As the title says, if you were going to hand-pick a new/used 350Z with the intention of going FI with it (forged short block), which year and which model Z would you pick as the "perfect" platform upon which to build? Thanks.

 

The intent of FI wouldn'take a dif, the real question would be what the car is being intended for after it goes FI.

 

any year that doesnt have the revup motor.

 

+1

 

and if you have the money to hang with the big boys

 

2003 touring, track, performance or enthusiast. You can also do the base if you'd like to invest in an aftermarket lsd. Also, depending on your driving skill, it might be a good idea to go with one of the higher models so you can get VDC or at least TCS. It comes in handy at high speeds and when driving the high powered beast in bad weather.

 

I chose the 05 Enthusiast:

05 didn't have the revup motor and had lots of issues fixed
Enthusiast has some basics add ons like a LSD and traction control that I liked however I have since replaced the traction control with the race logic because it can handle racing and F1 better

the touring/track and so forth have the vdc which is a pain in the *** for some mods and racing environments.lots of annouying lights and alarms
The track has the Brembos which make it hard to run the proper 15" wheels for drag racing.

I'd say stick with the 05 base or enthusiast

 

I would choose the 05 rev-ups. more powergain, no steering column obstructions like the 06's, etc.

 

+1 on the 05 revups.. an 05 track would be my personal pick if i had to do it again. Its got the BBK, bigger wheels and the TCS/VDC

 

I would say to buy the base model 350z, no touring or enthusiast...Just buy a good used 350z 2003-3004, and spend the extra money that you would spend on a touring or enthusiast model on better suspension and building up the engine. Good luck with your decision

 

I personally prefer the low end torque of the pre-revup motors, as top end is still easy to gain with the use of cams and whatnot. By the time you're pushing for really big power on a built block, it doesn't really matter as much anyway.

 

There is really no reason to pay more for the revup motor... If you plan to go F1. You won't see or feel the difference after you Turbo or Supercharge your car. That will just be a waste of money.

Just as if you went into a Nissan dealership today and got an 06 or 07 350z Fully loaded Touring model with suspension, blah blah blah...Then putting coilovers, better rims, aftermarket sound system. Do you get my drift? You just lost like $8,000 for nothing

 

You will have more problems with the revup motor. Engine management is more difficult making you get a more high end system for the ehaust timing control. And no one has tested the limits of the magnet retarteder for the exhaust cams. Its basically a clutch, so whos to say it will be strong enough to function when it has to fight stiffer valve springs and high rpms???

 

Touring.. because leather and FI go perfect together... I get an extra 2 PSI of boost at 6200 RPMS because of my leather

 

If you're going to go all-out, I suggest an 03/04 Base/Enthusiast. Your delta on initial cost vs parts you're replacing is much lower, particularly if you do a complete overhaul of the drivetrain / suspension.

 

Touring is a housewifes Z....

 

get an 03 as cheap as you can. make sure the body is nice, dont really worry about anything else. i would recommend anything but the base model so you dont have to add an limited slip diff.

i guess it all depends on how nice you want to keep it and how crazy you want to go with it!!

 

I would say at least an 04.5, at least the tranny is stronger...

 

It isn't stronger. Just less likely to be defective from the factory.

 

at least TCS. I don't like VDC at all. Something like the enthusiast which as TCS. the Performance model has VDC.