Hello everyone,

I've owned my Z for about 4 months its a 2006 6 speed, and I was wondering what are some engine modifications I can make on it that will make a difference? I recently bought plenum spacers (motordyne) yet to receive them since I ordered them a day ago.

My friend has a dyno he lets me use , but he's just recently got the dyno so he doesn't have the tuning kit for it nor does he plan to buy it since its only good for Infiniti g35 and Nissan Z cars also it runs about 5000. I can buy a personal tuner for 700 that he can use so that's no big deal. My car also dynoed 242hp stock so I know where I started and eventually want to lead up to a twin turbo set-up. (Real original I know but where I live it's a big deal haha.)
So if you can just give me the name of some mods I can do until I get the thousands for the turbo that'd be great I'd prefer to stay in the 300-500 range but if its a big enough hp difference then ill disregard that!

Thank you fellow Z owners.

 

Also I did read the intro and its a great guide! But I'm looking for the brand name since the guide was made fairly long ago and there are now tons of products and manufacturers to choose from.

 

Your topic,"how to get more hp",has been gone over a gazillion times.
Depending on what results you want,budget etc is gonna determine what you want to do.First,you only mentioned that you have a spacer on order.So,at this time,your engine is stock?No aftermarket exhaust,CAI?Don't be a dreamer like so many others and
imagine 300 whp with bolt ons.Its not gonna happen.You may get to the 270's.
Your car will be more responsive but not a fire breather.Consider this when you do the math on what that extra hp will cost vs going to F1.
Its really where you want to go and...$$$$

 

Thank you for the advice yes I was planning on updating the exhaust and headers next. I really don't have a budget I'll spend what I have to on my car. The 300-500 is just what I have to spare right now after buying the spacers, but I can always hold off on parts if they're more expensive till I can afford to have them.

 

How many plenum spacers did you buy? 2 or 3?

 

300-500 is nothing when it comes to the Z. best i can say is figure out you goal and save for it. or prowl the private classified and pick up bits and pieces as they come available and keep them in storage until you can form voltron. cant really recommend anything in particular as it seems you want to go turbo setup which is out of your price range. 300-500 might get you a couple guages and gauge pod which will be come in handy when you get that far.

 

Some may disagree,but IMO the best bang for the buck is to add on either
of these.Test pipes is the cheaper route.However,your car will be much louder,prolly have rasp and they will smell.I addition,they won't fly if you live in a area that requires emmisions testing.HFC's are the best.They won't be as loud,no smell.They will cost more but look like a set may be in your budget
if you don't buy for the "name".If interested,check the HFC'S from Z1 Motorsports.Great price and good quality&fit.

 

If it were me,and on your budget,I sure would'nt do headers.A waste of time and $ for the results gained.Headers are good if you are going F1 not at your stage.It is a good idea,if TT is a real plan not just a dream that will be a reality when/if you have the funds to add components that will match a TT
install.Also,think about the "steps".You sure don't want to add something to your car that will have to be removed(or sold)if indeed in the future you are
going F1.
Its wise to think in stages.

 

Plenum spacer is a good start. That is one of the few N/A mods that actually yield more power. I would purchase an exhaust that would also work with a turbo kit and call it a day. The Z does not add too much power with boltons. Save your money for other dimensions of the Z, such as handling, wheels or a turbo kit down the line.

 

I know but was just wondering if I could knock out a few little things before I got to the bigger items. I realized in my search that usually the Z items are pretty expensive yet sometimes there's little stuff that adds up. Yet I was looking at the exhausts on YouTube to see what would produce the best sound/best gains. I'm just a little cautious because I don't want to get a exhaust that I found and sounded good on other Z's then it goes on mine and sounds like a pissed off lawn mower. Last thing I'd ever want to do to my car is make it sound like a ricer and I'm not doing anything on exterior because I think the Z looks great already! Maybe a new pair of rims since the previous owner made friends with a few curbs.