I got about $1000 - $1500 to spend and was wondering what kind of mods I should get. I am primary interested in HP, looks and sound are secondary.

I dont want anything that I would have to resell when I go FI (because the kit would already have it or would replace it). Right now I think my end goal is going to be 400 - 500 HP.

I picked up a non revup 2004 Z that is all stock a few weeks ago.

If you could help me out by listing the part, rough estimate of price and the guess of the HP increase that would really help me out.

All opinions will be greatly appreciated.

And I tried searching and have spent many hours the past few days reading as much as I can already.

 

Learning to drive first is the best bang for the buck...

 

Probably the Motordyne 5/16 spacer. That or some quality test pipes. Learning to drive better is still your cheapest go fast mod

 

dont spend any money...keep savin till u can afford the kit u want!!

 

Thats what i would do if i could go back. now im broke and still slow

 

best bang for the buck none FI is
1- test pipes $140
2- motordine 5/16 spacer $240
3- jim wolf intake $100

 

Do the suspension. Not only will it help you feel the car and beocme a better driver but you'll need it anyways when you go FI. So many people add HP to the 350Z but have no idea how to bring it's potential out. A good suspension setup will knock seconds off at the track way faster than HP will. You can do sways, shock and springs for 1500. Make sure you set some aside for a proper alignment.

 

Dont forget race compound tires too. Tires arent as exciting as power mods but they work.

For me, race compound tires made a night and day difference on the road course.

I'm completely NA with moderate power mods, but if you drive right, you can blow by people with AWD turbo, a lot more HP and far superior cars. Vett, Viper, ford GT, Evo, Sti's. It doesn't matter. You can take them. Its all about maintaining speed through the corners.

Suspension and tires make a big difference here. In my experience, the right tires made more difference than anything else.

The better you stick to the road the more stability and confidence you will have when approaching the limits. Tires push the cornering stability limits to significantly higher level ...and this equals higher corner speed.

Note - S2000's are tough little bastards to keep up with on the track because they slice corners so well. ...And they don't have much under the hood.

 

BFG R1's FTW

 

Looks likes:
5/16 spacer
Test pipe
suspension
tires

or should I just wait till I have enough for a kit?

 

I would keep saving til you go F/I. Cant go wrong with a spacer and exhaust tho. They will do you good when you do get a kit.

 

It depends on what you want to do.

For street driving, a TT will clearly be faster.
For road course racing, the parts you listed above will get you around the track faster.

There is also one other simple and cheap mod you can do that will also help greatly around the road course. ....HIGH performance brake pads. Race compound. And they don't cost much at all.

To get around the track faster, you will also need to reliably and consistantly be able to slow down very quickly.

On the track, your brakes will get smoking hot and fade away to nothing. When this happens, it forces you to slow down because you can't go screaming into the corners when your brakes are gone.

Race pads won't fade like stock. And it literally will help you get around the track faster.

Cheap, easy and effective.

By doing simple stuff like this, you will end up with a good car ready to tear up the track.

 

Test pipes exhaust and maybe a underdrive pulley would be some decent mods.

 

I guess I should have mentioned that I do not plan on taking it to the track, just street driving.

So in this situation would it be better to just hold off for a TT kit?

Doesnt it say in the FI forum that it is recommended that you get a built motor when going TT? If this is the case I wouldnt be buying anything for a while.

If I save for the TT kit:
1. If I turned down the boost (I read that 8-9 was stock) to around 5, can I safely drive around like this without the need for a build motor?
2. Will I notice a increase in speed and power at 5?

 

A nice TT Kit will leave you replacing most of the things anyway. The best mods you could do now is handling and suspension mods. Then, when it comes time for FI, you'll get your intake/exhaust/engine covered.

 

All of this is compatible with TT, weather you should wait for a TT kit is entirely up to you.

But going back to your original question, the best bang for the HP buck is with the spacer and test pipes.

 

suspension and aesthetics until you get the FI kit.

 

After doing my Clutch and Flywheel. I would recommend that update to anyone. Best upgrade I did to my Z.

 

Chrome 20's ftw.

 

since u don't want to resell anything about the only things i would suggest would be spacer and mrev, and test pipes that should come out to about 800-900