Will an extra 20HP make the car "feel" different?

earwicker7 · 06-27-2009, 05:52 PM

The guys at the local Nissan dealership said that, as long as they do the install, they could think of one engine boost that wouldn't violate the warranty... the Stillen Stage 3 intake. They said it was close to a 20HP gain for around $750 installed.

My question is how much of a difference this would make in the "feel" of the car. Back in the day, I had an old Porsche that was boosted from 140HP to 210HP (let's just say that the guy who built it was gifted beyond belief) and the 70HP gain turned it into a different car. However, that was a gain of 50%, so you'd expect it to make a difference. If my math is correct, I'd only be looking at a boost of about 6% on the 370Z.

Is this enough of a boost to at least throw me back in the seat a little more? I'm not expecting this to increase the 0-60 by half a second or anything, but it would be nice to feel a bit of a difference when I floor it from a dead stop.

m4a1mustang · 06-27-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earwicker7

The guys at the local Nissan dealership said that, as long as they do the install, they could think of one engine boost that wouldn't violate the warranty... the Stillen Stage 3 intake. They said it was close to a 20HP gain for around $750 installed.

My question is how much of a difference this would make in the "feel" of the car. Back in the day, I had an old Porsche that was boosted from 140HP to 210HP (let's just say that the guy who built it was gifted beyond belief) and the 70HP gain turned it into a different car. However, that was a gain of 50%, so you'd expect it to make a difference. If my math is correct, I'd only be looking at a boost of about 6% on the 370Z.

Is this enough of a boost to at least throw me back in the seat a little more? I'm not expecting this to increase the 0-60 by half a second or anything, but it would be nice to feel a bit of a difference when I floor it from a dead stop.

You'll feel a bit, but $750 installed is a ripoff. DIY.

earwicker7 · 06-27-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

You'll feel a bit, but $750 installed is a ripoff. DIY.

It's $550 list price according to Stillen's website, so there would be $100 an hour labor fees, which are pretty standard for authorized dealerships to the best of my knowledge.

I literally know nothing about engine work other than checking all of the fluids and belts and stuff after filling every tank, and DIY would violate my warranty. The $200 I save could quickly turn into a $2,000 repair if stuff goes south.

Phimosis · 06-27-2009, 06:42 PM

The short answer is yes, you'll notice it.

It will sound different, too. Louder. A little more racey. It won't be a "whole new car", though, so don't set your expectations too high. The engine won't feel as flat from 6,500 to 7,500 rpm.... it keeps pulling.

earwicker7 · 06-27-2009, 06:52 PM

Do you guys think I should get something in writing from Nissan stating that my warranty isn't violated, or is this pretty standard?

nogoodname · 06-27-2009, 06:54 PM

get it in writing ^^ why take a chance..not all dealerships do this

37Z · 06-27-2009, 06:55 PM

I don't think 20 rwhp will be typically noticable in daily driving. It depends on increase in rwhp over the specific powerband that you may notice it IMHO and experience.

nogoodname · 06-27-2009, 06:57 PM

the sound is what you will really notice & for some, that's worth it alone

RCZ · 06-27-2009, 08:05 PM

I keep hearing this more and more that the dealer will honor warranty with Stillen parts.... is this on a dealer by dealer basis or what?

k20z3 · 06-27-2009, 08:11 PM

Dealerships rip you off with adding modifications so I found out with my celica, (I had the 'hook ups' with the dealership so I seen what I would of got charged)

tru_Asiatik · 06-27-2009, 08:41 PM

wow $200 to install?
just do it yourself ..i did
they should honor your warranty as long as it has nothing to do with the intake

earwicker7 · 06-27-2009, 09:29 PM

Thanks for looking out for my wallet, but I seriously have no mechanical skills.

earwicker7 · 06-28-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tru_Asiatik

wow $200 to install?
just do it yourself ..i did
they should honor your warranty as long as it has nothing to do with the intake

But for that $200, they'll honor the warranty even if it has to do with the intake. As I mentioned before, I'm not even close to a mechanic, but there are a lot of things that Nissan could claim were "caused" by an intake, aren't there?

Anyways, $200 isn't a huge amount when we're talking about a $40k+ car. Call it a one month insurance payment

.

ZKindaGuy · 06-28-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earwicker7

The guys at the local Nissan dealership said that, as long as they do the install, they could think of one engine boost that wouldn't violate the warranty... the Stillen Stage 3 intake. They said it was close to a 20HP gain for around $750 installed.

