My current list of to-do with my Z
 

Any suggestions from you vets as to what might best suit my needs would be greatly appreciated as I'm still just wading in the waters of being a rookie Z owner...

So due to recently moving in with my girlfriend, my time and funds have shifted significantly, but I s'pose this is my list currently in terms of priority:

1. Brake upgrade - still searching for the right pads, but I found this set of rears on Amazon for $5.87 free 2 day shipping (not sure how they stack up, but couldn't pass up the price)...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not sure why they're like $13 now...just ordered them yesterday

2. Tires - I currently have General G-MAX AS-03 set but the former owner curbed the fronts pretty hard and actually took a nice 50 cent piece size chunk of rubber out of the side (checked with several tire experts and they assured me it's safe.)

Not a terrible tire, but I can feel where they like to lose grip so I can't corner as aggresively as I would like and they do lose traction at points where a dedicated road tire wouldn't under acceleration. I can make them dance quite a bit, though, which is pretty fun.

3. Exhaust - the slight performance bump would be very welcomed, but I simply cannot stand the lack of engine note...I need some music.

4. CAI - I've built CAI's for my other two vehicles ('09 Wrangler and '91 S-10 which I just put 65K original miles on and my girlfriend's 2005 Hyundai Accent *lolz* but it actually provided a lot more than I anticipated)

5. Who knows...it'll be forced induction...but that's a ways away

$6 for a set of pads? I'll pass. Don't scrimp on brakes. Or anything else that controls the car. Play Scrooge with your interior or paint but don't cheap out on the important stuff.

I can't visualize where a missing chunk of rubber that size wouldn't condemn the tire. Especially on the sidewall.

In regards to the tire - that's exactly what I thought - I was livid with the dealership initially and invoked the entire "you are not legally allowed to sell an unsafe vehicle"...but even my friend who manages a Firestone said that beyond all belief it's structurally sound

The pads are Monroe CX1393 Rear Ceramics...I figured $5 bucks was definitely worth the gamble, don't know many that would disagree...Monroe isn't bottom barrel and $5 for ceramics is always gonna be fine by me

Why is ceramic better than semi-metallic? The pads I use for DD and track are semi-metallic, whereas my kitchen has lots of ceramics in it. Again, I wouldn't skimp on brakes, or they might actually be breaks.

:iagree: There are times in life you can not afford to be cheap, this is definitely one of those times ;)

Those may be the best pads since the invention of disc brakes - I don't know - but when I see other sets of 370Z rear pads going for $60 and up (way up), all I can say is caveat emptor and good luck with your gambling.

Here's the kicker...I never said I was putting them on, but $5, to my door - Goodness, peeps - seemed like a wise investment even if they're semi-decent to have on hand for w/e reason

It's all going to be about your budget...
Slotted rotors and good pads, since you have the sport brakes on the 40th.
Tires, bang for the buck I like the Hankook V12's, others will disagree, but for the money, not a bad tire.
CNT has a nice exhaust for not a lot of money, I liked it better then the Magnaflow I have on now. Is there better, you bet, but you seem to be a frugal guy.
CAI a few options there, they are all about the same, so which ever you can get the best deal on...

The vendors on here should be able to get you most things you need.

For god sake please don't install those brakes, as a personal opinion I like the stock CAI so I'm just going to go with z1 tubes and drop ins, other then that I'd suggest some nice HFC and an exhaust. Personally prefer Berks and exhaust FI but it's all up to you. Good luck

Ceramic don't wear the rotor as much as semi metallics do??

Actually, I think that'd be the first time I've ever been called frugal...you should see my Wrangler hahaha, but good advice, man, much appreciated.

I want a really throaty and guttural exhaust note...dark and sinister. The kind of sound which would make a nun faint