Looks, or power?

HXCloud · 09-24-2019, 11:52 AM

For the longest time, I have been having an internal debate between whether I should start spending money on the looks of my Z first, or if I should spend money on boosting the HP and torque of my car first. The only thing I've done so far is a muffler delete and added AAM non-resonated shorttails in it's place. What do you guys think?

chowtoo · 09-24-2019, 12:04 PM

If it is for the streets, go for the looks! It has enough power now for the streets, so looks will give you more pleasure.

Spartan 1771 · 09-24-2019, 12:19 PM

Do both a little at a time. That's what I've been doing.

Rusty · 09-24-2019, 01:01 PM

1. Suspension.
2. Brakes.
3. Rims and tires.
4. Power
5. Looks.

SouthArk370Z · 09-24-2019, 02:38 PM

Drivability is more important than power or looks. YMMV

Hotrodz · 09-24-2019, 02:56 PM

The great thing about the Z is you can have it all.

1. Easy bolt ons oil cooler, drop in filters and exhaust

2. Follow Rusty's list.

I am a total function over form kinda guy. Suspension and drivetrain up grades make the car incredibly fun to drive even if you don't track. There are bunch of threads on what to do first. For me if I were to do it again after number 1 I would get a Hotchkis front sway bar and then a quality rear diff. Then go from there.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Zyonara91 · 09-24-2019, 03:42 PM

Power over looks any day of the week. Rusty's list is key.

HXCloud · 09-24-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

The great thing about the Z is you can have it all.

1. Easy bolt ons oil cooler, drop in filters and exhaust

2. Follow Rusty's list.

I am a total function over form kinda guy. Suspension and drivetrain up grades make the car incredibly fun to drive even if you don't track. There are bunch of threads on what to do first. For me if I were to do it again after number 1 I would get a Hotchkis front sway bar and then a quality rear diff. Then go from there.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Do you think the stock Nismo suspension as well the limited slip differential that comes with it is fine as is for now? I'd rather not spend money on something I don't "need" currently and/or doesn't improve performance/handling by a decent margin over what is currently installed.

Hotrodz · 09-24-2019, 04:20 PM

It all depends on you goals! If you are planning to do track days you will start to out perform you rear diff in two three weekends. If you are just going to street the car it can wait. I was amazed at what a difference my Wavetrac rear diff made.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

DrBacon · 09-24-2019, 04:32 PM

Definitely go before show personally. Money spent on visual mods: $700 (I just really wanted those halo LED headlights). Money spent on Performance mods: Probably close to $13k now. I have a problem.

Hotrodz · 09-24-2019, 05:25 PM

Along with your goals what is you budget? I compare everything to the cost of consumables when making decisions. I will buy two or three sets of tires a year so if I am looking to buy something that is going to last me for the life of the car or several years it's a no brainer....I buy it. I also understand that I am in a position that allows me to make decisions like that. Don't spend money if it means you can't keep the lights on. Start with number 1 and save your money. If you plan to track do number 1 and spend your money on tires, brake pads fluids and all the track time you can get until the car becomes your limiting factor. I know this because I did it all bassakwards!!!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Magic Bus · 09-24-2019, 05:30 PM

HX Cloud, Since you have a 2016 Nismo, I'd say power & driveability over looks. You've already got a beautiful car stock.

If you're already a 9 in the looks department, trying to improve to a 10 is tough. If you had a base Z, then I'd say, split the money.

OptionZero · 09-24-2019, 05:50 PM

It's your money and your car, and more importantly, your happiness

Not sure we can answer that question for you.

You should probably ask yourself whats more important - looks or power

If you arent sure, before you spend money, here's a simple test

Go to a car show
Go to a race track

What makes you happy?

Hotrodz · 09-24-2019, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

It's your money and your car, and more importantly, your happiness

Not sure we can answer that question for you.

You should probably ask yourself whats more important - looks or power

If you arent sure, before you spend money, here's a simple test

Go to a car show
Go to a race track

What makes you happy?

LMAO, this is the shortest well stated post you have done in some time! I agree whole heartedly!

And as us track car guys like to say "a track car is a show car!"

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

HXCloud · 09-24-2019, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

It's your money and your car, and more importantly, your happiness

Not sure we can answer that question for you.

You should probably ask yourself whats more important - looks or power

If you arent sure, before you spend money, here's a simple test

Go to a car show
Go to a race track

What makes you happy?

Unfortunately, the closest thing (within like 100 miles) to a track where I currently live is a dragstrip. While I do find this enjoyable, I certainly would get bored rather quick just going in a straight line for 13+ seconds at a time. I recently joined a club though, that has meetings and shows fairly regularly in locations really close. I enjoy showing this car off, and I love when people have positive comments and compliments on it. I do daily drive my car so I wouldn't want to go overboard with power. I was thinking about wrapping the car and I was priced at 1800 for any design/combination of designs, as the price is for the amount of material and it would cover the entire car. That's why I have had a touch time deciding, is because I want to show off the car, but I also want to have a grand time driving it.

