I've done some research and I'm trying to make a list of the top five or so performance mods for a N/A 5AT. I already know a bunch of you will say driver five times, and some of you will say don't waste your money. Well I'm still gonna ask. Thanks for your imput, good or bad. This is what i have came up with by searching:

1. Gears, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9...
2. Plenum Spacer
3. Y-Pipe/Exhaust
4. JWT Pop Charger... More for sound
5. I don't know, I'm kind of stuck right there.

 

i say don't waste yor time and money and save for boost. Those mods won't do much if any.

 

You can find all the info you could ever want in the tech forum, but to
give you a head start in what to look for:

[1] Intake [Stillen > Popcharger > 2006 OEM + K&N]

[2] Plenum spacer

[3] Exhaust [Test pipes/HFCs and cat-back]

[4] Lightweight pulley set

[5] Valve body upgrade

 

Varis air duck.

 

I have the following:
Injen CAI and exhaust, Free flow cats, Stillen Headers, Angled plenum spacer, HKS DLI-II, Nismo S suspension, Hotchkiss sways, AP Racing big breaks and AAM ECU reflash.

If you're talking about straight line performance, the planum spacer,free flowing exhaust and ECU reflash made the biggest difference. If you're talking road course type performance, add the suspension work. Most will say Turbo is the best bang for the buck and it probably is if you want raw straight line power. Depends what you want from your car and if you're talking bang for the buck.

 

You pretty much have it covered, but I would throw in a true-dual exhaust with test pipes then get an osiris tune.

 

Forget about a y-pipe. Get a true dual exhaust. And as for #5: HFCs or Test Pipes.

 

+ 1 on that.

 

Subscribing... good info here

 

do everything you can do and KEEP, when you go F/I.

1. Utec - even a stock car can see 10whp with a good tune.
2. Exhaust - remember though, that if you go with dual exhaust you'll need to change out to a single or make a reverse y-pipe for the dual exhaust.
3. plenum spacer

 

Nexx, great list. I hear that an aftermarket plenum is "better" than simply getting the spacer? What is your take on this?

 

Nitrous, just tell who ever your racing its N/A.

How ever i went with K&N stock replacement filters, going to order the skunk2 exhaust, test pipes since inspection is a joke in this county. And of Course finding any way to lighten the car while keeping its normal look.

 

a good y-pipe and 3 inch single will produce gains similar to a true dual and save you 30-40 pounds :P im surprised yall didnt flame this guy for this kinda thread...

 

they are pretty much all the same when it comes down to design and performance. i would go with either motordyne or the new intensepower by powerlab, the powerlab looks like a winner with good installation hardware and a fantastic price.

 

My Z is a 5AT...i got it last year...the mods in my sig that i got definitely helped lose the sluggish feel. Be prepared to spend money if you have the desire to mod. i spent around 10k on the parts listed. I still want to do a few more things to the exterior, then do some research and maybe go turbo next year. I don't know too much bout FI but im sure if you go post in the Forced Induction forums most of the guys there will tell you NOT to go straight to turbos. Theres also a sticky on their forum regarding questions about what mods and when to do it.

 

6MT pumpkin with 3.9 FD does more for acceleration than all NA bolt ons combined.

TK

 

boost boost boost!

 

Amen to that

 

6 speed tranny swap.

duh

=)

 

I read a previous post about types of exhaust and each one makes power
differently, for example i have y-pipe system with the oem style big canister
with the two tips(fujitsubo legalis-r) and it makes a lot of mid-range power
which i like for corner exits on road course, i have heard that true-dual
systems make power up top only and y-pipe single exits make power differently
as well