Best Performance Mods for M35

[InfinM3506]

Mods currently have done. 08-10 Sport Front End with Sport Headlights, New 20" Vossen CV3 Staggered Wheels, Lowered on Eibachs Pro Springs, and New KYB Shocks. Almost done on the looks of the car looking to get the stock spoiler, yellow tint my fog lights and LED all my lights, then will be working hard to have it tuned with as many mods as can be done to our cars.

Future Upgrades have in mind- If you know of better performance mods staying Naturally Aspirated no turbos or superchargers.
~Motordyne XYZ Pipe w/HFC
~Berks High Flow Cats
~Full Megan Exhaust
~Pop Charger Intake
~Z-Tube
~Unorthodox Pulley Kit
~Motordyne Plenum Spacer
~Would the Megan Headers do anything for performance?
~Up-Rev Tune after Everything

If you have any other Performance mods I might be missing let me know!!!

[06M4.5]

instead of a Pop Charger you should look in to an Injen cold air intake kit or just install a K&N drop-in filter.

[zerg711]

Intake and Exhaust will net you minimal gains on the 35. I don't know about the 45.

I am using Fujita for intake. Only carb legal intake is the Injen. All other intakes must be taken off before smog testing in CA.


and Tanabe + Megan Mid for exhaust

[atlM35]

What makes the injen carb legal and other ones not?
There's not much to intakes, pipe and filter.

[zerg711]

Looks like I will have to enlighten you. If you haven't noticed, Injen intakes cost more for metal tube and filter only because they received CARB (CA Agency for Smog) approval. I'm sure this is applicable to other heavily regulated States as well.

[atlM35]

I see, they cost more because they went through the process of being carb certified? Not because they are any better in terms of quality.
So other manufacturers could get their intakes carb approved and compete in the cali market.

We have idiots in GA making intakes out of pvc pipes... But no inspection to tell them not to. I read that it was ahealth hazard. We only have to pass emissions.

[rxmclaren7]

so quick question....i am considering the plenum spacer and heard it will give you significant gains for the price....my question is what exactly does it do and is there a difference, performance wise, between the 5/16" and the 1/2" one?

[atlM35]

It increases the plenum volume, allowing more air to reach the front cylinders. If you notice the placement of the throttle body, air is sucked into the rear cylinders first.
Most cars use intake manifolds to avoid this.

I would go with 5/16"
People in the G club were having better low range improvement with those over the 1/2" high end power when we had our g35 coupe. Plus the engine cover doesfit back on with the thicker gasket.

[rxmclaren7]

thanks for the response atl....i may do this mod but a tune will be in order soon there after along with full exhaust.....the problem i am having is that i need to find a shop to do the tune with an awd dyno!

[zerg711]

I'd go with 5/16 if you opt to go plenum spacer. I have 1/2 on my FX and I can tell you for sure that I lost low end. i don't speed enough to notice a difference in upper end gain.

[CPJ LB]

Mods currently have done. 08-10 Sport Front End with Sport Headlights, New 20" Vossen CV3 Staggered Wheels, Lowered on Eibachs Pro Springs, and New KYB Shocks. Almost done on the looks of the car looking to get the stock spoiler, yellow tint my fog lights and LED all my lights, then will be working hard to have it tuned with as many mods as can be done to our cars.

Future Upgrades have in mind- If you know of better performance mods staying Naturally Aspirated no turbos or superchargers.
~Motordyne XYZ Pipe w/HFC
~Berks High Flow Cats
~Full Megan Exhaust
~Pop Charger Intake
~Z-Tube
~Unorthodox Pulley Kit
~Motordyne Plenum Spacer
~Would the Megan Headers do anything for performance?
~Up-Rev Tune after Everything

If you have any other Performance mods I might be missing let me know!!!

