Some of us are now approaching 1 year of ownership, and apart from some HT exhaust change-outs, I haven't seen many other performance upgrades being carried out.

Has anybody done any yet with positive results?

There doesn't seem to be much coming out of Australia, and it looks like we have to source some of the US upgrades.

I am considering the following:-

Crawford Package 2550
Headers
Plenum (no core)
Hi Flow Cats
Strut Bar


TS ECU 595

Total 3145

A$ including freight, duty 5000
GST etc

Fitting - mainly headers 1000

Total 6000

Sounds quite a lot. I am not sure what gains to expect, but I figure around 20 - 25kw, maybe more, depending on how much the ECU gains over the Aust spec.

Almost half of the above is taken up by the headers. Are they worth $3000? How much extra will they contribute to the performance gain?

I am a bit concerned about the Crawford headers as they are only mild steel, and its an awful lot of work and cost to replace them if they don't last. I believe that the Nismo's are stainless and they may be a better bet.

I was very interested in the chiptorque ECU upgrade, but based on a sample of one so far, it could be a bit early to jump in.

If anybody knows about any pending Aussie upgrades please share them, as it's quite a hassle to arrange all the US bits to get here.

Can anybody please tell me what is invoved in fitting new headers. I presume the motor's got to be lifted off its mountings.

Some of the cams also sound very interesting, especially the 268 degree ones. How much to fit a set?

 

Crawford headers won't fit the JMD and Aussie cars I've allready checked with them. So if you order any headers from the US make sure there for a righthand drive car, be carefull.

I'm going through the same process, will I upgrade suspension (Nismo or Tein)and wait to see how the Dreamworks Stage 1 (400hp) SC pans out in the new year or do I go NA?? If iI get the Nismo headers and hi flow cats they'll still fit in with FI.

David

David

 

I've been thinking about getting the Nismo headers myself. Crawford are too expensive and as you say won't work anyway.

The Crawford plenum would be nice but it is sooo fugly that you would want to spew.

If you go FI, the plenum is a waste of money as it just won't matter. I for one have my eye on the Vortech SC or PE TT kit.

It's still very early days to make any move into FI or ECU upgrades imho.

 

I agree, Crawford plenum is hideous. You also lose your OEM strut with this mod - the Crawford replacement bar does not appear to have the same geometry with respect to the forces it would be countering.
Is there a place in Oz where you can get the Nismo headers? Or do we have to import them from Japan? If so, where? The Nissmo site is difficult to negotiate without a working knowledge of Japanese.

 

There are no Nismo headers for RHD cars. The ones being sold in the US are made in the US for LHD cars like the Crawford ones and therefore probably won't fit our RHD cars.

 

I would love to have those nismo headers and Nismo high flow cats as well..... but they will cost A LOT A LOT.... we are talking about at around 4 to 5 large for these 2 parts alone....

Jim... we can get those parts from Japanparts.com or Takakaira.co.jp.... and the later one is always my preference...

If those headers don't fit aussie spec cars, at least we can have nismo cams, fly wheels and LSD.... well... there are just way too much things listed from Nismo that we can spend our money on later...

Anyway.... I will try to stick with nismo all the way now as the quality is second to none...

cheers,

richie

 

Damn!

 

If you're not going to go FI then extractors and cats should be on the list. Extractors are going to cost a lot, I haven't seen any for under AUD$3,500. That's fine if the results are there but I haven't seen any claims let alone dynos for anything other than the US ones.

 

Aps is correct.... it will be a very costy way to go for N/A engine tuning if you want to get more power from the engine... as I know, nismo cats (a pair) cost around 1800 AUS without the installation and shipping and also those Jap. brand headers are around 28K to 30K yen still and of course the titanium version will be even dearer...

Aps: would you please do a review on the Mines Air filter duct please? and what sort of air filter are you going to use to go with that?

and what's the weight of your exhaust if you happen to know...? I know my nismo one is quite heavy....very close to the standard setup already!

cheers,

richie

 

I think you mean 280k yen and up.

