[Official] Which 1st mod(s) for my Z thread.

[steven88]

I'm interested in picking up a new 370z pretty soon...I was just wondering what are the first few mods I should do that are worth while? I tried searching but I can't find a thread or sticky that goes in depth about what mods I should do to improve the HP and handling

I know headers and high flow cats seem to add the most HP on these cars...what about air intakes? I noticed only the Stillen G3 seem to have the most gains...every other short ram intake only gain a few hp over stock...are the airboxes well designed from the factory?

What about front and rear sway bars? Will they dramatically change the handling on my Z?

I do not plan to track...just spirited street driving...and occasional canyon driving...should I be worried about an oil cooler? I live in southern california...summer temps usually stay in the 90s and anytime other than summer its usually in the 75's

Any info would be appreciated....if you have a link that explains popular mods on the 370z, please let me know so I can read up on it

[molamann]

Nossss


Far as short rams, some will argue that its low gain is due to how it was dynoed.

[frost]

You seem to have it down pretty good. I'd go high flow cats followed by the stillen intake. Sway bars are an interesting choice, you planning on tracking a lot?

[steven88]

Originally Posted by frost

You seem to have it down pretty good. I'd go high flow cats followed by the stillen intake. Sway bars are an interesting choice, you planning on tracking a lot?

no i do not plan to track...just street driving...

what other mods can I do besides hfc? is the stock catback real restrictive? are sway bars worth it, or do they make the Z way too tail happy?

thanks again!

[frost]

Originally Posted by steven88

no i do not plan to track...just street driving...

what other mods can I do besides hfc? is the stock catback real restrictive? are sway bars worth it, or do they make the Z way too tail happy?

thanks again!

Well, with en exhaust, you need to take out the most restrictive part first, which is the HFC. I wouldn't do the catback first, since it's not the most restrictive and you won't see as much gain.

Sway bars seem like a waste of money for street driving. I'd bet good money that an uncalibrated butt can't even tell the difference.

[steven88]

Originally Posted by frost

Well, with en exhaust, you need to take out the most restrictive part first, which is the HFC. I wouldn't do the catback first, since it's not the most restrictive and you won't see as much gain.

Sway bars seem like a waste of money for street driving. I'd bet good money that an uncalibrated butt can't even tell the difference.

alright so stock catback isn't a restriction...that is good to know...i will be spending money on headers and hfc...those two seem to be the biggest restrictions on this car

so the sway bars are well engineered from the factory? i'm not familiar with the z setup...i'm coming from the mazda 3 community and our sway bars are not beefy at all...a huge difference is felt when adding them...even on the streets...was wondering if it was similar with the 370Z?

[NewYorkJon34]

I'm getting the stillen G3 intakes first, I'm going to wait till F.I. Releases their headers, that way I don't have to waste money buying 2 parts. And I also plan on upgrading the sway bars to the stillen set, I've read plenty of reviews of people that said they felt a difference & gave a nice upgrade

[dad]

Originally Posted by frost

Well, with en exhaust, you need to take out the most restrictive part first, which is the HFC. I wouldn't do the catback first, since it's not the most restrictive and you won't see as much gain.

Sway bars seem like a waste of money for street driving. I'd bet good money that an uncalibrated butt can't even tell the difference.

[frost]

I'll let others chime in on their experience with swaybars on the 370, since I haven't driven one. I think the z is going to be miles apart in handling compared to the mazda, you will likely be surprised. I would think with the nice weather in CA, the stillen intake would really work well for you.

[steven88]

Originally Posted by frost

I'll let others chime in on their experience with swaybars on the 370, since I haven't driven one. I think the z is going to be miles apart in handling compared to the mazda, you will likely be surprised. I would think with the nice weather in CA, the stillen intake would really work well for you.

i would like to slap on a short ram intake...like the stillen g2 or jwt or equivalent...the g3 looks nice but i'm not interested in the install or price tag....but according to what i've read..the g3 is the only worth while intake to get for the 370z....the g2 or jwt only gain like 3whp over stock...hardly worth it to me...especially dropping all that $$

[frost]

Originally Posted by steven88

i would like to slap on a short ram intake...like the stillen g2 or jwt or equivalent...the g3 looks nice but i'm not interested in the install or price tag....but according to what i've read..the g3 is the only worth while intake to get for the 370z....the g2 or jwt only gain like 3whp over stock...hardly worth it to me...especially dropping all that $$

I beg you sir, don't waste your money on short tubes. People have actually lost HP with that garbage.

[ZCarMan]

Originally Posted by steven88

I'm interested in picking up a new 370z pretty soon...I was just wondering what are the first few mods I should do that are worth while? I tried searching but I can't find a thread or sticky that goes in depth about what mods I should do to improve the HP and handling

I know headers and high flow cats seem to add the most HP on these cars...what about air intakes? I noticed only the Stillen G3 seem to have the most gains...every other short ram intake only gain a few hp over stock...are the airboxes well designed from the factory?

What about front and rear sway bars? Will they dramatically change the handling on my Z?

I do not plan to track...just spirited street driving...and occasional canyon driving...should I be worried about an oil cooler? I live in southern california...summer temps usually stay in the 90s and anytime other than summer its usually in the 75's

Any info would be appreciated....if you have a link that explains popular mods on the 370z, please let me know so I can read up on it

I'm a Mazda 3 sedan owner and a Z owner as well. My first mods to the Z besides the ventureshield and tints are AAM 2.5" True Dual Exhaust and High Flow Cats, along with the Stillen front rear sway bars next week. I'm waiting on the intakes for a bit. I never got any mods for my Mazda 3 as it was just my daily commuter. It is like night and day though driving the Z versus the Mazda. Good Luck!

[havasuwiley]

g3 and full exhaust

[steven88]

Originally Posted by frost

I beg you sir, don't waste your money on short tubes. People have actually lost HP with that garbage.

thanks...looks like i'll be sticking with stock air boxes then...or until i can man up for the G3...haha the install looks like a pita...

[edeeZee]

The "best first modifications" you should do are the ones that yield the "best first results."