Marty's road to ~450WHP

Martijn_b · 05-15-2018, 06:36 AM

Hi guys,

Just want to introduce myself and start a build thread here. Im Marty, from Europe, and next to cars love to race my bikes on racetracks. Two hours of driving brings me in the Nürburg area of Germany, which I visit a couple of time a year.

Introduction:

As soon as I purchased the car I already had in mind increasing power levels, but I first wanted to make exactly sure that the car was aesthetically perfect and technically stable and well serviced.

First modifcations:

Exterior:

Resprayed rear bumper: the PDC sensors have been removed but the job wasn't done professionally
Resprayed rear trunk lid: i removed the rear screen wiper so got this cleaned and resprayed
Resprayed door handles: I like a blacked out look and had the door handles resprayed to magnetic black
Powdercoated the silver 19 inch Rays to NISMO anthracite
Replaced the stock spoiler with a NISMO spoiler from thespoilercompany on eBay
Tinted the windows to aid the blacked-out look

Interior:

Had the steering rack modified in order to move the steering wheel +- 2,5" my way for a better driving position (i'm 6"3 but like the wheel close to me)
Fit rear view camera kit: ordered, still need to install

Maintenance:

Fitted new rear tires. I went with Hankook Evo S2 285/35/19

More horses
So with a lot of cosmetics done and having the car as I want it on the outside, it will be time to look into upgrading power.

My requirements:

Needs to provide predictable power output
Looking for around 425-450 wheel horsepower
Dont want to open the block

For now I am doubting between 1) Topgunz SC kit, 2) Boosted performance single turbo, 3) A used GTM stage 1.5 kit

madwi · 05-15-2018, 06:51 AM

I am kinda partial to the BP kit. Very nice looking car, big fan of paint matched door handles.

Chuck33079 · 05-15-2018, 06:58 AM

Personally, I'd shy away from the used GTM kit. If you need parts they just don't exist. Both your other options are solid, but it all comes down to what kind of power delivery you want. I'm partial to torque, so I always lean toward the turbo.

Baronsmokes · 05-15-2018, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martijn_b

Hi guys,

Just want to introduce myself and start a build thread here. Im Marty, from Europe, work in IT software development, played basketball in Kansas (when i was young) and next to cars love to race my bikes on racetracks. Two hours of driving brings me in the Nürburg area of Germany, so keep those roads in mind when reading my build journal :-)

Introduction:

So I was looking for a fun weekend toy. Daily driver is a '17 BMW 330 so I am already quite happy regarding performance/quality and was looking for something that would offer me a complete different driving experience. After shortlisting four cars being 1) GT-R R33, 2) Cayman S, 3) Subaru BRZ and 4) 370z, the 370 won my heart with it's looks, V6 engine and revmatching function combined with quite a modern look and feel. I purchased a 6MT 370z and imported it from Germany last February to the Netherlands. A 2018 370z goes for 130k USD here (yes, thats GT-R money) so not many of them have been sold and they are quite rare.

As soon as I purchased the car I already had in mind increasing power levels, but I first wanted to make exactly sure that the car was aesthetically perfect and technically stable and well serviced.

First modifcations:

Exterior:

Resprayed rear bumper: the PDC sensors have been removed but the job wasn't done professionally
Resprayed rear trunk lid: i removed the rear screen wiper so got this cleaned and resprayed
Resprayed door handles: I like a blacked out look and had the door handles resprayed to magnetic black
Powdercoated the silver 19 inch Rays to NISMO anthracite
Replaced the stock spoiler with a NISMO spoiler from thespoilercompany on eBay
Tinted the windows to aid the blacked-out look

Interior:

Had the steering rack modified in order to move the steering wheel +- 2,5" my way for a better driving position (i'm 6"3 but like the wheel close to me)
Fit rear view camera kit: ordered, still need to install

Maintenance:

Fitted new rear tires. I went with Hankook Evo S2 285/35/19

More horses
So with a lot of cosmetics done and having the car as I want it on the outside, it will be time to look into upgrading power.

My requirements:

Needs to provide predictable power output
Looking for around 425-450 wheel horsepower
Dont want to open the block

For now I am doubting between 1) Topgunz SC kit, 2) Boosted performance single turbo, 3) A used GTM stage 1.5 kit

Car looks nice.Think about it awhile before you boost.You may want more power later.I would save up and then build the motor and put twin turbos on.

