Supercharging in Cali

KarlKFI · 08-01-2019, 10:09 PM

Hey all, noob back again.
New NISMO - 2018 Manual Black

So I put 9k+ miles on my 2018 NISMO and decided I needed two things:
A) coilovers for better ride quality
B) boost

Love the stock NISMO stance! So I'm not looking to lower... much. Maybe half an inch?

Looks like the only CARB legal boost option is a STILLEN super charger still. So that's what I'll looking at.

Looked up places that would do a SC drop in the Bay Area and found zcargarage down in San Jose. Sounds like Rob there has done scores of these things, with great success. So I drove down to say hi today.

He checked that there are roms for my NISMO for ECUTECK, chatted me up a while and gave me a quote.

The numbers aren't all that important (it boosts my NISMO up to the cost of a new corvette), but I wanted to run it by y'all to see what you think.

Of prime importance to me is that I don't want to be driving back down an hour to see Rob every weekend to tweak the thing, and I want to be able to pass SMOG checks without worrying about it. I don't commute in it, but I also don't race it. So I'm not looking for a 1000hp monster, just something with the power this car deserves that will pin me to the back (or side) of my seat driving around the mountains on the weekends and occasionally on the track.

So we're calling this the Rob Fuller Special, because he apparently cranks these things out like a factory.

Stillen Black Supercharger Kit (smog legal)
GTR plugs
CZP (25 Row) Engine Oil Cooler Kit
EcuTek FLASH with tuning
KW V3 Suspension
Omni 4 Bar MAP Sensor
EcuTek ECU Connect Bluetooth Interface

We discussed the air-to-air options (soho motorsports kit & topgun's Treadstone kit), and I think the verdict is that I'll hold off on the A2A for two reasons:
A) The STILLEN CARB sticker doesn't technically cover extra intake mods. Even tho maybe most SMOG checkers won't know the difference.
B) I can always add the A2A later for significantly cheaper than the SC itself and get a significant boost if I decide I want it later.

I was on the fence about the KW coilovers vs the Tein Mono Sport Coilovers w/ EDFC II Active Controller. Rob says the Tien's are a bit gimmicky and the KWs ride better both on and off the track. But I'm pretty sure he's also getting kickbacks from KW too, so he's a bit biased. Then again, he's done dozens of these, so he also knows what he's talking about. I like the idea of modifiable ride quality on the road, but I'm not excited about cutting my dash or whatever to make room for the controller inside the cabin. Anyone else got opinions/options?

Anything else I'm missing? Whatcha think?

gr8-wrx · 08-02-2019, 07:59 AM

Sounds like you've got a good plan. Nice that SJ is not too far from Concord just in case anything comes up after the install. GL

Chuck33079 · 08-02-2019, 08:34 AM

The problem with your plan is that the Stillen setup out of the box is a significant risk to your motor. Having the MAF before the compressor tricks the motor into thinking the intake charge is much, much cooler than it really is, so it does not add enough fuel to keep temps down. The air to water intercooler is undersized, so you end up with the car thinking the 100 degree intake charge is only 50 degrees and it's a recipe for knock.

ByThaBay · 08-13-2019, 02:04 AM

If you're in Concord, there is an ecutek master tuner right there in town.

KarlKFI · 08-14-2019, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByThaBay

If you're in Concord, there is an ecutek master tuner right there in town.

Huh. Didn't know Ecutek had an easy way to find tuners. That's pretty nifty! Thanks for the tip.

Granted, I didn't know up front whether I should go ecutek or uprev, so I was looking for an expert Z tuner to give advice up front.

Kinda disappointing that Enthusiast Auto Care doesn't have a website, just a yelp and facebook page. Z Car Garage has a blog with dozens of supercharger installs, so it was easier to find.

Anyway, Rob's gonna do my KW V3 coilovers first so I cant take them on my summer roadtrip down to SoCal. Then I'll get the SC done when I get back.

But it's good to know I have a master tuner in my back yard if I have issues afterwards.

SS_Firehawk · 08-16-2019, 09:18 AM

The KW's are definitely better than the Tien's. I would definitely look at the A2A and wrinkle coat it so it's not drawing attention, paint the IC black and that would really make your car more reliable and more powerful. Chuck is right. I'd also just up to a full 34 row instead of a 25.

KarlKFI · 08-29-2019, 05:01 PM

10k mile on stock NISMO suspension...

On to better things!
Got my KW V3s installed and they feel amazing!

Since the nismo is lowered stock, and I already have enough issues with the low front end, I opted to keep the same height and optimize for ride quality without losing the performance aspects. Rob dialed me in at 9lbs pressure and 9 on the rebound knob. I love it!

Now I’m off on a road trip to hit all the beaches on the California coast down to San Diego. Super excited! 🏝🏎🕶☀️

Boost when I get home.

redondoaveb · 08-29-2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlKFI

10k mile on stock NISMO suspension...

On to better things!
Got my KW V3s installed and they feel amazing!

Since the nismo is lowered stock, and I already have enough issues with the low front end, I opted to keep the same height and optimize for ride quality without losing the performance aspects. Rob dialed me in at 9lbs pressure and 9 on the rebound knob. I love it!

