Recently acquired 2016 White Nismo 6MT Tech in Texas!

[Zala]

Hello all!

I've had my stock Nismo 6MT w/ Tech Package for about 3 weeks so far. I'm actually a returning member to the 370z community (I had a 2010 Black MT with Permisson Leather and the tech package brand new back then).

A little story about me... Had my first 370z in 2010, but back when gas prices were at nearly $4 a gallon, it was a pretty brand new model still, and my only car. For many reasons, I made a change and traded in for a 2011 Mazda MX5 Power hardtop coupe (aka Miata).

As my only car the MX5 was far easier to live with, but I sure did miss the power of my Z, which I personally felt was just perfect for the street. It was just powerful enough to get in trouble with, but not insane enough that the tires/suspension setup couldn't handle it. I'm into driver's type cars more than straight up power, so it fit me well. Well... that's when I decided that my MX5 needed just as much power/weight ratio as the Z or I wasn't going to be happy.

Threw up the following on my MX5:

• Cosworth Supercharger
• Long tube header (cat in the midpipe) + full exhaust
• Flyin Miata Stage 2 Springs/Tockico Sport Shocks
• Enkie RPF1 with wider/sticker rubber (gained a good inch in width over stock)
• Ecutek dynotuned to about 235 WHP

This was fun and the car performed a bit better than my Z did (weight difference is a good 600-700 lbs). This was also my first time modding so extensively (beyond bolt-ons). Then I decided to go further down the rabbit hole:

• 2.5L engine swap (replacing the stock 2.0L)
• All other hardware remained (supercharger, exhaust, etc.)
• Ecutek dynotuned on e70 (pump ethanol in my area) to about 300 WHP (and whole lot of torque).

The car was now insane and could hold tight with if not slowly walk stock Corvette's, GT500's, etc. It had instantaneous torque on tap, so pretty much felt like a small V8 was installed. The only limitation was my short gearing, but I wasn't looking to shoot past ultra illegal speeds on the streets.

All was good, but then my supercharger bearing started show signs of going bad after a year (it's been spinning toward it's upper threshold for a while now) and I preemptively grounded the car to take care of it. Well, instead she's been waiting for a newly developed EFR turbo setup that will go on a new built 2.5L. I have some expectations of just a little more (if not a lot more) power into that setup, but I just want it on the street again.

So in for the long wait while the kit comes to market (getting in on a initial group buy production), I picked up a 1 year old 2014 Black Focus ST. This car was fully loaded with Recaros and the tech package, only had 14k miles, was being sold for 30% less than new. I hopped on it and didn't look back. It quelled the boredom from driving my tuner's loaner he so graciously let me borrow (an old auto Mercedes SLK), and has been very practical for use. No, this car isn't modded and won't be. I only want to deal with one money pit and well beyond dumping money into a FWD platform.

OK, OK, here's where the Z action starts to happen!!

Well.. I've been waiting still on the MX5 build and I was starting to miss my agile two seater sports car a lot (coupes will not do, sorry BRZ, Mustang, BMW, etc.) I started looking around and started noticing that Z used prices on later models are becoming far more reasonable and I had previously really loved mine just fine as a stock car (not intentions of modding). My only disappointment is that they no longer had a touring/sports package combo in the later model years. All my vehicles typically have leather seats, sound, and whatever sports equipment is available (MT is mandatory), so I thought I was going to have to settle on not having leather. Then I saw a 2016 used Nismo MT with Tech Package and 10k miles just at the top end of my prospective budget!

You all know how much these newer Nismos are a huge step up from the base 370z of 2009-2010, so I was ecstatic and promptly took ownership. It's a dream, rides tighter than my last Z, still has sound/leather (tech and back-up camera are a nice plus), love the new Recaros, and looks/sounds way meaner than before. She's just perfect for a car I don't need an itch to mod, is quick, and is just wonderful to gaze at from time to time.

I've only had replace tires (rear left puncture and pretty worn all around) and was surprised by a damaged intelligent key module when trying to get a second key made for the car. It only came with one and with the unit being damage, promptly bricked the car while at the dealer. Anyway, past all that and still loving every drive in it. I consider them minor set backs considering how much cash I saved off a brand new Nismo (a good 25%), which for me made owning a Nismo this time around that much more possible.

Anyway, sorry for the long story, but I'll be around and reading up on everything Z, just like I do with all my cars. It's great to be back in this car!

Thanks all!

[newls196]

welcome back! This was a good read, and we are somewhat similar. I love the Z, cant believe it took me to the age of 34 to own my first import, and realize you dont need a camaro/mustang to go fast as there are more important aspects in a cars performance, and thats handling and the over all drivers experience and the Z platform delivers on that WAY BETTER then my camaro ever could

[Memphis370Z]

Congratulations and welcome.

[cigarclifford]

Welcome to the 370Z forum



-Clifford

[B&W_Evader]

Nice read. Can't wait to see the mod bug hit you on this one. Keep us posted.

[Zala]

Originally Posted by B&W_Evader

Nice read. Can't wait to see the mod bug hit you on this one. Keep us posted.

Ha! It likely won't happen. My fiance gave me a mod pass on the MX5 considering it's already paid off and was modded before she met me. Going forward, she didn't want me modding anymore and actually OK'd me to invest something comparable in performance down the road like a C7 Corvette.

I've been saving for one, but little by little, I didn't like the idea of dumping well over 50K on a single car purchase. That's when I decided I could have 2 cars instead for the same price (Focus ST and the 370z). I know the they aren't in the same league performance wise, but I'd never legally use all the power the Corvette can offer knowing how little my MX5 currently gets outside the local track.

Parts for the Z are always significantly more expensive than the MX5 and every HP gained is worth so much less on a heavier car. Still, I love reading up on the builds others have going on.

[God-Speed]

Now get some pictures of the ride posted up!!!

[OldGuyFla]

Welcome , Have fun with the mods.

[Zala]

Originally Posted by God-Speed

Now get some pictures of the ride posted up!!!

Finally got to the pics. Here's the Z:







And for those that are interested, here's my sleeper MX5:



Took it to the track in it's 300 WHP form and tried it out.



And for the dyno sheet nerds, here's the delta on my tuner's dynapack. He it reads about 10-15 HP lower than the local dynojet I've also used.



The lower line is the 2.0L Supercharger setup, higher lines are the 2.5L Supercharger (pump ethanol).

Enjoy!