Hello fellow Zeders, I have had my 1990 N/A 2+2 5spd Z now for about 6 months and as it is coming up to tax refund time it is time to mod some more. I have had the car fully serviced and seems to be running up to standard. Except for the noisy AIV's (got to get on to that) I have searched the forum and can only seem to find TT mod suggestions. This is where I need some help from you fellow N/A Zeders. Mods so far : 18" Nismo Wheels 245/45/R18 (front) 255/40/R18 (rear) A/M suspension (not sure what type as is out of Japan) Custom made 3" Cat back exhaust (ashmore exhaust) Hi Flow filter (still in standard air box) Short shift kit Partial Bodykit (I think its factory, Massive rear wing + side skirts) I am not sure if I should try to get dump pipes etc to free up the breathing of the engine some more. The exhaust guys said that the 300's have a fairly good exhaust system from the engine to the cats. Or do I go up the road of getting a new Computers and dyno tuning etc. Or do I go up the road of lumpy cams etc... I don't want to spend excessive amounts (around $500-$1200) and I know that most of you will probably say buy a TT. I am new to this and am really keen to get to know the Z32 really well as I'd like to purchase a late 90's TT model in the future. But for now the N/A is my pride and joy. Any suggestions much appreciated. Kind Regards, Jason
for you budget either a tune with a SAFC or some other aftermarket piggy back computer, or a Underdrive pulley, or if you do the pulley install yourself, you would probably have enough to get both
NA mods hey bud, yeah for your money id look at extractors (dumps are 4 turbos), and other handling parts, for 1200 you could get extractors, front and rear strut braces, chilli brake master cylinder, stainless steel lines (your choice) and you might even be able 2 get a udp . i wouldnt start going internal since your gonna need big bucks, as theres no point just replacing cams without doing a propper job,.. pistons/rings etc
id agree with simmo aye... extractors are meant to be one of the better upgrades for N/As so i'd look into that...
Things you can do Underdrive Pulley Superlight flywheel HPC coated Headers Advance timing a few degrees I'd upgrade the ECU as the last thing. Cams will be an expensive job for little gain. Suggest doing only if your engine is in peices anyway.
suggestions & what nismo rims have you got? I've been chasing a set of lmt4's for ages now, was just wondering which you've got &, if you bought them yourself, where you got them from. also some pics would be great regardless of what type they are, I just love nismo rims! post em or email to tsgar1@student.monash.edu.au & as far as your N/A moding question, I'd be leaning more towards what cookie suggested, SAFC with a good tune. jedi-77 had good results from his Hitec ecu too (he changed to a unichip due to pinging though) so that could be another option. also look at a rampod style filter rather than aftermarket elements in the standard airbox, think apexi, unifilter, etc. & dont bother with headers at the moment, they really dont return that much of a result for the amount of $$$ they cost, there more something to consider further down the track once everything else is done. If you do get them though get quality ones not ebay crap. Do a search on twinturbo.net for 'headers' & you should get plenty of info re: performance & quality cheers, Tim.
Actually All the mods suggested relate to power but you cant beat the feeling of an awesome handling zed. A front strut brace and a Chili brake master brace will do wonders (and add the bling factor). Also upgrading other suspension parts like springs and shocks (if they are still stock they must be getting a bit tired as well for some of the older model zeds) and believe it or not a good quality set of tyres will help put that power to the ground and enhance all aspects of power, braking and handling (where a crappy set detracts from it all). You dont have to pay massive amounts either as the Nexen 3000 is well supported here and has great reviews on this forum (both in performance and price). Just a few other things to think about
Handling Thanks Shifter, I have got Bridgestone RE-01 255/35/R18 on the rear and Maxis 235/40R18 on the front. So the car has nice feet to sit on *grins* I am 99% sure that the suspension is aftermarket as the springs look dark green and there is some writing on the strut which i can't quite see. The handling of it is really good. I do need to look into getting a strut brace for the front (came standard in my stagea ) With regards to the chilli brace i thought that he was only making them for the TT?? Thanks for the info so far everyone!!
id be looking at the headers personally because that finishes off the exhaust completely,that way when you do your next mod you know that you dont need to touch it at all.... otherwise the safc is a good choice,should net some low down power increases as well as a couple of horsepower more on the dyno... has the car been dynoed yet,would be interesting to see another na dyno result... good luck!!
being an NA owner myself id> get a pod filter should only cost ya about $150 or less UD pulley with belts about $400 odd depending on brand SAFC unless you are going to change the ecu down the track if you are going to change ecu then maybe a lightened flywheel about $500-600 also brand depending and where you get it from, that should get you to around $1200. i myself have lightened fluwheel 5.5kgs rather than 11kgs UD pulley 500g rather than 4kgs i think it is, pod filter unifilter and headers and my NA goes fairly well.
