I've had my Nismo for a little over a year now, and I've developed a desire for more power. I was thinking about just buying a more powerful car, but I really love the Z.

Quick note: I have no experience with FI.

If I was going to go FI, what would you guys suggest: Supercharger or Turbos?

I think my goal would be in the 400s for HP. I know this is not cheap, and I know I has to be done right. I think I would prefer a turbo - can a turbo system be done for under $10,000 with supporting mods? I'm assuming I would need exhaust, tune, etc. I would prefer to do the install myself, a good learning experience. How about transmission, would that need to be upgraded at 400 HP? Can you even achieve 400 HP on a stock block safely?

The reason I would pick a supercharger is for ease of install and set up. I would assume its quite a bit cheaper. Are there even supercharger kits for the Nismo? I've looked at a few and they all say excluding Nismo.

 

Honestly I wouldn't do either. Look at all the issues people have when they go FI. And honestly, 10K isn't enough to do it right. I'm by no means an expert, just going off of what I have read on here.

 

What year is your Nismo?When you said you had concern on the transmission,it it AT?
To start with,if you have AT,a supercharger is more practical.Don't know why you found they are not available for Nismo??Concerning reliability,your car is stock form should have no problem with a supercharger or a SINGLE turbo.Stillen makes a SC setup.GTM also offers a great system.Vortech which is extremely popular has a kit for 2003-2007
models(DE engine).Not aware if they offer for the HR.There was a post recently on a new dual SC system.Very,very nice unit.Don't know if it was from GTM??Getting an additional 100 hp on your car is very doable.If you are a great skills DIY'er its possible to install yourself.To get all the benifits of this install,I'd modify my exhaust and other areas to get the best bang for the buck.Of course,tuning to get all the stuff working together is a no brainer.I see you live in Virginia.I know Atlanta is not exactly close but
the guys at Z1 MOTORSPORTS are one of the best in the business FI conversions.
You may want to give them a call to discuss your project.Ask for Jon Parham.
Unless you do all the labor,a 10k budget is not possible to get it done right.More for a turbo.

 

FYI, no such thing as an AT NISMO. Z1 rocks and Jon is a good guy

 

For a turbo application i would go with a Boosted Performace mid mounted single turbo kit. Look him up, he's on this site. These go for as low as $6200

For supercharger application i would go with GTM stage 1 supercharger kit. These are about $6500

Installation is pretty easy for these kits.

Prepare to upgrade the entire clutch system. Flywheel, clutch, CSC, MC. This will run you about $1500 depending on brand names etc.

Now allow for about $1500 for custom tuning, misc parts, guages, oil cooler

 

Honestly, after everything I have read about F/I'ing a 350Z, I would buy an F/I car and mod that instead. Also this thread should be in the F/I section so the OG heads over there can be more helpful. GL on your F/I quest op.

 

i have seen invoices for the parts ive bought.. ive bought them at cost.. paid little for labor, and have still spent well over 20 thousand for a alrge single fi built block build, already had the trans and other upgrades too.

I would not reccomend FI for anyone unless they were forced in to it situationally like a thrown rod etc on your engine etc.
i spun a bearing NA on a fwy car never raced. Theres no point being fully embarassed by having your car ruin your life situation when it blows up becuase you jumped in too deep.. ask me how i know.

 

Assuming you're looking for a turn-key kit, GTM offers a stage 1.5 at about $7,200. And like others have mentioned, you'd probably want to upgrade your clutch and flywheel, along with adding cooling mods and some tuning (fine tuning). From my limited readings here, additional funds are important in the event unforeseen issues arise. Some threads mention the HR motor is good to to 475 to 500 hp, but then again I'm not sure there's enough FI HR feedback to make any claims.
If I were to choose an FI upgrade for my stock block, I'd probably go with GTM's Stage 1 or 1.5 and stick to around 400 hp or lower. Some have managed to keep using their stock clutch and FW, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time before those go. GL with your decision.