Martijn_b · 05-15-2018, 08:44 AM

Thanks guys for the positive reactions. I'm 100% that I dont have the desire to build the engine. I also love twin turbo systems but it's not for me. I want to throw some money at it and include all upgrades like clutch, fuel system, blabla) and call it a day. I don't consider the RJM kit either, dont want to cut the hood.

So I have been doing some research on all the SC kits and the BP kit and created an overview of the average power output of these kits. I collected some data and tried to make this as comparable as possible. So only 95 or 98 octane (called 91/93 in usa - but it is the same) and no race gas pulls. All cars tuned at Specialty Z to compare the same dyno.

Ofcourse there are many many factors to take into account which my overview doesnt, but i'm just trying to keep it simple and needed to create a rough guesstimate for myself.

The GTM stage 1.5 is not in here, but i believe it's performance is very similar to the Topgunz kit.

So I doubt whether the stock block can take 12 psi and that huge mountain of torque of the BP, especially since I want to be able to brainlessly beat on it in the Eifel region here. Otherwise it looks like the BP just offers the torque that the SC doesn't - which makes sence - so it all comes down to personal prefference.

$-wise proceeding with my build with either the BP kit or TopGunz kit seems to be within ~1k $ of eachother.

Chuck33079 · 05-15-2018, 08:50 AM

You don't need to build a motor for a twin turbo setup. You just have to pull it for the install.

Baronsmokes · 05-15-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

You don't need to build a motor for a twin turbo setup. You just have to pull it for the install.

Wow
Here we go again.Point I was making is that you may want more than 450HP at wheels down the road.I was suggesting you think about it.If you are going to go for big HP he will need to build a motor.

Martijn_b · 05-15-2018, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baronsmokes

Wow
Here we go again.Point I was making is that you may want more than 450HP at wheels down the road.I was suggesting you think about it.If you are going to go for big HP he will need to build a motor.

Which is appreciated. I learned through my years to start a build with the end in mind. And also at a certain point to be happy with what you have. I built a Volvo from 250 to 350 to 450 to 600 horsepower and went through 4 engines. In the end i sold the car because i was broke and because i made it a monster which wasnt enjoyable to drive for me.

Ill settle with 400-450 at the wheels. Its good for me.

Chuck33079 · 05-15-2018, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baronsmokes

Wow
Here we go again.Point I was making is that you may want more than 450HP at wheels down the road.I was suggesting you think about it.If you are going to go for big HP he will need to build a motor.

Understood, but I didn't want the OP to think a built motor was a requirement for a TT setup.

7ssain · 05-15-2018, 01:09 PM

Welcome Marty to the 370z club.

my vote goes to the BP kit..tired and tested! it will give you your power goals with ease and just incase u wanna go higher in power u just turn the BOOST up!

Chuck33079 · 05-15-2018, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7ssain

my vote goes to the BP kit..tired and tested! it will give you your power goals with ease and just incase u wanna go higher in power u just turn the BOOST up!

Plus it is the easiest option to work on BY FAR if you're going to do the install and/or maintenance on your own.

CRiZO · 05-15-2018, 01:28 PM

I need more info on the modified steering rack. I'd LOVE to have the wheel closer.

Jayhovah · 05-15-2018, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Plus it is the easiest option to work on BY FAR if you're going to do the install and/or maintenance on your own.

Completely agreed. BP is the simplest, easiest solution to FI. If I didn't get a deal on a TT kit, I'd probably have a BP kit by now.

Topz SC kit looks awesome, but it kind of feels like the SC people are constantly having to send their Vortech units somewhere for servicing.

7ssain · 05-15-2018, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhovah

Completely agreed. BP is the simplest, easiest solution to FI. If I didn't get a deal on a TT kit, I'd probably have a BP kit by now.

Topz SC kit looks awesome, but it kind of feels like the SC people are constantly having to send their Vortech units somewhere for servicing.

topguz solution is perfect for someone who wants to go FI and doesnt want to drop the motor for install .. its simple and provides good power if u have AN AUTOMATIC. If your Z is a stick BP is no brainer its the most out of the box power for money u can get and comes with everything.. really even drill bits!

