Hi guy's I just bought a Black 05 Enth Z. I have been searching the forum for things I should and should not do to the car. With the experience you all have gained in the last 2 years could you please list. The three best mods you have do to your Z and 2 or 3 mods you wish you had not done and would not do again. It does not mean the mod was bad for the car, but mods that you did not get the out come you were hoping for. I don't have endless money to throw at mods so I want to make sure that the mods I do end up doing will have a significant impact on the car or my enjoyment of it. Also what order you would do the mods if you had the chance to start all over. Thank you for the help, I think this thread will be very helpfull to myself and the other newbs. Thanx

 

Bolt ons:
Plenum
test pipes
exhaust

More involved:
Flywheel

Save your money and skip intakes

And if you have enough do FI from the beginning, then do the above.

 

Everyone has a different idea of what works and what doesnt. Building a car is very personal, and although I feel you on this, when you want to learn more about the car etc.... you should try things out on your own. Find out what works the best for you, then come up with a top three list of your own. That's what car building and modding is all about.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM or email me.
happy new years....

 

plenum best bang for buck in my opinion.

dual exhaust was next.

grounding kit, cheap, easy and most say it helps the car.

intake can wait....

 

He is asking for opinions so give one!

After 28 months of owning this car and having done mods I liked and disliked I wish someone had been there to give opinions so maybe I could have saved some money.

Test pipes with resonators by the way to keep raspiness down or high flow cats.

 

Thanks guys this is what I was talking about. I decided not to get an intake and I bought a K&N filter. I was thinking about the phlenum is there one that is better than another. And the test pipes who makes them with resonators? FI is not in my future so I know that for sure. Are there any mods that you did that did not live up to there potential or that had unwanted side effects. Thanks again for the advice and keep it coming it is very helpfull.

 

I got my test pipes with resonators from Kinetix.

One mod a lot swear by but I just didn't feel it was the pulley.

Depeding on how you are running when you are done as far as Air Fuel ratio you might want to advance your timing, your dealer can do it in a matter of minutes.

 

Bolt Ons I did

Nismo Catback Exhuast
Nismo Type S Suspension
Nismo CAI
19" SSR GT3 Rims
Stillen Body Kit w/ Wing

Very happy with the items above... Got my car exactly the way I wanted it... Has a nice sound, a little bump in HP and the drop was min. So i still have good ground clereance for going up driveways.... Plus it definatly looks different then other Z's

Very Happy with my setup

 

Hi B'05, Just asking about performance mods? Or, want thoughts on appearance also? Dave

 

Just to share my opinion of the JWT popcharger, which is a popular add-on for the 350z.......

I installed mine, started the car and went for a drive. When I put the pedal down the car died on me. Had to have it towed home. I put the original box back in and it runs fine now.

A lot of guys here have had stalling problems with this mod. Take that info at face value. Many people have no problems at all with it, but in hindsight I'm angry with myself for putting it on knowing that a lot of people said it stalled their cars out. The potential performance gains (minimal at best) just isn't worth the risk in my opinion.

 

Test Pipes w/ Resonators (LaBree)
3.9 Final Drive
Plenum

 

I like zillinois list, those are the things that will get you great power for not-so-much cash.

If you are looking for a great stage2 kind of thing, get the crawford headers, cats, and their TS reflash I've seen tremendous dynos of those mods!

 

IMHO, excellent choice not to go w/FI, especially if you are using the car for anything other than a weekend toy. I know of too many folks who have had mostly tranny but even some engine probs going w/FI, and have had to add a tranny cooler, pistons, rods, etc., to get the thing running again at considerable expense. Anyone planning to go FI should just go ahead and mod those things on the front end and consider them part of the cost of going FI. OTOH, the FI boys will blow us NA guys off the road (when their car is running, that is).

I went w/the complete Crawford package for maximum hp gain NA. Most folks here seem to agree that Crawford's plenum and headers are the best. While lots of people ask whether one mod or another is "noticable" on the 'ol butt dyno, I can PROMISE you that if you "Crawfordize" your car, the difference will be amazing, when combined w/a good exhaust. Agree w/westpak's advice to avoid CAIs.

Re: the test pipes. They will obviously increase exhaust gas flow, but does your vehicle have to pass inspection? Test pipes may not pass muster; thus, my decision to go w/Crawford high-flow cats. Really are two nearly gutted single cats (one for each side), while the stock Z carries 4 cats, which are so restrictive they are almost vulgar (thank you, California legislature!).

For handling, I think rims which allow for wider rubber are the best bet, before spending additional $ on suspension mods. Invest in premium tires instead of blowing all your $ on premium rims and then having nothing left over for tires and being forced to buy cheapies. BTW, the suspension is different on your stock Z than on '03s, so you really do need to know when someone's car was made to know if it applies to your situation.

On rims, I've about decided to go with what I like the looks of, w/o regard to weight, but I am in the decided MINORITY on this, and have received remarks such as "well, if you don't care about performance," , etc., w/regard to that opinion, but hey, you asked.

Good luck, and have fun modding your car! One final warning, however. It can become addictive.

 

+2 on the Crawford stuff. (axxizzer, Darthvol)


I plan on getting their headers this year. If I could afford two sets, I would put one on the car and hang one on my office wall!

 

what do you want out of the car first off?

performance? look? both? do you plan to go FI!? first you need to know your goal or you will end up buying parts for you Z you don't need and hence spending more money. For instance, if you want to go FI, then you don't need to get an intake....etc..

this is the first step in deciding what you want so you don't spend money you don't need to because Modding can become very expensive!

EDIT: oops just read something I missed, ok no FI... lol sorry!