Anyone have suggestions on performance mod's on a budget. My son and I have his Z in great shape right now but it's a hobby car for me (although I rarely get to drive it).
So far we have HKS exhaust, New Falken Tires, Skunk2 Plenum Spacer, AEM cold air intake.
We're new to engines for sure, so we're not sure what should come next.
We've read about pulleys but not sure if they're necessary without other parts as well. Any suggestions appreciated. (remember, budget! - not twin turbo money)
Thanks
Z-Dad

 

what are the goals for the car???

Local autoX events?........you know you and your son can double enter the car.........you pay two entry fees.....one for you and one for him, but you get to share the car....double enter...

you do 4 runs, he does his own 4 runs.........etc...I see lots of dads and sons at events.....

check with your local SCCA.......
http://www.omrscca.org/

http://www.stlscca.org/

http://www.kcrscca.org/new/

http://www.stlsolo.org/

http://mvrg.org/
-J

 

high flow cats or test pipes, and a good tune. you are probably running pretty lean with a spacer and intake untuned.

 

Yeah, running very lean. Evidence in the way of residue on the rear bumper.
Not sure about cats, but the exhaust was already installed when we bought the car, and we were unable to get an inspection. Shop said $800 ea for cats.
I went elsewhere and got it passed.
It's going in tomorrow for an oil leak in the rack in pinion steering (says the oil change specialist). Can the local Nissan dealer tune the car for this type of set up?

 

No, look into UPRev products.

http://www.uprev.com/products.php

 

buy berk HFC there high flow matalic cats they sound amazing i doubt they would already be on there. they don't drone at all and you get more TQ and you make more HP.

my car has a JWT pop charger and a kinetix velocity plenum(best money spent) berk hfc's and hks high power exhaust.

right now the car is untuned and i am running anywere from 12.7 to 13.2 afr's (really rich for NA) and no nissain can not tune the car for you.
a dyno shop would have to do it or you can mail order tunes but they suck.

put some light wheels and good suspension on it it makes a world of diffrence.

 

but what do you mean residue on the rear bumper?

 

By residue, I mean there seems to be a yellowish dusty residue that seems to build up after say a week of driving. Someone explained black residue as running rich, and yellow as lean. Don't know if there is any truth to that though. Just got the wheels powder coated flat black. They're the higher end aluminum 06 and up wheels. They look great on the pearl white car. Should post a pic I guess. So Someone earlier recommended UpRev. You don't recommend them?

 

Honestly a UPRev tune would not be bad for your situation, since you are not shooting for high horse power. Only thing that you are trying to accomplish is to get the car out of Lean and get some HP out of it. Few people around here run it and are satisfied with it.

Once I get my car where I want it to be, that's the road I will take.

 

Sounds to me that you have test pipes paired with your exhaust sir. That would also explain the not passing inspection. I had the yellow residue when I drove with my Turbo xs exhaust + test pipes from Nashville to Chattanooga and back. It came in one trip lol. It will come off but it's hard if you leave it there for a while. It can stain the bumper and burn in as well.

 

Sounds like you already have test pipes on your car.

 

Forgive my ignorance, but what are "test pipes", and I'm assuming since they didn't pass inspection, they are higher flow pipes. If I remember correctly, the guy at the muffler shop said they had no cats at all.

 

That's correct. Test pipes a.k.a. "race pipes" are pretty much just non-nonsense straight pipes. You can also find resonated test pipes which have a slightly different design and reduce the "raspy" sound that often comes with test pipes. However, if you're looking in that direction, it might be a good idea to hold off and wait for the independent tests of the newly released (as in last Friday) Motordyne ART pipes, which are effectively the same thing, but look to be MUCH more effective in terms of producing power. Just keep in mind that any test pipes are going to fail an emissions test.

 

Test pipe is a pipe basicaly that just replace your cats

 

I vote for a lighweight flywheel.

 

Have you looked into suspension modifications?

 

what are your goals, FI is the way to go for power. Full bolt ons will barely yeild close to300whp..(few exceptions i know)

 

I vote new springs. Lower it a bit. Especially if you just powder coated the rims.

 

Z-dad, What are we working with here???? '04 DE engine, '06 rev-up, '08 HR. That would be helpful, (sounds like a '06 rev-up???) Not to mention, what is the budget - approx. $$$ amount??? BTW - pretty good suggestions already. I'll chime in when requested info is given!

 

I'd wait on a tune or reflash til you have all your bolt-on's (intake/exhaust)installed.
Then will you actually feel the benefit of the upgraded bolt-ons. thats assumming you staying NA. Then theres internal work(cams, porting, ect...) but that gets pricey and is gonna take some dedication.

Bolt-on's + reflash + upgraded wheels/rubber = a good start