Z Newb
01-20-2006 | 05:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: San Diego
Z Newb
I bought my first Z back in November. It's an '05 base model /w 'aerodynamic' package (read: spoiler) with about 11,000 miles on it right now (bought it used with 6K miles on it, good deal). I don't think that any of the model upgrade options are really worth the price, correct me if I'm wrong.
My last car was a '98 Eclipe GSX, which, after all of my tinkering, put 392 horsepower to all 4 wheels on an AWD dyno (stock is around 210). 400hp is a lot to squeeze out of a 2.0L 4banger, and I paid dearly for it in reliability. The oil return line from the turbo popped off more times than I can count, and I dumped several quarts of oil into a number of parking lots. Eventually, oil starvation killed my big turbo and my block, with around 107,000 miles on the motor.
At any rate, I expect that I'll keep the Z until at least '09 or so (around the time that I can consider the second year of production of the next-gen G35 and, if I can afford it, GT-R), but I've been very hesitant to modify it at all, both because I'm the indecisive type and because, this being the first warranty I've ever had, I'm determined not to void the warranty or significantly decrease the reliability of the car. I'm also good and tired of sitting under my car in my condo parking lot spilling oil on myself, so I'll probably have anything which requires a change of clothes or a jack done professionally.
My last car was nice looking when I bought it, made much prettier by that nice big frontmount (pic), so I put all of my money into go. I liked the stock rims fine and I'm not really into bodykits. The Z is also nice, but I'm not a fan of any of the stock rim selections.
Since the power on this car is reasonable, my tentative mod list (with questions) is:
stereo, subs and amp (I never bothered with any of this in my eclipse, so I'm going to this time)
- probably go with the stealthbox. I already have 2 W3s that'll fit, so I wonder if I can buy the box empty.
rims and tires
- I'm curious how wide I can go on the tires. Being used to AWD, RWD is fun, but traction is good.
exhaust
- from my very limited browsing, it looks like Borla is the way to go. My understanding is that the exhaust note is low and rumbly, V8ish, which is what I like. I hate bumblebee exhaust.
intake
- I haven't looked at my options at all and assume that it probably doesn't matter what I pick. Thoughts? Recommendations?
It does kind of make me sad that one of my fondest memories of my GSX was annihilating a 350z from a roll, and I know I've stepped down a serious notch in the power department, but I'd much rather keep the car reliable and warrantied than try to regain everything. Suggestions welcome.
Oh, and, nice board
^^Posted this on *********, but it looks like you guys have a larger user base and were recommended by a friend. I hope there's no rivalry
post-preview edit: AHAHA, the name is filtered. I guess there is some rivalry
My last car was a '98 Eclipe GSX, which, after all of my tinkering, put 392 horsepower to all 4 wheels on an AWD dyno (stock is around 210). 400hp is a lot to squeeze out of a 2.0L 4banger, and I paid dearly for it in reliability. The oil return line from the turbo popped off more times than I can count, and I dumped several quarts of oil into a number of parking lots. Eventually, oil starvation killed my big turbo and my block, with around 107,000 miles on the motor.
At any rate, I expect that I'll keep the Z until at least '09 or so (around the time that I can consider the second year of production of the next-gen G35 and, if I can afford it, GT-R), but I've been very hesitant to modify it at all, both because I'm the indecisive type and because, this being the first warranty I've ever had, I'm determined not to void the warranty or significantly decrease the reliability of the car. I'm also good and tired of sitting under my car in my condo parking lot spilling oil on myself, so I'll probably have anything which requires a change of clothes or a jack done professionally.
My last car was nice looking when I bought it, made much prettier by that nice big frontmount (pic), so I put all of my money into go. I liked the stock rims fine and I'm not really into bodykits. The Z is also nice, but I'm not a fan of any of the stock rim selections.
Since the power on this car is reasonable, my tentative mod list (with questions) is:
stereo, subs and amp (I never bothered with any of this in my eclipse, so I'm going to this time)
- probably go with the stealthbox. I already have 2 W3s that'll fit, so I wonder if I can buy the box empty.
rims and tires
- I'm curious how wide I can go on the tires. Being used to AWD, RWD is fun, but traction is good.
exhaust
- from my very limited browsing, it looks like Borla is the way to go. My understanding is that the exhaust note is low and rumbly, V8ish, which is what I like. I hate bumblebee exhaust.
intake
- I haven't looked at my options at all and assume that it probably doesn't matter what I pick. Thoughts? Recommendations?
It does kind of make me sad that one of my fondest memories of my GSX was annihilating a 350z from a roll, and I know I've stepped down a serious notch in the power department, but I'd much rather keep the car reliable and warrantied than try to regain everything. Suggestions welcome.
Oh, and, nice board
^^Posted this on *********, but it looks like you guys have a larger user base and were recommended by a friend. I hope there's no rivalry
post-preview edit: AHAHA, the name is filtered. I guess there is some rivalry
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