i had a '00 si, i modded, and ran low 14's . now that i just got my z last week, how should i go about moddin this thing for max power? i haven't done anything yet, so could someone give me a timeline or something i could use? thanks, guys.

 

Do you want to stay naturally aspirated or do you want to go with some kind of forced induction eventually?

 

well, i wanna stay under warranty as long as possible. that will put me in the very mild n/a category i believe. what would b a viable target hp, 1/4 mile mark if i wished to not void my warranty?

 

i'm presently inquiring about a grounding kit; it seems like a good start. how does the z's ecu react to mods? i know my honda wouldn't do anything when i was moddin. i needed an fpr to keep from runnin lean.

 

Basic bolt ons won't mod your warrant, but once you start doing any type of engine modding, that's where your warranty will go out the window.

However, I'm pretty sure that the majority of the cats here who are modding their cars can care less abou the warranty. At least that's how I feel.

 

unfortunately i got talked into an extended 6-yr warranty . why do i gotta b so persuasive .

 

My dealer tried sneaking an extended warranty into my contract, but I told them to take that out because I wouldn't be needing it. You can call them up and cancel that warranty if you need to.

 

If you really don't need your AC I would take the belt off the compressor. That should free up some horses. I would also remove the Y-pipe and run the exhaust open past the cats. That will give you a true dual exhaust and some more horses. I had a friend make me two pipes that bolt on to the cats and hangs where the Y-pipe was and points the exhaust down at a 45 degree angle.

 

probly one of the first things i do will b exhaust. which exhausts out there r true dual setups? i would still like my car to pass inspection here in pa though .

 

Oh yeah, you got a sound clip?

 

ecu, intake, exhaust, maybe headers, depends on if you will go FI.

my personal plan is to do exhaust choosing the exhaust with FI in mind for it.

other than that, Im leaving the engine pretty well stock.

in the mean time Im doing tires, rims, suspension, support, brakes, anything that doesnt involve the engine.

by the time thats done I hope my 3year warrenty will be up(tho its 5 years on the engine by default, I dont care) after the 3-5 years I hopefully have enough money saved that the car goes into the shop with 287hp and comes out with 6-800hp. do it all at once, replace all the internals, and most likely do a custom turbo. the car will already be prepped to handle all of the power in the rest of the places so it wont be like strapping a rocket to an ant and hoping it blows up before it hits a wall.

 

Joeshow750, I don't have one now but I can get you one tomorrow. Personally I think it sounds great, like a true race car.

TheBigShow, I don't know of a true dual exhaust that is out now, but I think the Injen and I heard Borla will be coming out with one.

 

Thanks man, I'm looking forward to it. I've been thing of doing something like this. Did you leave you stock tips in place?

 

I sure did. Everyone gets suprised when they hear the car because the can see the stock muffler in place. I switch the stock Y-pipe with the open exhaust whenever I go to the track. I will also try to get a clip when I am in the car driving because it has a different sound when the engine has load on it.

 

well, i think doin n/a boltons is a safe route. u never have to really shell out a load of money at once; u can take your time. u can do some of the things yourself, and the things u pay someone to do r less likely to get screwed up. let me know if i'm wrong though, guys. my goal is to have a car that is not gonna lose to a random modded 4-cylinder, i.e. evo, sti, or anything else turboed. i'm bigger, so i wanna win .

 

Hmm...

You'd need a helluva lot of bolt-ons to be able to take down some of the newer 4-bangers like the Evo and the WRX STi.

With their 1/4 mile times of 13.5 or so, you're looking to spend about 3-4k on bolt-ons to stay ahead.

My personal route is close to Ares', which is going to involve the Injen SES True-Dual exhaust for about $900, and then all sorts of non-engine mods such as wheels, leather interior, and so on.

This way, when the turbos and SC's are finally out, I'll have a beast of a car ready to take FI with open arms. I'll be more than happy to put down that 3-4k on an FI setup, custom or not, than waste it all on "bolt ons".

The exhaust is one mod that certainly won't go wasted, and will give you about 20rwhp to play with in the meantime while you wait.

-slay

 

I wouldn't call an evo or an STI a randomly modded 4-cylinder.

 

well, do u guys think i would do better to go with an fi kit eventually in order to stay with those cars? keepin up with the jones' is tough!!!

 

Yes. This side of a crate engine, FI is the only way to keep up in the 1/4. Even with FI making oh...let's say 350 rwhp, you'll need slicks to get that power down anywhere near as effeciently as AWD. Even with slicks, most guys with Evo's and STi's will have mods too, and either one of those with a boost controller and exhaust is very fast.
Now on a road course, I'd say stickier tires, some bolt-ons, and some driver skill...you'll be on an even keel with the Evo's and STi's. With FI, you'll have the advantage.

 

one thing's for sure, it's gonna b awhile before i do anything drastic. i wanna see how all u guys make out with your turbos in the next year; i'm really curious. i ordered a grounding kit yesterday, and i'll probly just do some little things in the mean time: a suspension kit, mayb wheels, mayb brakes. since everyone is arguin about intakes and ecus, i'll probly hold off on those. an intake would b a waste anyway, if i go turbo. what about exhaust though? would puttin an exhaust on seriously make a difference performance wise, with the stock ecu possibly cuttin back gains? thanks, guys.