ryanm8

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys, haven't posted on here in a while.

I'm in a tough position here. I recently bought an Altima Coupe to serve the purpose of my daily driver, so my G35 is transitioning from my DD to a weekend/project car and I'm unsure of which direction to go. My car has 102k miles as well, but the engine and transmission are still in great shape.

Basically, I'm looking for a setup that will produce a sub-12 second quarter mile and I know that will probably take around 500whp. I have a 5AT (argh!) so I know my turbo options are limited. Here are some scenarios I've been considering:

1. Get a Vortech and build the engine. I figured this would cost around $10k and get me around 500whp.

2. Swap an LSX in along with a manual transmission. I'm sure this would put me a little below 500whp though, and probably cost around $10k as well. But I'd have options of insane power down the road if I decided to throw a turbo on there.

3. Sell the car and get another one . I'd hate to do this though because I love my car.

Are there any other options that I'm missing here? What would you guys recommend to get around 500whp?

Bmurray350z

iTrader: (34)

option 3.. get the same car with a 6mt?

ryanm8

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, that's an option as well, but I have a custom quad exhaust and some other stuff done to my car so it would be a pain. I suppose it's worth it though if I can save money.

TWINEMINDER

iTrader: (4)

+1.....500HP is a lofty goal on a 5at.....and close to impossible to make that reliably for 10k or less. A stock 5at is probably at best gonna hold 400-450. getting a properly built one will probably cost you north of 4k alone, leaving you 6k to pay for FI setup, install and built internals on your engine...not happening.
Have you had a vehicle with close to 400-450whp yet? You gotta walk before you can run.....

Bmurray350z

iTrader: (34)

you'd need to upgrade the transmission for anything over 400whp on a 5AT, according to Z1 Motorsports

rcdash

iTrader: (18)

I made it to 580 whp on a Dyno Dynamics on a 5AT. If you want more than 550 whp reliably, 6MT is the only proven option for a daily driver. You can consider a GM transmission also, but there are fewer success stories there.

$4k and you can rebuild your transmission to hold 500 whp/wtq all day long. Mine was a GTM built level 3 5AT (valve body, torque converter, high performance frictions/clutches/bands, large ATF cooler). Your options are to buy a high performance rebuild kit and have it done locally or outsource to GTM, IPT, SFR, or level 10.

Good luck.

TWINEMINDER

iTrader: (4)

even at power levels between 300-400whp at the very least you have to do a valve body upgrade or else slippy slippy.... clutch packs go bye bye!

SQuaLZ

Pics of this quad exhaust.

What else do you have done to your car?

ehaalandtluk

iTrader: (1)

https://my350z.com/forum/engine-driv...de-thread.html

Or this?

Bmurray350z

iTrader: (34)

^ be cheaper to sell & buy a 6mt.

ehaalandtluk

iTrader: (1)

Yeah but he said he would like to keep his.

Also I would gamble to say I can find a junker Z to cannibalize for cheaper than de-modding, selling, and buying again.

jerryd87

iTrader: (4)

swap in a ls2, spend a little more then you wanted for cam, intake, l92 heads and tune and you should be decently close depending on the dyno just gotta make sure the exhuast you have now is up to snuff.

Resmarted

iTrader: (2)

Not even close.
It's really quite straightforward.

Bmurray350z

iTrader: (34)

unless you get like a free donor car. about 99% of the time, it would be cheaper & easier to sell the automatic and get a manual.

Resmarted

iTrader: (2)

1k for transmission.
1k for clutch
~500 for the rest
Less than the price of a built automatic. If you already have mods in the car/you have a really clean car, not really worth it. You always loose money when you sell a car, then re-buying another you're going to loose more.

Bmurray350z

iTrader: (34)

100% disagree but whatever you say, bud.

Resmarted

iTrader: (2)

You disagree with the price I stated? That's what I paid to swap mine.

A built auto is like 5-6 grand. It's a simple swap. Everyone used to say that swapping was redic hard, but it isn't. It's relatively easy.

Selling and buying a new car isn't like forza or nfs. You don't just sell a car right off the bat, and it's not always easy to find exactly what you want.

Selling anything isn't a 5 minute operation. Waiting for someone to buy a car then buying a car is a pita. Much more so than doing a practically bolt in swap.

Bmurray350z

iTrader: (34)

Never said building an auto tranny would be cheaper than swapping auto to manual.

but no, these cars values are going down so much. for example.. my old auto 04 z... got it for $13,500 with 49k miles. sold it 2 years later with 85k miles for $12,500. there were so many 04,05 z's with like 60k miles around $11.5-12k, after selling my 04 w/ 85k. i'd never in a million years swap auto to manual.

Resmarted

iTrader: (2)

I guess if there are a lot of Z's in the area it might be quicker. But in the grand scheme of a build, it's a no brainer. Most of the time the engine is coming out anyway. Either a shop is pulling it to put the turbo kit in, or you're building the engine. Might as well put it back in with a good transmission and clutch. Just need to drill a few holes, cut around the shifter area and attach some wires + driveshaft.

ryanm8

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the input guys. Most of the threads I read had a 6mt with the Vortech, so no wonder they didn't mention building the transmission. Adding another $4k on top of it does seem a little steep.

Even if I get a 6mt though, aren't I looking at more than $10k for 500whp? I'd still need to build the engine and turbo kits are generally more than supercharger kits.

Here are some quick pics: