Just checking in from AZ. I bought my redline October 7, 2007. I've read a lot of posts about concerns for 3M clear bra, exhausts, suspension and so on. To date here's what I've done to mine:

1. 3M Clear Bra: The whole front end (even the bottom portion) & 1/3 of the hood, all of the bottom apron around the car, the mirrors, leading 1/3 of the roof, leading 3/4 of the wing, and pillars on either side of windshield.

2. Injen SES track exhaust (a must!!)
3. Stillen dual intakes (actually made by Nismo)
4. Stillen Hi-Flo cats (this week...or next)

Seriously, we have mean rocks here. Before I installed the 3M I had more than a dozen rock chips within the first week of ownership...it was killing me. I paid about $860 to have the 3M installed and it has been well worth it. You can see where the tape is catching the rocks that would have pummeled my ride.

At first I wasn't going to do anything to the car, but a friend talked me into switching the intakes. That was my mistake...I became a junkie. The car was instantly more responsive. A week later I decided to do the Injen true-dual exhaust; I noticed a real leap in acceleration. The car now sounds the way it looks!! The Injen exhaust carries a nice low grumble at idle and low revs. With the dual intakes it never gets raspy...it sounds more like a motorcycle at higher rpms.

I've been busy so I haven't had time to complete the exhaust work, but either later this week or mid-next week I'll have the cats installed. I should have just knocked it all out at once, but I was a skeptic.

I plan on ending this madness when I've achieved about 450 or 500 bhp... 380+ whp. I want "fast", but I also want control of the vehicle. I'm looking at twin turbos for next year (must save) when they finally go into production for the HR. Lastly, I'm looking into switching out the suspension to a full coil over by Tanabe. They make an adjustable dampening system for about $2500 and I figure it's the only thing that can out do what we already have on this car, plus it will give me the ride height I'm looking for.

I don't plan on doing anything to body of the car. I might upgrade the seats to the Red Sparco Fighters, but otherwise I want to leave the car looking stock. It says Nismo on the back, but I want it to perform more according to it's name.

Curious to know what anyone has done or plans on doing. The more inspiration the better. I have pics and vids so as soon as I get them on youtube I'll post a link here.

Glad to see the support and enthusiasm of Z owners on the site.

Lastly...shout out to the guys at Intense Motorsports, AZ (www.intensepower.com). They've done all the work on my car; very professional company.

 

Very sad to hear that you have done all these things to your NISMO already... in my personal opinion. Well, if you really wanted to make all these changes, why you didn't just have spent the money in getting a BASE Z instead of a NISMO Z???

Well, after I get my NISMO Z down here in Paraguay, I will just make small mods to it, like changing their wheels, putting the FUJITA's air intake and upgrading my sound system, but nothing else like 3M clear bra, touching the original NISMO exhaust, and even putting turboes on them. I wanna keep them as original as it meant to be. That's ALL~~~

Anyways, again, is my personal opinion what I am posting here and no offense BRO, is your car and you should do as you pleased and happy, right??? It's your money But if I were you, I just HELLLLL NOOOOO to put all these in my NISMO Z, specially when is a LIMITED EDITION, otherwise, what is the point of being Z LIMITED EDITION??? Get my point?

Enjoy your ride and drive safe....surely you will kick many ASSES around the corner when you get her up to 450 or 500 bhp.....LoL

 

I disagree. 3M is on there to protect the car. Tons of rock chips and needing a new paint job in a few years isn't my idea of a keeping the car stock. Lots of people with exotics put on clearbras. Some would agrue that changing out the stereo is not keeping the car stock. You're messing with the electrical wiring, removing all the panels and changing the weight with heavy subs and amps. Wheels and exhausts seem to me as something that's a simple bolt on, and can easily be switched back.

The Nismo is differentiated from the stock Z by it's suspension and bodykit. I would assume it's difficult to add the welds in now. I guess you could buy the dampners from Yamaha. A good chunk of the cost is probably the body kit. Overall, I would agree with you if someone were going to change the suspension and body, it would probably make more sense to start with a stock Z. It all just depends on what your final goals are. If the looks of the Nismo are enough to justify the extra costs to you, then it makes sense. For me this car is a sweet daily driver and I plan on driving it alot. I want it to be exactly the way I want it, which is not stock. I didn't buy it as a collector with any intention of worrying about its value later on. Cars are not where I invest my money. Just my 0.02 cents.

