I'm sorry forgot to put the "350EVO" 3.9; I didn't notice that before I posted.

 

Well, unlike alot of these other guys, I don't have 10 grand to spend on a car and still afford the monthly payments

so, with that said, and mostly concentrating on speed:

1. JWT popcharger (cone w/ heat shield) $120
2. Kinetix Racing Plenum $340
3. Kinetix Resonated Test Pipes/High flow cats $340
(buy the combo for 2 & 3 for about $700)
4. Lowering Springs, Eibach maybe... $250
5. New tires... mine had 18's, I put Michellin PS2's on
235/40r18 front and 255/40r18 rear
between front and rear... same 20 mm difference, same difference in overall diameter, just a little wider and lower. My car handles better with just the tires, easily more stable. $1300
6. Stillen engine dampener $115 (stability, smoothness)

Pretty noticeable and effective upgrade package, for about $2500 dollars and you will improve the car in every aspect. Other than that, I would recommend JWT clutch/flywheel combo and a true dual exhaust system... which would eliminate the need to buy a Y-pipe FYI. UR pulleys too.

The INTAKE PLENUM and the OEM CATALYTIC CONVERTERS are respectively the most restrictive components on your intake/exhaust. The rest (headers, exhaust, etc.) are small but expensive gains that would really benefit sound and looks more than anything, especially n/a.

 

And... if money is no issue, sure go with the:

350Z performance 3.917 Final Drive with Nismo LSD, assembled.
$2334.95 + shipping and installation

Would be a great upgrade you would surely enjoy, no doubt. Here is a link:
http://www.350evo.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id/191

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KaPPaBaLL
[B]Getting one (6speed base model) within 2 months and wondering what would be your first 6 mods to this car? I'm a newb to this car coming from a couple generations of muscle cars. List:...

Here is my list.
1. Dual exhaust - Borla or Injen
2. CAI - K&N or Injen
3. Headers - DC
4. UD Pully Kit
5. Throtle Body
6. ECU Reflash (after the 36k warrently is up)

I think the Exhaust\Headers, CAI and Pully are a good first combo. You gain more power on the high end with the dual exhaust and on the low end with the pully kit. The intake, well I think it is a given...that engine just needs to breath!

 

UR pulleys
Crawford Headers
Crawford Plenum
Kinetix test pipes
JWT Pop Charger

 

Nice, thanks guys now i'm getting a general idea on what specific mods make the Z faster (best bang for the buck). Meaning i know what mods NOT to get that aren't worth crap.

Again a shifter isn't worth it or what?

 

im in the process of getting either high flow cats (crwford) or pulleys.. which would give me more noticeable gains?

 

with the mods you've already got -- get the high flow cats...

 

If you only want performance:

1) 18" lightweight wheels with sticky rubber
2) Intake
3) Exhaust
4) High Flow Cats
5) Headers
6) Lightweight Flywheel and Clutch

Some deviation from this list is acceptable.

 

If I had to do it all over again I'd get:

1) Hotchkis springs & sway bar TVS kit (make the car handle like it should have from factory)
2) H&R 25mm bolt-on rear wheel spacers (looks really good with the spring drop)
3) Plenum spacer (bang for buck ~ 10RWHP)
4) JWT POPCHARER (sound and bang for buck)
5) UR main crank pulley only (revs a little better)
6) Y pipe or cats (your choice, both are restrictions)

Tires are a strong recommendation, but it's a consumable so burn off what you have and get better (Kumho MX) the next round. Run 245/40 18 all round (no VDC issues) and not only will the car look more balanced, but the slightly smaller rear gearing will offer some of the benefits that the much pricier 3.91 final gear upgrade.

 

1 & 2) 3.9 gears and NISMO LSD (you've got no LSD)

3) Tilton Clutch & Flywheel Package

4) High Flow Cats (NOT Random Tech)

5) Fr & RR Sways

(If you have $$$ to spend) 6) Crawford Headers
(If you don't want to spend $$$) 6) Crawford intake

 

Intake
Plenum
Headers
Y-pipe
Exhaust
Wheels

 

off-topic, but ur Z kicks azz... love it. if i had a z, would look like that.

-phil

 

NA:
1) UR Crank Pulley
2) Racing cats/Test pipes
3) JUN flywheel
4) JWT Popcharger
5) Injen SES true dual exhaust
6) Plenum+cams+ECU flash

FI:
1) APS TT+Built motor+Helix test pipe+Injen SES+ATS twin carbon clutch+Koyo radiator+NISMO low temp thermostate
2) Gauges/datalogger
3) UR crank pulley
4) Oil catchcan
5) Driving lessons

 

sucks to be you .....j/k , but you do bring up a good point...your budget does impact what mods to consider in order to get the best bang for your buck

 

Exactly... and I made a mistake, the Kinetix Plenum and R. Test Pipes are $370 each, not $340 so the combo being perhaps $700 now makes more sense Same point overall. Good luck, and happy tuning.

 

if talking about top mods for z, those are really expensive$$$
1. greddy twin turbo
2. tein suppension
3. lsd
4. 3.9 final drive
5. tilton clutch and flywheel
6. stop tech big brake kit

 

if you want some easy bolt on, then it would be..
1. jwt popcharger
2. ur crank pully
3. exhaust (invidia or nismo)
4. hf cat (crawford or helix)
5. plenum (crawford or aps)

 

IMHO

NA

1 Crawford Headers
2 Crawford Plenum
3 Borla TD Exhaust
4 Crawford Cats
5 Wheels and Tires

FI

1 Super Charger (Vortech) or Turbo, You do this mode and your looking at serious power.
2 Some sort of fuel management system
3 Lots of bells and whistles

 

I too have a base and thee were my first 5 mods in order:

1)Upgraded Wheels and Tires
2)Coilovers
3)LSD
4)Exhaust
5)Intake

Those yielded an entirely but much better Z than out of the factory performance/handling wise.

and more stuff etc..