Mods for the rest of us
 

Like the car itself, this forum is divided among very different groups: people who track and race, people who like to mod for performance and handling, people who like to change appearance, and people who add sound systems, etc. There are sections on the forum for most of these groups. However, information relevant to one particular group finds its way onto the general forum. This is fine but it does raise some questions.

I belong to the group that bought the car because I love to drive it and I use it on the roads as a DD. Demographically, I am older (not old yet), male, and have nothing to prove to anyone about me or my car. I am pretty sure there are quite a few of us here.

The question is: What mods make sense for our group? And don't say a wheelchair lift! Based on my reading I have made some mods to my car (a touring with the sport and navi packages).

• A backup camera (I love it!)
• Invisible bra (Venture film)
• Stainless steel wrapped teflon brake lines.
• DOT 5.1 brake fluid
• Improved air flow air filters.
• Good radar dectector (Escort 950ix)
• Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires (Absolutely needed in rainy Seattle)

That's what I have done so far. I am convinced all except the brake line and fluid upgrades are necessary, at least to me. The brake line/fluid changes were made because of the reports of brake loss when the fluid boils under extreme use. Thinking back (it was only September), I may have been over concerned.

I think it would be a real service to all of us dd, non-racing types to get expert advice about mods we should and shouldn't make. This isn't so much about what you have *done* as much as it is about what makes the most sense.

oil cooler, any demograph...along as you drive a 370Z...oil cooler...lol

i dont dd my car but im pretty happy with my 370z in stock form for my drives on the weekends. i did a few tweaks here and there and that's it. you can read about it in my albums page.

I am fall somewhere between DD (very limited basis) / weekend car / track day (or plan to be at least). My mods are K&N drop in's, Motordyne M370,PowerHouse Amuse R1, and I will be getting my car tuned (Uprev). I have coilovers, Volk CE28Ns,Nitto Invo's, and the carbon fiber front lip (Top Secret) and rear spoiler (Mines).

I will probally get sways later and a oil cooler (sooner) and a clear bra. Other than that, I am good with the car in this form. You may not need all that, but the M370, suspension mods, and an exhaust will completly change your experience with this car. It takes it up another level; performance wise, I feel I loose NO ground to cars like the Cayman S (with the exception that it's a Porsche, and that is hot...), TTRS, or upcoming 1 M Coupe (but will have to wait until it is released to be sure).

i dont know...from what ive read 220 degrees is normal right? ive driven the car hard (just passed break-in :D) and ive yet to see my 2010 nismo break 220 degrees. even in 45min bumper to bumper traffic on a warm 70 degree day i dont see it pass 220.

to the OP: id agree with your list. definitely a clear bra (i have full hood/bumpers/mirrors/a pillar/part front and rear fenders). everything else on your list i also have or are planning to get, minus the tires.

you must be one of the lucky one...or wait till summer...how long have you had it?

I don't think most people in here who drive their car on public roads have had the oil rise much above 220 F or so even with a bit of spirited driving on occasion. The oil temp does come down quickly according to most and the oil won't 'cook' for short spikes in high temperatures or damage the internals.

I couldn't stand the boring stock exhaust note. A cat back exhaust totally changed the experience of driving the car, both in terms of sound and power. Highly recommended!

Yah, my z would not go past 220 either. Might help to have the ac running?

As the doc said, definitely get an exhaust. Megan should do a axelback like the fujimura on my z. Opens up the sound and backpressure quite a bit. And very easy to install. With taiwan pricing of $300 a pop it should sell well.

Chalk up another recommendation for an exhaust system.
Necessary? No, but the stock exhaust note is flat and uninspired. I ordered a Fast Intentions system four days after buying the car. Now the car sounds meaty and tuned without being too fast or too furious.

I don't track my car, so I ignore all the fuss over oil temperatures.
Running at 3-4,000 rpm on the beltways around D.C. and Baltimore, I've only seen my gauge go a tick above 220 degrees, even in 100 degree summer heat.

I have to put in a word for an oil cooler, but I personally think that a tune even on a stock car is one of the better modifications you can do; it increases drivabililty in terms of the car running smoother, having the ability to set it in valet/immobilize/high octane/regular octane, and picking up torque in the midrange which benefits all areas of everyday driving.

As for bolt ons, the modification that changed the car the most in my experience was the Stillen G3 intake; it made the car feel and sound so much more aggressive in the latter half of the rev range and gave a nice bump in power at the same time.

ive had my nismo for almost a month now. i daily drove it to work for the entire break in period. just last week it was hitting 80's and 90s and i was still in traffic and stomping on the gas. nothing ever above 220. i took it on a 150 mile round trip up north and nada...

maybe i am one of the lucky few, but i dont see a need for an oil cooler...yet. only time will tell!