Now I’m off on a road trip to hit all the beaches on the California coast down to San Diego. Super excited! 🏝🏎🕶☀️

Boost when I get home.

Isn't 9 right around the factory settings? I wish my car were done, I'd hook up with you on your way down. When you're around the LAX area, if you want to stop at the shop where my car's at and check out my sc set up to get some ideas, you're more than welcome to.

KarlKFI · 09-19-2019, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

I'd also just up to a full 34 row instead of a 25.

Rob seemed to think that the fitment was better on the 25 and the 34 is only really useful if you intend on making a track weapon, which isn't really my goal for now.

The newer models don't seem to overheat as much as the older ones, but I'm not quite sure why. I see 220F oil temps pretty often in spirited driving, but I think I've only really hit 230F once with some peddle to the metal high rev racing. Of course, if it oil temp becomes an issue I can always swap it out later.

I suspect if I really want to track the thing regularly later I'll probably be pretty tempted to go with A2A.

KarlKFI · 09-19-2019, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

Isn't 9 right around the factory settings?

You mean just how they come from KW? I don't know. The box was delivered to the shop.

I do know I had him explicitly keep the stock nismo ride height, since I already have enough trouble scrapping the front lip and like the pre-lowered stance as-is. He mentioned the stock KW pre-loaded height was actually lower than the nismo suspension, so he had to open them up a bit.

I put 1800 miles on them on my road trip. So I can definitely say they're noticeably and substantially better than the nismo suspension. They take rough roads much smoother without seeming any less solid in the corners.

I suspect most of that comes from higher quality engineering and an external reservoir that allows for more travel, so the pressure can be lower without bottoming out as easily. But I'm not exactly a suspension expert.

redondoaveb · 09-19-2019, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlKFI

You mean just how they come from KW? I don't know. The box was delivered to the shop.

I do know I had him explicitly keep the stock nismo ride height, since I already have enough trouble scrapping the front lip and like the pre-lowered stance as-is. He mentioned the stock KW pre-loaded height was actually lower than the nismo suspension, so he had to open them up a bit.

I put 1800 miles on them on my road trip. So I can definitely say they're noticeably and substantially better than the nismo suspension. They take rough roads much smoother without seeming any less solid in the corners.

I suspect most of that comes from higher quality engineering and an external reservoir that allows for more travel, so the pressure can be lower without bottoming out as easily. But I'm not exactly a suspension expert.

Yeah, I meant how they come from KW. I think they set them around the midway point. Now you need to get a Hotchkis front sway bar.

Quicksilvers · 09-19-2019, 11:50 PM

If you are considering exhaust in CA you have few options Stillen and Nismo exhaust are both carb legal in CA. If you are set on the Stillen supercharger kit great choice but I would not run the Stillen tune for too long as it has been reported to cause a lean condition and can put the longevity of your VQ37HR engines life in jeopardy get your Z professionally tuned as soon as possible after going forced induction. Definitely contact Topgunz about purchasing the A2A air to air intercooler set up or make plans to install a air to air intercooler set up it’s a much better choice as the air to water set up is inefficient. Since you are located in Northern CA look into Z Car Garage as they are not too far from you. You should speak with your tuner to see what tuning software they use and recommend. ECUTek tuning would be my first choice.

redondoaveb · 09-20-2019, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilvers

If you are considering exhaust in CA you have few options Stillen and Nismo exhaust are both carb legal in CA. If you are set on the Stillen supercharger kit great choice but I would not run the Stillen tune for too long as it has been reported to cause a lean condition and can put the longevity of your VQ37HR engines life in jeopardy get your Z professionally tuned as soon as possible after going forced induction. Definitely contact Topgunz about purchasing the A2A air to air intercooler set up or make plans to install a air to air intercooler set up it’s a much better choice as the air to water set up is inefficient. Since you are located in Northern CA look into Z Car Garage as they are not too far from you. You should speak with your tuner to see what tuning software they use and recommend. ECUTek tuning would be my first choice.

All catback exhausts are CARB legal in California.

Replacement Parts are aftermarket parts that CARB considers to be functionally equivalent to the stock part they are intended to replace, and therefore would not impact the emissions from these vehicles. These parts are appropriate for sale and use on automobiles used on or off the public highways. For aftermarket exhaust systems and related parts, here are two applicable scenarios:

(a) If the automobiles stock exhaust system does not contain a catalytic converter, then an aftermarket exhaust part is a replacement part as long as the part does not remove or replace any emission control equipment originally attached to the stock exhaust system, such as oxygen sensors.

(b) If the automobiles stock exhaust system contains a catalytic converter in the manifold section of the stock exhaust system, then an aftermarket muffler positioned downstream from the catalytic converter (i.e. cat-back) is a replacement part as long as the part does not remove or replace any emission control equipment originally attached to the stock exhaust system.

"Z"en · 09-20-2019, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlKFI

Rob seemed to think that the fitment was better on the 25 and the 34 is only really useful if you intend on making a track weapon, which isn't really my goal for now.

