hey guys. Im a total nuby to the modding world and I can't wait to get a start. Just broke in my Z at 2k miles and want to start modding. I was just wondering, is there a preffered order of what to do first or anything like that to produce better results. For example: Are you supposed to get an aftermarket intake before you get a plenum or does it matter? Just info on stuff like that will really help.

thx a lot fellas

 

I am also new to the modding thing. My first mod was a z-extreme grounding kit and then the JWT Popcharger. Then I did Helix test pipes. I now am working on a group buy for the Kinetix plenum. I am probably not the most qualified person to listen to, but just telling what I have done so far.

Zach

 

Not that I am an authority on anything but ...

1 - Plenum
2 - Exhaust
3 - Headers
4 - Cats
5 - Clutch/Flywheel if manual
6 - Big Brake Kit / Suspension
7 - Forced Induction

That is for performance and is pretty much my schedule of things to do although I did the suspension first since I started to get feathering. I am sure more people will give their opinions ... and they will probably have more experience than me!

 

I would help give some advice, but your handle is a little offensive considering I have the 5AT. So, when you figure it all out I would love to go to the track and show you that the 5AT will smoke that 6MT all day long.

Seriously, its all good. Good place to start is the Crawford or Kinetix plenum - improves air/fuel flow evenly to all cylinders and really improves the top end close to redline whereas in stock form the car starts to lag in performance. Then I would recommend HF cats or test pipes w/resonator, then either a Y-pipe or catback exhaust. A supercharger is proving to be the best real bang for the buck right now but requires a good tuner. Staying N/A is pricey for this car, but you can acheive good, reliable results if you have the cash.

 

thx a lot guys. BTW again im sorry for my username (its a long story). If people have a big complaint ill change it. (I drove auto for over 3 years ). I heard from somewhere that if u get an intake with the plenum it makes a HUGE difference and the plenum works better with one. Is this some rumor or do u get significant improvement on the effecacy of the plenum?

This sight has been an awsome learning experience for me and you guys have really helped me become an even greater enthusiast

 

start by modding your screen name, cherry.

J/K, lol. i think most people who post here develope thick skins pretty quickly.

You could do stuff in a few different orders. my advice to you, to save time and effort, is that if you're going to work on an area, do all the work you're planning to do there at once.

Example:

Intake- you're going to have to take a lot of the same stuff off and apart to do the plenum, CAI, and grounding kit. i would suggest doing all of them at once, or everything you plan to do in that area at once. less times you have to screw with the FTSB, throttle body, intake, etc.

Exhaust- do cats and cat-backs at the same time.

so on, so forth.

other than that, be patient and DO LOTS OF HOMEWORK. this site is like the library of congress for Z's. you will save yourself big $$$ by utilizing the knowledge here, researching what you're going to do, then making educated buys. you'll find good deals, and probably avoid having to change direction as you learn more.

example: don't rush in and buy a JIC CF FTSB and CF engine cover, then read up and decide you want a crawford plenum later.
get the set of rims you REALLY want the first time. save your money til you can afford them if you have to.

Good luck, dude. welcome to the obsession.

 

you can consider installation order, (particularly if your getting it professionally installed to save cash).

but I personally weigh out hp/$. who knows how far down my list I will get with modding, and I rather start with the best bang for the buck to begin with. dont want to "prep" for the bigger stuff should the bigger stuff never happen.

 

there are a few things majorly wrong with the list above. Big brake kit? Sorry our brembos are good enough for force induction already unless your boosting crazy but the brembos still should be effecient. Mine would be for best bang for the buck:

jwt intake
cats/test pipes
exhuast
suspension
headers (depending if your gonna turbo or not)
cams
FI (if your going that route)
intake manifold (im waiting for a full intke manifold instead of just the upper half modded, if your not then you can boot it up after the cats/test pipes)

 

Not everybody has a track. In fact, the person who posted this thread originally has a Redline Performance in his sig. And yes, the stock non-bremos are not good enough for the track.

 

sorry but i feel you dont need to upgrade brake systems unless you have serious HP under the hood.

 

oh christ. why does it not surprise me that a trhead like this would turn into:

-"exhaust, then intake"

-"screw that, intake THEN exhaust"

guys, i think he can make those decisions himself.

autois4pussies, (god that screen name has to go), the important thing is, figure out what YOU want to do, then educate yourself, wait for good buys, and do stuff in a logical, common sense order. if there was a simple checklist, we'd all be building the same car. good luck.

 

suspension first then the engine....since you really didn't specify, thats what i would do first....coilovers and sways make a huge difference on this car....and having all that power is useless if your not getting it to the ground

 

for HP gains... these are the most power adding mods per dollar...

1. JWT Pop Charger
2. RT High Flow Cats / Test Pipes
3. UR Crank Pulley
4. Exhaust
5. Headers
6. Cams
7. Grounding Kit
8. Plenum
9. Tuning...

that is the order I would personally do... but I wouldnt do the plenum personally... I have to say that or else people will say... "where is the plenum!"