Put a piece of tape over the oil temp gauge. Maybe even take it out and replace it with a flower holder ala VW Beetle!

As you stated in your original post. The mods all depend on what you are looking for out of the car (performance, apperance, sound, etc.). If you are looking to keep it pretty stock then maybe just invest in a porter cable and polish kit. Allows you to spend some quality time with your baby while also keeping her looking nice through the abuse of daily driving.

SeattleLion:

The biggest thing I miss about my Maxima was the backup camera. Those things will spoil you. I don't know if the 370z's equipped with Nav have them (I assume they do) but I really miss it.

On the new Z, I plan on an exhaust because, as others have said, it's just too tame for me. I'm not looking for a loud exhaust, just something that says this engine is alive.

Beyond that, I have no further plans.

I am solidly in the OP's demographics. For me, the priority list is (starting with base model):
1. homelink/compass mirror (1st because I have 3 openers to control. Too many remotes!)
2. mod the blanked switch location(s) (reading glasses holder so far.. showing my age)
3a. Sound deadening
3b. Backup camera (of course, the multimedia HU, upgraded speakers and subwoofer are purely coincidental!)
4. sub-divide the upper cubby for better utilization (sunglasses, etc.. maybe blackberry)
5. Exhaust may get put on the list, but only after I've evaluated post-sound-deadening.
6. Maybe an oil cooler gets put on the list, but only after i see how she does thru a Texas summer.
7. I like the way the DIY headlight LEDs look, but I will probably never get to this one
8. If I see front fog lights that really compliment the car styling, mebbe....
9. If I see a rear spoiler/wing that I REALLY like, mebbe...
10. If I see a really good deal on someone selling their stock Sport wheels, mebbe...

Not all Z's seem to need an oil cooler. I've driven mine hard for hours, both stop and go, as well as constant 80mph speeds in 105 degree temps, and my car has never seen 220. Highest maybe 215.

The 2010 Z's don't have a backup camera. I had one installed that displays on my nav screen, just like it did in cars I have owned before. The aftermarket install is just as good as any factory system. The 2011 nav package comes with backup camera and the backup camera is available as an extra-cost option on non-nav Z's. In that case, a small backup window opens on the rear view mirror. My wife has this feature on her Toyota truck and it is acceptable. I prefer the nav screen version.

Only times I've seen temps higher than 220 were during the summer here in Texas when temps were over 100 and that's with just normal driving. I don't think I've actually hit 260 but definitely around 240 driving from Dallas to Houston.

I daily drive my Z and essential mods I think are Tints, Valentine 1 or some sort of radar detector, navigation if you don't have it already and some sound deadening. Exhaust would be up there too but you may not like it if it's too loud.

I'm in the lower end of the demographic (25)... and I deal with "tuner" cars all day long at work so it's in my nature to mod whatever car I have.

Necessary mods for me...

1. Exhaust. I agree with everyone. The stock exhaust is rather quiet and doesn't remind me of the way a Z car should sound.

2. Stance. The car is a bit high for my taste and the wheels are a little sunk in. I've got springs and spacers on the way to help with that.

3. Audio. The stock base radio is nice... but doesn't do well with an AUX jack when you listen to music louder than normal. (I don't mean like loud rap music or anything, even listening to a football game louder than normal tends to drone out the speakers.)

4. Clear bra is a must. I was lucky to have one already installed on my car when I bought it.

Another thing that is really starting to concern me is the fact that everything in the back hatch area slides around when I drive. Even my laptop case and a book bag full of cleaning supplies... I've heard the cargo net or something don't really work well, so I don't know about that.

Other than that, I'm really happy with the car. I haven't tracked it yet, and haven't had any issues with the oil temps... then again I haven't driven it much.

I like what you've done, planning to do some similar things.

Also suggest an iPod/USB Hard Drive if you don't have one, a black sticker for the fuel gauge, some LED bulb replacements, and the sound deadening in the trunk.

I plan to do Berk HFC/Tanabe Y-pipe at some point, but I want a bit more torque than stock.

Replacing the interior lights (map and trunk) and the license plate lights with LEDs from YourLEDshop (forum vendor) is a pretty simple mod that not only makes the car look better, but adds functionality, too.

Yea, the exhaust was a major disappointment. The 350z had a much more satisfying oem sound. An exhaust may be a nice mod, but since you are on the fence, I would suggest going for a ride in a fellow forum member's car before you purchase one.

It's always best to know what you are getting before you do it so there are no regrets.