Is there any way to make modest horsepower gains with normal aspiration equal in expense to FI?

How much power can be made with larger throttle bodies, intakes, aftermarket or stock heads w/work, cams, headers, and exhaust?

Is there anyone here who has gone that route?

JET

 

A couple guys have hit around 300 rwhp with all the bolt-ons possible. Haven't seen anybody go extreme with N/A with any internal changes like stroker kit or higher compression.

 

The average for the all bolt on guys, including really mild street cams, is 280+ rwhp. A few have hit 300rwhp. I think with beefier cams, port polish, higher compression, etc it is possible to hit something higher (350rwhp NA? That would be awesome). I think the key right now is unlocking the ECU, this seems like the main hindrance to 350Z NA power. Also, fuel work makes a big difference as NA mods will eventually tax out your system. Funny thing is FI, which makes the most gains on this car, changes out both the ECU and the Fuel System... I have thought alot about going turbo/supercharger but I'm just not convinced the motor is able to handle it. To get the motor where I want it to run reliably pushing it ***** to the ball without worries I would have to spend serious money ($25,000 parts and labor) and really for that much cash I'd rather just buy another car. NA allows you to get moderate gains without crushing your bank account. I want to hit 325rwhp by finishing out all my bolt ons (waiting for 350EVO intake manifold solution to come out), throwing in some beefy Tomei cams, and maybe getting some specialist work done (blueprint the block, balance, port polish, etc). I dont know too much about the high-end NA solutions and would really enjoy a book or something that would teach me how to get NA power. I have one on turbochargers by Corky Bell that taught me ALOT about FI.

Anyways, besides HP you can increase acceleration and "free up" HP in an NA car by getting a lightweight flywheel, pulleys, and wheels.

 

im sure there is decent power in the na department, but it is not cheap compared to fi gains. look at the nismo s1 crate engines, i believe they make around what you are looking for. there is also a few race teams that run all out na 350z so maybe they can chime in with some tips. i doubt anything over 320 in a na car would be very streetable though considering the amount of reworking necessary to get it there i.e. crazy cams, aggressive p&p, stroking, standalone, etc.

 

^^^^^ is not going to be cheap It would be at least $8K if you include all the bolt ons and labor.

 

I think our cars would make great all motor #s if the ECU wasn't such crap/unpredictable/un-cooperative. Yet that's my opinion.

I am a firm believer with the right tunning our cars can yield much more power.