So my friend with a G35 coupe has challenged me to a race. It will be in april, once my snows are off. Since the cars are obviously very close in performance, I'm thinking a small mod might be nice. What can I do that won't cost a bundle (no s/c or turbo) and won't hurt my car's longevity?

 

Nitrous

 

Umm...isn't that REALLY hard on the engine/drivetrain? I just want a lil' more power; not trying to really go all out.

 

if your friends g is stock, you should have NO PROBLEM in stock trim! i remember when my z was stock, i used to kill them all the time!! they ALWAYS want to try though??? the z is HANDS DOWN the faster car out of the box! (and i sat this cuz ive driven both!!) notice wich one i bought!

 

That's what I like to hear I guess I should spend more time worrying about working on driving technique, and less time trying to throw more power in.

 

those cars are pretty, and if i had kids id be driving one too! all i need room for is my wife, and my martial arts bag! my only beef with the g is ITS A SKYLINE??? only with an RB26NOT motor!! great car, vq is a great motor, just DONT call it a skyline!!! all jokes aside, if you realy want a good mod against your friend, get a short throw shifter! it will cut back on wasted time between gears! couple tenths mabey? but for $250, it aint bad!

 

Throw is pretty short as it is, but it could always be better! What brand is good in short shifters?

 

p/m ben@rogueengineering, his is the only one i know of that is avaiable right now. i saw a "prototype" b&m a while ago on this board, im kinda waiting to see how it turns out before i get mine.

 

do you have an exhaust yet?? its good for probably the most easy/cheap bolt on power you can get. plus the intimidatin factor is REAL high!! so when you do SCREAM past him, he will be like "DAMN!!" and think twice befor trying that again!! just a thought?

 

The 2 best gains for the money are:

1. UR Crank Pulley $190 and 5whp through entire rpm band.
2. Test Pipes $200 and 8-10whp

 

i always count my test pipes as part of my exhaust?? i hated it before i got them!!

 

the absolute best mod for quicker performance is the drop in K&N filter. It cost about $45 and is very easy to install. It comes ready to run and takes about 3 minutes to change out. No warranty voiding and still puts no extra pressure on the motor.
Another factor that i have found to be true is the number of miles on the cars. Anything less than 10,000 mls. will hinder the take off. My Z seem to break in at about 12000mls. Which seem to be a noticeable difference in itself.

 

just a note:

I have been told to get best results from the filter is to disconnect the battery and allow the computer to reset to adjust for the new air flow.

 

if your friend is stock, i'm assuming he wants to race you while your stock....wouldn't he talk **** if you had an exhaust, "if you didn't have the exhaust i could've taken you".... if i were in your shoes i would get stickier tires (toyo t1s, or bridgestone S03's) and drop pressure to like 25 psi, you get a BIG jump on him from the launch, and keep pulling...unless your doing a highway run, then i would get the Crawford Plenum (good top end power)

 

I have not done any mods for the Z yet, but I think pullies would be the best bang for the buck, just because they are proven for many other cars as well. I wont argue against the K&N filter either. I would do that for the longevity of the motor-not just for performance.

 

Get a ZEX Nitrous Kit and install the lowest jets (55hp increase), very very safe and nice gains. Cost is around $850.00 - With a safe 55hp increase, you'll eat up the G bad.

 

8 lb flywheel, and 3.9 r&p will net you awsome gains acceleration wise

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll probably drop my stock pressure to 27psi or so, do the filter, and work on my launches. I'm pretty confident that he's no better of a driver than I am.

Also, I should take the VDC off, right? Everytime I do that, it seems that I spin the tires getting into 2nd. How can I avoid this? Is a 3500rpm launch good, with a feathering of the clutch?

 

launching depends on the conditions, road, etc...i usually drop my tire pressure to around 20 psi and launch (drop the clutch) at around 2 grand at the track...but my rims are 17's so your would be different...just keep playing around untill you get it right, where in jersey are you?

 

Take all that sh*t out of your trunk. Then you'll win for sure.