The newer models don't seem to overheat as much as the older ones, but I'm not quite sure why. I see 220F oil temps pretty often in spirited driving, but I think I've only really hit 230F once with some peddle to the metal high rev racing. Of course, if it oil temp becomes an issue I can always swap it out later.

I suspect if I really want to track the thing regularly later I'll probably be pretty tempted to go with A2A.

Several friends of mine went 25 at first and ended up going 34

KarlKFI · 09-22-2019, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Z"en

Several friends of mine went 25 at first and ended up going 34

Do those guys track all the time or just overheat in street races?

08-01-2019, 10:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
KarlKFI Base Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 32 Drives: 2018 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 941	Supercharging in Cali Hey all, noob back again. New NISMO - 2018 Manual Black So I put 9k+ miles on my 2018 NISMO and decided I needed two things: A) coilovers for better ride quality B) boost Love the stock NISMO stance! So I'm not looking to lower... much. Maybe half an inch? Looks like the only CARB legal boost option is a STILLEN super charger still. So that's what I'll looking at. Looked up places that would do a SC drop in the Bay Area and found zcargarage down in San Jose. Sounds like Rob there has done scores of these things, with great success. So I drove down to say hi today. He checked that there are roms for my NISMO for ECUTECK, chatted me up a while and gave me a quote. The numbers aren't all that important (it boosts my NISMO up to the cost of a new corvette), but I wanted to run it by y'all to see what you think. Of prime importance to me is that I don't want to be driving back down an hour to see Rob every weekend to tweak the thing, and I want to be able to pass SMOG checks without worrying about it. I don't commute in it, but I also don't race it. So I'm not looking for a 1000hp monster, just something with the power this car deserves that will pin me to the back (or side) of my seat driving around the mountains on the weekends and occasionally on the track. So we're calling this the Rob Fuller Special, because he apparently cranks these things out like a factory. Stillen Black Supercharger Kit (smog legal) GTR plugs CZP (25 Row) Engine Oil Cooler Kit EcuTek FLASH with tuning KW V3 Suspension Omni 4 Bar MAP Sensor EcuTek ECU Connect Bluetooth Interface We discussed the air-to-air options (soho motorsports kit & topgun's Treadstone kit), and I think the verdict is that I'll hold off on the A2A for two reasons: A) The STILLEN CARB sticker doesn't technically cover extra intake mods. Even tho maybe most SMOG checkers won't know the difference. B) I can always add the A2A later for significantly cheaper than the SC itself and get a significant boost if I decide I want it later. I was on the fence about the KW coilovers vs the Tein Mono Sport Coilovers w/ EDFC II Active Controller. Rob says the Tien's are a bit gimmicky and the KWs ride better both on and off the track. But I'm pretty sure he's also getting kickbacks from KW too, so he's a bit biased. Then again, he's done dozens of these, so he also knows what he's talking about. I like the idea of modifiable ride quality on the road, but I'm not excited about cutting my dash or whatever to make room for the controller inside the cabin. Anyone else got opinions/options? Anything else I'm missing? Whatcha think?

08-02-2019, 07:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
gr8-wrx Track Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 607 Drives: 10 370z Roadster 7AT Rep Power: 15	Sounds like you've got a good plan. Nice that SJ is not too far from Concord just in case anything comes up after the install. GL __________________ Me: 2022 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double-Cab SB, 2023 Toyota Corolla Wifey: 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD Weekends: 2010 Nissan 370z Roadster

08-02-2019, 08:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	The problem with your plan is that the Stillen setup out of the box is a significant risk to your motor. Having the MAF before the compressor tricks the motor into thinking the intake charge is much, much cooler than it really is, so it does not add enough fuel to keep temps down. The air to water intercooler is undersized, so you end up with the car thinking the 100 degree intake charge is only 50 degrees and it's a recipe for knock. SS_Firehawk, Hotrodz, Jayhovah and 2 others like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

08-13-2019, 02:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
ByThaBay Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 237 Drives: 2015 370z Rep Power: 6724	If you're in Concord, there is an ecutek master tuner right there in town. Last edited by ByThaBay; 08-13-2019 at 01:10 PM.

08-16-2019, 09:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7334	The KW's are definitely better than the Tien's. I would definitely look at the A2A and wrinkle coat it so it's not drawing attention, paint the IC black and that would really make your car more reliable and more powerful. Chuck is right. I'd also just up to a full 34 row instead of a 25. Jayhovah, wideglideleon and "Z"en like this. __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction

09-19-2019, 11:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25462	If you are considering exhaust in CA you have few options Stillen and Nismo exhaust are both carb legal in CA. If you are set on the Stillen supercharger kit great choice but I would not run the Stillen tune for too long as it has been reported to cause a lean condition and can put the longevity of your VQ37HR engines life in jeopardy get your Z professionally tuned as soon as possible after going forced induction. Definitely contact Topgunz about purchasing the A2A air to air intercooler set up or make plans to install a air to air intercooler set up it’s a much better choice as the air to water set up is inefficient. Since you are located in Northern CA look into Z Car Garage as they are not too far from you. You should speak with your tuner to see what tuning software they use and recommend. ECUTek tuning would be my first choice. wideglideleon likes this. __________________ Mr. Clean

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