and get yourself some lighter wheels... I would say you should do lots of things before the FI.