I'll review the Mines duct if it ever arrives. If this is any indication of Mines service anyone who wants a Mines part should order at least a year in advance.

Current exhaust is ~8.7kg. I'll get the Y pipe at some point which is apparently ~5.4kg lighter than stock so that would mean a weight saving of around 20kg all up.

 

yeah... sorry........ false info... 280K yen and up for those Jap. brand headers.

I seriously cannot believe it actually takes them so long to get "that" part delivered to you though. You should have gone through an agent like takakaira.co.jp, from my experience, they give the fastest delivery time! I will wait for your full review!!!

Wow... amazing weight savings man! wish the nismo system could have done so, but I cannot complain on that persent I got!

cheers,

richie

 

BTW Lambros from Hi-tech made some headers for Nathan. They are non cat headers but could be adapted in length.

I've asked him if he would make us some headers but I think he needs to see some demand. Might be time for people to call and he might see the $$$$ ching ching! That way we can all save money and get some decent headers .

Just a thought.

 

Just reminded me. Liverpool exhaust already has extractors. Don't know anything about them but might be worth a look for someone.

 

I would love to go FI but don't trust the reliability. If I could find a guaranteed plug and play FI system I would go for it.

Certainly the Dreamworks setup looks good, but I wouldn't jump into a new product, however well tested, without at least 6 months of positive feedback from customers. To do FI properly, I believe the internals have to be changed which includes lowering the compression ratio and forged pistons etc. We do not yet know the medium to long term effect of FI on a Z motor.

I have ordered some NA bits and pieces and am looking forward to an extra 10% to 15% Kw, hopefully. My goal is a 5.5sec (or less) for 0 -100km. This is Subaru STI territory and will do me. 230kw - 240kw should be possible with:-

Hi Tech exhaust
Crawford plenum US$450
Strut bar $200
UR crank pulley $200
Hi flo cats $450
TS ECU $600

Total est AUD including freight and duty etc. $3000 + exhaust, grand total around AUD5000.

I agree that the Crawford plenum is an ugly mother, but hey, it works, every post has been positive with regard to performance gains.

Also ordered are Crawford Hi-Flow cats and a UR crank pulley, both of which have shown gains of at least 6hp each, accross the full RPM range. Apparantly the cats give more gains with a more free flowing exhaust. I hope the Hi Tech qualifies in this regard.

Finally, ECU is off to TS next week. This will be interesting.

Thanks for the advice on the US headers, they definately don't fit RHD cars. Japanese headers plus fitting are not justifiable IMO.

I am consolidating parts at one point in US and air-freighting back to Oz. Freight costs are not overly significant. The total package is around 20 kg at $6 per kg.

I have also dropped maybe 40 - 50kg in weight out of the car with Hi Tech exhaust, Richie's Rays wheels, no spare wheel and jack, and Malcolm has lost 10kg in weight.

BTW thanks for the Ray's Richie, they look fantastic. I can't believe how light they are. To me, the 255 RO's on the rear are just perfect. I do like your new wheels though.

If anybody else is interested in any US parts please let me know quickly. They can be added to my shipment. Parts will come back to WA, but I can get them back to Adelaide and Melbourne for nothing (my company ships containers weekly) and Sydney would only cost freight from Melbourne. Air bags of 5kg cost $10 for overnight service from Perth to anywhere in Australia.

 

Without spend more money - not have to hold accelerator thingo down too far.

Here's the answer to our prayers !

http://www.takakaira.co.jp/asp/templ...%3Fa%5Dd%40%5F

FROZTY

 

Frosty:

That's a good find... hahaha... saw this while back... and don't know if it really works though... I have seen it on Top Secret Zed if you guys pay attention to those Top secret Zed in the magazine, you can see that orange thing in the engine bay!

cheers,

richie

 

hmmm if it's true will work i don't mind getting it as well

 

lol


don't think so! Funny theory if you ask me.

Merry Christmas anyway .

 

Malcolm - consider this - seems quick and easy.

Mary FROZT

 

Rest of pic.