Is the Z NOT a tuner friendly car?

Originally Posted by BigT

Sorry to bring this topic up, but i've been thinking about it a lot lately and its kind of pissing me off. I really love my car and I want it to be the best. BUT, our cars are slow. I'm not talking about stock for stock, as it is a decent contender stock (+oil cooler?), but rather as a performance car. I'm realizing more and more that the Z is more of a GT car than a sports car. Its smooth, looks sexy, and is down right the biggest attention getter on the road, this side of a supercar. But, who wants a stock car?Please explain how you came to that conclusion. What is your definition of a sports car exactly? what is your definition of slow? Compared to a GTR, sure it's slow. But compared to its closest competitors it holds its own, modded or unmodded. Last I checked its a very capable car that requires little work (suspension, brake/oil cooling) to be an excellent race car. Just looked at the teams that race 370z and still have the 3.7 NA motor. If you're comparing it to Evo's pushing 1000 WHP that owners spent 50K on, your point is lost. Those are NOT tuner cars because realistically they are pointless on the street. Those type of cars are professionally built cars for purpose of racing.

The manual trans for example, is smooth, but quirky and cannot be shifted fast.That's driver dependent, not the car And, don't get me started on the clutch hydraulic system. SRM is a joy, but downshifting is only a part of the puzzle. The Auto guys seem to do well, if thats your thing. But, it will never be like a superior twin clutch trans and it will blow if you give it more than NA power.it's a 30K affordable sports car, not a 90k porsche

The VVEL, oh the VVEL. This is the best and worst part of this car. GREAT, if you want to keep a stock car. Real shitty from a tuner stand point. I hope Ecutek holds true to its control. Otherwise, we will all put down less power with FI than the HR motors unless we can figure something out. I assume you're aware Nissan was forced to make the Z more fuel efficient. VVEL is fine for a "street" car with a stock motor. If you build the motor, swap vvel out.

I'm just ranting at this point. There is a lot I can say, but it might not be worth it. Some can say to sell the car and get something else, but I cant. There is something about this car. Its such a joy. I fills a great void considering I can't afford a porsche or the like. HOWEVER, it is not a tuner car at all. Evo's, Sti's, and even the BRZ/FRS are leaps and beyonds ahead of the Z in that aspect. I guess, i'm just pissed because I realize that now. Still do not get why you believe a brz is more of a "tuner" car. Sti/evo is mute point because turbo cars respond completely different to bolt on mods.

Sorry for the rant.