and its quite a big step up from the old Trans Am I was driving before haha. Its Red, Manual, 38000 miles, picked it up for $15,200. The only problem is, I want to start off with some bolt ons and mods that are not that extreme... yet haha, but I have no clue what Im lookin at really. I am used to working on an LT1, not a VQ. Right now, after consulting with the forum god (search feature) I would like some opinions on what Im looking at doing right now is:

AEM Cold Air Intake
MotorDyne MREV2 and Plenum Spacer (5/16"?)
Crawford Headers
Greddy Evo2 Exhaust
JWT Clutch/Flywheel Combo
Hotchkiss Swaybars and Springs
Stillen Front Strut Tower Bar

Remember I am a newbie to the Z. The part list came from about an hour of searching the forum. I have one picture of the car I uploaded from my phone.

 

Wow.. Wish i got my 03 for 15k. I paid 21k, but that was back in 06 and it had 50k miles. Welcome!

 

Thank you. I got a damn good deal, maybe its cause Im a bigger guy and scared the dealers lol

 

headers on the 350z is considered a major upgrade because it's expensive to get them installed with our cramped engine bay. I see you dont have highflow cats on the list. If i was you i would get...the exhaust...intake... plenum spacer 5/16...highflow cats...and a tune. That will probably yield your best results for the least amount of money. all the other mods for the money will gain you very little if no hp. Also not trying to be an *** but you could have gotten a better deal than that for an 03 but congrats.

 

I must of forgot to put them on there. Honestly, I haved no clue what kind I want to run, gonna have to do some more research. Its cool man, Ive seen a few better deals than what I got, but I didnt want to drive the 500 miles away just to find out I wasnt liking the car. This one was local and I liked it

 

that sounds good! btw i dont know if you live in a rainy environment but just be careful with that CAI because they can suck up water and hydrolock your engine if the filter is submerged (i.e. big puddle). btw I just picked up an '03 touring with 50k miles for 11900 but have fun with it!

 

most people go with a short air intake to make power. Just about all long tube air intakes loose power on the z so i don't think he would be doing that anyhow. So....the op shouldn't have that issue with a CAI.

 

thank you for using search. if you feel like starting off w/ bolt-ons i would suggest buying used parts from other forum members. that way you can save $ for more mods. congrats on your Z btw

 

The Z looks very clean. Welcome and congratulations.

 

Welcome and congrats.......

thats a good list but i too would suggest to lose the headers and opt for some high flow cats.............price, install and yield make the lader better..........but either way still cool so its up to you.

as for high flow cats, there is lots of info, but its hard to shift through the facts......i would just honestly get some HFC's that are in stock and available over anything else as they all are gonna be nearly the same in gains, etc..

-J

 

as an 03 with 38K miles on it....try shifting into 3rd gear and see if you feel or hear any issues. The synchros usually go bad on the 03's if the trans hasn't been replaced already. My 3rd let go at about 35k miles.

 

I was just about to ask whats up with my 3rd gear..

 

Nice car, I like the color

 

Congratulations on the new car! How do you like it?

Regarding mods, remember engine mods typically do not produce as much gain on the VQ compared to a LS type motor etc so as long as you know therir are limists to what you will gain, you will not be disappointed. Some of them you listed will bring more bang for the buck than others.

I would say go with the Plenum spacer (cheap/good gains no negatives), HFC along with the exhaust if you do not mind lots of noise, & sway bar to begin with. The clutch/flywheel are more expensive & I would simply use up the stock ones first before throwing out so much money & besides, spend it on some of the mods I listed first anyways.

Long ago I posted a thread with a title something like "read this before doing mods". I suggest you read it it before doing anything. Lots of people appreciated it.