First time Z owner, first post ... few quick questions

[NewZownerNorCal]

Just purchased the most beautiful 1990 300ZX 2+2 n/a, auto trans, only has 56,000 original miles on it.

Problem is, a month after I bought it, the transmission just died, go figure.

Well, after I get the transmission rebuilt/replaced I want to do some minor performance upgrades.

What besides exhaust/intake/headers/ECU do you recommend for this car? And, can I safely get a n/a up to about 260hp? and spend less than $3k? I also live in the Bay Area, Ca, and if anyone knows of a good place to take my Z for service/installs/repairs, please let me know.

Any advice would be most welcome, thank you

[Canyoncarver]

The best n/a wiith bolt-on mods, including headers and cams, that I've seen so far is ~218 - 220 rwhp.

[NewZownerNorCal]

Isn't it 222hp stock?

[evildky]

222 stock at the crank, more like 160 at the wheel, I know a gy that has all the goodies, and a rebuilt motor with gasket matching, and a slight overbore, and he's right about 200 whp

[NewZownerNorCal]

Oh ok I gotcha ... ok thats fine with me. I just want to know if I can add another 40hp or so to the car. So going from 160-200 would be great.

One more question ... its an auto. Is it possible to convert to manual transmission?