So I just got my first Z a couple months ago (2005 enthusiast). Since then I've done a JWT pop charger, Injen titanium exhaust and 20" Axis Matrix wheels. I previously had a 06 WRX and had about 305 awhp. Needless to say the Z isn't as powerful yet, but I wanna get some noticeable gains. I've read about the plennum spacer and test pipes, but I'm not too crazy about doing things that add a measly 8-12 hp. I've always noticed that an ECU retune yields the best gains, but would an ECU retune gain anything substantial on a NA engine??

Well, my main question is.... What would people highly recommend next?!?!? I know my best bet would be to get a turbo setup, but that's pretty freakin expensive. It sucks cuz I could upgrade my turbo on my WRX for under $3K with BRAND NEW parts! (new turbo, new front mount intercooler, new intake, new BOV, AND an ECU upgrade) Can you guys give me some educated opinions? Thanks!

 

searching would have helped since there are a bunch of threads like this but ill help a lil....basically without a turbo setup on our cars, you will not see major gains, your best bet N/A is intake, exhaust, plenum spacer, and tp's or hfc's...anything other than that will be cams, headers (which dont give good gains really), or superchargers or turbochargers...there...now go SEARCH...lol

 

Haha. Ok, I DID search already and read up. I've people SWEAR up and down that the spacer or test pipes made a big difference but I find that hard to believe with only 8-12 hp gains. I'm just wanting some personal opinions of people doing mods to their NA car and being happy with the results.... And I'm MAINLY interested to know if an ECU upgrade would be worth my while on a NA car... So, anyone do an ECU upgrade on their NA car??

 

If you want a BIG difference forced induction is your only option.

 

<- in a pretty good mood so Ill answer the question

Its pretty hard to make good power in n/a form with the Z. What are your goals for the car?

 

Seriously... Search is your friend. Try it. Here, I'll even help ya get started with your search.

https://my350z.com/forum/na-builds/284761-na-build-inside-soup-to-nuts.html

 

"but I'm not too crazy about doing things that add a measly 8-12 hp"

BAHAHAHAHAHA, youre not in kansas anymore toto. Strup headers ($600, good gains and theyre the easiest to install and fairly cheap), 1/2 inch plenum spacer ($300, get a new strut brace), ($250)test pipes, and if youre feelin EXTRA frisky get some good JWT S1 cams ($1000), spring/shims ($240), and UTEC ($900). then let sharrif tune it and you MAY hit mid-low 280 rwhp range. With the UTEC a 3 inch MAFS ($100) could help a lil too. fear not though, it'll have a MUCH smoother powerband than that rex (im a REX/STi fan friend has an 07' with a 3 inch invidia turboback and I almost get off when he lets me rev it). but yeah all that with 4.08 ($500) gears and it'll be about as fast in a straight line thanks to a superior 6 speed tranny.

But yeah, that N/A build Adam has that the guy above me linked you to is wild. that car has like perfect power delivery. look at the dyno chart, pleasure yourself, repeat.

 

Don't forget install labor. :-)

 

yeah, installing those cams will cost about as much as the price of buyin em lol.

I heard some guy talk about installing cams himself somewhere on this forum a couple days ago. I chuckled a little.

 

My advice to the OP is to get to the nearest track and trap some quarter mile times. You should ask yourself, "Can I drive my car to it's max potential?" If your answer is no, then modding is pointless.

 

yeah, I got that answer when i wheel hopped through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd....I was incapable of getting it to hookup lol. best run was a 9.5 in the 1/8th >.< gonna stick to the turns...lol

 

Well, I mainly just good RELIABLE power. I had 305 awhp on my WRX and I was more than happy with it. The thing is, I dont even really run my cars hard at all. I occasionally run my car for thrills here and there, and like to have the power to embarass little high schoolers that think their civic can outballs me. Haha. So I'm thinking anything over 320 whp would make me happy. I'm just nervous that I will run into problems with the turbo after install, with things like every practical car use (AC, clutch, electronics, etc). Can anyone comment?

 

Go big or go home.

There are plenty of threads relating to the longevity of our motors with FI applications.

 

Stillen is calling your name. Their roots type blower is reliable, even comes with a warranty I believe

http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...SAN&model=350Z

 

anything NA bolt on wise will not wow you. Even plenum spacer and test pipes combined are nothing compared to a 60hp+ increase from a turbo. Once you install an NA bolt on you hardly notice the difference after a couple weeks. You can probably yeild 40hp more to the wheels with all of them and a tune.

 

You gotta pay to play when it comes with Z's.

 

trade it in and get a c5.....

 

I just got it 2 months ago! And whats a C5? The corvette? Already had one for two months.... Worst car I've ever had!!! Will never do another domestic

 

ls1 is more receptive to na mods then the z, i have both a vq and lsX.

and from reading this thread it seems you want to go the na route.

and i hope if you owned a c5 you would know its code.......

 

i think almost every engine is more acceptable to hp gain over the Z Your local, i got most of the bolt-ons, hit me up to go the track... dont be skerd.