Body Kit, Exhaust, Charger, Steering & more questions

[When I'm 16...]

Alright, my parents might be gettin a 350Z Coupe: Track (or Mini S, BMW, RSX,'Stang) and I'm hoping that I might be able to get my hands on it in 1 or 2 yrs. (depending on if we get a 2007 or 2006) My "Plans":

ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED HERE

I hope to do some racing in addition to commuting. I come from racing dirtbikes and r/c cars so I am used to tight, fast steering, so that is more of a priority to me than speed and power, even though that's nice too. Yes, I know that there will be a lot of new releases in 1.5 years, but hey, I like to plan ahead. Input on ALL of my ideas would be GREAT.

Thanks for all input/advice,Ray
Modified by When I'm 16... at 6:36 PM 7/31/2006

[When I'm 16...]

I'm also confused on the 5Zigen measurements on their website (http://www.5zigenusa.com/main.html), so if someone could clear that up for me, that would be great. ~i think i FIGURED THEM OUT
Modified by When I'm 16... at 6:36 PM 7/31/2006

[Exar-Kun]

The 350Z in Tokyoa Drift is the dumbest ever. With the exception of that body kit someone posted here earlier with a 3" thick front "splitter".

RICE.

Don't ruin a beautiful car with crap body mods. Either make it functional, or leave it stock. For the price of the uber-rice veilsize body kit, you could get the more elegant and functionla version 1 kit (if you love veilside...) or a NISMO body kit, and buy some brake upgrades like hawk HPS pads and some SS lines.

I also hope you have serious money, or your parents do....voiding a warranty on a 6k engine will be expensive when you nuke it later.

ALso, keep any suspension mods in line with the tires you'll be running. Adding stiffer bars and springs will overwork the less-than-grippt Proxes T1Rs.

I would also concentrate on building a balanced package, versus what appears to be a "SHow and power" thing you've got going on now.

LSD (Nismo or other mechanichal clutch type) is a must, along with a PS cooler (to deal with higher loads, harder corerning and more heat) and a finned diff cover (to keep that LSD living a long life).

Over fenders belong on race cars, you don't need them. Shortly I'l have 265/35/18 and 295/35/18 tires on my Z, within factory wheel wells. Over fenders are just more show, unless you're running light weight JGTC style 12" wide wheels all around....which unless you ante up 5k for a set, you won't be.

Clutch/transmission and driveline upgrades should be considered to.

DOn't get a ricey body kit. Not only with other Z owners loathe you, but everyone that sees you (if you're under 25) will know/think you're a spoiled rich kid.....you don't want that. Z's have a nice brotherhood, and you want to be a aprt of it, not an outcast.

-Chet

[Ricer Assassian]

Read up on everything you can before you get the car. Understand it inside and out before you mod it. This car isn't cheap nor are its parts. When you do get the car, go directly to a driving school. 5zigens site is confusing and I don't feel like going through it, sorry.

Body kit: ugliest thing ever, but thats my 2cents. I say add stillens front lip splitter and be done with it. If you have to have a body kit, stillens kits arent over done/rice and look nice, but this is also my 2cents.FI kit: Research before you buy or you could waste lots of money.Shocks, springs, and sway bars: read up on this stuff. From what I understand lowering a Z causes problems with the cars camber (correct me if Im wrong) wearing through your tires faster.Exhaust: research also. I think there are better kits out there.(greddy, top secret)Tires: toyos are nice but don't have the best traction for high hp cars. I would look into goodyear eagle f1's, falken azenis, and michilan pilot sports. Wheels: performance, looks, and lightweight are hard to combine. if you want perf. go with 17 cause they are lighter. http://www.tirerack.com has a nice selection and shows weight, recommended tires, etc. Their customer service is also great.Hood: no clue.

Hope this helps. By the way, I don't have my z yet either.

[When I'm 16...]

Thanks for the help on tires, those are what I am always clueless on... This opens up a couple more questions and answers some of my previous questions. I like the idea of an almost stock lookin car...

Body: In order to get the front splitter (http://stillen.com/product_det...010SP) do I need to get the front fascia (http://stillen.com/product_detail.aspx?sku=1035010)? If I do have to get the fr. fascia, should I go ahead and get the whole body kit? Also, what about a wing, I don't want it to be "Ricer", just somethin subtle that will improve (if only slightly or greatly) performance, maybe the factory installed NISMO one or Stillen one?

Exhausts: The NISMO exhaust ($1100) adds 6 HP and 3.5 lb. ft. of torque to the wheels and is 9 lbs. lighter than stock. The Stillen exhaust ($1150) adds 16 HP at 5600 rpm and 14 Ft/Lbs at 4600 rpm, unknown weight difference. The MagnaFlow exhaust ($810) adds 7 HP and 8 lb. ft. of torque, unknown weight difference. **Trying to find DC Sports and GReddy stats, please help.** ~~Please inform me of any other recommended exhaust systems.~~ In addition, I would like to know which GReddy system I would get if I went with GReddy.

Wheels/Tires: See NISMO inventory below. NISMO ones are 18's. Full set of Eagle F1's from TireRack.com.