^Hey, congrats on the bumper swap...looks clean...I did the same for my car earlier this year...plus your wheels really gives your car a nice touch... as far as performance mods, I've done a lot to my 06 M35 so I can share some useful info

keep in mind, since the VQ35DE engine is the same as in the G35 coupe, it's easy to find used parts at a reasonable price -- just search this forum or other Infiniti Forum classifieds.

the Z-tube and stock air box (with or without K&N drop in) will do just fine
-- I didn't go the route of a CAI (stillen) since I've had prior experience with a 'similar' CAI when I had a modded BMW 325i (did an M3 engine swap) and installed the Dinan CAI. It looked nice (the Carbon Fiber tube) which the cone filter sat just near/behind the fog light. To me, it felt like it was a delay or lag for air to be brought to the engine -- during cruising, but at WOT and on the fwy it was good...Just didn't feel the need to try and get the CAI for the Infiniti...

NGK Plat Spark Plugs

the 5/16 Plenum spacer works great
-- great mod that provides mid and high end HP/TQ

the MREV2 with the Motordyne lower plenum gasket
-- improves upper midrange end HP

Berks HFC's
-- great mod: reduced weight compared to stock cats...better flow, provides aggressive sound to exhaust system and provides better torque

Megan Mid pipe & Axle Backs
-- easy plug and play, better flow and sound

Motordyne xyz pipe
-- replaces stock Ypipe for better flow (I currently have the xyz w/Resonator module, but waiting for the HFC on order) -- the HFC module will help with the Berks.

Grounding Kit
-- stealth mod that improved my electrical system as well as the transmission shifts

**Headers would be good, but will cost a lot for install...

Uprev Tune
-- you can do yourself or have your car tuned at a Pro-Tuner w/dyno
I got my car dialed in with Uprev and all the performance mods that I added is all balanced to provide HP/TQ, MPG, and proper Air/Fuel ratio...as far as measurable gains, I think after all the mods were installed and getting the tune, I gained at the wheels approx 63hp/35tq over my baseline run...

...sounds like you're on the fast track to modding your recent purchase --

[InfinM3506]

Mods currently have done. 08-10 Sport Front End with Sport Headlights, New 20" Vossen CV3 Staggered Wheels, Lowered on Eibachs Pro Springs, and New KYB Shocks. Almost done on the looks of the car looking to get the stock spoiler, yellow tint my fog lights and LED all my lights, then will be working hard to have it tuned with as many mods as can be done to our cars.

Future Upgrades have in mind- If you know of better performance mods staying Naturally Aspirated no turbos or superchargers.
~Motordyne XYZ Pipe w/HFC
~Berks High Flow Cats
~Full Megan Exhaust
~Pop Charger Intake
~Z-Tube
~Unorthodox Pulley Kit
~Motordyne Plenum Spacer
~Would the Megan Headers do anything for performance?
~Up-Rev Tune after Everything

If you have any other Performance mods I might be missing let me know!!!

^Hey, congrats on the bumper swap...looks clean...I did the same for my car earlier this year...plus your wheels really gives your car a nice touch... as far as performance mods, I've done a lot to my 06 M35 so I can share some useful info

keep in mind, since the VQ35DE engine is the same as in the G35 coupe, it's easy to find used parts at a reasonable price -- just search this forum or other Infiniti Forum classifieds.

the Z-tube and stock air box (with or without K&N drop in) will do just fine
-- I didn't go the route of a CAI (stillen) since I've had prior experience with a 'similar' CAI when I had a modded BMW 325i (did an M3 engine swap) and installed the Dinan CAI. It looked nice (the Carbon Fiber tube) which the cone filter sat just near/behind the fog light. To me, it felt like it was a delay or lag for air to be brought to the engine -- during cruising, but at WOT and on the fwy it was good...Just didn't feel the need to try and get the CAI for the Infiniti...

NGK Plat Spark Plugs

the 5/16 Plenum spacer works great
-- great mod that provides mid and high end HP/TQ

the MREV2 with the Motordyne lower plenum gasket
-- improves upper midrange end HP

Berks HFC's
-- great mod: reduced weight compared to stock cats...better flow, provides aggressive sound to exhaust system and provides better torque

Megan Mid pipe & Axle Backs
-- easy plug and play, better flow and sound

Motordyne xyz pipe
-- replaces stock Ypipe for better flow (I currently have the xyz w/Resonator module, but waiting for the HFC on order) -- the HFC module will help with the Berks.

