Former Z Owner's Rant about the 370z

Red__Zed · 04-17-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

I respect the opinions here BUT...

My thing is this... when you buy a Z, you know you are buying a NON-ASPIRATED V6. What do you really expect from bolt ons? Torque underwhelming??? Ok, if you have 332hp and 270lbs of torque. You are not going to get neck snapping torque easily with a 62hp deficit on tthe torque.
Any serious tuner that has been around v8's and v6's knows turbo is the only way to go with an NA v6 if 1/4miles and top speeds are your main goals.
If I had a gripe it would only be the cost of modding a Z. Every aftermarket part comes with an azzrape surcharge.
Also, we sometimes don't know a cars full potential, not because of a limited budget, but because we will chose mods according to taste or apprearance and not functionality in some cases.
Its no porsche because nissan spent the price on the whole Z in the chassis alone. Its no M3 cuz its not a turbo 6 or V8 depending on your year.
That's just me... maybe I'm too rational and less emotional about my expectations from the Z. At 40k we can't have our cake and eat it too. If there was a turbo model for our Z's? It would start @ 44k for the base model you know today. 55k would be an optioned Z. that price range attracts more american and german sports car buyers than japanese ones. That's why we didn't get it.
Maybe R&D will give us a nicely equipped turbo Z with 400hp @ sub 40k? But I heavily doubt it for $40k. If it was that easy? Camaros and mustangs would be FI at the Z price range too.

That's just me though... good luck blades and you definately had a hot Z.

Non aspirated gets me everytime. I know you know by now.

shadoquad · 04-17-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Non aspirated gets me everytime. I know you know by now.

Non-aspirated motors are the best. No needs for intakes or exhausts. We're talking about electric cars, right?

Red__Zed · 04-17-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Non-aspirated motors are the best. No needs for intakes or exhausts. We're talking about electric cars, right?

Rocket engines?

brucelidat · 04-17-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

Sad to see another Z gone on the Island. I'm also not ashamed to say my $34,000 Z will get out run by a stock $60k+ M3 a modded $50k+ Cayman and a modded $40k+ BMW that looks like a clown car... Just saying.

I agree. If I wanted to beat those guys, I could go FI and the Z would cost equal or less still and beat most of them.

NYBladeZ · 04-17-2012, 05:11 PM

I admire and respect the members who have gone F.I. its a huge investment. Thankfully the Z community is backed by GTM, although I'm sure TT and SC members will tell you that reliability is a concern. Nonetheless, with gears and bolt-on's you should leave an e92 m3 behind.

LakeShow · 04-17-2012, 05:19 PM

I'm going to do a Nissan Leaf motor swap and everyone on this forum will start hating when I have my Z plugged into an electrical outlet.

MattP725 · 04-17-2012, 05:19 PM

I think what you aren't really covering (and if someone mentioned this I apologize, I didn't read the whole thread) is that you are comparing a car that maxxes out slightly above 40k to cars that start around 60k+ (M3 and Cayman S that is)... with the difference in price you are not only beating M3s and Caymans but probably Z06s and other higher end performance muscle cars. Sure you have to go FI but that shouldn't be anything you should be embarrased or upset about. Dollar for dollar Nissan gives you a whole heck of a lot with the Z... it is already pretty well tuned so everyone has to expect that bolt ons aren't going to free up a whole heck of a lot.

Everyone including myself gets sucked into spending thousands on NA mods and not seeing any astounding results which I can understand frustrates people but that just proves you have something pretty good from the factory.

Now if FI kits would only come down in price we would really be able to show those guys something... just my 2 cents.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-17-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Non aspirated gets me everytime. I know you know by now.

Gee my nuts really hurt.

RUFFSTUFF · 04-17-2012, 06:02 PM

Let me just throw in my novice $0.02... I can totally relate to the cost vs gain issue. It cost me $1500 on new upgrades and about 5 hours of driveway installation time to get my truck to over 550hp and 1100ft-lbs. Granted, the stock platform is a twinturbo diesel, but if I took the same money and put it on the Z, what would the net result be? Not very much apparently. Throw in that the truck is now faster then the Z (though I don't see 155mph in its future) and now I have an unusual tandem. It's just a bummer that forced induction is the way to go to get any significant gains, but so be it. The car is still sweet.

