A 370z Horror Story

Cyber370 · 02-23-2017, 06:00 AM

I did start on this journey with my previous car (Corvette C5) but only got as far as a full exhaust and suspension upgrades. But, this was enough for the small problems to begin such as flashing CEL (for no apparent reason) and failed crank position sensor. I'm not saying any of it was caused by the exhaust mods but it was quite a coincidence, I will admit. I finally ended up trading in the Vette for a new 370Z Nismo. I have never looked back and have sworn that I will not go down the mod road with this car. It is the main reason I wanted the Nismo version. This would keep my mod bug at bay for a little longer since it already comes with nice factory upgrades. We'll see what the future holds.

Duc_Z09 · 02-23-2017, 07:35 AM

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with light modding (intake, exhaust, brakes, oil coolers, suspension stuff, etc) but you need to know what you're getting into and it's 1000x better if you do it yourself. As others have said you'll save a lot of money and also know it was done right.

Heavy modding like FI applications is best left to the pros.

As for tunes, know your shop is all I can say.

OldGuyFla · 02-23-2017, 09:01 AM

Just leave the new one alone & enjoy it for awhile.

MacCool · 02-23-2017, 10:07 AM

I put some new aftermarket valve stem caps on my wheels. It didn't cause any performance or reliability issues. My long experience with modding, particularly as cars become more electronically complex, is that anything beyond those valve stem caps is pushing my luck. Driving this Z is the part where I derive the fun - no longer interested in the tinkering after decades of dealing with the consequences of trying to outsmart factory engineers. Modding it would be, for me, taking me in the opposite direction.

BuckeyeZ · 02-23-2017, 12:11 PM

I am surprised that no one has commented on the 'always drive in sport mode' comment. I am not sure why you purchased an automatic to drive around in 'manual' mode all the time. Maybe you just don't know how to drive a manual transmission and this was your best effort to replicate that feeling? I doubt that the transmission was meant to be driven that way regularly. Risk of overheating and constant hard shifts come to mind....especially based on comments about the aggressive nature of your driving. I would recommend that you use 'sport' when the situation calls for it and leave it in 'auto' the rest of the time.......that or buy a manual transmission.

Like others....I don't mean to sound critical....but it seems that driving an auto the way you have described is abusive of the transmission and unless you change your methods, you may be headed down the same path with your new ride.

Better luck with the new car!

Nithmo · 02-23-2017, 01:01 PM

Also, who pays $3100US for an exhaust?

That must be one amazing sound coming out the back, because I can't imagine you gained any more power over an exhaust that costs half of that

scope22 · 02-24-2017, 07:56 AM

This guy is spot on, you drove it hard enough to break a diff bushing, almost 400hp, if you're surprised that your tranny blew up its because you didn't do any research to make sure that your tranny can handle additional HP and your driving style.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeZ

I am surprised that no one has commented on the 'always drive in sport mode' comment. I am not sure why you purchased an automatic to drive around in 'manual' mode all the time. Maybe you just don't know how to drive a manual transmission and this was your best effort to replicate that feeling? I doubt that the transmission was meant to be driven that way regularly. Risk of overheating and constant hard shifts come to mind....especially based on comments about the aggressive nature of your driving. I would recommend that you use 'sport' when the situation calls for it and leave it in 'auto' the rest of the time.......that or buy a manual transmission.

Like others....I don't mean to sound critical....but it seems that driving an auto the way you have described is abusive of the transmission and unless you change your methods, you may be headed down the same path with your new ride.

Better luck with the new car!

2011 Nismo#91 · 02-24-2017, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nithmo

Also, who pays $3100US for an exhaust?

That must be one amazing sound coming out the back, because I can't imagine you gained any more power over an exhaust that costs half of that

3,100 dollar exhaust the breaks at the weld after a few months.

Sorry for your troubles OP.

Nithmo · 02-24-2017, 09:42 AM

Yeah... things I wouldn't brag about, LOL.

Z eliminator · 02-24-2017, 02:42 PM

Did you put a tranney cooler on the car or an oil cooler.

