Bolt on gain (Can you feel?)
 

Hello,

For those that have bolt on with a tune, can you feel a difference in power? Does it punch you back to the point where you can tell it’s not stock?

I came from an EVO X. With full bolt on, you can sort of feel the difference but it wasn’t a wow factor until I went E85 which really pulls you back.

I’m planning on getting cold air intake, test pipe and full catback exhaust.

It's a noticeable difference. The tune is the biggest focus on making it "feel" faster. You'll get pushed back in your seat more so than stock and overall speed is quickened.

Past doing basic bolt ons though like you have listed, it's very deminishing returns.

You'll feel a huge difference with first bolt on. Doesnt matter if it's exhaust, HFC/TP, manifold, or intake. After that, diminishing returns.

That being said, a tune is EVERYTHING. I'm N/A and had to switch back to my OEM map to pass emissions, and the Z drove like a brick. Wouldn't accelerate hard unless I WOT. Passed emissions, reflashed my tune, and OMFG. An insane amount of difference.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Feel yes, performance gains no. Overall worthwhile depends on driver and needs.

The gains after a tune aren't a different maker in pure performance translation. CBE, LT CAI, Plenum, and tune, I'm not really trapping anything more substantial in areas I do pulls. This is like ~20-30hp over stock.

The low-end and response sorta made the worthwhile, but I've personally reached the point I do want a legitimately faster car.

Considered another car but currently just going FI because the Z is looking like a keeper for me

The first bolt on modifications you decide to do you will notice an overall performance gain. Coming from an EVO X that vehicle is a different animal comparing it to the 370Z. One of the issues with the Z is the throttle lag though the DBW system and doesn’t have the responsiveness that most Z enthusiasts had hoped for on other vehicles I have found to be worse than the Z though. This can all be corrected through installing a tune on your Z it’s a must do if you are looking to achieve faster acceleration, increase responsiveness, quicker overall gear changes. The bonus is you will gain power through a tune. After bolt on’s and a tune I noticed a really nice difference and is worth it you have decided to go the N/A route with your Z.

lol at some of these crazy responses...

Chances are you won't notice anything other than the sound difference. The first bolt-on, depending on what you choose, should max out at a performance increase of about 10-15 hp. That's a 5% overall hp increase at best. Unless you have a ton of seat time, your rear end is not capable of detecting that minimal of a power gain above the stock 300 hp.

If you want a noticeable change, get a tune with throttle response correction. It is night and day compared to the stock throttle response.

In a word, no.

//close thread.

Especially since you’re coming from a turbo car where basic bolt ons, stage 1 tunes etc yield very large gains.

It’s an na v6 that already breaths well. You need to decide upfront na or fi, and then go in that direction. The only benefit to staying na is the perceived “purity” of the cars dna, ie it came that way from Nissan, and the sound. I’ll always like the sound of a nasty na motor over a turbo any day.

If your planning hpde track days etc, it’ll be ALOT cheaper to stay na.

I noticed a difference after each power mod but I am a true motorhead. The performance mod that gave me the most power is the high flow cats, followed up by the catback exhaust. I unlocked so much torque and acceleration from unclogging the exhaust! It's nothing big on a dyno sheet but it does make a huge difference in the real world that I can tell you. I also noticed throttle response and a bit of high rpm power gains from the silicone intake tubes along with the K&N drop-in replacement filters. All that while remaining on the stock tune is quite good. My next mods will be Z1 long tube cold air intakes with some power loss reduction mods such as bushings and mounts. I will also get it tuned soon so that should also raise my numbers and improve real world performance.

Bolt ons and a proper tune will change the car drastically. Granted it's not as drastic as getting a tune w/boltons on a boosted car but it's still substantial.

My personal NA Z went from 274 whp stock to 329 WHP with just ART pipes, tomei, and E85.

I did a few that gained 60whp over stock with intakes, test pipes, and a full exhaust on e85.

93 octane is only 5-8 whp less so you can still gain 60whp over stock with headers, test pipes, full catback and exhaust on 93 octane.

Mods & Effects
 

Speaking for myself, my 2011 stock had a slight lag when the throttle was slammed down for a quick acceleration. I bolted on the K&N Short Rams CAI and that annoying little lag - well, it disappeared... Then came the High Flow Cats and Cat Back, Fast Intentions Exhaust System, with the fewest bends and straightest pipes and cleanest welds I've ever seen, and I do feel a ton of difference in acceleration - She does put me back in my seat, and any girl who has had the pleasure and privilege to be in my car squeals like a little kid when I do so. She's still Stock Tune, she's still NA, but the difference is amazing. I do believe the High Flow Cats make a ton of difference. I've not Dyno'd her, and one day if I do (when I do cause I will and want to do) I will post the update on here. Now not only does she amaze in acceleration, but she sounds amazing with the FI Exhaust. Of Course, she looks amazing too and that still garners a LOT of attention when I'm on the road... I Am In Love with my Z... What can I say... :driving::tup::tiphat:
Attachment 145838

4 bolt ons and a tune from AdminTuning and you’ll feel it.
Will it be amazing like boost? No. Will it put a grin on your face? Hell yeah.

Intakes (stillen Gen 3’s or admin)
Test pipes (whatever brand)
Exhaust (single exit gets a little more power but not a huge diff)
Z1 Intake manifold.

Then an Ecutek tune. I HIGHLY recommend AdminTuning.

Until your motor pops because dumbass turned off the knock correction.

We don't rep Admin here since we have enough technical knowledge to know what he's doing wrong. If you want to hype up that hack go do it on Facebook. Other than that, you're spot on.