Johnnydrama’s N/A Nismo 370Z Build Thread

[johnnydrama]

I thought about doing this a long time ago, but never took the time. However, at the request/suggestion of others on here I figured it’s never too late.

As some of you may know, I bought one of the first used 2009 Nismo 370Zs. I fell in love with the car from the moment I saw a video of it on Youtube. I was 25 years old, single and was starting to do well professionally. So, I hopped on a plane to New York to buy the car from a Private Seller and drove it straight back to Bloomington, IN with a smile on my face the whole way. #274 Solid Red, ~5k miles and completely stock, there wasn’t even much of an aftermarket for these cars at the time. Shortly after I found this forum and met a lot a great guys who helped me spend money modifying my car. I ended up having a nicely bolted car and had a YouTube video that displayed my setup and was fairly popular in the community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOUepCa9KH0&t=50s

I loved the car. However, my life started to change quickly. Marriage, pregnant with first child, and my small business started to feel less stable than the years prior. The car had to go (it was my only vehicle at the time), and it happened quicker than I would of ever wanted. In Spring 2011, I traded it straight up for a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, which was also a great car but still never felt the same in my heart as the Z.

Fast forward several years to winter 2018, still married but with 4 kids now and professionally things had turned around well for me after a few hard-fought years. I no longer own my own small business but have had a successful track record as a CEO for Private Equity firms in Aerospace Manufacturing. We have a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan for my wife, and I daily drive a 2012 Infiniti QX56. All the years later I had still kept my eye out for Nismo Zs (If I’m going to own one, that’s the one I want and know that opinion is entirely subjective). Low and behold, nearly an hour and a half away I find a 2011 Solid Red Nismo with 34K miles listed. Clean, 2-owner, completely stock. Long story short on 1/31/18 I drive up and drive #142 off the lot.

Even all these years later, I still absolutely love this car. I know there is a lot of hate even within the community about Nissan needing to update and I’m not saying I disagree. But for me, this Nismo 370Z is a timeless car. I considered a 2015+, but I still preferred the exterior styling of the 09-14 version and figured I could use the money saved to update the interior which was the one thing I liked better on the 15+. My original modification plan for the car was simple; Air intake, Exhaust, Springs, & Seats. Nothing else. Having owned one before I should have known better because that plan went out the door quick. But that is another reason I love the platform. I looked at a lot of different cars and could afford to buy one if I wanted, C7 Z06s, Shelby GT350, AMG GTS, but I still roll with the Z. It’s raw, it’s manual, you feel connected and like you are going faster than you probably are, and you are fully in control of it all. It’s an experience, and for the money I don’t think there is anything else that compares, even after all the money I have put into this one. And on top of all that, it’s rare. You don’t see Nismo 370Zs driving around everyday like you do any of the other cars in its class. It’s unique.

So, let’s get into the build. Starting with my style, I would summarize as modifying the car to what it should’ve, could’ve, would’ve been from the factory. Updating and improving every aspect but keeping the OEM aesthetics and feel intact. If it doesn’t make the car perform better in some way, it’s probably not for me. Ultimate streetcar, car shows, or can go to the track if I want. I keep everything extremely clean and well maintained and try to use nothing but high quality components. Every time I drive the car (typically around 2-3k miles a year) I clean it outside, inside, and under the hood. And I enjoy every single minute of all of it. As a CEO of a company, and now with 5 kids (yep just had another one on 12/31/19) it’s essentially the only hobby I have. Everything on it is mint or near mint.

I have tracked my build in an Excel file that I’m posting a picture of below. I tend to go in spurts or Stages as I have them broken down. If some of the prices seem off to you, high or low, that’s because some items have been bought/sold that impacted that particular upgrade one way or the other. For example, I’ve bought 3 different intake setups now, where I’m at total will be reflected in the Z1 Race Intake line item. I plan to keep the car NA always, so don’t ask or suggest. My build is making good power and one of the higher WHP rated NA 370Zs running on Pump 93 Octane. I’m waiting for the Daytona Upgraded Throttle Bodies to arrive and have already made another deposit to Dynosty to reserve Dyno/Tune time once they come in. I don’t expect the throttle bodies to make a significant gain, however when I made 351WHP, it was 92 degrees and 95% humidity in July. So better elements alone in the cooler months here should help the car perform better. After that, I am planning to do a Z1 upgraded differential kit with 4.09 gears and a Z1 Street Pro Differential.

Then I am done…..

