Just wondering is there like a step-by-step 300ZX NA Z32 upgrade guide. Like what things should be done first and so on, for better performance/reliability.
hi thanks, well I calcualted it will take me somewhere in the vicinity of $10k to all those ttzed.com upgrades for the NA. Just curious to know how many ppl have pushed there NA that high?
not many, cause as you rightly point out, modding a na is expensive, infact its just as expensive as modding a tt, but you dont get the same sort of results.....not saying its not worth modding a na, in fact i like the idea of a high powered na zed, but the reality is that most wont other, or have the money if they do WANT to do it.....
Not many people in oz seem to push their NAs that far, there are a few tho but they seem to do it a little more in the US. With the NAs you're after a responsive, well handling car... if you want absolute power, TT time...
Here is what I have done to mine: A'pexi pod filter TTZ headers, full 2.5" exhaust 1 piece tail shaft (a few kg lighter than stock) Re-tuned ECU Made just under 135rwkw, with heaps more low down torque. I had planned to ditch the clutch fan and get E-fans, fit ross harmonic balancer, lighter flywheel and adjustable exhaust cam gears to see how close it could get to 150rwkw, but I like it the way it is. The stillen list on TTZed lists the ignition upgrade, I don't really think that is necessary on a NA. Assuming your standard coilpacks are showing the correct ohm readings, get a series 2 ptu, good spark plugs and leave it at that. I would recommend that you sort out all the maintenance stuff before hand, if you haven't already done so. 100k service, plenum pull, injector cleaning, fix up any vac leaks, spark plugs etc. You will notice bigger gains if your car is up to scratch.
NA Performance is NOT in total kilowatts http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293226&highlight=NA+performance But in all honesty (writing from experience) you should not be targeting total RWKW with an NA but rather throttle response (shape of the curve) and handling. For an NA a 120rwkw zed could actual be a lot quicker & responsive car than a 140rwkw zed. With an NA you are after a performance package and not pure power numbers. For an NA to make 140-150rwkw without internal modifications: 1. Need to start with a manual gearbox because you will be loosing about 15rwkw with an automatic. 2. Ensure that the NA engine is in good condition i.e. check the compression of each cylinder... For a quick check you could use Conzult to do a power balance test to verify that each cylinder dips the curve by the same amount, a cylinder that does not dip as far as the rest potentially has a compression problem. 3. Ensure that a 100kkm service has been done i.e. new water pump, spark plugs, O2 sensors, timing belt, and fluids. 4. A good quality pod filter to improve the intake breathing. 5. A good quality 2.5 inch dual exhaust system and not the standard factory one... you could look at getting headers but you have to find appropriate quality ones, noting that the US specific ones need to be modified to work on our right-hand drive zed. Generally some headers out there are NOT a quality product and can crack and perform worse than OEM headers. 6. A ecu tune such as Nistune to advance the timing from 15 to 18 (potentially more) and modify the fuel maps so as not to flood the engine with fuel when under load i.e. not killing the top of the power curve. For improved throttle response also look at: * A lighten under-drive pulley * A one piece drive shaft * Get new shocks front and rear so as to get that power into the ground better. Also look at getting a front strut-brace and potentially a rear strut-brace to improve the handling, which means you can keep higher speed in the corners.
Would it be cheaper/better instead to an engine conversion say to a VH45 or something like that to a NA zed, or some other NA engine. How much extra work is involved in doing so? is it as difficult as a TT conversion?
bang for buck ... No If you are purely after more power then it will be a lot cheaper in the long-run to sell that NA and buy a TT, because irrespective of whether you are doing the conversion yourself or having it done professionally, it is going to take alot of time and money. So 'bang for buck', upgrading to a turbo is a better route in the simple pursuit of power gains. Now some people will tell you that they can do the VH45 conversion for under $10K (which they might theoretically be able to) but if the VH45 conversion is going to be road-legal in a state like NSW it needs to be done properly (i.e. fully engineered which costs $1K just in itself). Hence a budget of $15k is the minimum for even considering doing this conversion properly with external professional involvement or you need to budget for a project of two to three years duration if doing it all yourself. People please do not flame-on about the cost or the durations involved based on what you have read from US forums and the like, I have actually undertaken this VH45 conversion properly (i.e. 100% road legal and registrable in probably one of the picky-ist states there is, that is no getting it engineered by a mate who lets questionable things through). I have looked at many of the forums VH45 conversions and many would never be road-registrable in Australia (especially NSW) and hence would only be track day specials. Hence a TT conversion is child's play in comparison to a VH45 conversion that is done properly.
