What mods before tuning? Intake, exhaust, etc.

NissanParty

So far I just have an HKS Hi-Power exhaust. I would like an Ecutek and have Specialtyz e-tune. But before I do that, should I get an intake? How much of a difference will an intake make on a tuned car? I am thinking not much...

As for high flow cats, straight pipes, etc, those are out as I am in CARB land and don't want to bother.

2011 Nismo#91

In general the Z benefits very little from an intake unless your doing many other mods. If the only mods you plan on doing is the intake and already the exhaust their will be little benefit from a tune I feel. IMO if it was my money I'd save that $1k or so from the intake and tune and go with a little improved suspension be it sway bars or a better set of coilovers. Or some looks improvements.

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GTR TT 493Whp/431lbft, Ecutek, Southbend 6puck,Quaife, RPM RollBar 4Point, R888R, JRZ RSPro F(10R/10C) R(10R/6C) 1000f500r inlbs+150inlbs Tender, SPL everywhere.Full Specs

NissanParty

Based on other threads here it sounds like intake and exhaust + tune can add 20-30whp. Example:

What HP & Torque Gains Expected With These Mods

Ventruck

Major gain from the tune is throttle mapping and maybe some improvement to the general power curve. I thought standalone is was the most significant engine upgrade, as far as sensations got. Peak power only goes so far, and hardly translates into anything more sensational after this point. Would probably just count more for a track build, if lap times and the pace had a real purpose.

I think exhaust and tune is enough before you go down the rabbit hole of extra spending. You have the sound you probably want, and then a better map. If you're super protective of CARB, you maybe don't want to do the tune at all.

So +1 on suspension/chassis work. If you wanted more power it's either boost or a different car altogether.

NissanParty

I don't care about CARB but when you run without cats, it smells very distinctive and I don't want to get sent to a ref that's all. I'll flash back to stock for smog or buy a second ECU for tuning and keep the stock one for smogging.

As for suspension I have the nismo trim so I don't really want to mess with suspension, from the factory is already pretty good. If I wanted to mess with suspension and such, I'd have gotten a regular model and upgraded.

I used a Hondata on my old Civic and the best thing about it was the throttle responsiveness, no delay or "rev hang". Made the car much better to drive. That alone made the tune worth it! I am just trying to gauge how much more HP I will gain with what I have now, by adding a tune. And if I would get any additional power by adding intake. I don't think the intake would make a noticeable difference.

Edit: As far as engine performance goes there is not much more I can do besides intake, exhaust (test pipes). The next step is FI.