New Z owner in search of mod knowledge

[SS_Firehawk]

I was hoping to get advice on some supporting mods, that I can get away with so I don't lose that all important warranty. I read about the overheating oil issues and the terrible brake fade. I also would like to replace the stock exhaust because that buzzy engine note after 5k needs to go.

I've read about some oil coolers on here and please correct me if I'm wrong, getting the Nismo oil cooler and having the dealer install it will increase the chances of retaining my warranty should anything go wrong?

Regarding the brakes; should replacing the pads, lines and fluid reduce or eliminate the brake fade? Recomendations would be great.

I am also trying to find out how far I can go with the exhaust while keeping (or try to) my warranty. This is my daily driver until I can get a cheapo secondary vehicle to beat on. CBE and intakes I'm sure is okay, it's the headers and HFC's that are in question.

I've owned my Z for a couple weeks now, but will be out of country for the next few months while I finish my tour. I'm hoping to get a good idea of what I can / plan to do to the car. I don't have alot of money to spend as my money is wrapped up in a future wedding and a house. So I'm focusing on what I think are essential "adjustments" to the car. Thanks in advance for the help

[onzedge]

Get ready to drink from the firehose when people post their replies.

[SS_Firehawk]

Does that firehose taste like beer?

[KevinB]

First of all, thank you for your service to our country!
Second, It sounds like (to me atleast) that alot of it is dependent on your dealership. Be careful though -- just because you install a Nismo component and have the dealership install it I'm not sure that is always OK in regards to the warranty. Best bet IMHO is to establish a good relationship with your dealer. Some of the more sage members of this forum will likely have better advice! Good luck on your tour and be careful.

[m4a1mustang]

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

I was hoping to get advice on some supporting mods, that I can get away with so I don't lose that all important warranty. I read about the overheating oil issues and the terrible brake fade. I also would like to replace the stock exhaust because that buzzy engine note after 5k needs to go.

I've read about some oil coolers on here and please correct me if I'm wrong, getting the Nismo oil cooler and having the dealer install it will increase the chances of retaining my warranty should anything go wrong?

Regarding the brakes; should replacing the pads, lines and fluid reduce or eliminate the brake fade? Recomendations would be great.

I am also trying to find out how far I can go with the exhaust while keeping (or try to) my warranty. This is my daily driver until I can get a cheapo secondary vehicle to beat on. CBE and intakes I'm sure is okay, it's the headers and HFC's that are in question.

I've owned my Z for a couple weeks now, but will be out of country for the next few months while I finish my tour. I'm hoping to get a good idea of what I can / plan to do to the car. I don't have alot of money to spend as my money is wrapped up in a future wedding and a house. So I'm focusing on what I think are essential "adjustments" to the car. Thanks in advance for the help

Hey SS,

If you do some searching around you'll find some more detailed information, but as briefly as I can:

1) That's something you'd need to work out with your dealer, but most likely no.

2) Brakes... high temp pads and fluid will definitely help with brake fade. The OEM pads overheat very quickly on track and the stock fluid can boil quickly. A good pad and a DOT 4 fluid will help with preventing that from happening. Stainless lines will help with pedal feel.

3) Exhaust 99% of the time has no warranty implications as far as a CBE goes. Intakes are more likely to give you warranty issues.

My thoughts:

If you don't track the car, leave the brakes alone for now. The OEM exhaust is a bottleneck, so even just a good CBE will free up 10-20 whp depending on the system, plus totally change the sound. That's where I'd start. If you are worried about warranty, leave the intakes alone. The factory airboxes are VERY efficient and the only gains you see with aftermarket typically come at the very top of the rev range.

Enjoy the Z and thanks for your service!

[RoshDawg]

For brakes: even if you don't track, SS brake likes would add a better responsive feel even in everyday driving. When you install lines, you will need to flush the brake fluid, so replace it with proper DOT 4 or DOT 5 fluid while you're at it. Replace the brake pads with better ones after your current pads wear out to save some money.

