375-400rwhp. Shopping Time!

Nissan 300ZX technical discussion forum: Maintenance, performance, installations, modifications, how-to's and troubleshooting.
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Retro-Cow
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:48 am
Car: 1993 300zx TT
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

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Hi all, with a new job and whatnot I'm about to come across some money for toys.
Naturally I'm about to dump a good portion of that into the Z.
I want to use this thread for some advice on what specifically to install.
I have just recently brought the thing back to life from a slew of problems and now I think it's time to start on the upgrade path.
I'm thinking of shooting for a goal of 375 to 400 rwhp on stock turbos. (Let me know if that's unreasonable)
I've read through the "Destroying the World" article which was a great help. Now I'm just looking for more specific guidance.

Here is what is currently installed on the car:
It's a 1993 TT 2+0
-5 spd swap
-Single POP Charger
-Megan Downpipes (2.5"?)
-Megan Testpipes (2.5"?)
-Lightweight SZ flywheel

Next purchase will be a cat-back exhaust.
Injectors are top priority as well as I've already had two fail on me. I'm sure more are about to go.
They are still the stock old-style 370cc.
I've been looking at new-style Nismo 555cc (615cc) which will require an adapter kit/fuel rail modification, for which I would go with the 300 degree rails.
I'd imagine 615cc is enough?
With that obviously an EPROM upgrade, and an electronic boost controller as well.

From there it's tough for me to gauge how much power I will be outputting.

The following additions are what I've thought about installing:
-Dual POP intake (with a second MAF)
-Underdrive Pulley
-Intercooler upgrade (side mounts)
-Performance Clutch
-One piece Driveshaft

Are things like dual intake and an UD pulley necessary?
To reach this goal (if possible on stock turbos) would there be anything further I need or should have?
If I were to install the above, about what wheel horsepower would I be pushing?
Normally I'd jump straight into getting some say Sport 500s but I can't help but think an engine pull is currently beyond me and I don't have the means to do so at the moment.
(I have money but I don't know if I'll have THAT much money ;) )
Though I've done quite a bit of work to this car, I still consider myself a newb and greatly appreciate any pointers you can give me.
Thanks!


nissanfreak12
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:07 pm
Car: 92 300zx 2+2 TT
Location: Denver, CO

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Make sure ALL maintenance is completely caught up, timing belt, plugs, fluids, etc. How is the compression on the motor? Do you have any smoke while boosting?

If all those are good to go, here is what I would do personally if you want to keep stock turbos

Upgrated clutch
740cc nismos instead of 615(especially if thinking of upgrading turbos at any time) better to have more than not enough
300 degree fuel rail
Dual intake, selin tranmitter
Ditch the megan down pipes get the 3" SZ down pipe
3" exhaust into 2.5"
Ash Massive intercoolers
2.5 intercooler piping(this would be still up in the air, but something to think about)
One piece shaft
A dyno tune, not just a generic tune
underdrive pulleys
Electronic boost controller
Wheels and wider tires(grip is good)
adapter to fit 350z brake rotors and 350z rotors(everyone forgets to the stopping power when they ad HP)
Larger aluminum radiator(trust me, well worth it)

With all of this you should easily hit the 375-400 rwhp. You may even hit more, but this alone will cost quite a bit, so its best case scenario.

If you were to just get a tune, catback, larger injectors(still go for 740), dual intake, larger sidemount with all you already have, you probably still will hit 375-400 rwhp.

nissanfreak12
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:07 pm
Car: 92 300zx 2+2 TT
Location: Denver, CO

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Oh yeah, post pics of what your working with and start a build thread!!! We all like seeing these!

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t.mcginley.jr
Posts: 1547
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:50 am
Car: 2002 Nissan Altima SE 3.5
1990 Nissan 300ZX NA 2+0
1966 Ford Mustang
Location: New Jersey, USA

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I'm waiting for someone to be super original and squeeze a VK engine into a Z, maybe you could be that guy! :gapteeth:

nissanfreak12
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:07 pm
Car: 92 300zx 2+2 TT
Location: Denver, CO

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t.mcginley.jr wrote:I'm waiting for someone to be super original and squeeze a VK engine into a Z, maybe you could be that guy! :gapteeth:
Been done, some guy had one for sale with a swap and a 350z 6 speed transmission, all it needed was a clutch made for it. Ill see if I can find some pics of it.