Grounding Kit
-- stealth mod that improved my electrical system as well as the transmission shifts

**Headers would be good, but will cost a lot for install...

Uprev Tune
-- you can do yourself or have your car tuned at a Pro-Tuner w/dyno
I got my car dialed in with Uprev and all the performance mods that I added is all balanced to provide HP/TQ, MPG, and proper Air/Fuel ratio...as far as measurable gains, I think after all the mods were installed and getting the tune, I gained at the wheels approx 63hp/35tq over my baseline run...

...sounds like you're on the fast track to modding your recent purchase --

So what about Pulley's any difference. And where did you get the grounding kit and do you have install pics? I heard mixed messages about doing both the Spacer and the MREV2. Heard was just better to do just the spacer or am I wrong just curious. Getting My NGX Iridium IX Plugs installed soon. Doing a Full BG Fuel System Flush and BG Oil Flush. Then putting back in Fully Synthetic Amsoil.

Also would there be any difference in performance doing straight pipe out of the motordyne xyz pipe? or more just difference in sound? I live in AZ so I know smog law isnt as bad here. Trying to get the most performance out of her as I can. Keeping her for awhile so make it worth it.

[CPJ LB]

^didn't go the Pulley route since I didn't see the need - I know there is a possibility of getting a few more HPs but when I did the research, there were too many written 'CONS'...here's a link that I remember reading when I got my car in 2010 and was starting to piece together my mods...I do know that on other makes/models, getting a lightweight pulley kit or underdrive pulley was essential (a friend of mine swapped out the stock pulleys and installed underdrive pulley in his E55 and it made a HUGE difference). I'm too certain of the VQ engine along with UD pulley or lightweight pulleys...

http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coupe-v ... stion.html

-- as far as the Grounding Kit I got installed, I had it done by someone here in So Cal -- he's big on the G35 Forum. I posted a Thread here when I got the grounding kit installed (about a year ago) but didn't realize that I 'went against NICO Law' by sharing information from another site or 'unofficial NICO vendor' about the grounding kit...the Thread was removed (I'll PM you the grounding info).

here's a pix I found with the grounding kit installed (blue wires at 7 locations -- the connection to the transmission had to be done by getting under the car)



--if you go with the straight pipe module with the xyz pipe, your exhaust will be really loud and you will get 'drone'....the power difference between all three module types are minimal so it's going to be personal preference for you...sound wise, the resonator is good, but I'm looking to use the HFC module since in CALI the smog rules are tougher...

-- regarding the MREV2, I initially had the 5/16 spacer and noticed the difference...then added the MREV2 and new there was a bigger difference!! I've also read the pros and cons, but with my own trial I am confident to say "the MREV2 made a nice difference". I think others who have installed the 5/16 spacer and MREV2 (for their non-rev up motors) may have not gotten tuned...not sure, but I added both and don't have regrets....here are some shots when I did the install

Stock lower plenum - really rough around the intake runners



MREV2 -- smoother intake runners







MD lower plenum gasket - waayyy bigger than stock


I get my tuning done at Church's Auto and we sat down and discussed all of my mods, future mods and what would make my car run efficient and after seeing the dyno before and after installing the MREV2, I was very pleased.

I will be getting the TransGo Valve Body kit and PML transpan installed too...another stealth mod!!


...PM sent


btw,

another knowledgeable tuning members here is Seymore4...he's got some history with the VQ's...also Dean45....