Z

02-23-2017, 06:00 AM	#16 (permalink)
Cyber370 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 679 Drives: 2016 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 19371	I did start on this journey with my previous car (Corvette C5) but only got as far as a full exhaust and suspension upgrades. But, this was enough for the small problems to begin such as flashing CEL (for no apparent reason) and failed crank position sensor. I'm not saying any of it was caused by the exhaust mods but it was quite a coincidence, I will admit. I finally ended up trading in the Vette for a new 370Z Nismo. I have never looked back and have sworn that I will not go down the mod road with this car. It is the main reason I wanted the Nismo version. This would keep my mod bug at bay for a little longer since it already comes with nice factory upgrades. We'll see what the future holds. Nithmo likes this. __________________ "That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special. When you can just shut the fck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.”-Mia (Pulp Fiction)*

02-23-2017, 07:35 AM	#17 (permalink)
Duc_Z09 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 876 Drives: With the blinker on. Rep Power: 23	I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with light modding (intake, exhaust, brakes, oil coolers, suspension stuff, etc) but you need to know what you're getting into and it's 1000x better if you do it yourself. As others have said you'll save a lot of money and also know it was done right. Heavy modding like FI applications is best left to the pros. As for tunes, know your shop is all I can say. SouthArk370Z and Printermeow like this. __________________ 2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot) 2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc) 2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

02-23-2017, 09:01 AM	#18 (permalink)
OldGuyFla A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Indian Lake Estates Fl Posts: 1,049 Drives: 14 370Z TS Roadster Rep Power: 19127	Just leave the new one alone & enjoy it for awhile. __________________

02-23-2017, 10:07 AM	#19 (permalink)
MacCool A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,349 Drives: 370Z PW 2014 Rep Power: 15	I put some new aftermarket valve stem caps on my wheels. It didn't cause any performance or reliability issues. My long experience with modding, particularly as cars become more electronically complex, is that anything beyond those valve stem caps is pushing my luck. Driving this Z is the part where I derive the fun - no longer interested in the tinkering after decades of dealing with the consequences of trying to outsmart factory engineers. Modding it would be, for me, taking me in the opposite direction. Nithmo likes this.

02-23-2017, 12:11 PM	#20 (permalink)
BuckeyeZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Music City Posts: 291 Drives: 370Z BMW M4 Rep Power: 65	I am surprised that no one has commented on the 'always drive in sport mode' comment. I am not sure why you purchased an automatic to drive around in 'manual' mode all the time. Maybe you just don't know how to drive a manual transmission and this was your best effort to replicate that feeling? I doubt that the transmission was meant to be driven that way regularly. Risk of overheating and constant hard shifts come to mind....especially based on comments about the aggressive nature of your driving. I would recommend that you use 'sport' when the situation calls for it and leave it in 'auto' the rest of the time.......that or buy a manual transmission. Like others....I don't mean to sound critical....but it seems that driving an auto the way you have described is abusive of the transmission and unless you change your methods, you may be headed down the same path with your new ride. Better luck with the new car! __________________ Stillen \| EVO-R \| HPS \| K&N \| Hotchkis \| Modshack Oil Cooler \| SPL

02-23-2017, 01:01 PM	#21 (permalink)
Nithmo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada Posts: 219 Drives: 16 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 127	Also, who pays $3100US for an exhaust? That must be one amazing sound coming out the back, because I can't imagine you gained any more power over an exhaust that costs half of that birdman71 likes this.

02-24-2017, 09:42 AM	#24 (permalink)
Nithmo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada Posts: 219 Drives: 16 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 127	Yeah... things I wouldn't brag about, LOL.

02-24-2017, 02:42 PM	#25 (permalink)
Z eliminator A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,659 Drives: 370 Z 7AT Sports Rep Power: 18	Did you put a tranney cooler on the car or an oil cooler. Z __________________ 12.343 @114.14 . 4.5 stroker motor is now being built. Dec 1 2015.

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