370z 7AT - Need Suggestions/Advice
 

Hello everyone

Recently (2 Months) purchased a 370z 7AT 2014 New from Local dealer (Dubai) GT Edition - Courtesy of CarbonSignal
Should have not rushed and bought an Automatic but they did not have the manual and it would take 2 months. No Way. Was picking it up from the showroom the very next day :happydance:

Mods Currently are

1) Akrapovic Evolution
2) Motordyne ART Pipes ( On the way being Shipped)
3) Swift Springs
4) H&R 20mm Front & 25mm Rear Spacers
5) Motordyne M370

Coming to the advice/suggestions part,

I know what i want to achieve from this car (atleast 500 WHP) with reliability.
My knowledge about this stuff is umm still building so excuse my 'noobishness'

Yes i have done the search and been reading forever, But its time to plan out my remaining mods and i prefer a more direct approach.

1- Twin turbo or Supercharger ? Considering my location and transmission, Will TT hold up ? i lean towards TT because it seems to have a lot of potential . Stillens Supercharger may be great but its results dont seem to be satisfactory to me.

2- Will Valve body upgrade do the trick to support the FI route i go ? Or do i have to rebuild the transmission ? i honestly dont want to ship my entire transmission to and from someone in the US. And i dont trust anyone locally enough to do this job.

3- Transmission cooler and Oil cooler are on my list and probably will be shipped soon. Any other supporting mods ?

500 whp and DD reliability. Thats the goal. Time of completion and Spending a little extra for reliability not really an issue since i am not in a hurry.
Please bear in mind my shipping costs :D it hurts when i pay as much for the shipping as the product being shipped.

Thanks in advance for reading and providing any suggestions etc
I pretty much wanted a Z for 5 years but only just recently purchased it. Done my reading, Done my research, But i would like to get some direct answers now

http://www.the370z.com/forced-induct...-here-199.html

See the end of this post, they are the only ones working on a TT for the 7AT that I know of.

You are definitely wanting to go with TT. I don't think either of the single turbo kits fit an AT and none of the available SC options are going to reach your power goals.

Fast Intentions TT kit and AAM should be good options. My personal opinion is the FI TT kit is a better kit but there is nothing wrong with the AAM kit. Here's a link to AAM building a TT 370Z AT.

AAM Competition - Nissan GT-R, 370Z Turbo Performance Specialists

The critical part is getting an upgraded AT to handle the power level you are shooting for. Fast Intentions is working on one and there is another company that has one on the market. As soon as I find the link I'll edit this post.

Edit - Upgraded AT

level10 out of NJ.

its like 3200 for a 1000hp tranny and that's sending them yours to upgrade.

think its 4200 for a 100% new tranny sent to you.

http://www.levelten.com/nissan_perfo...sions_s/46.htm

1) Twin Turbo will be the only option to reach your power goals, the Stillen SC will fall around 450whp
2) There are guys running 500whp with just a valve body upgrade, but it really comes down to being a ticking time bomb with that. I am sure it can last, but the harder you push it the weaker it will get.
3) Other supporting mods for just the tranny will be a good tune that will adjust the transmission pressure lines to help hold the power.

Now back to point 2, the main weak point in the transmission so far seems to be going into boost in gears 5,6,7 as they are the weakest. Though a hard launch in 1 will definitely cause some major wear, but it seems the higher gears are not able to handle the TQ levels of any boost application (TT/T/SC). The transmission is only rated for about 295lb of TQ so adding boost you are adding easily 100lb more.

I know you have been reading, but in case you missed this thread it is full of info for the transmission & boost: http://www.the370z.com/forced-induct...370z-info.html

Definently something with a beefy torque converter, personally I like the auto/turbo combo.

Going to post this as I just saw this, this is for anyone, but OP this might be ideal for you.

http://www.the370z.com/canada/94434-...odds-item.html
Megan370z has a slightly used 7AT for 2,000USD and is will to ship. This might be ideal to get this, ship it to level10 for a build and then ship to you once your TT kit arrives and install it all together.

This will give you a built 7AT along with your factory 7AT as a back up if necessary or if you ever part out.

level10's website lists 'no core' tranny upgrade at only a $1000 more than sending yours to them. So it would be cheaper to just buy theirs instead of providing a core.

I have spoken to level 10 and they quoted me for the transmission upgrade.