[InfinM3506]

^didn't go the Pulley route since I didn't see the need - I know there is a possibility of getting a few more HPs but when I did the research, there were too many written 'CONS'...here's a link that I remember reading when I got my car in 2010 and was starting to piece together my mods...I do know that on other makes/models, getting a lightweight pulley kit or underdrive pulley was essential (a friend of mine swapped out the stock pulleys and installed underdrive pulley in his E55 and it made a HUGE difference). I'm too certain of the VQ engine along with UD pulley or lightweight pulleys...

http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coupe-v ... stion.html

-- as far as the Grounding Kit I got installed, I had it done by someone here in So Cal -- he's big on the G35 Forum. I posted a Thread here when I got the grounding kit installed (about a year ago) but didn't realize that I 'went against NICO Law' by sharing information from another site or 'unofficial NICO vendor' about the grounding kit...the Thread was removed (I'll PM you the grounding info).

here's a pix I found with the grounding kit installed (blue wires at 7 locations -- the connection to the transmission had to be done by getting under the car)



--if you go with the straight pipe module with the xyz pipe, your exhaust will be really loud and you will get 'drone'....the power difference between all three module types are minimal so it's going to be personal preference for you...sound wise, the resonator is good, but I'm looking to use the HFC module since in CALI the smog rules are tougher...

-- regarding the MREV2, I initially had the 5/16 spacer and noticed the difference...then added the MREV2 and new there was a bigger difference!! I've also read the pros and cons, but with my own trial I am confident to say "the MREV2 made a nice difference". I think others who have installed the 5/16 spacer and MREV2 (for their non-rev up motors) may have not gotten tuned...not sure, but I added both and don't have regrets....here are some shots when I did the install

Stock lower plenum - really rough around the intake runners



MREV2 -- smoother intake runners







MD lower plenum gasket - waayyy bigger than stock


I get my tuning done at Church's Auto and we sat down and discussed all of my mods, future mods and what would make my car run efficient and after seeing the dyno before and after installing the MREV2, I was very pleased.

I will be getting the TransGo Valve Body kit and PML transpan installed too...another stealth mod!!


...PM sent


btw,

another knowledgeable tuning members here is Seymore4...he's got some history with the VQ's...also Dean45....

So I got another question for you. If I do the MREV2 with the lower plenum and the Kinetix V+ would that be better? then doing the MREV2 and Motordyne 5/16 Spacer? Spacer is pretty much same price and the Kinetix V+ so if it is a little better response should go with that.

[radigan]

so quick question....i am considering the plenum spacer and heard it will give you significant gains for the price....my question is what exactly does it do and is there a difference, performance wise, between the 5/16" and the 1/2" one?

to explain it a different way, adding a plenum kit increases the space between the upper and lower plenums. This provides a much more distinct air temperature between the two allowing for a better air/fuel mix. I have a copper 5/16 plenum kit waiting to be installed, just too lazy to get around to it.

[Arlo]

This may be a stupid question but does allowing all this "free flowing" air and lack of restrictions help gas milage at all?

[zerg711]

^ No... If anyone tells you otherwise, they're crazy.

[Arlo]

haha figured. hell if anyone tells me they get good gas mileage in their m i'd say they were crazy hahaha

[zerg711]

The best I did on FWY (with equal down grade and up grade miles) was 21 MPG or slightly above the 20 mpg cut off. It could be around 22.

All local streets with semi-aggressive throttle 15 - 16 mpg.

I hope people didn't buy the M to watch their fuel mileage. hahah

[finikM35]

wow i wish id get 15-16 in the city... mine is more like 11-12mpg maybe its cause i live in NYC so i get about 220 miles per tank and i dont think thats normal at all

[finikM35]

I got Ztube and getting a 5/16 Motordyne spacer today for M35x 2007 and thinking if i should maybe clean MAF and Throttle body i did that on my old car G35 and although Maf and throttle were dirty i never noticed the difference in mpg it did run better or maybe im imagining things

[kontra-vers-E]

I got Ztube and getting a 5/16 Motordyne spacer today for M35x 2007 and thinking if i should maybe clean MAF and Throttle body i did that on my old car G35 and although Maf and throttle were dirty i never noticed the difference in mpg it did run better or maybe im imagining things

I'm new to the M35, so sorry if I ask a dumb question. Where do you get the Motordyne spacers? I had thermal spacers on my 06 Maxima SL and the they worked great, so this is a mod I definitely want to do.