Brakes: Didn't think they would need upgrading since it comes with brembo brakes stock... Do Hawk HPS pads fit on the Brembo brakes that come with the 350Z track?

NISMO inventory:Quantity Part # | Description |Unit Price| Price 1- 4030S-RN89210 | Aluminum Wheel |$568.33 |$568.33 1- 4030S-RN88910 | Aluminum Wheel |$568.33 |$568.33 1- 54600-RSZ30US | Stabilizer Bar |$444.50 |$444.50 1- 5300S-RSZ30US | Low Down Kit, S |$1,600.20| $1,600.20 1- AEM21547P | Aem Cold Air Intake|$261.82|$261.82 \ which one 1- RD1985P |Injen Cold Air Race Intake|$256.03| $256.03/ ?1- 38420-RS141 | Differential As |$995.68| $995.68 1- M-38381-350DK | Differential Cvr | $83.78 |$83.78

Questions about NISMO inventory:1.) IF I decide on the wheels and get them from here (cheaper than from nissan) would I have to raise the quantity to 2 of each wheel?2.) Which intake is preffered or what is another recommended one?

Gimme a lil, I'll think of more.
Modified by When I'm 16... at 9:47 AM 7/21/2006

[When I'm 16...]

scratch the NISMO's, found the 5Zigen's for a good price. http://www.hopupracing.com/5zfncawh.html Either 18x8.5 in rear and 17x8 in front or 17x10 in rear and 17x9 (or 8) in front. dont know about which size, please post your opinions. need links to correct tire size for the rims.

ill add more tomorrow, goin to nickelback/bon jovi concert.
Modified by When I'm 16... at 7:32 PM 7/23/2006

[Exar-Kun]

Brembo's or upgraded brakes won't fit under 17" wheels.

-Chet

[S1LV1A180SX]

VeilSide must love FF3... First off I believe that you should learn how to drive the car. Then modd later. Parts for the Z isn't cheap, so I hope you do everything extremely carefully.

I hope you are at the very least paying for your own gas. I am 16 and I'm making monthly payments and everything else. Please don't be like the 17 year old guy that doesn't pay for his own gas and ended up spray painting "flames" on his Z as a modd.

~Wish you good luck with everything.

Edit: Forgot to say the Greddy EvoII exhaust is really good for its price. I would recommend it.

[When I'm 16...]

What's a good/cheaper online store for hop-ups that may offer free shipping if you spend "X" dollars (this would just be nice, i would like a store with cheaper prices then others). i am currently using vividracing.com to check on prices of stuff, because it has like everything that i've seen, but isn't the cheapest place i've found (the nismo website has better offers on nismo parts for example).

O ya, and i will be paying for my own gas, i just hope to get it has my 16th b day present or somethin like that.

Also, i think i'll get the 5Zigen fn01rc's in 18x9.5 in the rear and 18x8.5 up front.

And, KEEP THE COMMENTS COMING

This may be of some help to those of you who havent gone to nissanusa.com and made a 2006 350z track: Mechanical:VQ35DE 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine 300 hp @ 6,400 rpm 260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 Emissions–LEV2 Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) High-flow intake system Nissan Direct Ignition System Platinum-tipped spark plugs Electronic drive-by-wire throttle Longitudinally mid-mounted front engine/rear-wheel drive 6-speed manual transmission Carbon-fiber composite driveshaft Viscous Limited-Slip Differential Traction Control System (TCS) Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) 18" x 9.0" (front) and 19" x 10.0" (rear) RAYS® super-lightweight 5-spoke forged alloy wheels P245/40WR18 (front) and P265/35WR19 (rear) high-performance tires Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Front: Independent 3-link aluminum-alloy suspension with strut bar Rear: Independent 4-link aluminum-alloy suspension with strut brace and aluminum-alloy subframe Front and rear stabilizer bars Ripple-control shock absorbers Vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering Brembo® braking system–4-piston caliper with 12.8" x 1.18" vented front disc and 2-piston caliper with 12.7" x 0.87" vented rear disc 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) Brake Assist

Summary:3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine Brembo® braking system RAYS® super-lightweight forged alloy wheels

[Exar-Kun]

SPL parts, and Intense power are probably your two best sources for nice 350Z stuff right now. Phase-2 motor trend is awesome, but don't really branch into the Z33 stuff much

-Chet

[chitownguy]

I dont get why you'd go from awesome wide Rays wheels to crappy 5Zigen FN's in smaller and horrible offsets.

[When I'm 16...]

good point...maybe i'll stick with the stockers and put some new tires once they wear out.

[idriveaTTz32]

just as a note, track brembo brake setup will fit under properly sized 17's

[When I'm 16...]

"Body: In order to get the front splitter (http://stillen.com/product_det...010SP) do I need to get the front fascia (http://stillen.com/product_detail.aspx?sku=1035010)?"

Does anyone know about this?

I also found out that the RAYS that come on the track Z are like 10 lbs less then the 5Zigens a piece, cool, even better reason to stick with em.

ill update more tomorrow
Modified by When I'm 16... at 11:45 PM 8/15/2006