Here is my problem. Im at the stage in my car where i need to make a choice. I have modded my car to the point where FI is the next upgrade. I dont want anymore show pieces without big go but when i look at the ultimate $$$ spent it almost seems like I should just go buy a vette or used porsche.

Getting to the point is an FI Z a labor of love of the Z or does it actually make sense financialy when compared to the next tier of cars (price of Z + total FI cost (including future maintanence etc))? Heavily considering the turbonetics kit with utec. Figuring it should cost me atleast 8-9 grand when its all done.

 

porches are expensive to mod

vettes are probably the better platform to mod really - more so than the Z because they've been out forever longer and people just know the LS1 because it's in so many cars

I'd say if you like vettes and porsches, consider getting one instead of a FI Z which might end up giving you headaches and cost more

though a TN Z will beat the **** out of a cheap vette or porsche. You could easily buy some exhaust, headers, gearing etc for a vette and the thing will perform with a lot more NA potential before being forced to use FI

that's my 2 cents. People will probably jump in saying nothing beats a FI Z because they are the best thing to ever happen to cars since tires were invented

 

for about 25k (car plus turbo kit) I've got a 400whp 350z. I bet you can't find a 400whp corvette for 25k.....or a 400whp porsche for that matter

 

Nothing beats a FI Z because they are the best thing to ever happen to cars since tires were invented

 

Well, I would not compare a Vette to a FI Z. I think the Porsche Turbo is a better comparsion to the FI Z.

Now, first off, I love the Porsche Turbo, yet if you want to compare apples to apples, the cost of a new Turbo as compared to a FI Z will run you probably $50 - $100k more! So, I would rather save my money and have fun upgrading my Z. Plus, there is nothing that feels better than when you race a more expensive sports car and he doesn't blow you away (or you beat him). Plus, a modified car is cool since everyones is different.

 

Well id really like to debate that a FI z will beat any car for 25k since i ve seen alot of fast and cheap cars in my day. For me the total would look more like 38k since i have to pay for the car plus everything else. It isnt really a dollar and cents issue as much as me looking to maximize my dollar to hp (ie smiles) ratio. Ive riden in but never driven an FI Z. Maybe i just need to start begging someone to let me drive their FI z.... Oh yeah i do love the new vettes.

 

I think it all depends on how much you love the Z in the first place. I mean, if you think of it as a so-so car, and you just want something fast, then don't do it. But if you think it's the sexiest non-exotic car on the road and just wish it were faster, then go for it. I don't regret it!

 

yeah you can always buy a used Z for 20k and slap a turbo on it and have no traction and tell people how awesome that is. You're going to end up spending some money on better tires and wider wheels

 

Done and done

I do think the Z is a sweet car. Any performance car peaks my interest but all people seem to love the Z. My UY breaks necks constantly.

 

the only people I've found that really just don't like the Z at all have been the big V8 muscle car sort of people. Firebirds, camaros, etc with an occasional porsche guy who is still pissed about nissan's "porsches to pass" ad they launched the Z with

 

So true. The reason im comparing the z to a vette is bc that kind of body style is where i come from (modded 01 cobra). The Z is a much better daily driver bc it doesnt feel like im driving a giant car but i really dont care since i get used too and like anything fast really. Ever since i saw the new z06 ive been wondering if i should just get one of those in 6 months to a year. I know its 60k but 500/500 is insane and last i checked as light or lighter than the z. Thats the car im really thinking of.

 

the new Z06 prices I've seen, I think you'd be lucky if you can get it for 75k out the door

60k? maybe used?

 

6 months to a year the prices will have fallen considerably trust me on that. Right now its the new baby but that only lasts for a short time. The Z06 also depreciates faster than other vettes bc it looks just like its lower priced cousin. Just look at resale charts. The average used z06 sells for 2k more than the average vette of same year. I bet i could get one for 40-50k used in one year. You just have to wait for the right opportunity to pop up, cash (or check) in hand is key.

Rememebr how bad nissan was gouging for Z's in 03? Thats why i didnt get one sooner. They turned me off and i just kept my cobra.

 

i know its fast as ****, but i wouldn't drop that much money on a vette, no way no how.

 

It's awesome a boosted car. But also remember, you're boosting something that wasn't built to be boosted.. Installation has marginal error also. The car won't be as balanced as a car that has the power and built to handle it.

 

right which is why im thinking about this in the first place. If it was a simple matter of more power equals the same experience across the board id just mod my Z to death but thats not the case. Also if i was to do this id take it to the best place i can find near me (jo-tech) and get it properly set up. Maybe even forged internals if i hit all my bonuses

 

Just as an FYI - the Z06 IS NOT lighter than the Z. It is about 150# heavier. This is from the last AutoX I went to and they made us weight the cars w/o the driver. The Z06 weighed 150# more than mine! Chevy advertises the incorrect weight (or maybe it doesn't have any fluid in it?).

 

hmm seriously? wow what a screw up on chevy's part then. All everyone talks about is their exotic materials used on the Z06 such as wood, carbon fiber, aluminum, and fiberglass

Can someone else confirm this? Shouldn't be too hard to find out. The regular C6 sure feels 150 lbs more than the Z, but it's the same weight - actually less than the bloated 2006 Z's

sure the Z wasn't stripped down or something?

I'm going to remain skeptical cause the Z06 weighing 3350 lbs seems odd

 

Gatti,
Why don't you just hold on to the Z for now and wait until the next generation Z, G35, Supra, and Evo come out and see what you want to do then? I'm sure you will definitely want one of those cars. Also if you have the money save up for the GT-R.

 

for about 25k (car plus turbo kit) I've got a 400whp 350z. I bet you can't find a 400whp corvette for 25k.....or a 400whp porsche for that matter


A Vette or Porsche is more than just an engine. You fail to mention the reliability factor in your 400whp Z on it's stock motor vs. the reliability factor on the other two cars. Or things like suspension, brakes, cooling, driveline, traction. Honestly, to build a reliable, properly tuned, properly performance balanced F/I Z similar to the proper balance found in a Vette or Porsche is going to cost you about $70,000 to $80,000, if not more, including the cost of the car.