Performance questions

[abeta040]

Hello, I am new to Nicoclub and recently got my 92 n/a 300zx. I am interested in some simple performance upgrades, mainly the air intake and the exhaust. The mechanic told me that my driver side air intake tube is in bad condition and should be replaced. I would like to put a single cone intake but I do not want to spend a lot of money on a name brand intake. I really just want to put the Air Intake MAF Sensor Adapter and a basic single cone filter. How should I go about fixing the intake pipe? I would assume just replace both tubes with some hard pipes? Again, I am new to this sort of stuff and would like some constructive suggestions. Also, my passenger side muffler is horrendous and I found a complete engine back exhaust on ebay for like $300, it includes headers and exhaust. I also found some downpipes for $100. The stock exhaust is really constricting and would like to unlock some more power with a new exhaust. As far as performance goes..what other minor things could I do to help? I mainly like doing cosmetic stuff and the interior could use a little bit of work. I like to do that sort of thing anyways. It is the performance that throws me off. Sorry to make this so confusing. I would appreciate any help I can get. Thank you. Here are the links that I found in case anyone is interested.

-Al

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nissan-300ZX-3- ... 482wt_1136

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251056350430?ss ... 704wt_1163

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Downpipe-Nissan ... 225wt_1396

http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-96-NISSAN-30 ... 924wt_1396

[JayShep1]

I have owned my z for a couple months now, and what I have noticed is the cheap route usually isnt the best route. Yes most parts that you find on ebay will fit on our cars, but how our cars perform with that part is sometimes a crap shoot.

For example, I was planning on getting a new air intake as well, I spent a little more money on the intake from a website specializing in our cars, but I got the MAF for the new intake off ebay for $40. (went the cheap route) When all the parts came, I hooked them all up and started my car.. It wasnt good, my car was idling like crap, jumping from 500 to 2500. Decided from that point forward it might be best to save money for quality parts.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Like JayShep said, it's better in the long run to buy name brand parts for these cars. Since you have an NA, the intake and exhaust are the main things you can upgrade to gain a few HP and make it sound better. If you really wanted more HP and didn't want to do a TT swap, then you could get upgraded cams, port the heads, better injectors, ecu remap, etc. but it doesn't sound like you want all that.

First things first, make sure the car is running well before worrying about performance stuff. Ensure that all the maintenance stuff is taken care of first, like timing belt, water pump, injectors are OK, spark plugs, fuel filter, fluids, etc.

For the cone filter, most people will say to get a brand name, but as long as the filter material itself is good quality that's what matters most. You don't want a crap filter letting junk into the engine. Which part of the intake pipe did the mechanic say are shot? You can replace the stock plastic pipes with hard pipes.

You can get an exhaust like that from ebay, but you won't really know how good quality it is as far as things like the welds and such. Plus those things have a 4.5" outlet on both sides it might drone quite a bit. Most exhausts really depend on how you want it to sound. Make sure the exhaust you get has resonators or it will sound raspy like a junk Honda. Also, you have an NA so you don't need downpipes. You can get aftermarket midpiples to replace the stock ones, but they won't have the AIV bungs.

[abeta040]

I appreciate the help guys, I will do more research. I do have some issues I need to take care of before I can start investing in the fun stuff. I got the timing belt done, transmission fixes, coolant hoses fixed. Now the only issues I am having is an oil leak coming form somewhere and is running down the passenger side rack and pinion. the boot is cracked also, but my oil level was fine when I checked it today. Also I know the radiator needs replacing. I found some hard pipes on craigslist for a good price. what else..what is AIV bungs?

[t.mcginley.jr]

The AIV system lets fresh air into the exhaust pipes just before the catalytic converters so that they operate at cooler temperatures. On both stock midpipes there is a bung/port where the AIV hoses connect to on either side. Many people delete the AIV system from their car (along with EGR) so yours might not actually have this still. Its possible to pass emissions without the AIV and EGR, but it really depends on the emissions laws where you live. Unless you get stock replacement midpipes, they probably won't have these ports.

The oil leak could be from anywhere above... valve cover gaskets, VTC solenoids, etc. The valve cover gaskets could be toast if they are old.