Hello my350z.com,

I've been on the hunt lately for a fun get away car for the weekend and so far I have run into the Honda S2000 and the 350z/370z(Less interested in 370z). There are a LOT of 350Zs around the Houston area and before I go jumping into one. I really wanted to hear what people think about a 350z for a high performance car either at the track or just 0-60 times and get up/go on the highways.

Questions:
~How well does the 350z do with modifications? Turbo, CAI, etc.
~Are there any years of the Z that I should look out for? The good years and ugly years.
~What are the most common bolt on modifications that give a good boost in HP?


Reason I am asking all of this is because I am currently driving a Lexus RX330 and a MazdaSpeed 3 for a daily drivers to my job and I love the power the MazdaSpeed 3 has but isn't a small coupe made for handling well. So, I am finally looking to break out and get a fun car to add some engine modifications and see what type of mods the Z's that pass me on a day to day basis on the highway have under the hood. But hopefully soon I will be a proud owner of a Z with a little help from the community.

Thank you for reading and hope you can help me out!

 

Lots-O-info here! Use search for all of your questions.

 

1. Your standard bolt-on turbo kit will give you about 400whp. Not to bad IMO.

2. Look out for 06's and Anniversary Edition 05's for oil consumption.

3. Depends on the year. 03-05's like plenum spacers though.

 

having owned 3 350z and having loved them all, id still say to get a s2k if its a weekend car. i could never own a softtop as a DD but as a weekend car im sure itd be awesome

 

I'd get an 07 or 08 if I had to do it again because of the hr engine among other things.
Also z's can be pricy to mod without going FI, but I still love mine

 

As a 350z owner for 3 years strong, here are my opinions and facts

350z is a great track car out of the box, with the right "driver mod" you'll find yourself keeping up with various types of non turbo porchses and various other coupes on the bends. On the highway you'll be able to pull on Mustangs, camaros, srt4s, and various other 13-14 second cars... of course mods are a big factor.

Questions:
Intake, exhaust, header and weight reduction my best time at the track was 13.3@ 103.. Pretty quick for 1000$ worth of bolt ons and no tune IMO

Turbo kits will yeild 400whp on stock block.. Used turbo kits can be bought for around 3-4 thousand. Superchargers will yeild mid to high 300s


2003-2005 were pretty much all the same good years, watch out for tranny grinds

2006.. IMO the "rev up" motors suck.. less torque and worse numbers in the 1.4 mile.. they are a bit heavier. They have nicer headlight, taillights and bumper though.
2007+ have the HR motor which is a bit faster, but the car is heavier, they are more expensive as well.


intake, test pipes, exhaust, headers, intake plenum/spacer and a ecu reflash/tune give the best bang for the buck.. if you have all these mods and are still unsatisfied, F/I is your only answer. You'll only get about 250-280 with bolts ons out of the 2003-2006 motors... 2007+ motors you can get 300whp with bolt ons

 

I'd get a s2000 since driving a convertible would be cool go do on the weekdays.

 

Drag, corners , or just a weekend looks good fun to drive car?

 

I can understand the reluctance that some have expressed over the "rev-up" engines in the 05 anniversary and 06 Zs. I've had an 06 for over 4 years however, with ZERO problems, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I do not have the oil burning problem that many have experienced, which has a lot to do with my satisfaction as I was very concerned early on that I would have the issue. I've got about 30k miles on mine and have tracked it twice, with more dates on the horizon. IMHO the track is where it is the most enjoyable. I second the comments about the Z holding its own against much more expensive and powerful cars. It's really a joy. My wife and I enjoy going out on dates in it as well. I got the grand touring package which adds a little weight, but I've got the burnt orange leather seats which I think are really great. If I was buying a Z today, however, I would get a 08. The HR is faster and seems to respond better to NA mods, and can handle more boost in stock form. But and 03-06 may come cheaper to you...so it's a trade off. My car for example, if I was selling it, might....MIGHT go for 18k...and it is is excellent condition. The only downside to owning a Z IMHO is relatively weak aftermarket support. I've owned mustangs and camaros, and i keep up with the BMW scene, and it seems the aftermarket is more mature and diverse in all those communities. I've trolled this website for years and the only company I would recommend to anyone is Motordyne.

 

Looking more the 0-60 to be ~5 seconds and have some nice power at 60-80 on the highway. Not really looking for the drag but for some track days someday. My goal is to have something a little faster than my MazdaSpeed3 and that can handle turns a lot better while having a car I can have taken apart during the times I am adding electronics or FI engine mods. My biggest fear is that the 350z won't be any faster than my MazdaSpeed3 and that scares me because I would like a little more power along with the handling of the coupe.

 

Welcome. What "track" experience do you have?

 

The only somewhat objective comparison test I am aware of is the 2006 and 2007 Lighting Lap conducted by Car and Driver where the MS3 went 3:16 and the Z (2006) went 3:12.5 around VIR. I believe the Z still holds the fastest time in its class...which I believe will change when the new Mustang (5liter) is tested.

 

Where in North Houston are you located? Haha if you're interested I'll sell you mine

 

That is all.

 

stock 350z has more power than stock mazda 3 hands down IMO and own experience =]

 

MazdaSpeed 3 has 263HP and is much more than a Mazda 3. I think Stock 350z has like 280HP

 

Road track in a 2001 Carrera.

 

DE engines from 03-06 do have about 287 if I'm not mistaken however the HRs are at 306hp. I heard the MS3 are pretty quick too though but I dunno how about higher end acceleration

 

The MS3 are very speedy from 60+ for passing.

 

They are but I still don't think they are as fast as the Zs...let's find out down 45