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Retro-Cow
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:48 am
Car: 1993 300zx TT
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

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Thanks for the input nissanfreak.
I think I will start a build thread once the parts start coming in.
For injectors, there won't be a negative side to having 740cc as long as I have the correct tune for it right?

nissanfreak12
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:07 pm
Car: 92 300zx 2+2 TT
Location: Denver, CO

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Correct, no negative side effect with 740cc, just get it tune properly. Think about it this way, its better to get larger injectors now than to need to upgrade when you want more power, everything can still be controlled by ECU until your ready. Here is something to think about, and its not entirely that much more expensive....

http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart ... 24.8.10.58

And you can run E85 for more power. Besides, 740cc are only $5 more than 615cc. Just whatever injector you chose, make sure you get the newer style injectors, get Nismo, do not get Jecs, Doucheworks, or anything drilled to match the flow when it comes to side feed injectors.

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Retro-Cow
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:48 am
Car: 1993 300zx TT
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

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Alrighty Nismo 740cc it is.
Ordering catback next week. Gotta get emissions done before the end of this month which means cats go back in.
Figure it's a good time to do that catback.
Then, it's plenum pull time!

DreamZ32
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:28 pm
Car: 1993 300zx TT

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Hello, a newb here.

I also have a '93 300zx tt - I bought the car 4 months ago with the works already installed.

Mods list:
• OEM Garret Turbos
• JWT Chipped ECU
• HKS Turbo Timer
• HKS EVC V Boost Controller
• Divorced Downpipes
• Stillen Race Pipes
• Megan Racing Exhaust
• HKS Blow Off Valves
• Stillen Intake
• 2.5" Intake pipes
• AVS Side-Mount Intercoolers
• JWT Lightweight Flywheel
• JWT Stage 2 Clutch
• Unorthodox Underdrive Pulley
• Z1 Single Stainless Steel Driveshaft

however, nothing has been done to the fuel system. My question is, would it be worth upgrading the fuel injectors, even though I don't plan on upgrading to bigger turbos anytime soon? and what benefits would it entail? Also I don't really want to throw fuel economy out the window, because I love driving this car and do so as much as possible (weather permitting) It's in beautiful shape and runs like a wet dream and I want to keep it that way, although I've been thinking of taking it to the track to get a real feel of it's potential.

I also plan on getting it dynoed soon to see exactly where it stands in rwhp. Would a good tuning be suffice for a routine drive and some occasional track time?

-many thanks in advance

User avatar
Retro-Cow
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:48 am
Car: 1993 300zx TT
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

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I threw the 740s in and a 300 degree fuel rail and I have no regrets. The larger injectors will help to accomodate and complement higher boost on the stock turbos as well. You say you don't plan on upgrading turbos but let's be real, one day you're gonna decide to do it haha.

As far as fuel economy goes it's a very good day for me when I fill up and realize I got 18 mpg. I average about 16-17 but most of my driving is on the highway to and from work.

DreamZ32
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:28 pm
Car: 1993 300zx TT

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Retro-Cow wrote:I threw the 740s in and a 300 degree fuel rail and I have no regrets. The larger injectors will help to accomodate and complement higher boost on the stock turbos as well. You say you don't plan on upgrading turbos but let's be real, one day you're gonna decide to do it haha.

As far as fuel economy goes it's a very good day for me when I fill up and realize I got 18 mpg. I average about 16-17 but most of my driving is on the highway to and from work.
Ha yeah i suppose your right, cause I don't intend to sell my Z ever cause it has been my dream car since I was 8. I average 15.6, but that's primarily city miles and I can't seem to keep my foot out of it. Straight highway though I average around 28 which I think is really good. Guess now I need to set priorities, because I have too many toys. Thanks for the reply


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