Hey everyone, Im new here and to the whole import car thing. My previous car was a 2001 ZO6 Corvette. That car was just plain fast, never lost a race and man I loved the torque. But on the other hand american cars just plain suck no matter how much power they have. It seemed like my car was always in the shop for some lame reason. Plus my car payment was like 800 each month and that gets a little old too. Anyway I bought a 2003 350Z and I really love it, for me it feels and drives kinda like a stock 2001 Porshe 911. I love the way the Z is so much more refined than the chunky corvette. Of course the only thing missing in my book is more power. I have about 8 grand to spend on my engine and have searched this site from top to bottom so I could learn as much as possible without asking any stupid questions.

Here is what I came up with and maybe you all could give me some suggestions.

I'm leaning towards the Greddy TT system because of reputation and the good things I have heard about the emange system or possible the Stillen 8psi charger because I love the low end power supercharges produce

It seems to me that if I want a reliable engine I'm going to need to lower the compression ratio. I'm not sure if getting a metal head gasket will do the trick or if I'll need some forged dished pistons. I don't plan on running any more than 8psi of boost.

My goals are very simple, I want 400rwhp. I want to be able to smoke all those red neck corvette drivers who think they have the fastest cars out there. That one of the things I really like about the Z is the "potential" it has to be a really fast super car. With traction permitting a 400rwhp 350Z should be able to hold it's own with just about any american muscle car currently in production.

 

continue to read the site and you'll realize that you will be taking a large gamble w/out building up the internal: pistons AND ESPECIALLY the rods.
the stock gaskets are metal and can handle well over 600+ hp (i think the number was closer to 800hp, but i'm saying 600 to be safe)... i am in the middle of an engine build up, i can say i have invested a little over 20k in my car (all go fast expenses: tt kit, arias pistons, pauter rods, clutch/flywheel, aam fuel system, gauges, etc, etc..(rest listed in my sig)
anyway, all of those things are not ESSENTIAL for 400rwhp, but expect to invest about 5200 for the tt kit w/ intercooler, 1900 bucks for pistons/rods (talk to gq_626-he'll get you the best prices), 400 bucks for arp main and head studs, 500 bucks for other extras (plugs, gasket overhaul set, etc.), then at least 3000 grand in labor for engine rebuild and turbo install and extras...
so this is a rough estimate...and the total is...$11,000...and this is the bare miniumum!!! add another grand in little things i prolly left out

just to give you an idea...if i could do it all over again, i'd go forged internals from the get go.
-TODD

 

if 400whp is your goal, and you only have $8000 to spend, then building the bottom end will not fit into that budget. i would get the APS kit and have it properly tuned for 400whp...should be relatively safe, and meet or exceed all of your goals. The APS kit has a much more refined fuel and EMS system vs. the Greddy or PE kits. Of course once you factor in installation and tuning, you will be a couple thousand over your budget...but that is as close as you can get.

But even with a perfect tune on any kit..including the APS kit....you are taking some risk when add F/I to a car not designed for it originally.

Maybe your best bet is to save up a bit more money, and do the job correctly the first time. There are over 20 people on this board that have blown their motors with the TT's and a few SC;s. Good luck..and take your time doing the research.

 

I agree with gq_626.

If you wanna "do it right" then the APS TT kit is your best choice. You can install the kit safely without forged internals and have 420rwhp. So far there have been no blown engines with this kit but since its still new only time will tell.

Maybe start off with this turbo kit and save more money for a engine build-up in the future.

 

I disagree. If you are planning on hitting the 400whp mark, a bottom end buildup will need to be done. There is no safe tuning for that much power in the long run. Some guys have pulled it off, but there are always exceptions to the rule. I would never recomend it. You can still make your car fast non-the-less without doing a bottom end buildup, just don't boost high, and you should be ok for some time. Our motors are not designed for high boost, and don't take well to it unless the motor is either built or tuned, but to hit a "RELIABLE" 400whp, you need both.
Just my $.02

 

So what do you think the safe #'s would be for HP without bottom end buildup If you never planed on going over 8pis?

On a side note I just went SC and love it. But did a ton of reading before hand so I would have to agree with the guys above and go APS TT

 

Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate all your imput