For sound: resonated test pipes or HFC's are cheaper than full systems by a lot

Oil cooler: Nissan will be introducing better oil coolers for the 2012 model, so just wait for that product to come out n buy it

[SS_Firehawk]

I noticed at least with my brakes that initial braking feels light, almost as if the brakes are weak. But when I press the pedal like I'm trying to push it through the floor, it feels like I'm about to go through the windshield. Is this a common occurance with other Z's using stock pads and sport package? Also, living in Las Vegas definitely makes me worry about my oil temps. Anyone else living in the desert or ridiculously hot climates notice oil temps higher than the standard norm (200-220) driving around town? When I bought it, it was fairly mild over the past two weeks and never got over 75. I'm thinking I will need that oil cooler berfore spring arrives. Also makes a good excuse for the Wife. She was already asking about an exhaust for her car, I think I can woo her into just sinking that into my car haha. Thank goodness I scored a wife with a heavier foot than I and gets her jollies off sexy car sounds and triple digit speeds. Helps feed my new (albeit expensive) hobby.

[m4a1mustang]

Yes, the stock brakes have to strike a balance between performance and day-to-day comfort. The OEM pads are good low dust pads with a lot of bite when you have the pedal all the way down. Not up to track use but they are really good on the street.

FWIW, the Z is just fine above 220*F on oil. There's no danger until you reach the first stage of limp mode at 280* which limits the revs to 5xxxx.

[red6spd]

Dont worry about the brakes unless your tracking the car. Putting an Oil Cooler would be a good idea but is not needed once again unless your tracking the car. I would go with a Cat Back first.

[ProfessorDave]

+1 for CBE. Now you just have to decide which one!

[MightyBobo]

Originally Posted by red6spd

Dont worry about the brakes unless your tracking the car. Putting an Oil Cooler would be a good idea but is not needed once again unless your tracking the car. I would go with a Cat Back first.

^^^

+1 for a CBE first.

[Skeeterbop]

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

Also, living in Las Vegas definitely makes me worry about my oil temps. Anyone else living in the desert or ridiculously hot climates notice oil temps higher than the standard norm (200-220) driving around town?

I had my car in central texas for July and August. While not as hot it was definitely over a 100 degrees 99% of the time and my normal oil temps were ~220. It may have strayed to 250 when pushing it, but in normal driving temps were never an issue.

Originally Posted by red6spd

Dont worry about the brakes unless your tracking the car. Putting an Oil Cooler would be a good idea but is not needed once again unless your tracking the car. I would go with a Cat Back first.

I would do the exhaust first as well.

[shadoquad]

Totally agree on leaving brakes alone and getting CBE if you're looking for one. No warranty issues.

If you go to track the car, even then, the oil cooler is more important than the brakes. At least, that's what Bryan Settle told me, and he knows a thing or two about tracking a Z.

[m4a1mustang]

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Totally agree on leaving brakes alone and getting CBE if you're looking for one. No warranty issues.

If you go to track the car, even then, the oil cooler is more important than the brakes. At least, that's what Bryan Settle told me, and he knows a thing or two about tracking a Z.

I think that's a little dangerous...

If you think about it, the stock pads are not up to the task of operating at track temperatures. They will overheat, the fluid might boil, and you'll be stuck without brakes... very dangerous!

Now, for a stock car, it's probably going to be a little difficult to get to that point because the car would likely enter limp mode before you overheat the brakes. Add an oil cooler so the car can run the full ~30 minute session and you've got a good chance of roasting the brakes and not having them when you really need them!

If you track, brakes and and oil cooler are definitely a must! Brakes to keep you from killing yourself and the oil cooler to allow you to stay out on track for the full session.

[Mt Tam I am]

I did my mods in the order listed below my sig.

I can't live without the oil cooler. Best mod.

The CBE changed the drone and added a bit of power. Intakes changed the sound for the better as well but I must admit to low, to no, power gains. I love the sound so much I am happy with them anyway.

Sway bars also offered noticeable gains. Well worth it. Better bang for the buck over coil overs.
The coil overs were expensive but also worth it.

When your tires are cooked I would highly recommend the Michelins. The sound on the freeway quiets down coupled with increased performance.


As far as brakes go, I have contemplated these but I never had any brake fade yet, including at the track. I do want cold braking to be high as I am most apt to need this going to work in the morning in my daily driver. So replacing with brakes that are better hot but need to get warmed up is scary too. I continue to down shift.

Good luck, stay safe, and thank you for your service.