Hey all! I just picked up my Z last night! I traded in my 2002 Maxima SE for an 03 350Z Performance edition. I'm very stoked!!!!

I've been an avid modder with the Maxima...same engine, so I'm somewhat familiar with it...now, I'm starting to research, but can you guys throw some advice as to what mods to start with on this car???? I'm a total newbie to the Z. What mods work? What's the best header? Intake? Any suggestions? Thanks!!! I really happy to be here!!! (Pics soon)

 

It is depending on where you want to go first, performance, show... I personally wanted to slap rims on first then lower it a bit. BTW welcome to the board and enjoy the stay.

 

Welcome!

 

You will LOVE it!

 

get some cats/pipes and an exhaust. thats a solid12-15 whp for about 1000

 

Welcome! Rack up another Z in the Puget Sound area!

I'd recommend a plenum and a pop-charger.

 

I'm selling my plenum if you want. Makes the idle smoother, accleration smoother, claimed gains at 9rwhp@peak, and 19rwhp@redline, I noticed a nice gain, but sure how much. Plus it makes a nice cool sound. Only asking $350, keep your stock manifold. Crawford wants $600 if you keep your stock manifold.. save $250+.

 

Yeah, I think I might be interested in that plenum. Send me a pm or something and we'll talk. I'm a little short on big cash this month since I just bought it!

I had a UR crank pulley on my max and loved it...so I will definitely do that again.

I'm looking for performance...I'm going to SC or Turbo it somewhere down the road, not sure quite when...but in the meantime, some smaller gains would be GREAT.

Which exhaust is the best for the $$?? Oh, here's what I should be asking: Is there anything I should be avoiding?

I had an Injen CAI on my Max...seemed *ok* but not really worth the money....is there better gains on the Z? AEM or Injen?

 

If you plan to go FI then I would not go with the UR pulley. I would setup the exhaust for the type of FI you want to go with and also get the Crawford plenum at this time. Then save for the FI of choice. The exhaust mods plus plenum will give you good performance gains and will also set you up for FI later on without having to sell any of the parts you put on. Also consider some suspension mods such as sways, springs and possibly brakes to help slow that bady down after going FI.

 

Welcome!! Enjoy that Z!!

 

I vote for :
JWT Popcharger
Exhaust
Cat's
UD Pulleys
These are great base mods for these cars and will give you the most fun with the sound and Butt dyno. Click on our banner, or check the Vendor section.... there are some great deals to be had on my350z.com and all the Vendors are really good to work with!!!!! Let the addiction begin...

 

I agree with what Jeff and dave079 say.

 

I can't agree with these selections if you truly plan on going FI because the CAI or popcharger will have to go and you will take a loss on it. The UR Pulleys although a very cost effective mod for a N/A car, would need to go for a S/C install. The Pulley would hold its resale value more though so it may be a nice addition until you go with FI. I guess the first step is to start with safe mods that you will not be wasting your money on if you decide to go FI or stay N/A such as HF cats and exhaust.

 

are you looking to go turbo or sc?

If you go with the SC, I'd say start with Crawford Headers, Hi-Flow Cats & an exhaust that fits you're liking. - Tone & Volume

If you go with the Turbo, Nix the headers!, but go with the Hi-Flows & the rest of the exhaust.

How far down the road are you going to be adding the FI?

6-mo. to 1yr. - stick with the exhaust, some nice shoes & BIGGER brakes.
1yr. or better - grab a JWT popcharger, a used plenum, good exhaust & have some fun.

As for me - I'll be going the SC route (someday)

 

I'd get a subscription to sport Z magazine too! They have good comparisions in their articles. And welcome to the site!

 

A super charger is probably how I'll go. The turbo kits are just way too expensive! I don't mind losing money on a JWT pop charger, if it's only $100. Does it really do anything? Like I siad, my Injen didn't seem to do much, except make noise...although now that I think of it, it did rev to redline easier.

I'll hold off on the pulleys...makes sense....

These plenums that people are mentioning....is Crawford the way to go? I'll do exhaust stuff down the road...gonna need some advice on the best headers as well.

BTW- First week driving the Z! LOVE IT. Just breakin it in easy. Sounds sooooo good....I love the exhaust!

 

plenum... if your doing FI, then yeah crawford.

choose your SC first, if your going stillen, then it replaces it. thats the only one Im familiar with that mounts there right now though.

 

the Kinetix is cheaper and you get to keep your stock Plenum