best mods for a limited budget
 

So I am looking for some easy inexpensive mods for the most speed gains. I don't care about being loud unless it helps with speed, so only loud enough for speed improvements but not extra loud just to be loud. My budget is only around 1k.
I have read on the forums that HFCs are the best bang for my buck. Please let me know if any of your suggestions need other parts as well to implement them. I am a complete newbie to this.
I am thinking of looking into some driving schools also.

Thanks!

low budget best mods
 

I have been reading up on these threads and see a lot of mention of parts like HFC, Intakes, Exhausts. If people can give me specifics like brand and cost, I would really appreciate it.
Oh yeah, I have a 7at, if that makes a difference with anything. I would also want mods that are least likely to void my warranty. I can probably flex a little over 1k but not too much.
Thanks in advance for all your great car wisdom.

test pipes>hfcs. best TP seem to be the motordyne TPs.

Those and a set Stillen G3 CAI or wait and see what comes of this new takeda CAI and also Motordyne's upcoming intake and that'll be right around $1K.

There is a lot of debate over Intakes. So much that on a limited budget I would suggest K&N drop-in air filters for $100. That leaves $900 for TP or HFC.

Thanks! Will I need an exhaust or a Y-pipe or anything? (sorry if any of these questions are stupid, I am super new to this) Juts adding these to stock will be fine?

Will these be likely to void my warranty or are they relatively safe? Also, a friend of mien said improving my airflow would not only increase my HP, but also my mileage. Is this true? I am not expecting mileage gains, but don't want to hurt my mileage too much either. This car is my DD.

That is another often debaited topic on this site. By law a dealership can only void the warranty if the aftermarket part caused the damage. In pratice some dealerships will use an aftermarket part as a reason to void the warranty.

I am also reading about some mods setting off the check engine light, any issue with that for these (or with the warranty)? From what I am reading I am considering:

Berk HFC or motordyne TPs

Stillen G3 CAI

everyone will have different opinions on this but i think hfc and intakes will yield the most gains with ur budget. For hfc, berks seem to be the most popular. And for intakes, stillen gen 3s are the only ones worth getting imo.

if i was on a 1k budget i personally would get an exhaust first. Most exhausts on the market will get you a decent amount of hp and your car will sound more like a sports car. Just make sure you research the product before you buy, there are plenty of sources on this forum.

yes, check out the drivetrain section and DIY section. lots of info there.

Injens are just as good.

Cold intakes (longer tubes) and test pipes are probably the best option.

Stock intake with HPS tubes + K&N are just as good :tup:

OP, NST Pulleys + Berk HFC OR test pipes + Intake hoses + Air filters + used exhaust should make you satisfied and be well within your 1k budget. Please note that labor is not included unless you perform the install yourself.

I doubt you'll find all that for under 1k. A used exhaust can run you 1k alone. The rest is relatively cheap.

It's possible Shado, I've seen in the past some used gemini exhaust going for about $600. If the OS wants the Gucci kind then it would be over the budget. If the OP has the patience, he can snap those parts up close to his budget.

Clear Bra. It's the only mod that is likely to pay you back in full for doing it. Especially good idea with Nissan's ultra-thin paint. If you're serious about driving your car to its potential, learn how it feels stock, first, and after you become adept at handling it stock, the first mods will be obvious. Through it all, the clear-bra will have your back.

can anyone recommend a good driving school/program in southern california?

Best advise so far.

Heck, I took my car to auto-x last weekend and with the right tires, it ran pretty darn well (even with the body roll).

Afterwards, honestly...the best mod is to save up and replace those darn oem tires. The Z, itself, is already a head turner. No need to make it into "head turner + BLAARRGHH."

If you're limited on funds, especially when you live in California, then you still have like 6 years to think about it if you REALLy want to spend that $1000 only to take it off for the PITA SMOG check.


As for racing school, they're really expensive, but if you take things to heart and not be a slacker-know-it-all, then I suggest this.

http://www.raceschool.com/

i really really wish i had gotten the clear bra when i got my car. 3-4 months in and its got rock chips all over the front end. :(

any tire suggestions when it comes time to replace my stock ones? (won't be soon, still breaking it in, only 3rd week of ownership)

If you're limited on funds, especially when you live in California, then you still have like 6 years to think about it if you REALLy want to spend that $1000 only to take it off for the PITA SMOG check.

Can you elaborate on this? I've never modded a car so am not familiar with this. Will the intake and TPs or HFCs mail me when it's smog check time? And is 6 years when i start needing to be tested?

I'm not sure about Cali with their CAFE standards, but putting hi-flow cats or test pipes on your car could cause you to fail an emissions test. Especially test pipes, since that's just straight pipe with no cats.

Test pipes can generate a check engine light because the ECU can't locate the cats. Test pipes will flunk the smog inspection, which I think is at 6 years.

High flow cats might be OK as far as the ECU is concerned but may or may not pass the inspection.

It's a violation to replace a functioning cat in California but people do it anyway. Be aware that cat replacement can be difficult. some of the bolts are hard to access and they tend to break off.

