So I know there's tons of choices for parts, but I've had my Z for a few years and am just now looking to mod. It's a 2004 Silverstone Touring and I don't have too much money as I am still young but I am looking to keep the car for a while. I'm just finishing the process of replacing OEM exterior parts that had small dents and scratches from school parking lots so it looks pretty decent now.

I am looking for mods that will improve performance, but just on a daily driver standard.

What would you suggest that I do first? I would like to start with less expensive and/or easy to do mods and then work my way up to the higher cost/more intense mods. Also, I prefer substance over appearance so it doesn't have to be the best looking stuff out there as long as it's well-performing. For example, I don't want an exhaust that sounds like I'm going 120 at low speeds. Something aggressive yet subtle.

For exterior looks, I would love some RPF1's and I gotta say I love that vertex body kit if only I had the money for them.

Thanks ahead of time for any advice!

 

keep stock intake for one.. thats cheap..lol...

get plenum spacer - another cheap but good mod..

HFC's - now we are getting a little more pricey

Exhaust - go to youtube and hear what you want - then buy..

wheels - your good with the RPF1's

Also - you need to post a budget so that we can get a better understanding of what you can afford to get first..

 

Just get a K&N for the intake box.

+1 on the Plenum spacer....Jake can install for you ! ( Jake is your go to guy for installs )

Exhaust is personal preference on sound & note....I like the Nismo. Search for exhaust sound bites. Some peeps like the true duals...or Singles.

Before you get wheels...you might want to roll your rear fenders....again Jake is the man for this.

Also try to get an idea of suspension...maybe some better sways frt & Rr....
Lowering springs....or Coilovers. Big money there !

This list can go on forever.....but you can start small & move in the right direction with Jakes help.


You can find many of these items for sale used....if you don't mind it being a little bit dirty.

 

There are 2 things that give the VQ35DE non-revup power:
-test pipes (can substitute with HFC, but that's more $)
-5/16" spacer (MRev2 optional)
-everything else like intake or exhaust is optional and won't give you much power

Comparing my dyno numbers (N/A from back in the day) to other locals on the same day/dyno, I was putting down some pretty decent numbers with my short list of mods at the time (popcharger, 5/16 spacer, mrev2, test pipes, exhaust).

If you're inquiring about which brands, then do a search. Short answer is that they all make relatively the same power, so pick what you can afford/want.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah for now it's a low budget (Let's say a couple thousand for now) and I'll just keep adding on as I get the extra money. So I'll look for a spacer, test pipes, and a decent exhaust/intake for now. Yeah I don't mind used at all as long as it works! Saves plenty of money that way

 

Started off today with some of the cheapest mods I could find. I picked up some blue dome lights (look awesome in the dark) and went to the dodge dealership and swapped my antenna for the 08 Avenger one. Looks great! I've been listening to clips and I reallllyyy like the sound of the nismo exhaust. About how much should I expect to pay for that (used good condition)? And what do y'all think about this http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/2221992028.html ? And if I get something like that would any plenum spacer be alright with that?

Thanks again and sorry I don't know much - but I'm searching and learning!

Edit:
How about these? Sound clip seems good but I don't know about the company. https://my350z.com/forum/exhaust/514...est-pipes.html

 

Dude, the best suggestion I can tell ya is to start to come out to events & meets to see what other people have on their Z's and what you like and don't.

People here in the forum are very savvy on their experience and can tell you so much in a meeting than you'll ever get from a few hundred posts !

So look up the next meeting or AutoX event and come out to introduce yourself.

 

LOL...that CL ad is DAN @ scarab.. really I would do the plenum spacer and be done with that...300 is a bit much if you ask me to get a measly 5-10 hp ...

 

^ LOL @ Scarab.. I didn't know they were still selling through CL.

People spend more for about that much "power increase," sometimes for less. And people spend money on things because "it looks pretty."

 

Just ordered a motordyne isothermal spacer. Happy to hear it's an easy install should I go with aesthetics first or substance? I want a nice (inexpensive) body kit and a cf hood, but I also want more power. I'll try to head to the next meet I can! Thanks moto and Jake!

 

Mods on a DE are pretty pointless. Save up and go turbo or spend it all on exterior.

 

How so? And I'll be keeping this car for a while (keeping it through college) and when I graduate I'll be getting a new car so I might as well make it nice since it's all I've got. I'll keep the Z though and use the other as a weekend car most likely. And just curious but what's the full cost of a turbo with installation? I see prices anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

If you're going to end up spending a couple of thousand on bolt-ons like you're saying, add a tune to your list of things to do because there's nothing more redundant than having full bolt-on NA mods with a stock ECU. Search the FI section for turbo suggestions. I personally like Momentum's single turbo.

 

Dang $8,000 is a bit steep for me for now. There's no other cheaper alternative that you suggest, turbo or otherwise? And If I get the turbo, would I need to get anything else other than exterior aesthetics?

Thanks

EDIT: Also, my car is an automatic if that affects parts/turbos. I saw an inexpensive universal STS turbo kit bnib on craigslist for 2,000. Thoughts?

 

you got the spacer, now find an 06 air box and tube. then your test pipes of choice, and catback. far as body enhancements go, vis makes some of the best (on the cheap) fitting kits around i hear. check out strafe too. i know ipp here in spring had the seibon hr style cf hood for 480 shipped! nice price. Z1 motorsports has good prices on their in house line of test pipes etc..
http://www.importpartspro.com/hd0708ns350oe.html
http://www.z1motorsports.com/350_g35...f50a71fa3ea37e

 

It is really up to what you want to do with your car. If you dont race on street or drag, i will go for suspension mods and some exterior for sure.