icase81

I have got a bone stock 06 Z Base that I'm about to begin modding. Obviously its a RevUp motor, and I'm aiming to do bolt ons only. My list of planned mods includes:

Headers
Test Pipes
Y-Pipe
Cat Back
Intake (Maybe, undecided)
Motordyne 1/2" Spacer
MREV 2 lower manifold
Perhaps a crank pulley
Whatever needs to be done software wise (obviously this waits till the end)

My question is, what order should I do these in? I've got a litle bit of money to start collecting parts, and I was thinking headers first as thats the biggest pain in the butt to do. I'm very experienced working on cars and have built more than a few VW race engines for myself and friends. Mechanical expertise isn't the problem, just a lack of knowing my way around the VQ as of yet. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

pearlwhite_z

iTrader: (14)

i got an exhaust just for personal preferance, not really to make the car faster...it is almost always the first thing i do to my vehicles (did the same to my bike), i got a nismo by the way and i have been happy, as far as best bang for buck you can search and see that it would most likely be the plenum spacer. You could also do things like a drop, better tires or rims/tires altogether and sways etc. I believe the stock intake makes the best hp but i got a popcharger anyways. Check around and decide what you want to do.

s31t8n8

iTrader: (12)

if youre gonna do the headers first than you might as well do the TP's, y-pipe, and cat back at the same time. Just get a drop-in filter, aftermarket intakes are just for sound. if you're going with the 1/2" spacer your strut bar wont fit, i'm not sure if there are any aftermarket ones that will clear it but do some research see if any do.

btw if you want a crank pulley I might be selling my underdrive pulley set. I bought it off a member on here but never installed it. send me a pm if youre interested

raf84ny

iTrader: (7)

Depending on how big is your budget for the first mode, I would start out with a 5/16 ISO plenum from MD and a MREV2. GL and welcome.
P.S. After that test pipes would be next since it is a big choke point.

icase81

I should start out by saying that my ultimate goal is to merely run in the 12's. 12.7-12.8 or so. I have yet to run it stock, but I do have a good bit of drag racing experience as I've been doing it for 15 years. I ran a best of 14.001 @ 99.66 in my bone stock mk4 GTI 1.8T, and with about 265-270whp in it I ran 12.50's on very garbage and bald goodyear eagles, so I anticipate approximately a 13.4-13.6 in the Z.

Here's a question, if the 5/16" spacer fits with the stock strut bar and the half inch doesn't, why not just get 3/16" washers and put them under the bolts for the strut bar to lift it up the 3/16" difference between the two?

s31t8n8

iTrader: (12)

the strut bar will rub against the hood

Hydrazine

iTrader: (53)

^+1

The 5/16" spacer already uses spacers on the strut bar and is about as tight as you can get while still clearing the hood.

An additional 3/16" would noticeably affect the hood fitment.

Tony

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a plan to me. Lets get started.

Stunnd

iTrader: (3)

If I wanted to go with the 1/2" spacer, is there an available strut bar that works with the stock hood, or is a new hood necessary?

Hydrazine

iTrader: (53)

A new hood isn't necessary. There are two strut bars (that I know of) that are available.
The Stillen and APS. Either of these will fit with the 1/2" spacer.

Stunnd

iTrader: (3)

Thank you. Now it's decision time.

davidc81

iTrader: (23)

hey whats up. i'm from atown and have all the mods you mentioned except my intake is called a "supercharger." i have a 1/2" motordyne spacer and cusco strut bar and it hits the hood. you'll either have to go with one of the strut bars mentioned or bang a pair of indentations into the hood. if you want to meet up some time, let me know and i can show you my car.

Stunnd

iTrader: (3)

Any thoughts on the 1/2" vs 5/16"? I suspect the hp difference is not noticeable, but how about the engine growl? Also, who installed it for you? That's actually more important to me. Thanks.

davidc81

iTrader: (23)

it's an easy job so you can probably do it yourself. the extra 3/16" does help make more hp but will give you some problems with the hood fitting. if you're looking for a good shop around allentown, i would suggest add onz. they do all the work on my car.

http://www.add-onz.com/