Be on the look out for a 2010 F250 in black with a Yamaha decal out back if you're in SE Georgia. The black smoke is not indicative of a problem... for the truck!

Bucketlist2012 · 04-17-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedfreek

Wait a minute....the Z is NON-ASPIRATED that explains everything

Check the air filters....You may have a bird stuck in the inlets...

NYBladeZ · 04-17-2012, 06:37 PM

I have no regrets, none, about building the Z. It allowed me to add my unique perspective and choice on a production vehicle and it was damn good fun. Now that she's gone and after driving her in stock form I realize how much of a leap I took from stock ---> bolt ons. Still I think tuning the Z was about my personal expression and fanhood of the car rather than anticipating major gains short of F.I. Its a good car but it as a gear head mod obsessed want more power guy like me, it just didn't do "it."

One point, going F.I. is not the end of the road, you then have to worry about reliability both short term and long term. Many will cite, when you force induce a car not meant for it a lot can and might go wrong. Moreover, all that power on a suspension and chassis not designed for it will lead to a lot of dyno queens but not a lot of track monsters. I don't think there is one member on here with a TT kit that would confidently take it around a road course.

Bucketlist2012 · 04-17-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBladeZ

I have no regrets, none, about building the Z. It allowed me to add my unique perspective and choice on a production vehicle and it was damn good fun. Now that she's gone and after driving her in stock form I realize how much of a leap I took from stock ---> bolt ons. Still I think tuning the Z was about my personal expression and fanhood of the car rather than anticipating major gains short of F.I. Its a good car but it as a gear head mod obsessed want more power guy like me, it just didn't do "it."

One point, going F.I. is not the end of the road, you then have to worry about reliability both short term and long term. Many will cite, when you force induce a car not meant for it a lot can and might go wrong. Moreover, all that power on a suspension and chassis not designed for it will lead to a lot of dyno queens but not a lot of track monsters. I don't think there is one member on here with a TT kit that would confidently take it around a road course.

Congrats on the Law school ..

NYBladeZ · 04-17-2012, 06:44 PM

Hey thanks bud! Last day of classes is about 10 days away! Of course there is the matter of the Bar Exam

brucelidat · 04-17-2012, 06:47 PM

good luck! post some pics of your AMS GT-r after you become a rich lawyer

NYBladeZ · 04-17-2012, 06:56 PM

Btw for prospective and newer Z owners I suggest the following mods:

1) OIL COOLER, do not look past this the VQ runs hot and if you like to drive the car how it was meant to be driven GET ONE!
2) Test pipes/HFCs/Long Tube Headers (my vote): The cats are very restrictive, with test pipes you will get rasp but more gains, some states like NY you can get away with it.
3) Gears! Don't fear the gear, if you plan on staying N/A for a long time get them, I didn't have them but they really wake the car up low end.
4) Catback (more for sound than performance): Just to put it out there, I made 296.4whp with test pipes alone, but catbacks help give the Z the sound it was always known for. I went GTHaus, it was wonderful, I would go Fast Intentions as my 2nd best choice.
5) Uprev, not for the gains but for the great increase in driveability after you have all the bolt on's of course.
6) Turbo or S/C: For those wanting to make the leap

Notice, I didn't really mention intakes, the stock intakes are very good. Get some cheap HPS tubes and K&N drop ins. If you do the headers like I did I say you NEED to go g3 or injen but if you are lightly modded HPS will do the job.

Best N/A mods: Long Tube Headers or anything that that removes cat

04-17-2012, 05:11 PM	#50 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	I admire and respect the members who have gone F.I. its a huge investment. Thankfully the Z community is backed by GTM, although I'm sure TT and SC members will tell you that reliability is a concern. Nonetheless, with gears and bolt-on's you should leave an e92 m3 behind. __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

04-17-2012, 05:19 PM	#51 (permalink)
LakeShow A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: L.I., NY Posts: 5,307 Drives: Everything Rep Power: 25	I'm going to do a Nissan Leaf motor swap and everyone on this forum will start hating when I have my Z plugged into an electrical outlet. __________________ \|2013 Audi S4\|Ibis White/Black\|S-Tronic P+\| \|2013 370z\|PearlWhite/Persimmon\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|F.I. CBE 18" CF\| \|Sold\|2011 370z\|Gun Metallic\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|

