Iam wanting to get as much out of my car NA for now while still keeping all the tree huger's in cali happy and was wondering if the changes from 03-06 can be obtained by transplanting certain parts from one to the other. Or is it something more than just bolt-ons, cams, and a tune Nissan changed in order to make more power. I was planning on the full intake and exhaust system bolt on upgrades along with a tune but wanted to know if I can piece together an "06 engine update" package for cheaper than quality aftermarket parts.

what I have so far on my parts list:
06 OEM airbox
5/16 spacer
Dc Sports Headers
Hks True Dual
Re-tune

 

Don't get your hopes up, the DE engine came pretty efficient from nissan as it could. An intake, plenum spacer, header, high flow cats, and an exhaust along with a retune might yield 15whp gain and that's being generous...if you want to produce more power it'll be by the hands of a turbo or a supercharger...

 

If I remember right you can also swap to rev up cams, they are slightly bigger. A few people have done it.

Take it to the track and work on driver mod, much more fun and you will see the Z is very fast with a semi stock motor.

 

Cams was something I was considering but not until I did the supporting mods internally for a SC. But like I said for right now I'am just trying to keep it NA and CARB legal while still satisfying my mod bug itch without going over to the stancedarkside. Function>Form is my plan thanks for suggestions Terrasmak.

 

3.7 or 3.9 final drive, bolt ons, uprev.

 

Are the cams a straight swap for the DE? I have a source for some on an 09 Infinity SUV motor. They may be a different grind the the Z though.

 

Cams are a waste in HP/$ ratio. . Z1 spacer, z1 HFC, injen cat back, uprev tune I put down 255 and 245 tq... Next will be a quaife and later a vortech....

 

Building a Frankenstein VQ by mixing parts from different version engines won't be worth your time. SCCA racers have tried this approach in the past and the power improvements were small, but the decrease in engine life was HUGE!

Give Nissan credit for pulling the most they could out of the VQ at each step. I'd concentrate on putting the power down a bit more efficiently with a better LSD than came from the factory (budget limited there).

 

Not talking about HR cams, talking Rev-up. A bit of work to change, worth it depending on your goals/limitations