Thoughts on First Few Mods
 

Hey guys,

What are your guys' thoughts on the best first mods for a 370Z? I was thinking A Stillen Intake and Exhaust kit. I was also thinking of installing an oil cooler. The purpose for my Z is to be a fun weekend toy while sprinkling in some track days (3-4) times a year.

This will be my 2nd Z. I sold the first one to get into my Infiniti FX35 that I have now. But I used to take the 370Z I had before to the track bone stock. I noticed that towards the end of my track day, halfway through my heat the car would bog down a lot. My guess is because the oil temp got too high and went into preservation mode.

What are your guys' thoughts. And yes money is a factor lol :)

Oil cooler will definitely be required for track duty. And yes, that is why your old stock Z could not handle the track.

Stillen Gen3s and Takeda CAI are the consensus top intake choices. Fast Intentions is probably the top exhaust choice. But there are cheap eBay exhausts that don't sound bad with good gains and there are expensive exotic exhausts that sound amazing with little to no gains. It sounds like you're going to have to base your decision around your budget.

Don't forget tires. Probably the most important performance mod.

Okay

#1 Read and Understand the Track Day Best Practices thread.
#2 Cold air intakes don't do crap for the Z... we already have a good version from the factory.
#3 Oil cooler and brake fluid are necessary if you think of going to a track day.
#4 Exhaust sounds great on the Z... get a Fast Intentions system.

:tup:

Sounds to me like you already know whats good for you and your driving style. I say go for it. Price wise- just shop around, or if you have patience wait until next black Friday, they had some killer deals this go around.

I had the Gen3 Intake and Stillen CBE on my G, along with Berk HFCs, before I went turbo. Good gains and sounds great. I think that along with oil cooler, good tires and brake lines/fluid you should be good to go. If you have a good tuner local than look into UpRev to get the most out of the breather mods.

I read the Track Day Best Practices. Good read!

Interesting how some consider the stock intake ok the way it is. I don't necessarily need to get the intake. Are gains really unnoticeable with an upgraded intake?

Perhaps the best way to go then may be an Exhaust and Oil Cooler.

I will be getting slotted rotors with ceramic pads and upgrading the brake fluid.

Lastly, any thoughts on a tranny cooler? People have told me different things.


Thanks!!

For oil cooler. For where you live. A 34 row would be best. Brakes. Get SS brake lines too, plus a brake fluid like Motul 600. Brake rotors. Don't get drilled rotors. They'll likely crack at some time. Pads, the EBC Yellowstuff is a good pad for part time track use. A larger trans cooler wouldn't hurt.

Just pick up the Z1 MAF tubes and drop in filters. They will give you most the gains for little $$

Oil cooler, 34 row.
Brake/clutch lines SS.
Motul RBF 600.
Brake pads-research but I like carbotechs.
Eventually a fuel starve fix.

Cai isn't necessary, post maf tubes and drop in filters will get you 80-90% of the gains for 1/3 the cost.

Edit: IMO the stock rotors are fine I would leave them.

One thing I think everyone is missing out on the CSC, knowing that is one of the weaker points on the Z. I would highly consider replacing the CSC with an after market clutch and flywheel combo. Especially since you said you were going to track your car occasionally. Along with FL 4 motion input. Power upgrades should come next.

I agree the csc is a weak point, but I think if you upgrade the clutch line and fluid, you can get some mileage out of the stock setup. My last z, 2010 nismo had over 25k miles and lots of track time on the stock clutch, Csc etc was upgraded with the above. Having said that, some folks have failures much sooner so I suppose it's a bit if a crap shoot.

Wrap your clutch line with insulation, and flush the system with good fluid. Haven't had any trouble with my stock unit yet. Done 14 trackdays so far.