04-17-2012, 06:02 PM	#54 (permalink)
RUFFSTUFF Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: GEORGIA Posts: 233 Drives: 2012 370Z TOURING Rep Power: 13	Let me just throw in my novice $0.02... I can totally relate to the cost vs gain issue. It cost me $1500 on new upgrades and about 5 hours of driveway installation time to get my truck to over 550hp and 1100ft-lbs. Granted, the stock platform is a twinturbo diesel, but if I took the same money and put it on the Z, what would the net result be? Not very much apparently. Throw in that the truck is now faster then the Z (though I don't see 155mph in its future) and now I have an unusual tandem. It's just a bummer that forced induction is the way to go to get any significant gains, but so be it. The car is still sweet. Be on the look out for a 2010 F250 in black with a Yamaha decal out back if you're in SE Georgia. The black smoke is not indicative of a problem... for the truck! __________________ 2012 370Z Touring w/ NAV, Black Powdercoat, aFe Takeda CAI, Invidia Gemini Ti-tip Catback Exhaust, DVD/NAV bypass

04-17-2012, 06:37 PM	#56 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	I have no regrets, none, about building the Z. It allowed me to add my unique perspective and choice on a production vehicle and it was damn good fun. Now that she's gone and after driving her in stock form I realize how much of a leap I took from stock ---> bolt ons. Still I think tuning the Z was about my personal expression and fanhood of the car rather than anticipating major gains short of F.I. Its a good car but it as a gear head mod obsessed want more power guy like me, it just didn't do "it." One point, going F.I. is not the end of the road, you then have to worry about reliability both short term and long term. Many will cite, when you force induce a car not meant for it a lot can and might go wrong. Moreover, all that power on a suspension and chassis not designed for it will lead to a lot of dyno queens but not a lot of track monsters. I don't think there is one member on here with a TT kit that would confidently take it around a road course. __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

04-17-2012, 06:44 PM	#58 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	Hey thanks bud! Last day of classes is about 10 days away! Of course there is the matter of the Bar Exam __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

04-17-2012, 05:19 PM	#52 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	I think what you aren't really covering (and if someone mentioned this I apologize, I didn't read the whole thread) is that you are comparing a car that maxxes out slightly above 40k to cars that start around 60k+ (M3 and Cayman S that is)... with the difference in price you are not only beating M3s and Caymans but probably Z06s and other higher end performance muscle cars. Sure you have to go FI but that shouldn't be anything you should be embarrased or upset about. Dollar for dollar Nissan gives you a whole heck of a lot with the Z... it is already pretty well tuned so everyone has to expect that bolt ons aren't going to free up a whole heck of a lot. Everyone including myself gets sucked into spending thousands on NA mods and not seeing any astounding results which I can understand frustrates people but that just proves you have something pretty good from the factory. Now if FI kits would only come down in price we would really be able to show those guys something... just my 2 cents.

04-17-2012, 06:47 PM	#59 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 31	good luck! post some pics of your AMS GT-r after you become a rich lawyer __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

04-17-2012, 06:56 PM	#60 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	Btw for prospective and newer Z owners I suggest the following mods: 1) OIL COOLER, do not look past this the VQ runs hot and if you like to drive the car how it was meant to be driven GET ONE! 2) Test pipes/HFCs/Long Tube Headers (my vote): The cats are very restrictive, with test pipes you will get rasp but more gains, some states like NY you can get away with it. 3) Gears! Don't fear the gear, if you plan on staying N/A for a long time get them, I didn't have them but they really wake the car up low end. 4) Catback (more for sound than performance): Just to put it out there, I made 296.4whp with test pipes alone, but catbacks help give the Z the sound it was always known for. I went GTHaus, it was wonderful, I would go Fast Intentions as my 2nd best choice. 5) Uprev, not for the gains but for the great increase in driveability after you have all the bolt on's of course. 6) Turbo or S/C: For those wanting to make the leap Notice, I didn't really mention intakes, the stock intakes are very good. Get some cheap HPS tubes and K&N drop ins. If you do the headers like I did I say you NEED to go g3 or injen but if you are lightly modded HPS will do the job. Best N/A mods: Long Tube Headers or anything that that removes cat __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

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