My question is how much of a difference this would make in the "feel" of the car. Back in the day, I had an old Porsche that was boosted from 140HP to 210HP (let's just say that the guy who built it was gifted beyond belief) and the 70HP gain turned it into a different car. However, that was a gain of 50%, so you'd expect it to make a difference. If my math is correct, I'd only be looking at a boost of about 6% on the 370Z.

Is this enough of a boost to at least throw me back in the seat a little more? I'm not expecting this to increase the 0-60 by half a second or anything, but it would be nice to feel a bit of a difference when I floor it from a dead stop.

From a price point perspective it is kind of over priced. A gain of 1 horsepower should average about $25 to $30 per horse. You would be paying approximately $37.50 per horse for this particular mod.

Some folks might not consider that to be too outragious but it is 20% above the average of what you should have to pay. As for the gain...it would be noticeable but not earthshaking. The mod would however prepare the way for doing a complete exhaust makeover.

FuszNissan · 06-28-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

I keep hearing this more and more that the dealer will honor warranty with Stillen parts.... is this on a dealer by dealer basis or what?

Dealer by Dealer case. It really depends if your company wants to deal with aftermarket parts and installation; presonally I love it. Plus it can't void warranty unless it is a direct result of the installation of that part. Also, depends on how good of a relationship you have with Nissan and what business you send them, that will determine what goodwill Nissan will do for you. Hope that makes sense. I'm tired.

06-27-2009, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
earwicker7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 265 Drives: 09 370Z (maxed out) Rep Power: 16	Will an extra 20HP make the car "feel" different? The guys at the local Nissan dealership said that, as long as they do the install, they could think of one engine boost that wouldn't violate the warranty... the Stillen Stage 3 intake. They said it was close to a 20HP gain for around $750 installed. My question is how much of a difference this would make in the "feel" of the car. Back in the day, I had an old Porsche that was boosted from 140HP to 210HP (let's just say that the guy who built it was gifted beyond belief) and the 70HP gain turned it into a different car. However, that was a gain of 50%, so you'd expect it to make a difference. If my math is correct, I'd only be looking at a boost of about 6% on the 370Z. Is this enough of a boost to at least throw me back in the seat a little more? I'm not expecting this to increase the 0-60 by half a second or anything, but it would be nice to feel a bit of a difference when I floor it from a dead stop.

06-27-2009, 06:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
37Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 476 Drives: 370Z MB 6M -sold Rep Power: 263	20 rhp gain seat of the pants experience I don't think 20 rwhp will be typically noticable in daily driving. It depends on increase in rwhp over the specific powerband that you may notice it IMHO and experience.

06-27-2009, 08:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
k20z3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Denver CO Age: 33 Posts: 2,146 Drives: 2006 Civic SI HFP Rep Power: 405	Dealerships rip you off with adding modifications so I found out with my celica, (I had the 'hook ups' with the dealership so I seen what I would of got charged) __________________ 2006 RALLYE RED HONDA CIVIC SI HFP Clint's Helpful Photoshop Hints!

06-27-2009, 08:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
tru_Asiatik Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: so cal Posts: 793 Drives: 2009 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 270	wow $200 to install? just do it yourself ..i did they should honor your warranty as long as it has nothing to do with the intake __________________ Stillen G3 CAIStillen CBEBerk's HFCEibach ProkitHotchkis Swaysichiba 15/20mm spacers? Oil coolerStillen PulleyStillen Headers

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06-27-2009, 06:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phimosis Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oildale, CA Posts: 412 Drives: 2013 911 4S Rep Power: 416	The short answer is yes, you'll notice it. It will sound different, too. Louder. A little more racey. It won't be a "whole new car", though, so don't set your expectations too high. The engine won't feel as flat from 6,500 to 7,500 rpm.... it keeps pulling.

06-27-2009, 06:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
earwicker7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 265 Drives: 09 370Z (maxed out) Rep Power: 16	Do you guys think I should get something in writing from Nissan stating that my warranty isn't violated, or is this pretty standard?

06-27-2009, 06:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	get it in writing ^^ why take a chance..not all dealerships do this

06-27-2009, 06:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	the sound is what you will really notice & for some, that's worth it alone

06-27-2009, 08:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1118	I keep hearing this more and more that the dealer will honor warranty with Stillen parts.... is this on a dealer by dealer basis or what?

06-27-2009, 09:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
earwicker7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 265 Drives: 09 370Z (maxed out) Rep Power: 16	Thanks for looking out for my wallet, but I seriously have no mechanical skills.