Is ECU upgrade necessary?....

[Revfreak]

Hello all,

I have a question for the techies. I just bought a extremely low mileage LHD 90 300zxTT (26000KM), the car is completely original top to bottom, and I would like to do a couple upgrades. My list of upgrades mainly focuses on assisting the car with breathing but I have no real intention of making the car "faster" although I realize it will affect the power. My list of intended upgrades includes intake, larger smic and full exhaust.

Like I mentioned, this is more of an attempt to open up the breathing for the turbos but I have no intention of increasing boost or any other mod. I would like to keep the integrity of the originality of this car by not going over board with mods, especially visual mods. Aside from the exhaust, my intention is for the car to continue to look completely stock. So with these basic mods, is an ecu upgrade necessary or am I taking a chance by not upgrading it? Thanks in advance for the responses.


Travis

[Ziggy1621]

Welcome to Nicoclub!

I'm going to chime in on my opinion only. If you aren't going for more power as the goal, then I wouldn't worry about the upgrades. These cars can do 200,000+ miles if properly maintained. So it is not as if it has breathing problems. I would say your money is better spent giving it a good tune up with some good synthetic oils, name brand air cleaners, spark plugs, etc. Again, that's my opinion.

As far as your question, if you aren't going to a dual intake setup, then the mods you have listed should not need an ecu flash.

[Revfreak]

Thanks a lot!!

I don't intend to use the dual intake, just an upgrade for the single. I hear ya when it comes to why mod in the first place, but like anyone I do have the itch and I figure that this would be the best way to do something while not compromising the originality. Thanks again.

[mrmoose]

IMO dont do anything, even the exhaust can depreciate its value, if you really want to preserve it as a stock low mileage tt, leave it bee! ive seen mint tts with exhaust and intake go for a good amount, but completley umolested stock low mile tts got for a whole lot more! and an upgrade in breathing isnt going to do much besides lower the resale value......

[Revfreak]

I agree with you whole heartedly. Although the car exhaust is currently the only piece showing signs of wear and corrosion. If I dont replace it now itll be unrepairable. This is what has started my reasoning for replacing the exhaust and intake parts.

I fully intend to keep all the old parts for future, but Ive waited ten years to own this car and to find one in this condition is unimaginable. I want to drive the car without causing further wear and tear on the parts. In 5-10 years when I want to show the car off I will reinstall the old pieces and have the car continue on with the timeless design.

Essentially im replacing these parts now to have a little fun/uniqueness, with the intention of future originality. Thats the whole reason I dont want to perform any major mods turbos, ecu, boost controller, body parts, fmic etc. This car is in amazing shape and I want to make it "mine" now and change it back later. Thanks for the feedback.


Travis

[t.mcginley.jr]

For your original question, no ECU upgrade/flash is necessary like these guys said unless you were upgrading things like injectors, dual MAFs, turbos, etc.

If the stock exhaust is rotted you can either get a new stock exhaust or go for an aftermarket one. Personally I don't think it would turn away any future buyers if you have an aftermarket exhaust. Getting an aftermarket one doesn't mean it has to be super loud or have huge pipes. I have nothing against keeping a car stock, but there are a huge amount of other upgrades that might drop the resale value, but I don't really think intake and exhaust are one of them.

I do agree with Ziggy that you should spend some money doing all the maintenance items mainly because of its age. Do you know when the timing belt/tensioner/idler pulleys were last changed? I know they are rated for 60k miles (100k km), but after 22 years they WILL need to be replaced.

[Revfreak]

The car is scheduled Wednesday for a full tune up, including flushing and replacing of all fluids. Replaced by synthetics and equivalents will be the only acceptable option. I thought of the timing belt/tensioner/idler pulleys as well but figured Id get the mechanics gauge on that stuff.

Either way its definitely my #1 priority right now and the upgrades secondary. Thanks again for the input, I feel a lot better about moving forward thanks to all the feedback.

Travis

[fabbio25]

You are not allowed anymore post until you put up some pics!!
LOL J/K but yeah this car sounds mint we would love to see some pics.

[t.mcginley.jr]

You are not allowed anymore post until you put up some pics!!
LOL J/K but yeah this car sounds mint we would love to see some pics.

ditto