Costs per HP gain unworthy for our Z's

TongMan · 07-26-2010, 01:17 PM

Is it just me or is it that we overpay for barebly any worthy gains for our Z's? I was excited to start modding my 370z, so I did some research about the parts that I was planning on purchasing. I've come to learn that for the amount of money that we spend on these parts, we barely get any worthy hp gains. For example, I'll list what I was planning on upgrading.

Intake: Stillen, Injen, or AEM Cold Air Intake
Exhuast: Stillen, F.I., HKS
Headers: HR Longtubes
Tune: UpRev Tune, Cobb AP

So, I've calculated the costs of each part and compared it with the amount of hp increase.

~$500 for a tune for ~10 hp and 8tq
~$1700 - $2500 for catback for ~10-20 hp
~$1300 for headers for ~10-20 hp
~$500 - $800 for an intake for ~5hp-10 hp

When you think about the cost vs the hp gain, it just doesn't seem worth it. Or am I the only one that feels this way?

m4a1mustang · 07-26-2010, 01:19 PM

You've got to pay to play.

shabarivas · 07-26-2010, 01:22 PM

Well - you do realize that when you add all those together you get even less power right? Intake alone might give you 5-10 but if you get I /H / E you are def not going to see the sum - you will see a max of about 20-25 whp from breather mods + tune. FI or nothing...

Lemers · 07-26-2010, 01:26 PM

You didn't even think about SC or TT. Now you start getting in $5k to $12k.

TongMan · 07-26-2010, 01:38 PM

I guess stock is the way to go with this car. Its still fun even without the performance mods.

wifedrivenZ · 07-26-2010, 01:46 PM

You have a valid point with what you are saying about how much it cost. But why do you want to modify your car? Are you a guy who likes to take his car to shows? Or do you want to have the speed just in case you need it? The reason I tune my car is for the sense of accomplishment. I took something that should not be the fastest car on the road and now very few cars can touch it. If you are on a very strict budget then I say a supercharger is the best mod for the money. 6-7K tops and you will have over 400HP to the wheels. That is not so bad for the money. If you take 6500 and divide it by 130HP that is only $50 per HP. That is not a bad when you think about it. Best of luck to you

flashburn · 07-26-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan

I guess stock is the way to go with this car. Its still fun even without the performance mods.

Depends on what you are looking for. If you are solely looking for performance, then yes, the gains get exponentially smaller as you get more and more bolt-on mods.

As others will say, the best bang for the buck is either test pipes or HFC's. You also get a more aggressive exhaust note as a bonus.

Personally I want to try and get as much performance as reasonably possible without going FI, mainly because of the added stress and longevity of the engine. Plus, it's always fun getting new parts for the car to keep it "new" to me.

In actuality, if you have the money to spend and don't plan on racking up the miles, a supercharger kit is probably the best bang for the buck possible.

zcar_dad · 07-26-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wifedrivenZ

You have a valid point with what you are saying about how much it cost. But why do you want to modify your car? Are you a guy who likes to take his car to shows? Or do you want to have the speed just in case you need it? The reason I tune my car is for the sense of accomplishment. I took something that should not be the fastest car on the road and now very few cars can touch it. If you are on a very strict budget then I say a supercharger is the best mod for the money. 6-7K tops and you will have over 400HP to the wheels. That is not so bad for the money. If you take 6500 and divide it by 130HP that is only $50 per HP. That is not a bad when you think about it. Best of luck to you

I think the 370 & Nismo have sufficient power for road courses. What they need are better brakes and an OIL COOLER.

Zsteve · 07-26-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan

Is it just me or is it that we overpay for barebly any worthy gains for our Z's? I was excited to start modding my 370z, so I did some research about the parts that I was planning on purchasing. I've come to learn that for the amount of money that we spend on these parts, we barely get any worthy hp gains. For example, I'll list what I was planning on upgrading.

Intake: Stillen, Injen, or AEM Cold Air Intake
Exhuast: Stillen, F.I., HKS
Headers: HR Longtubes
Tune: UpRev Tune, Cobb AP

So, I've calculated the costs of each part and compared it with the amount of hp increase.

~$500 for a tune for ~10 hp and 8tq
~$1700 - $2500 for catback for ~10-20 hp
~$1300 for headers for ~10-20 hp
~$500 - $800 for an intake for ~5hp-10 hp

When you think about the cost vs the hp gain, it just doesn't seem worth it. Or am I the only one that feels this way?

You should have bought a turbo car then it would come out better.

