Plan for my car, some questions - your opinions

[Ilya]

Okay so...I have decided to keep my car (I was selling it for a while because life was changing - I was engaged - but that didn't work out).

It's a 2007 M35x and the only thing I have done to it right now of any significance is 19x8.5" BE by Breyton GTS-AV wheels.

My future plan for the car is (in no particular order):

1) BC Racing coilovers. Thoughts? I need something that rides nice, as OEM like as possible.

2) Eventually, when my OEM exhaust deteriorates, an exhaust. This will probably be just the mid-pipe back...thinkin Megan as it seems to have the most OEM like sound characteristics. Thoughts?

3) Get that Aero Kit that is available on EBay.

4) Change my grille (not my entire front end) to the 08+ Chrome grille

5) Open my headlights and replace the projector lens with a TSX-R or FX-R clear lens.

6) Motordyne 5/16" Copper Iso Thermal Spacer (copper because I'm in NY where it snows). I will install this myself. Should be pretty simple. 12-14HP.

7) Z Tube installation. Do you guys recommend leaving the stock airbox or getting a pop charger?

8) UpRev Tune. How much have you folks normally paid for this? For those of you in the NE, where did you get it done? Also, I was thinkin of doing it right after I get the spacer in, but before the exhaust. When I get the exhaust, will I have to pay for a retune or will I be able to use Cipher (do I keep that or does the shop use theirs?) logs and send them to UpRev to have them return for me and download/flash? I see on their site they ask for what kind of gas you want it 'tuned' for. Since our car requires 93, is that our only option or could I effectively switch to say 87 and have it mapped for that and not lose performance at the same time since the tune is different? I'm thinkin if I can do the later, I may just go with it. I run fuel system cleaner through my car every 10k or so...and I generally buy Exxon, Synoco, or Shell gas so it's the top rated gas (forget what site rated them - but they are in a special group of retailers).

I guess my biggest questions are:

1) Is that suspension any good?
2) Is that exhaust any good?
3) How does UpRev really work as far as cost/uploading/downloading/tuning?

For the suspension and exhaust, I want OEM like sound/quality...but aftermarket looks.

[Twizz]

I was in the same boat as you. I wanted an aftermarket set up with as close to OEM as possible. So I went out and got the Espilir springs and a Stillen cat-back system. I must say I love it. With the exhaust, you can feel it right away. After I added my CAI though, it didn't feel the way I wanted it to. I have to go tune it to get the best performance. But the car rides pretty good with the springs and it sounds almost stock with the exhaust (just a lil deeper rasp to it)

[mexillis]

Megan and stillen are both nice in sound and have good craftsmanship. BC racing coilovers are a good brand and I havent heard anything negative about them yet. For UpRev get all your mods first then go get it tuned. I wouldnt map it for 87 octane, lowest I would do is 91 (if you do roadtrips or move)since 93 isnt available everywhere. I think you would need to go there though with different fuel though in order to have them tune it for different fuels. That means two tuning sessions and more money. When you get tuned they charge you 300 for the software then whatever their hourly rate is for tuning. I paid 600 when I got it done but have heard of people paying more. Since you have an AWD M, unless you find a tuner that does UpRev in your area with an AWD dyno, you might have to do the ETune from UpRev. You'd buy the cipher cable, do some data logging then send it to them. Then they would do adjustments and send you a file to upload and do more logging and repeat the process for a total of 3 times. Hope this makes sense to you and if not you can always call them, they are very helpful over the phone with any questions you might have.

[Ilya]

Thanks Mex...

I have a dyno date at Synapse Motorsports on the 18th. We'll see if they can even do my car. Supposedly, some AWD cars give dyno's problems because of traction controls, etc.

As for UpRev. I may just pay for the stuff myself and have them do it via eTune. Did you go to R/T Tuning? My friend with a VQ35/6spd/Turbo 4th Gen Maxima told me they are fantastic. I had emailed RDZ motorsports in CT initially.

[mexillis]

I went to a place called Function Tuned, no longer around. R/T has tuned an M45 before, didt gain much but my friend with a g35 goes there and said they were good.

[Ilya]

Would you recommend getting it tuned by a pro tuner or just paying for the software myself, data logging myself, and sending it to UpRev? I figure it's $500 or so vs $600+.

[JDMlove]

your goin through the same route am taking, i am keeping bolt-ons now in ma m35x

i kept the berk HFC + CustomY pipe + 1/2" plenum spacer + tein h-techs

am waiting to put the z-tube + mid-pipes + mufflers and then i will tune it through e-tunes.

the plenum spacer really add power, after the plenum i really felt a difference.

if am were u i wont spend much on the coil overs, springs will be enough!

[Ilya]

I think I've finally decided on what I'm doing after some research:

Motordyne MREV2 Lower Plenum, Motordyne 5/16" Copper Spacer, Z Tube. Once I install these, I will get it tuned via eTunes from UpRev ($500). At a later date, when my OEM exhaust finally falls apart due to snow/salt up here in NY, I will add the exhaust and update the tune (they include 3 updates). The exhaust will likely be Megan from the mid-pipes all the way back. Pretty sure on that, but if I come across something else that sounds only a little louder than OEM, that can change.

Sounds like a sound plan to me.

[CPJ LB]

I agree with your plans...good choice of mods that will give you good performance. Like Mex stated, it may be a challenge looking for a place with AWD dyno...

I must confirm, the Z tube is a great mod. It really streamlines the airflow to the throttle body/plenum. It's not necessary to add a cold air intake -- keep a stock air filter or K&N.

The MRev2 + plenum spacer will give you alot of top end hp...

I'm not sure if you read one of my old posts (I gave a breakdown of my dyno runs after adding specific mods, etc)... the Uprev tune does wonders for our motors.... keep us posted.

btw, the best deals on parts are found in the classifieds on other Forums (03-07 G35 VQDE motors)

[06M4.5]

I agree on keeping the oem air box on the M's

I just ordered a K&N filter for my M45 for under $38 with shipping

Now I wonder if the Z tube would work on the M45