My friend is travelling to the US this week (Chicago, Miami, NY) to look for a classic muscle car for himself. He will be transporting it back in a container and he could take a few toys for my 2008 350z He will stay there for three weeks.
19th Detroit
20th Chicago
21st St. Louis
22nd Memphis
23rd New Orleans
24th Tampa
25th Miami
26th Jacksonville
27th Philly
28th NYC, Jersey, Stamford

Could you please help me create a shopping list that I could send him asap. I already planned the mods (car will be used mainly for track days), I just need your help with choosing the right products and stores in the US, having the best value for money in mind. I'm pretty sure some of the mods will be a lot cheaper in the States than in Europe. Here is my list:
1. Rims - dkmura recommends Enkei RPF-1 as the best value for money. Any alternatives? Are 18x9 and 18x10 enough for a track?
2. Tires - I was thinking about full slicks or semislicks at least. Which ones are the best option? 245 and 275 ok?
3. Rotors - dkmura recommends Centric high-carbon rotors. I can see they have a really good price compared to Stoptech for example. Which type - 125 series?
4. Pads - I heard DS2500 are good for rear. Ok for front too or something like else like Cobalt Friction XR2?
5. SS braided lines - which ones?
6. Suspension - sway bars (at least the front one), coilover system for around $1000 and a set of bushing (or at least for diff and front / rear suspension arms)
7. Light flywheel and clutch - ACT, Fidanza...?
8. LSD so I coluld chase that e46 M3 which my friend is driving
9. Sport steering wheel - never had one, no idea here ???

I don't think I'll be touching the intake, headers and exhaust for now. Unless I could also get some stuff for the engine and the exhaust for a lot less in the States?

 

Where in the states is he going to be. We all have connections in different areas.

 

He won't be staying at one place, I think he plans to travel a lot during those three weeks. I'll be speaking to him tomorrow and I'll find out exactly.

 

I can ship whatever you want to Poland.... But by all means use your friends free space

 

1. Rpf1 10.5 +15 all around or 9.5 +15 and 10.5 +15
2. Many good tires. NT01 is great 275/35-18 all around
3. Rotors, I suggest centric blanks
6. $1000 doesn't get you much as far as shocks go
7. Excedy, but many others work very well
8. OS Giken or a Cusco 1.5
9. Momo or Sparco, but stay stock if your not caging the car

 

Ok, I think I've got everything sorted except for the coilovers. Still can't decide what to get for a few track day events a year plus potentially using the car as a daily driver at the beginning (first season or two).
Can someone write what the best value for money option is in each category (plus advantages/disadvantages):
1. Sepertarate shocks and springs - which combo?
2. Basic coilover system with option only to lower the car
3. Full coilover system with reboud and compression settings
Which option would be best for me?

PS. Just got a confirmation where he's going to be: Chicago in 2 days time, then Miami for a longer period of time and going back to NY 2 days before the flight back to Poland.

 

At the $1000 price point for coilovers, I would probably end up with Stance

 

Updated list - looking for stationary stores!!!

19th Detroit
20th Chicago
21st St. Louis
22nd Memphis
23rd New Orleans
24th Tampa
25th Miami
26th Jacksonville
27th Philly
28th NYC, Jersey, Stamford

 

THMotorsports is in Chicago
Guaranteed you'll have more luck finding muscle down south than the bigger cities...whole different world down here.

 

Thanks a lot. I alread have two in Chicago: Race Consulting Agency and THMotorsports.

Any goods ones in the NYC, Jersey, Stamford area? He will probably want to buy the biggest/heaviest stuff at the end of his journey.

 

Touge Factory or TF works is also a big shop & parts warehouse in the Chicago Northern Suburbs. http://www.tf-works.com/

 

Thanks! I've also just realised that Z1performance in Carrollton, GA is pretty close to his route.

 

My final list below. Thanks a lot for your help guys, especially terrasmak for getting me in touch with Adam from the RCA.