[seymore4]

I'm new to the M35, so sorry if I ask a dumb question. Where do you get the Motordyne spacers? I had thermal spacers on my 06 Maxima SL and the they worked great, so this is a mod I definitely want to do.

http://www.motordyneengineering.com, or if several people wanted to get together and do a group buy I could set that up

[finikM35]

I found mine cheap on g35nyc.com forum it was brand new too! And damn what a difference! Hesitation when hitting gas hard is gone and also acceleration is just so smooth, its unbeliveable difference for just 200$ or less if you install it yourself.

[DeanM45]

Have any of you guys (besides CPJ LB) gone with an UpRev tune yet?

If not, contact Seymore4.
You can look through my posts and see that I like to mod and have done quite a bit to the car (06 M45) but the BIGGEST bang for buck was the UpRev tune from Seymore4.

The Cipher program (for monitoring/data logging along with a lot of other features) is extremely helpful in seeing what your mods have done - and how the new tune(s) fix it.

With the CAI -- even though I have a M45 it still applies -- when you free up the intake tract the new "lag" you may experience is because of a momentary lean condition on tip in. It is not that the motor is starving for air (you would put out a puff of black smoke if that were the case) but instead, the motor is starving for fuel.

Seymore4 set up one of my maps at stock and when I switch to stock - car drives just as it did before the tune, crappy compared to the re-map.

Mileage did increase for me with Uprev. Even though the motor runs really lean with the stock map it also requires a higher throttle angle to maintain the same cruise mph. Now, if you have a lead foot all the time, regardless of Uprev or not, your mileage will suck. I can not floor it without trac control engaging - rarely happened with the stock tune. UpRev - higher power with lower throttle - better mileage, higher power at WOT which makes the car VERY fun to drive.

This is all coming from experience - not hear say.

[gmoney35s]

I just purchased an 07 M35S I'm looking to start doing some mods but this is my first Infiniti and need a baseline of where to start any help would be greatly appreciated

[seymore4]

Mileage did increase for me with Uprev. Even though the motor runs really lean with the stock map it also requires a higher throttle angle to maintain the same cruise mph. Now, if you have a lead foot all the time, regardless of Uprev or not, your mileage will suck. I can not floor it without trac control engaging - rarely happened with the stock tune. UpRev - higher power with lower throttle - better mileage, higher power at WOT which makes the car VERY fun to drive.

BINGO. the beauty of tuning the car is that you're ensured that its running most efficiently, which incidentally makes more power 99% of the time. You use the least amount of gas to make the most power safely, and the result is a car that is more responsive, with better gas mileage and more power because you're not wasting gas or starving the engine.

And contrary to what all the shops will tell you, no you do not need to get a full dyno tune to reap the benefits.

[mexillis]

^not trying to start an argument but when I called Uprev a while back they advised me a dyno tune would be better than any etune they could provide.

[seymore4]

^not trying to start an argument but when I called Uprev a while back they advised me a dyno tune would be better than any etune they could provide.

Of course it will. but most of the gains can be had with proper etuning, which sometimes takes many, many etunes. They only offer 3 with their Osiris standard package, which is pretty much the bare minimum. To do it properly takes more time, and dyno tuning is way less hassle for them as well, since you come in, get tuned, pay, and leave. No following up.

Also they have an obligation to support their network of protuner shops, which all dyno tune. If all you care about is absolute performance, then hands down get a dyno tune. But for the vast majority of owners I believe etuning is a better, more cost effective approach.

$450-500 with $400 resale value for etuning version = total cost to you $50-100
$550-800 with $0 resale value for dyno tune = total cost to you $550=800

[06M4.5]

^not trying to start an argument but when I called Uprev a while back they advised me a dyno tune would be better than any etune they could provide.

I agree, every car is different. Best tuned with dyno.