 

I also don't plan on keeping mine stock. I don't think I'll be going all out and adding a turbo kit, but I'll most likely change out the intakes, cats, and exhaust as well as getting a reflash for the ECU when the time comes. I'll probably end up switching out the springs/struts for a coilover setup in the not-to-distant future. I've already done the clear-bra on mine and it's been well worth it so far.

Naturally, I'll keep everything to return the vehicle to stock trim if I were to ever try and sell it, but I didn't buy this thing with the intention of making sure the second owner has a low-mileage, "always garage kept, never driven in the rain", completely original used car.

 

Hi kennylin888,

Yeah, I absolutely agree with you...however, keep this in mind. The chassis welds are not the easiest thing to come by unless you're building a car from the ground up. When I looked at the Nismo what I saw was an invite to build it out. The car was set up with all the "basics" for autocrossing or reliable and safe "spirited" driving. Someone who builds out a base model could not match the chassis rigidity by simply purchasing chassis braces and throwing in strut braces or sway bars.

The car is great as is...but an opportunity to have such a special car and enhance it's already great performance was just too good to pass up. Honestly, the turbo might be considered over the edge...but that's okay, as long as the vehicle looks stock.

About the wheels...I don't know, I've looked at a lot of wheels and I have to say, the stock wheels are really good looking wheels. There's a member with a black nismo who put black Volk/Rays wheels on his...they look hot...but there's something about the high offset understated look of the stock rims.

Anyway, just my 2 cents...not that it's worth much.

Thanks for the replies.

 

Yeah...the 3M tape is a must here in AZ. You don't even see it on the car. This said I must add that you have to be very picky about who you let do this as there are a ton of horror stories out there about techs cutting paint and so forth. I was very fortunate to have a skilled team here in Pheonix. Since the tape install I've only recieved a couple very minor chips that noone would complain about. Before the install I actually had a couple that were "huge" and had a body shop repair that panal before getting the install.

I have a lot of respect for those keeping their car stock, but one must also consider trying protect their investment. I enjoy driving mine daily and couldn't watch the "weak" paint fall of any longer.

ECU reflash is a great idea especially if you make any number of NA mods to your car.

 

Sup XTAHZ,

B4 anything, what u guys mean by "JUST MY 2 CENTS" in the STATES? Means that is nothing but peanuts and is just your spare money or what? I am really curious and would love to learn and understand the meaning of this SLANG.

Anyways, sorry for the confusion about the 3M Clear Bra and I was mistaken coz I thought that you changed the front bumper or something like that. I dont know what I was thinking..... apologize for the confusion, my BAD.... I think that down here in Paraguay I might also need to put one on my NISMO Z too. But dont think that we have anything like this here in Paraguay. If you guys know where to find and buy for DIY, pls kindly let me know.

Anyways, this LIMITED EDITION, I didnt buy it for collection or investing on it waiting that someday will rise and sell and low mileage, never smoked inside, etc...etc like other pal previously mentioned. But like you said, I also want to protect my investment and take good care of it. My only point here is that I just want to keep this as ORIGINAL as possible on the outside look, again, that is my point of view. I have already purchase upgrades for my sound system and now also planning and considering to put LEATHER as original color and design as the stock frabrics ones....LoL I dont know man, anyways, there are just so many things one can really do to their love cars, right?

Take care and good luck!!!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_two_cents_(idiom)

Whatever we do to them, it's all just comes down to the fact that we're all obsessed with cars. That's why I love forums like these. It brings together a whole bunch of people, who would otherwise never meet.

 

Understood now BRICK, thanks so much....so everything I said previously it's just my 2 cents. LoL

 

What part of Phoenix you in?

 

Hey KHORNN, I'm in Litchfield Park...look'n to ride out with any others in the local area before I go on temporary duty for next 4 months.