I have pretty much put my umm build list in stages,
once the ART pipes are here and i get an uprev tune, That there would be stage 1.
stage 2 - all supporting mods including the transmission
and finally stage 3

I do need the money for all this, So it might be slow but i want to do it right. Might invest in some "Show" stuff but dont really care much for it
Shes already a freaking looker

ok Noob question time - forgive me for this but i have to ask, Can i like ship all the 'parts' for the transmission upgrade and somehow build it here ?
i am looking for ways to avoid paying a bomb on shipping. Is this possible ?

AAM was in my list of possible TT setups

DO i need both valve body upgrade and Transmission Upgrade
(I have no clue wtf is valve body upgrade lol) but i would get it if i need it lol

I guess this year will only be supporting mods and maybe play around with appearance. Gotta get the 10-13k for TT by beginning of next year lol

Definitely getting the Level 10 Transmission upgrade. Lol but i would probably be paying 6k When it lands here haha. OUCH

A suggestion, I know you just bought the ART pipes, but look at what upgrades you are getting & what will carry over once you go TT.
The uprev tune will have to be re-done with the TT kit, completely, so might not be worth paying twice for that. The car with just ART pipes (and exhaust) should be fine without a tune.

:iagree:

also with going with TT kit if you want more power then the least restrictive exhaust is a helping factor. so when choosing your exhaust keep that in mind as well.

most people will run straight 3" down pipes for better flow.

Level 10 will sell the parts to you so you can do it locally.

From a curiosity side, is this something a person can DIY with the right tools & time. Or even with the parts from level10 you need a good knowledge of transmissions?

Did not think of that.
Well The Akropovic has a big *** box thingy muffler at the rear, Guess i would have to change that !!
The ART pipes would be an issue ? they looked so pretty i just bought them.
And our terrible stock exhaust was not really helping.

So you recommend not doing a tune yet ?
My motordyne Manifold which i got excited for lol proved pointless because i do not feel anything. I assume i would feel something if i did a tune.
I am looking to get boosted only by the end of this year. Loads of work till then. Atleast i would have a 'faster' z :D

Btw thanks for all your suggestions, Its helping already
:happydance:

with a manifold and exhaust you may be on the boarder of needing a tune but then that's around $600 you'll be spending. do you have intakes as well? if so then it may be time for a tune so you don't hurt anything.

if it was me going boost I would just have 3" straight pipes. turbos are natural mufflers in the system.........and I like my car sounding mean and raw. hence why I have straight pipes even without boost lol

My Zexy :D

Oh i would love to have a loud z but i do have to watch out for the po po's here.
I do not have intakes.
Just the motordyne manifold And Exhaust, Will be receiving the ART on Sunday.
Was thinking a tune after that.
I only went for the Akropovic because it was more on the silent side. However i did not find the sound loud enough so went ahead and bought the ART pipes lol. which again fall on the silent side . Well ill probably change the Rear end now that you mentioned to have a better flow.

Any suggestions on a Rear part of the exhaust ?

I could be wrong but wouldn't those ART pipes blow with more heat from the twin turbo since they are resonated? Thats why everybody use either straight down pipes or test pipes

I am only learning.
Fastest way to learn. GO FI and learn haha
so no ART pipes on Turbo application ?

Would i be able to keep the akrapovic CBE and replace only the rear part ?
or is it recommended to replace the entire thing ?

Level 10 PTS Nissan Bulletproof Rebuilding Kit RE5R05A,RL4F03A,RE4F04A,R44F04B,RE4R01A,RE5F22A

Note that this is not for beginners and requires special tooling specific to transmission make and model.

yea unless you work on transmissions everyday then i don't think this is a DIY project lol i would never dream to crack open a tranny case and go to work myself.

they aren't even listing our 7AT in their option which is RE7R01A
keep in mind a brand new 7AT is 8k$

an 5spd from a 350z which is RE5R05A can be bought brand new at 2600-3000$
http://www.courtesyparts.com/

You can keep the CBE. Just make sure to go either straight down pipes or test pipes no resonators in that area cause is close to the engine and overtime the resonators will blow and you're have an unnecessary headache. And yes 3" is best for more power but 2.5" is find.

there's 2 guys on here who have got their tranny for the 370. you just call and tell them and they make it. i think the listing is general.

the one guy is in England running it with a greddy kit and loves it.

http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...e-what-do.html

I guess I should have said that wasn't our 7AT, I linked to show it's not a DIY thing to do.

eh ill sell the ART before getting the turbo :D

I have been quoted 3.5k from Level 10 for rebuilding the transmission which includes the core.
If i do get the parts from US shipped to me, What kind of umm experience would be necessary to 'upgrade' it ?
Or do you recommend me to ship core, Upgrade and ship back ?

