First off, I'd like to re-emphasize that I need professional opinions, and not personal biased opinions. Please only reply if you have something useful to comment, please.


I am working with a dealership to have a custom white one delivered by late January. I also worked out a sponsorship deal with a certain supercharger company to create a supercharger system for the new 370z aka VQ37VHR.

It would take 6 months to develop, research, and test. So I would be giving up my brand new vehicle from Feb till July, but in return get a a supercharger kit for free.

The only problem would be; 1, I would be without a car for 6 months and 2, There is always a slim chance that due to unforeseen circumstances that a kit isn't able to be developed. Although this is a slim chance, it has happened in the past, so there is always a slim chance it can happen again, BUT this company has successfully developed a previous supercharger kit for the Z33.

Finally, this wouldn't anything like the Z33's supercharger system, but something COMPLETELY redesigned. I am not sure, but my speculation is that it would be a twin-supercharger kit, utilizing two smaller turbines. My guess is that one would be active around 2,000rpm while the second would activate around 4,000-4,500rpms.

So, essentially I'm looking at a 500hp 370z, for about $30,000 - but have to give up my car for 6 months and run the slight risk of it not being developed.


Your opinions?


HELPFUL ones only PLEASE.. I dont want to read anything useless such as, "The new 370z is ugly", or something completely unrelated... Thank you!

 

Will you be covered by THEIR insurance if they blow up your motor? I'm sure they won't go to that extreme but what if. Gotta look out for the risk in your "investment"

 

Exactly. That is something I'd definitely require in contract, that there would be absolutely NO physical damage, no scratches, door dings, ect, as well as a promise/guarantee of their work, meaning if the car had ANY problems related to the installation or the supercharger, that I would be covered for a given period of time, as well as the motor not "blowing" for a given period of time.

This is something I'd definitely require, 100%, but haven't raised this issue yet with the company, so I'm not what their reaction will be, and if they are willing to accept that kind of liability.

 

Many, many years ago. I had a car which was new to the market and a local tuner wanted to prototype my car for a turbo kit that they were going to sale. Due to their very well respected name and solid products I jumped on it. 3 months turned into 6 which turned into 9 or 10 months by the time I got my car back. I had another car to drive so it was not that big of a deal. But, in the end I had a prototype kit which needed numerous upgrades over the months. Eventually, the marketing plan and production of replacement parts was scrapped due to slow sales. It was fun while it lasted but I would never do it again.

 

I'd say if your that desperate to save the $6K or whatever do it, but otherwise just wait and enjoy your car NA for the 6 month period. Chances are you'll make plenty of money in that time to cover the fees.

 

This is a very reputable company, which like I said, has developed a kit for the Z33. While I agree the prototype kits usually need a lot of work, I have confidence this company and produce a quality kit in 6 months. Also, the reason I think this seems like a good idea for the company is that the kit can be adapted slightly to work with the new G37 motors..

bigdog, you're comment is completely useless. I am not DESPERATE to save 6,000, second, it is NOT 6,000 for a supercharger kit, not to mention installation/tuning expenses... the kit, with installation, and tuning, would cost almost $10,000.

 

I listen to a lot of radio talk shows...almost a junkie...I have to tell you; if someone would give me a $1 for every time I'm heard someone's problem prefaced with "it was a very reputable company" I would have retired about 10 years ago.

Seriously; a financially stable very reputable company has the $$$ necessary to develop their product and bring it to market without the need to ask a private party to "lend" them his/her ride.

All that to say, I wouldn't do this even if you double-dog-dared me.

However if you do this and it works; can you get me deal???

 

buy another car with the money you are saving getting the super charger for free. You need a car, you cant live without a car for 6 months. Rent a shitty car for 6 months, im sure it wont come out to be more than the super charger.

 

I don't think it's worth 6 months.

Also when a car is brand new, I'd like to be the one to break it in, drive it hard and everything else. If I were paying for the car, and someone else was doing that, that would bug me.

 

IMO, I would not do it. Chances are there are companies out there that already have the 370 in hand are developing aftermarket products like super chargers. Nissan sells some of these companies production line test cars to use for R&D. Stillen is one of them. And I am willing to bet Stillen already has atleast one and probably designing a super charger. I know for a fact that they did it with the 350Z back in 2003.
And if you do decide to let "the company in question" use your new Z for R&D make sure you have a contract with specifics listed. Like they will be liable for the car if something were to happen.

 

If you don't care about voiding the factory warranty, go for it.

I wouldn't but that's me.

Just buy a cheap car that you can sell for the same price you bought it for, when/if they can build the SC and give you your Z back.

 

you have got to be effing kidding me. I went through this exact same thing when I bought the 350z and hired a private consulting firm to make a supercharger.

 

^^^^^^Please listen to these guys^^^^^^

I must say that I'm pleastantly surprised by the responses here.

In short, I've been in the situation before and I went for it with my Evo, the results were very bad.

I've never seen this kind of deal go well for anyone I know. I personally know people in three other cases like this, all were also very bad.

As stated earlier, it is in Nissan's interest to give the best shops/tuners cars for R&D.

Do not do it.

 

^^^agreed, don't do it, to many "what if's"

 

Honestly with the 370z being a first year model i wouldnt void that factory warranty. You get to deep into something like this (that you really have no controll over) and in the end you wish you would have just lived it up with 332hp and some nice rims.
besides the 370z is ugly




















just buy a prius. J/K i want one in white