I'm very new to the Z world as I sold my 04wrx a few months ago. I have a few questions about parts and tuning. I own an 03 350z with a 06 intake tube which I guess is better than the 03..bought it like that. I think it was the intake tube..i've been researching parts a bit but always get mixed opinions so i thought i'd ask everyone to get a more direct answer.

1. I installed a K&N flat panel filter
2. i'm looking at installing either a 5/16 plenum spacer, or just a whole new plenum...also if i get either of the two will I need a tune?
3. how do I get a tune? open ecu tune? or piggy back system?
4. are light weight pulleys worth the money?
5. does anyone have this plenum or does anyone know anything about it?
http://www.kinetixracing.com/index.a...ProdID=12&HS=1

ALL ADVICE VERY APPRECIATED! Help me get the modding started guys!

 

1. Nice
2. A plenum spacer is fine, there aren't many complete plenums worth the money. The Cosworth is nice if you are going FI. I have the AAM spacer, and it has been great.
3. For minor mods, you would benefit from a reflash. Look into the AAM and Technosquare. UTEC's are really popular too, as they are similar to piggyback but are a EMS.
4. Maybe the crank, not really any dyno proven gains. Supposedly helps acceleration though.
5. It's a piece. Looks cool but not worth it in any aspect.

There is tons of info on here, hope that helps you start.

 

As far as plenums go, I was looking at going with a 5/16 motordyne..good brand? So as far as a tune i'm going to have to buy a whole ems system...no open source tuning on the Z's?

 

i can only recommend the products that i have:
motordyne 5/16 spacer - many happy customers including myself. i've heard good things about the powerlabs spacer also. so you may want to throw that into your research.

uprev osiris (diy reflash) soon to have end user tuning version

 

I understand having a tune after any mod would be the best..but do you think a tune is needed for the following mods?

k&n drop in filter
5/16 plenum spacer
lightened pulley kit

I just don't wanna start having crazy engine knocks or anything.. sorry if i'm Mr. 20questions over here haha.

 

yeah, you would need a tune to optimize the engine performance after having installed all these mods. You have a pretty good choice of tunes.

 

do you plan on doing anymore NA mods? if not, you probably don't need a tune but i would still do it anyway.

 

Yeah you prolly would benefit from a tune but I'm sure how much. Do you have any plans for exhaust, HFC/Test Pipes?

 

No exhaust, no other mods, just the mods I listed. So the cheapest way i've seen to tune your car so far is uprev osiris? Anything better? I'm just looking for a smidge more performance without the danger of running too lean or rich..if my afr will be in a safe zone without a tune then i'll be fine, especially if the tune is only going to squeeze me 2 more hp ya know? But, if a tune will help that much then it'll be on my to do list.

 

get the mods you want first, the ones you listed won't cause any knock or anything, the stock ECU can compensate just fine. After you figure out your goals, then pick a tuning solution.

The nice thing about a tuning solution like UTEC or Osiris or whatever you might choose is that it will grow with your car. When you add something new, you can tune for it. So even though you might not think its a good bang for the buck to get a couple extra HP, you can keep it and maybe even use it for a FI build (if you go that route).

 

+1

With just a filter and spacer, you won't need a tune.

As a generallity, its not until you add a lot of mods that you begin to need a tune.

 

I bet if u search by like idk keywords on ur questions u could find ALL answers

 

+1

Btw, welcome to the forum.

 

you are not going to need a tune for such minor mods... you are not drastically increasing airflow or load to the point where the ecu would not be able to handle it. if you can afford an ems, than go for it because it will be very useful to you later on if you plan on taking your project further.

however, reset the ecu after you install each of these mods, this will decrease the change of the ecu becoming confused and behaving erratically.

http://www.technosquareinc.com/350reset.htm

 

Sweet, thanks a lot guys. Really helpful advice and nice people around here; I appreciate it.

 

1. Good choice
2. I was very pleased with my 5/16th MD Spacer
3. Technosquare reflash, AAM reflash, Osiris by UpRev, Cobb access port. You can go with a piggy back unit like the UTEC, or maybe some cheaper alternatives like the E-Manage Blue or Ultimate.
4. I had the AMS lightweight pullies and I felt that they were def worth the cost of purchase and install. Seemed to have increased engine response(rev's).
5. Not worth the $$$, unless you have a built block with some form of FI.

Congrats on the z.