I am thinking of doing either one or the other come spring for my 350Z

Grounding kit with both

1) NA:JWT or Nismo CamsHi flow catsCat back exhaustKinetix Plenum (dont like the strut bar issue w/ the crawford)Headers (DC or Borla or Nismo)Y Pipe MaybeNo Intakes as I like the stock intake

$3k in parts, Install maybe about another 2k= approx 4.5-5k

2) SC: Example Vortech approx cost $4100 +$800 Install = $5k( to $6.2k if I go API incl Install)

So I have 70-80% the cost of a basic SC set-up, if I leave all else stock when I go SC.

How much Power can we hope my NA set-up to make?Approximately?

I am debating Pros for NA, I expect superior reliability from the NA and maybe half the power gain of an SC (am I off?)Pros for SC: Less complicated to chase down components a bit more expensive, but quicker and only onetime installation and lots more power.

What do you guys think?

Fred..

ATI's Website wrote:This otherwise stock Z, with HO Intercooled ProCharger system, won both the autocross and the dyno competition against the other two Z’s, and posted top speed in the quarter with 107.78 mph. Although off its previous best of 12.9 @ 109 mph, this winning performance was definitely worth the cross-country trip.

We ran a 12.9 @ 106 without cams on an n/a 350Z.

Keep in mind that the supercharger will add power, but you still need to open up the engine for it to breathe. This includes just about all of the n/a mods as well.

I vote turbos... I'll cut you a good deal on the APS Kit when we get them in.

Gimme a call if you got any questions / ideas.

I agree with Nismo. You will definitely want some good exhaust, and even headers with that sc set up.

Go FI!

It's just cooler to have boost. The SC or TT or ever the single turbo would rock.Just do some research on them all and pick the one you want.

Remember to make sure you do whats best for your car.You will be putting quite a few miles on your Z.

Get a list of N/A mods that will work well with the FI and start with those then later you can boost that bad boy.

Just stick a couple of infants under the hood. You'll get an unbelievable increase and it'll stay that way for 5 years. Sorry...Newborn Insomnia.

I came up with 58-60 rwhp with the setup listed above using the Nismo cams and Nismo headers. I also played with the idea of using the Nismo exhaust with some modification to the Y-pipe so you can work in your high flow cats.

The Nismo and Jim Wolfe cams appear identical at first but one thing I like about the Nismo cams vs. the Jim Wolfe cams is that you don't have to reset your idle rpm on the Nismo's.

The math may be a little off on the pricing but you still come out saving a couple of grand or so after installation versus a SC or Turbo. Although, I do like the Greddy Turbo for the Z. I was first introduced to it in the October issue of Import Tuners and reintroduced when an Atlantian passed through the casino with his Greddy Turbo and Nismo exhaust.

The question is do you want a 60 hp gain or 120?

Yes the greater price of the nismo headers will drive price up a bit maybe I'll just go with DC ceramic headers at about 40% the price.

I think I'll try to go Nismo with everythign thats not a lot more expensive than the other stuff.

Fred..

FI: I dunno, if I got FI I might make that my only Mod.To keep $$ down besides I will have plenty power w/o extra Mods.Any more and I am pushing those rods maybe further than they need be pushed.Also a lot of the SC set-ups, are tuned for all stock otherwise.

The Vortech is tempting ,among the FI set-ups cuz its the cheapest to buy, and the cheapest to install.

Still mulling it all over...

Fred..

Go FI. No doubt about it. I vote for the vortech SC as an affordable power adder. If you want more at a later date then you can do what you want

As a friend I can't let you go NA.......read my sig haha

Fred,

With my history you know I am going to vote to add the option of Turbo VQ. The VQ35 rods are similar in size to the VQ30 rods and I know with a decent tune they can make some power, although 2.01:1 rod ratio I'm sure helped.

If you wanted to go higher power, reliably... I asked around. It looks as though you can get a set of Arias pistons for ~600 and Pauter rods for ~1000. The VQ35 block and crank are rumored to be as strong or stronger than the 2JZ or RB26. So, although there are no guarantees and tuning has HUGE influence, I don't see why you couldn't make whatever power you wanted... 600...800?

Seems like this would be a better choice, to have a setup that is operating at part of it's potential with room to grow, compared to NA where you have a sizely investment into a setup that is nearly maxed out.

Hmmm, What about the rings?

How how much labor would I be looking at for a setof of Arias pistons and Pauter (sp?) rods installed?

Fred..

Fred,

You bought a brand new car and now you're talking about tearing her apart. I think you should have bought high-mileage 2003 Z and put the difference under the hood.