7ssain · 05-15-2018, 04:38 PM

I heard SOHO is coming out with top mount single turbo kit soon .. should be interesting

05-15-2018, 06:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Martijn_b Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Netherlands Posts: 280 Drives: 2010 370z MB 6MT Rep Power: 3787	Marty's road to ~450WHP Hi guys, Just want to introduce myself and start a build thread here. Im Marty, from Europe, and next to cars love to race my bikes on racetracks. Two hours of driving brings me in the Nürburg area of Germany, which I visit a couple of time a year. Introduction: As soon as I purchased the car I already had in mind increasing power levels, but I first wanted to make exactly sure that the car was aesthetically perfect and technically stable and well serviced. First modifcations: Exterior: Resprayed rear bumper: the PDC sensors have been removed but the job wasn't done professionally Resprayed rear trunk lid: i removed the rear screen wiper so got this cleaned and resprayed Resprayed door handles: I like a blacked out look and had the door handles resprayed to magnetic black Powdercoated the silver 19 inch Rays to NISMO anthracite Replaced the stock spoiler with a NISMO spoiler from thespoilercompany on eBay Tinted the windows to aid the blacked-out look Interior: Had the steering rack modified in order to move the steering wheel +- 2,5" my way for a better driving position (i'm 6"3 but like the wheel close to me) Fit rear view camera kit: ordered, still need to install Maintenance: Fitted new rear tires. I went with Hankook Evo S2 285/35/19 More horses So with a lot of cosmetics done and having the car as I want it on the outside, it will be time to look into upgrading power. My requirements: Needs to provide predictable power output Looking for around 425-450 wheel horsepower Dont want to open the block For now I am doubting between 1) Topgunz SC kit, 2) Boosted performance single turbo, 3) A used GTM stage 1.5 kit Rusty, 7ssain, EliteXpress and 5 others like this. __________________ Instagram: Boosted_Fairlady Last edited by Martijn_b; 12-28-2019 at 01:21 PM.

05-15-2018, 06:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
madwi A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Michigan Posts: 31,410 Drives: Granma red Z Rep Power: 2684429	I am kinda partial to the BP kit. Very nice looking car, big fan of paint matched door handles. Martijn_b likes this.

05-15-2018, 06:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Personally, I'd shy away from the used GTM kit. If you need parts they just don't exist. Both your other options are solid, but it all comes down to what kind of power delivery you want. I'm partial to torque, so I always lean toward the turbo. Martijn_b likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-15-2018, 08:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Martijn_b Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Netherlands Posts: 280 Drives: 2010 370z MB 6MT Rep Power: 3787	Thanks guys for the positive reactions. I'm 100% that I dont have the desire to build the engine. I also love twin turbo systems but it's not for me. I want to throw some money at it and include all upgrades like clutch, fuel system, blabla) and call it a day. I don't consider the RJM kit either, dont want to cut the hood. So I have been doing some research on all the SC kits and the BP kit and created an overview of the average power output of these kits. I collected some data and tried to make this as comparable as possible. So only 95 or 98 octane (called 91/93 in usa - but it is the same) and no race gas pulls. All cars tuned at Specialty Z to compare the same dyno. Ofcourse there are many many factors to take into account which my overview doesnt, but i'm just trying to keep it simple and needed to create a rough guesstimate for myself. The GTM stage 1.5 is not in here, but i believe it's performance is very similar to the Topgunz kit. So I doubt whether the stock block can take 12 psi and that huge mountain of torque of the BP, especially since I want to be able to brainlessly beat on it in the Eifel region here. Otherwise it looks like the BP just offers the torque that the SC doesn't - which makes sence - so it all comes down to personal prefference. $-wise proceeding with my build with either the BP kit or TopGunz kit seems to be within ~1k $ of eachother. __________________ Instagram: Boosted_Fairlady Last edited by Martijn_b; 05-15-2018 at 08:59 AM.

05-15-2018, 08:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	You don't need to build a motor for a twin turbo setup. You just have to pull it for the install. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-15-2018, 01:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
7ssain Base Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bahrain Posts: 58 Drives: 2013 BP Turbo 370z Rep Power: 11	Welcome Marty to the 370z club. my vote goes to the BP kit..tired and tested! it will give you your power goals with ease and just incase u wanna go higher in power u just turn the BOOST up!

05-15-2018, 01:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
CRiZO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 672 Drives: in traffic Rep Power: 20699	I need more info on the modified steering rack. I'd LOVE to have the wheel closer. Jayhovah and Martijn_b like this.

05-15-2018, 04:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
7ssain Base Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bahrain Posts: 58 Drives: 2013 BP Turbo 370z Rep Power: 11	I heard SOHO is coming out with top mount single turbo kit soon .. should be interesting Martijn_b likes this.

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