Intake mods can cause you to flunk the test but they are easy to reverse so lots of folks do them anyway, I like the Stillen G3.

The NST underdrive pulley is cheap horsepower but none of the pulleys that I've seen so far have harmonic balancers (lots of discussion if it's even needed on the Z) so I haven't pulled the trigger on a pulley, yet.

A used cat-back exhaust is good horsepower but check for sound clips as some owners have had issues with resonance or exhaust rasp with some combinations of cat-backs and test pipes/high flow cats.

If you do all three you will probably need a custom tune which is 400-600 bucks but it's worth another 5-10 horsepower.

I'd suggest a Stillen G3 intake and a cat-back exhaust, minimal headaches and about 30 HP.

any recommendations for the cat back exhaust? I saw a Stillen dual exhaust, but it was $1600

A lot of people I know like the Berk, F.I., Invidia, and a few others.

Here's a pretty good rundown.

http://www.the370z.com/intake-exhaus...nce-guide.html

In the same boat...

How about better springs (Swift Spec-R Springs 370Z 08+) to replace the stock springs?
Do you also have to replace the stock coilovers as well?

How much does it cost to have springs installed?

CNT exhaust and HFC. Should be able to sneak in some good performance <1K. The Clear bra was some good advice though. You can pretend it makes the car faster.

There are several ways to get past the emmisions test, but that is not a subject for this thread.

You can get Berk HFC or Stillen Gen 3 + Top speed Pro1 Exhaust and Y-pipe for around 1k.

Any thoughts from anyone on the Topspeed Pro-1 exhaust and y pipe? I have mainly heard people mention Berk and Stillen so any feedback or opinions on this one would be appreciated.

http://www.the370z.com/intake-exhaus...bucks-lol.html


http://www.the370z.com/intake-exhaus...st-review.html

Looks nice source.

I had the clear-bra put on my Z06 on the showroom floor. They roped it off and allowed my guy to come in and install it then and there when the car arrived.

So far, it has taken several good hits that have marred the film and sounded like a bullet impact on the inside of the car. The film is not broken and I have every confidence that the paint is pristine underneath. VERY sound investment. I really recommend the clear-bra for ANY new car, as when it comes time to sell it, your "I babied her..." claim will hold SO MUCH more water if the car LOOKS like it was babied. That means paint that isn't chipped on the roofline/hood, and a nose-clip that isn't sand-blasted.

If OP is serious, he will put a sticky tire on the car, and those will sling crap into the bodywork on the rocker-panel area, and other spots (I don't know the 370Z's "trouble" areas). Either way, the film will take a LOT of abuse off the paint. Also, if he does any kind of driving around cones, the film will keep them from smearing onto/scraping/smearing the paint.

Where can I go to buy/have the clear bra installed? also, how much is the clear bra? IS it difficult to remove in the future if needed?

Best Mod
 

Hands Down-
AAM Short Tails. Buy them online for $400 bucks and take them to a exhuast shop and have them delete your stock muffler and add these.

Seriously the best mod for $500 bucks. I was debating getting a full cat back system but i didnt have $1500 laying around..

Its loud and it sounds fantastic.

Let me know if you need help

If you really want the clear bra- get it.. but its not gunna help the car look any better or sound better.

My next mod is drop in typhoon k&n intake.. $400 bucks as well but i will install them myself

Search for a local installer with a good reputation. Mine came from 50 miles away and installed it for me. He was mobile. Search for someone familiar with YOUR car. It is easy to remove, but professional removal is recommended.

Why would you need to remove it? It's not like a sticker where you could remove it and re-install it back in.

Then again, when I was young, I didn't care about the paint of my car and had scratches and scuffs everywhere in the car.

Honestly, I'm glad my parents didn't buy me a car and that I had to buy my own used car. Cars has a lot more responsibility and hassle than realized and if I was given a new car, I would've made a mess out of it. Plus, it's a lot easier to learn about mechanics and functions on older cars than the Z.

Hmmm...they all turn yellow?

I am sick of making my car perfect, the only one that will benefit is the next owner. Why am I doing the work for he/she

/\ IP is right, the clear bra is (as far as non performance mods go) hands down the first thing to do (see sig :tup:)

/\ my clear bra came w/a 5 year warrantee, our installer (take this for what it's worth) said beyond five years, you might mess up the paint taking it off to replace and I also consider the clear bra a non permanent wear item like tires, brakes etc. My plan is every 5 years just get a new one, plan on keeping this car 10 years, so two clear bra applications over the life of the car.

Def have the same guy (ie. a clear bra installer) remove it since you don't want to mess up anything accidentally and if he does, then it's on him/his $$.

So if I understand correctly from some things I've read on the forums, the first mod will give me the most yield. Can anyone give me some gain estimates for the following options?

1. Stillen Intake + Berk HFCs

2. Stillen Intake + Stillen or Greddy exhaust (or maybe the Top Speed Pro-1, if I hear enough good things about it to save money)

3. Stillen intake + Berk HFCs + exhaust

How much for Spectrum Elite shipped to 91780?