LiquidZ · 07-26-2010, 02:16 PM

Amsoil sells Injen intakes and with my dealer pricing, I might be able to help you with the lower pricing.

And yes, I agree the bolt on route is not really cost effective on these cars. Now bolt-ons on a good ol' American V8 are a completely different story...

Zsteve · 07-26-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidZ

Amsoil sells Injen intakes and with my dealer pricing, I might be able to help you with the cost.

I think he should tade in for a turbo car or a SC one, then atleast the tune will be in his price to hp gain range.

LiquidZ · 07-26-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

I think he should tade in for a turbo car or a SC one, then atleast the tune will be in his price to hp gain range.

Factory FI cars will give you the best HP per dollar ratio out there.

theDreamer · 07-26-2010, 02:27 PM

Going forced induction is a good pay out for our cars in terms of price v. performance. The only issue is it is a larger up front cost.

TongMan · 07-26-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

You should have bought a turbo car then it would come out better.

Had one. Traded in my Mazdaspeed3 for the 370z. You are correct as I received a gain of 26+whp from a cold air intake. Cobb AP gave me an additional 15 - 20 whp.

SPOHN · 07-26-2010, 02:31 PM

Even if you drop 12 to 18k into a TT setup, your still alot cheaper than any other car out there that's capable of 500whp.

07-26-2010, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	Costs per HP gain unworthy for our Z's Is it just me or is it that we overpay for barebly any worthy gains for our Z's? I was excited to start modding my 370z, so I did some research about the parts that I was planning on purchasing. I've come to learn that for the amount of money that we spend on these parts, we barely get any worthy hp gains. For example, I'll list what I was planning on upgrading. Intake: Stillen, Injen, or AEM Cold Air Intake Exhuast: Stillen, F.I., HKS Headers: HR Longtubes Tune: UpRev Tune, Cobb AP So, I've calculated the costs of each part and compared it with the amount of hp increase. ~$500 for a tune for ~10 hp and 8tq ~$1700 - $2500 for catback for ~10-20 hp ~$1300 for headers for ~10-20 hp ~$500 - $800 for an intake for ~5hp-10 hp When you think about the cost vs the hp gain, it just doesn't seem worth it. Or am I the only one that feels this way? JC-Nismo likes this.

07-26-2010, 01:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	You've got to pay to play. Z-Girl 12 likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

07-26-2010, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Well - you do realize that when you add all those together you get even less power right? Intake alone might give you 5-10 but if you get I /H / E you are def not going to see the sum - you will see a max of about 20-25 whp from breather mods + tune. FI or nothing... Mysilverz likes this.

07-26-2010, 01:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 52	You didn't even think about SC or TT. Now you start getting in $5k to $12k. __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

07-26-2010, 01:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
wifedrivenZ Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victorville CA Posts: 69 Drives: 370Z 40th Rep Power: 15	You have a valid point with what you are saying about how much it cost. But why do you want to modify your car? Are you a guy who likes to take his car to shows? Or do you want to have the speed just in case you need it? The reason I tune my car is for the sense of accomplishment. I took something that should not be the fastest car on the road and now very few cars can touch it. If you are on a very strict budget then I say a supercharger is the best mod for the money. 6-7K tops and you will have over 400HP to the wheels. That is not so bad for the money. If you take 6500 and divide it by 130HP that is only $50 per HP. That is not a bad when you think about it. Best of luck to you Z-Girl 12 and Mysilverz like this. __________________ Stillen Exhaust, Stillen Supercharger, Stillen Oil cooler, Stillen Headers, Test pipes, 928 Impeller, 9 lbs pulley running 12lbs of boost, Custom tune from National Speed. 415WHP 345TQ

07-26-2010, 01:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	I guess stock is the way to go with this car. Its still fun even without the performance mods.

07-26-2010, 02:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
LiquidZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,940 Drives: Mag. Black 2009 370Z Rep Power: 705	Amsoil sells Injen intakes and with my dealer pricing, I might be able to help you with the lower pricing. And yes, I agree the bolt on route is not really cost effective on these cars. Now bolt-ons on a good ol' American V8 are a completely different story... __________________ Last edited by LiquidZ; 07-26-2010 at 02:19 PM.

07-26-2010, 02:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Going forced induction is a good pay out for our cars in terms of price v. performance. The only issue is it is a larger up front cost. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

07-26-2010, 02:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Even if you drop 12 to 18k into a TT setup, your still alot cheaper than any other car out there that's capable of 500whp.

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