View Poll Results: Focus on the looks of the car, or power first
Power (anything related to modifying exhaust, intakes, headers, internals, etc)	56	71.79%
Looks (visually enhance the looks of the car, i.e. a wing/spoiler, body kits, wheels, wraps, etc.)	22	28.21%
Voters: 78. You may not vote on this poll

09-24-2019, 11:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
HXCloud Base Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 15 Drives: 2016 Nismo Rep Power: 6	Looks, or power? For the longest time, I have been having an internal debate between whether I should start spending money on the looks of my Z first, or if I should spend money on boosting the HP and torque of my car first. The only thing I've done so far is a muffler delete and added AAM non-resonated shorttails in it's place. What do you guys think?

09-24-2019, 12:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
chowtoo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: S. E. MI Posts: 153 Drives: Red2018 M6, 2019 A7 Rep Power: 4596	If it is for the streets, go for the looks! It has enough power now for the streets, so looks will give you more pleasure. Dr.Lou and datcipher like this.

09-24-2019, 12:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spartan 1771 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,280 Drives: Wife crazy & 09 370Z Rep Power: 105454	Do both a little at a time. That's what I've been doing. Jap**Vet* and busterbull like this. __________________ ~Rob -DD Air Guide, Stillen G3 CAIs, 63mm Throttle Bodies, Motordyne M370, Berk HFCs, FI TDX CBE (non-res, CF), Sprint booster v3, Ecutek Dyno Tuned, and the list goes on...

09-24-2019, 01:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,228 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	1. Suspension. 2. Brakes. 3. Rims and tires. 4. Power 5. Looks. God-Speed, gbrettin, AlWakRa and 10 others like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

09-24-2019, 02:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Drivability is more important than power or looks. YMMV gbrettin likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

09-24-2019, 02:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	The great thing about the Z is you can have it all. 1. Easy bolt ons oil cooler, drop in filters and exhaust 2. Follow Rusty's list. I am a total function over form kinda guy. Suspension and drivetrain up grades make the car incredibly fun to drive even if you don't track. There are bunch of threads on what to do first. For me if I were to do it again after number 1 I would get a Hotchkis front sway bar and then a quality rear diff. Then go from there. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk Trips, Spartan 1771, Rusty and 5 others like this. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

09-24-2019, 03:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zyonara91 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: GTA Posts: 368 Drives: 2010-Red-6spd-S/T Rep Power: 15756	Power over looks any day of the week. Rusty's list is key. Rusty likes this. __________________ 2FT3PDLZ

09-24-2019, 04:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	It all depends on you goals! If you are planning to do track days you will start to out perform you rear diff in two three weekends. If you are just going to street the car it can wait. I was amazed at what a difference my Wavetrac rear diff made. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk Rusty and Spooler like this. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

09-24-2019, 04:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
DrBacon Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Washington Posts: 285 Drives: 2014 Nismo Rep Power: 27365	Definitely go before show personally. Money spent on visual mods: $700 (I just really wanted those halo LED headlights). Money spent on Performance mods: Probably close to $13k now. I have a problem. Spartan 1771 likes this.

09-24-2019, 05:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	Along with your goals what is you budget? I compare everything to the cost of consumables when making decisions. I will buy two or three sets of tires a year so if I am looking to buy something that is going to last me for the life of the car or several years it's a no brainer....I buy it. I also understand that I am in a position that allows me to make decisions like that. Don't spend money if it means you can't keep the lights on. Start with number 1 and save your money. If you plan to track do number 1 and spend your money on tires, brake pads fluids and all the track time you can get until the car becomes your limiting factor. I know this because I did it all bassakwards!!! Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk BettyZ and 503.Zed like this. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

09-24-2019, 05:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Magic Bus A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Honolulu Posts: 1,427 Drives: 17 6MT M2 Rep Power: 18754	HX Cloud, Since you have a 2016 Nismo, I'd say power & driveability over looks. You've already got a beautiful car stock. If you're already a 9 in the looks department, trying to improve to a 10 is tough. If you had a base Z, then I'd say, split the money. Spartan 1771 likes this.

09-24-2019, 05:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,237 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	It's your money and your car, and more importantly, your happiness Not sure we can answer that question for you. You should probably ask yourself whats more important - looks or power If you arent sure, before you spend money, here's a simple test Go to a car show Go to a race track What makes you happy? Spartan 1771, JARblue, Rusty and 2 others like this. __________________ OptionZero Build Thread

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