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The "used" kit I got did not include the spacer/bolt kit for the mounting plate, lots of really
weird bolts and such you can't buy at Ace Hardware. Got on the Vortech site and ordered for
$110, got it in a week.
I PayPalled $3K plus shipping for everything you need but chose a bigger intercooler and oil cooler.
Belts, 1 step colder plugs...
I know it's a lot of $$$$, but if you like the car and your tax return comes in I'd say do it before support
for a 20 yr old car drops off. 475 HP will put a smile on your face!
The "used" kit I got did not include the spacer/bolt kit for the mounting plate, lots of really
weird bolts and such you can't buy at Ace Hardware. Got on the Vortech site and ordered for
$110, got it in a week.
I PayPalled $3K plus shipping for everything you need but chose a bigger intercooler and oil cooler.
Belts, 1 step colder plugs...
I know it's a lot of $$$$, but if you like the car and your tax return comes in I'd say do it before support
for a 20 yr old car drops off. 475 HP will put a smile on your face!
I wish I got a tax return. Uncle Sam is not so generous w me . But no worries, the only reason I am debating doing it or not is because I don't want to lose reliability. I had a cls550 I had done some work too and as soon as I did it wasn't so reliable anymore so messing up a $90k car really sucked. I put everything back to stock and then sold it. My Z is not my daily and sits in the garage 365 days out of the year and only comes out if i'm driving it in the mountains or something like that or my son wants to go for a cruise which is maybe 20x a year combined. Its got 35k miles or a little less on it. My goal isn't as aggressive as yours. I have to stay emissions legal so if i break 400hp w cats on I'll be happy and if i find a friendly inspection shop then maybe i'll go for more although that could be dangerous for me on the stock block so I have to consider that as well if I go for more than 400whp.
Question for you - is yours the tuner kit? If its not, did you SC come with a carb oe sticker? I'm looking at the tuner kit which would not come w a carb sticker but lets me get the fuel management, pump, and injectors I want and I can mess around with anything else I feel like.
Also, what gauges did you get? I'm looking for electronic gauges that I can adjust to match the interior of the car. Right now I'm considering REVEL but they only light up white.
And my last question - did you do a compression test on your car before installing the SC? I'm getting one done next week but not sure if that's basically just giving away a couple of hundred bucks. Thanks for the advice.
I guess you could call "Tuner", it was really just the blower, mounting plate and pipes. All the supporting
pieces were random. Don't need a CARB sticker in GA, just cats or a friendly emissions station. I run test pipes.
Even hiflow cats won't hold up to FI.
I got the AEM Wideband Fail Safe boost/vacuum Guage. Stock internals,should have done compression, didn't.
Why did you say cats don't hold up to FI?
I think it's the power level really, not FI per se.
Jealous of that bumper!
Also the meter I have is Amber to match the gauges but my whole setup with the widebands and MAP sensor was about $1k if that matter to you.
Why did you say cats don't hold up to FI?
I think it's the power level really, not FI per se.
Jealous of that bumper!
Also the meter I have is Amber to match the gauges but my whole setup with the widebands and MAP sensor was about $1k if that matter to you.
Good question. Actually when I was planning my project with Z1, no mention of test pipes came up. It went in with Berk HiFlows. I got a call during tuning that I'd need to go with test pipes as it was spitting pieces out the tail pipe, so I said, "OK." Z1 meticulously returned everything that was taken off except the Berk cats...
I had some concern about passing smog, plus a drone at 1800 rpm so I talked with Fast Intentions (they made my exhaust) re replacement hiflows and was told, "They won't hold up to FI."
I talked with my tuner about output, he stated 475. So with 2 reputable companies saying the same thing, I kinda see a pattern. Currently looking for MD RTPs to cure the drone. Sorry to hijack the thread, I welcome your input!
I've heard that a lot on Zs but never got into talks as to why. I have Berks myself and will be supercharging eventually and just got curious.
my DD is a GTI and they do fine with c
Stock cats or aftermarket HFC until you really want to push power beyond 350whp, some manufacturers for the Z will say it's ok for FI but I don't know for sure
Picked up the Z and drove it for the first time with the Motordyne Exhaust. All I can say is WOW. The exhaust note is amazing. Throaty and absolutely no drone what so ever in any gear or at any speed. I loved my TurboXS catback and still do but this one is just next level. It's also not overly loud like Tomei so I "shouldn't" be attracting any unwanted attention from 5-0. The finish on the exhaust is top notch. The fitment and install took a little fiddling but that's because of the rear bumper design. I was thinking on my way to pick it up if it was crazy to spend $2k on an exhaust but after about 10 seconds I was like nope, worth every penny. And it looks excellent peeking out of the Chargespeed rear. Love it. If anyone is considering it I 100% recommend.
I also had a compression test performed in prep for the Vortech SuperCharger. The car passed with flying colors.
On to some pics. Excuse the dirty photos. The car hasn't been washed in a bit. I'll be performing a full paint correction and coating detail in the next few days.
