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Former Z Owner's Rant about the 370z

Let me just throw in my novice $0.02... I can totally relate to the cost vs gain issue. It cost me $1500 on new upgrades and about 5 hours of

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Old 04-17-2012, 05:02 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Let me just throw in my novice $0.02... I can totally relate to the cost vs gain issue. It cost me $1500 on new upgrades and about 5 hours of driveway installation time to get my truck to over 550hp and 1100ft-lbs. Granted, the stock platform is a twinturbo diesel, but if I took the same money and put it on the Z, what would the net result be? Not very much apparently. Throw in that the truck is now faster then the Z (though I don't see 155mph in its future) and now I have an unusual tandem. It's just a bummer that forced induction is the way to go to get any significant gains, but so be it. The car is still sweet.

Be on the look out for a 2010 F250 in black with a Yamaha decal out back if you're in SE Georgia. The black smoke is not indicative of a problem... for the truck!
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:37 PM   #2 (permalink)
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I have no regrets, none, about building the Z. It allowed me to add my unique perspective and choice on a production vehicle and it was damn good fun. Now that she's gone and after driving her in stock form I realize how much of a leap I took from stock ---> bolt ons. Still I think tuning the Z was about my personal expression and fanhood of the car rather than anticipating major gains short of F.I. Its a good car but it as a gear head mod obsessed want more power guy like me, it just didn't do "it."

One point, going F.I. is not the end of the road, you then have to worry about reliability both short term and long term. Many will cite, when you force induce a car not meant for it a lot can and might go wrong. Moreover, all that power on a suspension and chassis not designed for it will lead to a lot of dyno queens but not a lot of track monsters. I don't think there is one member on here with a TT kit that would confidently take it around a road course.
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:43 PM   #3 (permalink)
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I have no regrets, none, about building the Z. It allowed me to add my unique perspective and choice on a production vehicle and it was damn good fun. Now that she's gone and after driving her in stock form I realize how much of a leap I took from stock ---> bolt ons. Still I think tuning the Z was about my personal expression and fanhood of the car rather than anticipating major gains short of F.I. Its a good car but it as a gear head mod obsessed want more power guy like me, it just didn't do "it."

One point, going F.I. is not the end of the road, you then have to worry about reliability both short term and long term. Many will cite, when you force induce a car not meant for it a lot can and might go wrong. Moreover, all that power on a suspension and chassis not designed for it will lead to a lot of dyno queens but not a lot of track monsters. I don't think there is one member on here with a TT kit that would confidently take it around a road course.
Congrats on the Law school ..
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:11 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYBladeZ View Post
I have no regrets, none, about building the Z. It allowed me to add my unique perspective and choice on a production vehicle and it was damn good fun. Now that she's gone and after driving her in stock form I realize how much of a leap I took from stock ---> bolt ons. Still I think tuning the Z was about my personal expression and fanhood of the car rather than anticipating major gains short of F.I. Its a good car but it as a gear head mod obsessed want more power guy like me, it just didn't do "it."

One point, going F.I. is not the end of the road, you then have to worry about reliability both short term and long term. Many will cite, when you force induce a car not meant for it a lot can and might go wrong. Moreover, all that power on a suspension and chassis not designed for it will lead to a lot of dyno queens but not a lot of track monsters. I don't think there is one member on here with a TT kit that would confidently take it around a road course.
Maybe BUT you don't see many of the forum members spending the 20k+ differential between our cars and M3s and Caymans when they upgrade the turbos and motor... you could most likely rebuild the engine to support TT with lower compression components and still have money for the TT and tune with 20-25k... if they did and had a competent shop they could def be made to be as reliable as any factory TT... I just think that people get to a point where if that much money (and time) was in their budget they would just have bought the M3 or Cayman to begin with hence why you don't really see it.

Again just a difference of opinion... to me it is like spending 150k on a fixer upper home (not in NJ of course because you can't buy a shed for that) and dumping 150k into a renovation/remodel... will it be as nice as any 300k home? Probably, it might even be better but if you have that sort of budget you are just going to buy something already to your liking.
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:44 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Hey thanks bud! Last day of classes is about 10 days away! Of course there is the matter of the Bar Exam
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:56 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Hey thanks bud! Last day of classes is about 10 days away! Of course there is the matter of the Bar Exam
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:47 PM   #7 (permalink)
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good luck! post some pics of your AMS GT-r after you become a rich lawyer
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:10 PM   #8 (permalink)
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good luck! post some pics of your AMS GT-r after you become a rich lawyer
Not for me bud, I can't do the paddles, I know the GTR is blazing fast but as long as my left foot works my "fun car" will be manual.

This forum is a great blend of smart car guys of all ages and it lacks the high amount of trolls other forums have. Sure, we have disputes but at least here I know for the most part I'm not barking at the wall.
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:56 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Btw for prospective and newer Z owners I suggest the following mods:

1) OIL COOLER, do not look past this the VQ runs hot and if you like to drive the car how it was meant to be driven GET ONE!
2) Test pipes/HFCs/Long Tube Headers (my vote): The cats are very restrictive, with test pipes you will get rasp but more gains, some states like NY you can get away with it.
3) Gears! Don't fear the gear, if you plan on staying N/A for a long time get them, I didn't have them but they really wake the car up low end.
4) Catback (more for sound than performance): Just to put it out there, I made 296.4whp with test pipes alone, but catbacks help give the Z the sound it was always known for. I went GTHaus, it was wonderful, I would go Fast Intentions as my 2nd best choice.
5) Uprev, not for the gains but for the great increase in driveability after you have all the bolt on's of course.
6) Turbo or S/C: For those wanting to make the leap

Notice, I didn't really mention intakes, the stock intakes are very good. Get some cheap HPS tubes and K&N drop ins. If you do the headers like I did I say you NEED to go g3 or injen but if you are lightly modded HPS will do the job.

Best N/A mods: Long Tube Headers or anything that that removes cat
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:57 PM   #10 (permalink)
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I have spent a lot of class time on this forum, I love this place even though I lack a Z.
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:01 PM   #11 (permalink)
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This could change things for the future powerplant of the Z if it's true.Infiniti working on 530-HP twin-turbo IPL model for G
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:02 PM   #12 (permalink)
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This is my second real sports car. I owned an 87 RX-7 in the early 90s. So this car has enough power to have lots of fun on the streets and just underpowered enough to keep my *** out of trouble. It handles better than anything I have ever driven. i didnt own but have driven --- several Vettes, CTS-V Coupe, WRX STI, S200, GTO and hands down the Z is the most nimble.

More importantly - it looks gooooooood!!!!!!!! and its non aspirated
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:03 PM   #13 (permalink)
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oh, and thanks for sticking around!
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:31 PM   #14 (permalink)
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This thread is all subjective blah blah blah...I had enough after "there are two classes of Z owners". Gimme a break.
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:58 PM   #15 (permalink)
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This thread is all subjective blah blah blah...I had enough after "there are two classes of Z owners". Gimme a break.

welcome to the internet, been here long?
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