Hi, The Chili master cylinder brace fits both N/A and TTs and stops the firewall from flexing when braking - i.e. You put your foot on the brake which is connected to the master cylinder which is bolted to the firewall. The brace bolts to the strut tower and butts up against the end of the master cylinder, stopping it from moving. Great value IMO and much more confident braking. Cheers, Peter
Is it Apexi Pod Filter That is a direct fit to the 300zx? What is the best place to get them from, I heard someone say buyjapan.com but I couldn't find a link. Thank you, Dono
Some guy made this post on twinturbo.net These aren't my suggestions. The whole Stage 1 - 4 is a bit random but here you go, Heres a little list 22 Feb 2006 21:24 1990 & UP NISSAN 300ZX NON-TURBO STOCK POWER: 222HP @ 6500 RPM STAGE 1: 245HP Add Ram pod and Iridium spark plugs & Uniglide and or Motul Ester Synthetic 300V STAGE 2: 270 HP Add Sports Exhaust STAGE 3: 290HP Add Lightened Under drive Pulley. STAGE 4: 310HP Extractors These are @ the fly wheel. (provided by UAS web site)
some suggestions... What some of the other guys have said is correct. I wont bore you with my long journey of NA upgrades, but below is a list of what I have just for your information: 2.5 inch straight through full exhaust system High Flow Cats HPC coated Stillen copy headers UniFilter Pod filter Larger throttle boddies UniChip Computer Unorthodox Racing UD pulley Not saying you need all those. The larger throttle bodies are probably a waste of time (dont ask why got them). But I would highly recommend the pod filter and exhaust mods. The UniChip also was a big "boost" for me. The UD pulley doesnt so much add power, but rather just free's some up. Debate always rages over the UD pulley, but I have one and have had no probs. I dont intend do any more performance mods on my NA. I feel it has reached its limits without going too crazy which I cant really do anymore with a wedding and mortage. The only other thing I may consider in the future is a lightened flywheel when my clutch dies, and possibly CAMS..... Cheers
i have a uni-filter pod > picked it up from aussie auto for about $150 including the adapter for the 300zx
Interesting single 3"... might be loud... So far ive done a lot of maint work... definatly agree with the boys on this 1... Get a K&N pod as they are local and cheap... about $110 with neck adaptor.. Keep your 3" system... add a 3" catco cat for $250 Upgrade your Tailshaft to a single pc instead of your 2 pc.. makes for better power to the wheels.. for around $500.. But wait till the centre bearing is Shot.. Add the extractors cos any Atmo motor will love em... At least $500 plus $400 Fitting... go for an X-treame Stage 1 clutch rated for 200kw for around $220 plus $480fitting.. do a lightnd flywheel also when the box is out. UD pully adds more responce but no top end.. $300-400 with belts Hone thottle bodies for more intake flow.. Iridium plugs for $110 helps maintain a good tune and more power... go for Penrite Syper Sin 15w/40 oil for $60 a can.. best for giving her some stick.. Tune your car to no more than 19deg BTDC on the std chip... or 1) pay for a remapp $500 2) get a fuel computer like a Apexi S-AFC $800 fitted? should be stage 7 by then... after this is the crazy things like CAMS and nos... but thats going track spec then.. thats stage 10 ... heres the stages for your records http://www.ttzed.com/products/products_index.cfm?grouping=1 if u do all this except the track items you should be in the "big 150" club with Jedi ;-) but dont let that fool ya.. 150 for an atmo Zed with all the low down responce is Very Very Very FUN.... pity theres no top end! ;-(( and if your a good driver youll crack the low 14s with that too!
apexi power intake (pod filter) ... source ... greenline motorsports ... supplied from japan in about 7 days .. good service ... the contact is a guy called jason .. price delivered varies a little with the exchange rate but comes in around $130-135 ... the apexi is a direct fit for the N/A .. and comes with 4 fitting brackets .. only need two at the most .. i used the 2 spares to fit my auto tranny oil cooler ..perfect for the job....!!!
As a fellow NA owner, my order would be 1.... POD filter .... power 2.... Front Strut Brace .... handling 3.... a 100,000km service and combine Lighten Underdrive Pulley ... drivability (don't under-estimate the performance increase with a "professional-done" service) 4.... front & rear shocks .... traction & handling 5.... 2.5' exhaust .... sound & power 6.... headers .... power 7.... ECU .... finish
SFAC + Pod Filter... I'd probably change your air-filter. You can't really have a hi-flow air filter in a stock box...it's the box itself which is restrictive. Get rid of it! ^_^ After that, I would go for an SAFC and a tune. If you still have money left over, I'd go for an Underdrive Pulley. Good luck with it all mate... Cheers Rob.
Dyno results for NA I have dynoed nearly all my mods on my NA with good and bad results, but this is what I found and the order I installed them. stock, 121kw pod and irridium plugs $250, 123kw UD pulley $260, 129kw Headers $600, install $360, 131kw Chiped ECU to come, This chip I've tryed and getting one soon FEELS like another 10kw NOTE: 131kw acheived with dead clutch, my estimate now with new clutch about 136kw or more.