New booty setup is complete (for now).
Fit and Finish is on point. You get what you pay for.
Nice! You making me want the CS again lol. Can't waste money on that now tho, headers will dramatically change the sound, maybe something to consider.
I used to think people spending $2k on the MD were crazy....then I went and spent $3k on the HKS, $1k on headers and nearly $1k on HFC/coatings etc. I regret NOTHING sounds great, looks great, nobody has my setup, I'm 1/1 lol.
Nice! You making me want the CS again lol. Can't waste money on that now tho, headers will dramatically change the sound, maybe something to consider.
I used to think people spending $2k on the MD were crazy....then I went and spent $3k on the HKS, $1k on headers and nearly $1k on HFC/coatings etc. I regret NOTHING sounds great, looks great, nobody has my setup, I'm 1/1 lol.
hey Dark. I have the Z1 headers. Don’t know how much power they gave me but I got em. Should work well when I go Supercharged.
Cool, I could have sworn you said you were keeping headers/cats OEM due to emissions, or maybe it was someone else.
i’m in jersey and we are strict here w emissions. I have to be careful w all my mods. So far I have done all breather and exhaust mods possible except for straight pipe which Im ok w. I have passed inspections so far so now I am diving into deeper waters w bigger mods. I tried ordering a GT-R from 3 diff dealerships but all left me hanging so I decided to build up the Z a bit instead. My son and I are super stoked about it.
All right, my brother. I finally got around to fitting the spare(s). I had some codes come up on my G for a camshaft position sensor and the exhaust valve timing control position sensors (3 of the 4 crapped out at once - rev-up engine, lucky for me!). I had her up on the lift to change them out and change the oil. While it was up there, I threw on some of the spare tires that I have to confirm fitment.
The 370 sport spare tire (part #: N063-840) which is made by Enkei and is an 18x4 wheel with a Bridgestone 145/70/18 tire most definitely clears the brembo calipers and rotors.
Just a reminder - in order to mount these properly, you will need the mag style lug nuts.
Now, while it was up in the air, I had two more spares to throw on there. This is the OEM spare that came with my '06 G35. It is part #: 40300-05U70 with a Bridgestone 145/70/18 mounted on a 17x4 donut. It also clears the brembos with ease.
I figured this one would not fit, but it is the OEM spare that came with my '05 ZR that had the 17" stocker wagon wheels. Part #: 40300-32P00. It is a 16x4 donut with a Goodyear 145/90/16 tire. This one does not clear the caliper. It's close, but the studs don't quite make it.
A quick google search and I saw those 370Z spares are going for over $200...
On the other hand... the G35 spare is less than half that. I think you might be able to save some money by snagging one of those and be good to go!
@Heel Til I Die
On your advice I picked up the 370 Sport spare 2 years ago and paid the salvage man $80 cash. After I had the spare and receipt in hand I thanked him and told him they were going for $150. Clears the Akebonos nicely and the correct lugs are next to the jack. ThanQ!
Thanks Heel. This information is awesome. I will buy a spare soon and then hit you up for those lug nuts you offered last time if they are still available. Appreciate you going through the trouble on this.
Thanks Heel. This information is awesome. I will buy a spare soon and then hit you up for those lug nuts you offered last time if they are still available. Appreciate you going through the trouble on this.
w
Absolutely. I'm pretty sure I know where those other 15 lug nuts are located. Just let me know!
Why did you say cats don't hold up to FI?
I think it's the power level really, not FI per se.
Jealous of that bumper!
Also the meter I have is Amber to match the gauges but my whole setup with the widebands and MAP sensor was about $1k if that matter to you.
Hey Dark - you mentioned you had amber gauges. Can you post a pick and provide some specs? I'm very closet to ordering my Super Charger setup and just trying to finalize everything. Thanks.
Drove the Z the other day and it didn't feel right. I'd been doing a few burn outs w my son and figured maybe i was pushing it too hard. Then on the way home it started wanting to stall. Anyway, didn't drive it for a few days and then decided to detail the engine bay last night in prep for an upcoming local car show and discovered I had torn the coupler that connects my Intake to the Throttle Body. Replaced it and glad I had 2 spares at home.
05-23-2022, 10:02 AM
. But no worries, the only reason I am debating doing it or not is because I don't want to lose reliability. I had a cls550 I had done some work too and as soon as I did it wasn't so reliable anymore so messing up a $90k car really sucked. I put everything back to stock and then sold it. My Z is not my daily and sits in the garage 365 days out of the year and only comes out if i'm driving it in the mountains or something like that or my son wants to go for a cruise which is maybe 20x a year combined. Its got 35k miles or a little less on it. My goal isn't as aggressive as yours. I have to stay emissions legal so if i break 400hp w cats on I'll be happy and if i find a friendly inspection shop then maybe i'll go for more although that could be dangerous for me on the stock block so I have to consider that as well if I go for more than 400whp.