I would go with either AAM or FI.
doesnt matter as long as i get to 500 whp with reliability.

Honestly, for the price (minus shipping) I would just ship your transmission to them.
Think of the shipping cost as insurance that if a local guy 'thinks' he can do it and screws it up you just lost badly. Level10 has been doing 350z transmissions for years and now has 2 done for the 370z.

Ah i wasnt aware they been long in the business. Thats good to know.

Honestly it just hurts , I have an approximate on shipping, It costs me as much as the transmission itself to get it done lol..so i am looking at approx 6k atleast excluding the installation of the transmission and removing the transmission out lol

OUCH really

That can go both ways, if there is a problem you will have to ship it back to them.

noooooooooooooooo
why would you say that sir ?
That only messes things more in my head.

I'm having that debate myself right now. I have been planning to send mine to Level 10 but the shop that works on my car pointed out that they have a local shop that has done some monster GTR trans and if I had trouble they are right here to fix it. I still don't know what I'm going to do. So far mine has had no trouble but I'm not at the 500whp you want.

lol
Estimate Quotation for Just TT and transmission replacement is around (With Shipping, Base Products)
20k.

Alternative being Stillens supercharger, Would i need to rebuild transmission or will Valve body upgrade be reliable enough ?
Would i be near 450 whp atleast ? i understand that supercharger has its limitations but what would it max out at ?
My driving is a bit on the hard side ..i hardly ever go over 180km/h but i am usually hard on the 0-140. But my first gear will be taking some stress i guess. Does this mean i am required to build the transmission ?

If i am building the transmission, Thn i would go TT, If not stillen seems reasonable enough for me to settle
20k though just getting them to me lol

Hey Leroydsouza,

I'm running Aam competition TT with a valve body upgrade. I'm at 480whp and the transmission shifts and feels solid.

If you go with the stillen kit you won't have any room to grow. If you do try to get 450whp from it you risk popping the motor.

Thats good to know but

main concerns,

1) Do you push it on first gear ?
2) Your 5,6,7 gears are weak i am sure so how do you drive, Manual mods or ?
3) How long have you had it and have you checked for any damage to the tranny ?
4) It is a cheaper option to get the valve body upgrade and the turbo but

reiability . tsk tsk.

have you tracked the car ? Quarter mile timing ?

1. Yes, but it doesn't take much to spin the tires on 1st-3rd.

2. On the freeway, I keep it on manual mode and 5th can handle a bit boost. I never hit 6th and definitely not 7th.

3. I recently had it installed. Picked it up late November and have no reason to check the trans. I do plan on building the tranny sooner or later

4. I had the same dilema about reliability but if that's your goal stay stock. Adding boost to any car that's not designed for it.... Well have some oh sh*t money just in case.

I haven't tracked it yet. I want to do my diff to help with traction and my re-11s hate the cold.

Contact Max at aam competition, great guy and he can steer you the right way.

Thats reassuring.

I totally understand that i cannot have factory reliability.
However spending money should be able to get me there ? or so i hope.

Well its nice to know that you do have it installed ..and by the time i am ready for it, Ill definitely have better answers from you.

Hopefully by the end of this year , Ill go with TT.
Till then i need to figure out how to get this transmission part done right.
I have spoken to both Level 10 for the tranny and Someone at AAM too.
Just narrowing it down and getting my supporting mods done right i guess.

Stock isnt an option. :D

After boosting the z it became a totally different beast! Hope I helped and best of luck with your build

My Stillen is at 418whp/312tq and I have been beating one the 7AT for over a year with no problems. The only thing done to mine is a Stillen trans cooler and adjusted the pressures in uprev so it shifts faster at high rpms. The only reason I'm thinking I'm buying the Level 10 is that I'm planning a lot of track days this year.

Decided to go with Fast intentions.
But i am definitely going to rebuild the transmission, because i am one of those mad drivers and will not be able to pay attention to what gear and what speed i am running at. i have a heavy foot and i would prefer my transmission dont give up on me.

Thanks for all your help guys, You did narrow my search

Also, Ill be changing the mufflers to straight dual. I hope that works out, I dont really want to order a complete new CBE.
Shipping Hurts

Straight pipe will be awesome on a turbo setup. Turbo is hell of a muffler :tup:

Will just the muffler part do the trick ?

http://goo.gl/Kh0NbG
I will change only the muffler part
Hopefully to Fast intentions mufflers ?
Will that be umm perfect ?