 

in retrospect, my intial plan would ahve been optimal, but then i spun that bearing.
If you have an HR motor, even better as you would ahve better rods..
but a well tuned and very modest NO2 set up is the way to go IMHO.

add 75 hp to your car that is 100% torque.. requires very simple non evasive installation ( and therefore cheap maintenance as well) , dont take the cheap route and go low end.. buy good components, buy a piggyback for it like a UTEC, and ahve fun when you want and the rest of the time, just enjoy the car. Serious man, awesome NO2 is like 2 grand installed.
you will get tired of it and not use it as much.. but budget for double the gas bill for a few months.. as youll be filling both tanks up a bit.. but hell, thats fun.
it will pass.

As for any power, Well, people say : u get used to it and want more"
.. well.. thats where as an adult, you have to tell yourself to be real and stop.. plain n simple. It simply is not worth the cost.

I dare anyone (who doesnt wrench these cars themselves) to honestly argue back that FI on thier 25k sports car was a fiscally responsible venture, that it didnt affect thier homelife, or put them in serious debt.

In my case, i will admit fully to all these follies.

Stock block FI can be done more simply, but i still call it a time bomb of false security.

NO doesnt put all ur eggs inthis one basket, and is easy to remove if you want to sell to someone who doesnt want to buy a previously FId car.


u know me.. im not yelling or scolding, just pleading a very cautionary tale, and its not about if FI VQs are reliable or not. its about what it takes to get there and what it will do to a period of your life.. not worth it man.

 

This is when i'd start looking at the Stillen blower type or GTM superchargers... A Turbo kit can make a mess of things if not perfectly done to a T!

 

If i could do it all over again, I would not of gone the FI route. Instead i wish i would of invested it in upgraded brake components and track time.

NA Nismo on the track > Boosted Nismo on the streets

But thats just my opinon

 

Boosted performance

 

Boosted doesn't make an hr kit tho?

 

true

I think the only piping that may need to be modified would be the intakes piping

I said BP because of the simplicity of the layout...

And on second note $5k-10 on a track mods and seat time could yield a faster all around driver than a nismo/driver with boost...especially on certain courses it may hurt!

 

GTM's stage 1 kit is your best bet with a 10K limit. That will buy the kit, transmission crap, and tuning. Plus, I am pretty sure you can run this kit with the stock exhaust system and it can be installed yourself.

 

Sounds like the smart decision would be to not do it. It wouldn't hurt me financially, but I don't think I want to spend more than 10k at this time. I guess I just really want the experience. Seems like a fun one. The build and the power. Meh. One day.

 

For 400 whp:

GTM stage 1 Twin Turbo Kit, Turn Key
3" catback exhaust (your choosing)
GTM Oil Cooler

Tune Shop:
Installation
Osiris/Uprev Tune
Dyno Time

I'd say $10,500 - $11,500

Edit: Might need a clutch upgrade? Not sure if you need one for only 400whp. Others on here might know.

 

What is the difference between a "turn key" and a "tuner" kit?

And another question: How loud would 3" exhaust be on a turbo set up? VA is pretty strict.

EDIT: And clutch upgrade? I think I have learned there is no possible way to do it for 10,000 or less unfortunately.

 

Turn key is ready out of the box. Include fuel system and GTM ECU reflash.

Tuner doesnt include the fuel system and ECU reflash so you can choose your own, but does include downpipes and wastegates.

I will be getting the tuner kit and purchasing their full return fuel system and having my particular shop do the uprev/ osiris tune credit. (Because I will be looking to go bigger power i.e. stage 3, built rods, etc.)

Edit: 3" is the recommended standard for FI. Not loud enough to break the law I woulnd't think. Pretty nasty sounding though.

 

If your going on a very conservative tune with less parts I would think it is highly possible to do it in less than $10,000 and still be safe.

GTM stage 1 turn key, 3" exhaust

Let a reputable shop tune at 6 or lower psi for 375whp and I def. think it will be right at $10k. Your not going to be able to beat around a track with it I don't think, but as far as some nice street pulls I don't think anyone else on here would object to it?