Mods for the rest of us

SeattleLion

Like the car itself, this forum is divided among very different groups: people who track and race, people who like to mod for performance and handling, people who like to change appearance, and people who add sound systems, etc. There are sections on the forum for most of these groups. However, information relevant to one particular group finds its way onto the general forum. This is fine but it does raise some questions.

I belong to the group that bought the car because I love to drive it and I use it on the roads as a DD. Demographically, I am older (not old yet), male, and have nothing to prove to anyone about me or my car. I am pretty sure there are quite a few of us here.

The question is: What mods make sense for our group? And don't say a wheelchair lift! Based on my reading I have made some mods to my car (a touring with the sport and navi packages).

• A backup camera (I love it!)
• Invisible bra (Venture film)
• Stainless steel wrapped teflon brake lines.
• DOT 5.1 brake fluid
• Improved air flow air filters.
• Good radar dectector (Escort 950ix)
• Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires (Absolutely needed in rainy Seattle)

That's what I have done so far. I am convinced all except the brake line and fluid upgrades are necessary, at least to me. The brake line/fluid changes were made because of the reports of brake loss when the fluid boils under extreme use. Thinking back (it was only September), I may have been over concerned.

I think it would be a real service to all of us dd, non-racing types to get expert advice about mods we should and shouldn't make. This isn't so much about what you have *done* as much as it is about what makes the most sense.

GZ3

oil cooler, any demograph...along as you drive a 370Z...oil cooler...lol

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09 GT-R
12' 370Z 7AT HANDED DOWN
12'+13' 5.0 SOLD

kenchan

i dont dd my car but im pretty happy with my 370z in stock form for my drives on the weekends. i did a few tweaks here and there and that's it. you can read about it in my albums page.

Endgame

I am fall somewhere between DD (very limited basis) / weekend car / track day (or plan to be at least). My mods are K&N drop in's, Motordyne M370,PowerHouse Amuse R1, and I will be getting my car tuned (Uprev). I have coilovers, Volk CE28Ns,Nitto Invo's, and the carbon fiber front lip (Top Secret) and rear spoiler (Mines).

I will probally get sways later and a oil cooler (sooner) and a clear bra. Other than that, I am good with the car in this form. You may not need all that, but the M370, suspension mods, and an exhaust will completly change your experience with this car. It takes it up another level; performance wise, I feel I loose NO ground to cars like the Cayman S (with the exception that it's a Porsche, and that is hot...), TTRS, or upcoming 1 M Coupe (but will have to wait until it is released to be sure).

chops

i dont know...from what ive read 220 degrees is normal right? ive driven the car hard (just passed break-in ) and ive yet to see my 2010 nismo break 220 degrees. even in 45min bumper to bumper traffic on a warm 70 degree day i dont see it pass 220.

to the OP: id agree with your list. definitely a clear bra (i have full hood/bumpers/mirrors/a pillar/part front and rear fenders). everything else on your list i also have or are planning to get, minus the tires.

GZ3

you must be one of the lucky one...or wait till summer...how long have you had it?

__________________
09 GT-R
12' 370Z 7AT HANDED DOWN
12'+13' 5.0 SOLD

IDZRVIT

I don't think most people in here who drive their car on public roads have had the oil rise much above 220 F or so even with a bit of spirited driving on occasion. The oil temp does come down quickly according to most and the oil won't 'cook' for short spikes in high temperatures or damage the internals.

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"America.... still builds rockets!"
Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp
'13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

ProfessorDave

I couldn't stand the boring stock exhaust note. A cat back exhaust totally changed the experience of driving the car, both in terms of sound and power. Highly recommended!

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

kenchan

Yah, my z would not go past 220 either. Might help to have the ac running?

As the doc said, definitely get an exhaust. Megan should do a axelback like the fujimura on my z. Opens up the sound and backpressure quite a bit. And very easy to install. With taiwan pricing of $300 a pop it should sell well.

LunaZ

Chalk up another recommendation for an exhaust system.
Necessary? No, but the stock exhaust note is flat and uninspired. I ordered a Fast Intentions system four days after buying the car. Now the car sounds meaty and tuned without being too fast or too furious.

I don't track my car, so I ignore all the fuss over oil temperatures.
Running at 3-4,000 rpm on the beltways around D.C. and Baltimore, I've only seen my gauge go a tick above 220 degrees, even in 100 degree summer heat.

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2009 370Z Sport/Touring/Navigation | see my journal for mods
facebook: Be my friend... or not.

christian370z

I have to put in a word for an oil cooler, but I personally think that a tune even on a stock car is one of the better modifications you can do; it increases drivabililty in terms of the car running smoother, having the ability to set it in valet/immobilize/high octane/regular octane, and picking up torque in the midrange which benefits all areas of everyday driving.

As for bolt ons, the modification that changed the car the most in my experience was the Stillen G3 intake; it made the car feel and sound so much more aggressive in the latter half of the rev range and gave a nice bump in power at the same time.

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-320whp / 259wftlbs-
SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

chops

ive had my nismo for almost a month now. i daily drove it to work for the entire break in period. just last week it was hitting 80's and 90s and i was still in traffic and stomping on the gas. nothing ever above 220. i took it on a 150 mile round trip up north and nada...

maybe i am one of the lucky few, but i dont see a need for an oil cooler...yet. only time will tell!

370fan

Put a piece of tape over the oil temp gauge. Maybe even take it out and replace it with a flower holder ala VW Beetle!

ClemsonWill

As you stated in your original post. The mods all depend on what you are looking for out of the car (performance, apperance, sound, etc.). If you are looking to keep it pretty stock then maybe just invest in a porter cable and polish kit. Allows you to spend some quality time with your baby while also keeping her looking nice through the abuse of daily driving.

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Weissbier

SeattleLion:

The biggest thing I miss about my Maxima was the backup camera. Those things will spoil you. I don't know if the 370z's equipped with Nav have them (I assume they do) but I really miss it.

On the new Z, I plan on an exhaust because, as others have said, it's just too tame for me. I'm not looking for a loud exhaust, just something that says this engine is alive.

Beyond that, I have no further plans.