If you can't feel 18whp you need to get your butt dyno re-calibrated! It's not a huge difference, but it's noticeable.

add stillen's g3 intake and you've got as much hp as a nismo, and berks hfc and cbe on top of that and you > nismo

350 at the crank, sure.

350 at the wheels, nope.

g96818, I love your current and future improvements and if I were looking for bigger gains, that is how I would set it up. Though Steve's FI CBE is pretty pimpin also. But I do not want my front bumper removed and I do not want to deal with any potential emission/state inspection issues. I now realize the need to find a performance shop somewhere nearby in case I do not use the dealer for a Nismo CBE install. There has to be a place where the lobster boats go to get their aftermarket go fast parts installed!

One of the things you should do is find online or go to an emissions shop and ask what the state requirements are. Depending on the answer might give you some confidence in what you order.

I would look at through the exhaust section here on the boards and see what exhaust you like the best.

I did and it's between Stillen and Fast Intentions. Don't care for any exhaust that is too loud. Low profile and simple works for me, that is why I originally thought the Nismo CBE was perfect. But it appears that no one likes it, which tells me that anyone who actually purchased the Nismo 370Z must be scratching their heads?

Problem with Nismo exhaust is it is over-priced since it is an OEM item from Nissan. In the end you can get more from aftermarket without being to loud. You will be happy with a CBE, good gains and nice sound change.

The NISMO Z, despite having 350 HP, is not super crazy fast compared to the standard 370Z. The extra weight from the add-ons pretty much negates the extra power.

I'd like to see what the NISMO Z really puts down so we'll know what sort of "tuning" was involved.

As for CBE upgrade, IMO, the Z hauls a bit harder and becomes lively around 500 RPM sooner.

Imo I believe most Nismo 370 owners purchased it because of the upgraded suspension. Not for the 350hp or the exhaust. What's wonderful about this site is you have a lot of ppl who have already modded their 370's and you have info aplenty on exhaust choices. If you have a good mechanic where you are you can have them install your exhaust. It's a simple job. You don't need the dealer to do it.

Since you're just going to put the car in the garage immediately for 4 months, why not just wait? Drive it in the Spring and make the decision on what you need to do, You may like it just the way it is.....As a bonus, there will be more aftermarket options and more experience with them out there so you can make a more informed choice..

Exactly, those will bump you past a stock NISMO. The K&N drop ins don't yield any power (I have them in my Z) however, the response is improved.

:iagree:

There's no use in jumping the gun when the car is going to sit for four months. Enjoy the car for a bit, then store it for the winter. Come springtime, as Modshack says, there will probably be more options, and more information to help you pick.

yep, i agree with modshack as well... my Z will be hibernating in a month or two anyway so do not plan on any major mods until next season. :)

i think the Z with sport package runs pretty good in stock form...
i may not do much to it other than an intake for some VQ noise.

You are best to have the car sit stock in the garage while you pour over the countless threads on the fourm about upgrades so you can make an informed decision about the car. You're gonna be dieing to drive it so doing the research will help pass the time (well maybe it makes it worse....). There is a ton of information and a lot of personal opinion to sift through - its your car so you need to figure out what's best for you and your car.

Here are a few points though while we are on the topic....

If you want a quiet exhaust with a performance gain the NISMO is the quietest and is still going to give you better peformance over stock. Its a quality exhaust its just more expensive and not much louder than stock. Next would be the Stillen for volume although when you get your foot into it the exhaust is fairly agressive and it has better performance gains. The Fast Intentions (from what I hear) is the loudest of the three and likely the same performance gain as the Stillen. Both will be louder with a High Flow Cat. The HFC will also give you gains. Just a HFC or CBE is going to give you close to the same gains as the NISMO - both will likely give you more.

Another thing to note is the Cold Air Intake (CAI). If you opt for a short version such as the Stillen Gen 2, JWT, etc you will be drawing hot air from the engine bay which basically makes it a Hot Air Intake (the not so popular HAI).

Getting a performance tune at the Stealership isn't something I've heard of. As others have mentioned the ECU will "adapt" to the performance bolt ons just like it adapts to the changing atmospheric conditions from day to day, etc. I'd be very leary about claims of an ECU tune from a Stealership....

Modshack, great advice and that is what I'm going to do. I'll let you southern boys work out all the kinks with the various mods while I'm snowed in up here. Grew up in the Jacksonville area which isn't to far from you, my father was a career Marine. Thanks for everyone's help!