I'm saving $$, help me choose
 

Alright fellas so this month I'm starting to save up for my quest for power. I will provide as much info as I can, and describe my power goals. I'm torn between a SC/single turbo/N20. I should be buying it by the end of the year so please all input is appreciated.

My car:
2004 350Z Roadster. 46K miles. 6spd.

Mods:
sway bar set, CAI, cat-back exhaust, headers, and flywheel. <--all Nismo
Stoptech slotted rotors.
Grounding kit.

Mods to buy BEFORE power mod:
Plenum/spacer, test pipes

My ride is my daily driver. Probably no drag racing, but yes to a couple of track days a month or so. I want more power but not gobs where I can't use it (so no TT). I want more power, I thought 400RWHP would be good but I hear people get bored of that quick so that worries me.

I'm willing to spend what is necessary to make either choice work so don't let money be a factor.

So what fits me best? Why?

twins are best for street racing/daily driving...instant power. sc are reliable ddrivers...single turbo you will get some lag in street racing...
cheapest would be used SC or ST...400whp is reachable with both...

depends on how much you want to spend...
the only turbo kits out there are powerlab $$$$ or turbonetics.
haven't really heard anyone making 500whp are over with turbonetics much so if you get bored at 400whp you could go up a bit...
SC you will get bored with...my friend has one and he is bored and he is at stage 4 on his....

spend an extra $1500-$2000 and get used twin turbo kit...
add utec, bigger injectors, exhaust, plenum spacer you will get over 400whp!

N20, ST, S/C and TT can make power that you may not be able to use. Alignment, wheel/tire mods and suspension makes all the difference in how you use your power.

DD + track days will be challenging IMO on a stock motor. N20 as far as I know is not allowed in any legit road racing so that is out of the question. A S/C may give you the linear powerband you want, and keep the TQ low, but there is no feeling like being launched out of the corner with nasty turbo TQ.

Yes you will get bored of your power, especially if you daily drive the car. If possibly building up later do the Powerlab kit or any legit TT kit.

:icon23: ST's on these cars dont have lag, basically all kits make full boost by 4000rpm's. The traction of the extra 300-500rpm's of "lag" a ST can provide over a TT can actually help you on the street or hooking up at the track, educate yourself before trying to pass it on to others...

Something about the last post made me chuckle up a bit :D

Wow quick responses, keep it coming guys!

But I can't afford doing the TT right, it's just too much money I hear its about $15000 with all necessary add-ons and tuning.

If it was me, on stock motor trying to make it "last" knwing full well it wont survive lol ---> Vortech @ 400whp or so and whatever TQ it makes

If it was me, again stock motor with more fun in mind than survival Id do the Powerlab kit or any legit TT kit.

Good luck!

15k???? yeah with built motor.
you can pick up used tt kit for 3-4k...

and st< tt all day long! not like he is shooting for tons of power in which then would go single turbo powerlab kit...had a single turbo 2jz and was sick once the lag went away lol 480whp...single felt awesome once kicked in and sent my 240 spinning!

Alberto, what if he did the PL kit with the 4.5lb boost spring and had it mildly tuned around 350~360whp. Add the fact that the OP didn't drive like a bat out of hell 90% of the time...

Given the circumstances, wouldn't his stock have a better chance @ survival?

From what I understand, you need a built motor to SAFELY run TTs. $$ would be an issue if I had to do that. Also, no used parts. I don't know how to inspect the parts well enough to know if I'm being taken or not. Whatever I'm buying, I'm buying new.

um no, u are fine at low boost.
i have twins and as of now is my daily...
sure stock block at 12-15psi lol you'd have problems...

Well for true reliability you'd want a built motor with any type of FI on these cars. Rods are pretty weak.

How you drive has a lot to do with it too. If you drive has as aggressively as smoeone like alberto (when he's got the car out ;) ) or me, or sharif, or coach, or stylin z............your stock block won't last very long even on a conservative setup.

Remember stress on metals is cumulative, and builds over time........

you should be safe in the 400rwhp (max) on a stock block with a safe tune. But plan on eventually needing to build.

tom

good info...i have similar plans...i plan on throwing a PL ST on my Z within the next few months..im going to run low boost on the stock block until i can afford to build the engine..im shooting for 400 on the stock block..when i get my engine built i wanna have 5 to 600..id be more than statisfied with 600

Oh you NEVER say that.........NEVER lol.

Plenty of folks on here have done multiple different setups with weaks of making a statement like that lol.

gl on your build let us know what you end up doin

tom

Given what the Z community knows now, I think I could make the car last at that power level, and it would be easy to hook up and would be fun.

lol..explain..you saying that i shouldnt say that id be satisfied with 600?

Basically lol,

You do get used to power levels at some point and our male brains want more.

tom

i rode in a 400whp Z a couple weeks ago and i was blown away..im starting to think that 600 is asking for too much..lol.but with the powerlab i can always throw a bigger turbo and injectors and be straight

You went from 230rwhp to 400rwhp (and as a passenger which is ALWAYS way more of a sense shock)....once you drive 400rwhp everyday, or more importantly lose your first race you will want more lol

We're guys, its in our nature.

probably but 400 is going to be a start...500 to 600 would be a longterm goal and then who knows what will happen from there..