ECUTEK Tuned by Dynosty on Sunoco E85-R 355WHP/271WTQ

POWER/DELIVERY:
Fast Intentions Non-Resonated Sport Exhaust
Motordyne Long-Tube Headers w/ Hemholz Resonators
JWT C2 Camshafts & Springs
Daytona Upgraded Racing Throttle Bodies
Z1 3" Long Tube Carbon Fiber Air Intakes
Z1 Plenum Power Mod
Z1 Ported Lower Intake Manifold
Z1 Lightweight Flywheel and Sport Clutch w/ CSC Elimination Kit
Z1 Ultimate R200 w/ 4.09 Gears & Street Pro Diff
Z1 Oil Pan Spacer
Z1/Setrab 25 Row Oil Cooler Kit
Z1 Billet Fuel Rails
Z1 Ignition Coil Packs w/ HKS Super Fire Racing Spark Plugs
Z1 Fuel Port
Z1 Fuel Rails
Z1 Short Throw Shifter w/ Solid Shifter Bushings
GKTech Shifter Spring Kit
Injector Dynamics 1050X Fuel Injectors
AEM 340LPH Fuel Pump
Specialty Z Flex Fuel Kit
Stillen Lightweight Pulley
Stillen Grounding Kit
ADD W1 Dual Baffled Oil Catch Cans
OEM Oil pump w/ upgraded Boundary Engineering Gears

CHASSIS/HANDLING:
Z1 Carbon Fiber Strut Tower Brace
Z1 15mm Wheel Spacers
Z1 Brake Upgrade Package w/ 2-Piece Lightweight Rotors and EBC Pads
Z1 Sway Bars & Links
Z1 Adjustable Suspension Package
Z1 Urethane Motor & Trans Mounts
Z1 Aluminum Sub-frame Collars
Z1 Urethane Differential Bushings
Z1 Brake Master Cylinder Brace
Z1 Differential Brace
Z1 Bash Bar
TEIN Flex-Z Coilovers
Bridgestone Potenza Sport 265/305s Tires
Odyssey PC680 Lightweight Battery w/ Custom 3D Printed Battery Tray
Soul Function Full Bracing Kit
ZSpeed Aluminum Undershroud
ZSpec Titanium Engine Bay Clip Kit
ZSpec Titanium Fastener Kit
Spare Tire & Tools Removed

AESTHETICS:
Z1 Carbon Fiber Engine Bay Covers
Z1 Hatch & Hood Struts
Z1 Full Red Silicone Hose Kit
Z1 Oil Filler Cap
Z1 Radiator Cap
Braum Alpha-X Seats w/ Planted Seat Brackets
Red Seat Belts w/ Black Edging from Safety Restore
Carbon Fiber Element Steering Wheel
SRP Aluminum Racing Pedals
GTR Clear Map Lights
GTR Start/Stop Button w/ Red Nismo Surround
Complete LED Interior Light Swap
15% Window Tint

[johnnydrama]

#142s first day home, completely stock, but not for long

[johnnydrama]

Carbon Fiber Element Steering Wheel

[johnnydrama]

Braum Elite X Seats

[johnnydrama]

Z1 Long Tube Air Intakes

[johnnydrama]

Fast Intentions Non-Resonated Carbon Fiber Exhaust Install plus Z1 differential and subframe bushings and an entire underbody cleaning and painting. Was on the fence between Fast Intentions and Motordyne. I think Motordyne might sound a hair better, but chose FI due to Weight, Aesthetics, and price.

[johnnydrama]

Still went with Motordyne headers though. I had Art Pipes installed before I jumped for the headers and really like what the Hemholz resonators do across the board for the exhaust tone. Less drone and quiet at cruising speeds however rips at wide open throttle. Also less VQ hiss and rasp.

[johnnydrama]

First trip to Dynosty and hit my 400 crank HP goal by putting down 341WHP. Dynosty posted a video on the Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/Dynosty/vid...5948568420534/

[johnnydrama]

Again, don't run into Nismo Zs very often, but every once awhile. A 2016 Nismo 370Z and a 2007 Nismo 350Z

[johnnydrama]

Searching for more power in winter 2019, added Z1 Race intake upgrade. Plus some additional goodies under the hood. ZSpec Titanium Dress up kit and complete Z1 Red Silicone Hose kits.

[johnnydrama]

Some Cars & Coffee trips at Tire Rack in South Bend, IN and a pic of the Nismo next to a co-workers C6 Z06.

[johnnydrama]

Entire Soul Function Bracing kit

[johnnydrama]

Spring 2019, out of hibernation. Griots wash, claybar and wax. Plus swapped out H&R spings for Tein Flex Z coilovers and Z1 2-piece brake rotors all around. Also some SRP Aluminum Racing Pedals.

[johnnydrama]

JWT C2 Camshafts install with all supporting mods and/or replacement OEM components. Took almost 2 months with my Dad doing the majority of the work. But we did it right and it was worth it. Laid down 351WHP when tuned again at Dynosty in the video in my signature.

[johnnydrama]

Braum Elite-X Seats out, Alpha-X Seats in coupled with Red Seat Belts w/ Black Edging from Safety Restore. Plus Moddiction weighted shift knob and 4 inch extension mated to a B&M Short Throw Shifter.