[Unknown User]

I'm getting ready to order some performance parts (headers, performance exhaust, ram air/k&n set up and the Big Throat throttle body) all from Motorsport. I'd hate to buy this stuff and then find out I should have gotten something else, so I'd like to benefit from you guys who've been there, done that. Should I be getting any of these parts from somewhere else? Am I missing anything, or is there something I should be getting instead? Also (go ahead, laugh) will my car be considered modified after I do all this?

Thanks for your continued patience with me!

 

[Doug Dawson]

> I'm getting ready to order some performance
> parts (headers, performance exhaust, ram
> air/k&n set up and the Big Throat throttle
> body) all from Motorsport.

Here are my totally crazy opinions:

headers: go Nissan Motorsports if you must, but this is IMO an over-rated upgrade.

performance exhaust: go Borla if you must, but you increase your chances of pissing off the local enforcement ( this is of paramount importance for freedom of movement. )

ram air: only useful at delightfully high speeds.

K&N filter: sounds good!

Big Throat throttle body: look in the Archives for more information on this, and be prepared to throw out your emissions legality ( depends on where you live. )

> I'd hate to buy
> this stuff and then find out I should have
> gotten something else, so I'd like to
> benefit from you guys who've been
> there, done that. Should I be getting
> any of these parts from somewhere else? Am I
> missing anything, or is there something I
> should be getting instead? Also (go ahead,
> laugh) will my car be considered
> modified after I do all this?

What I would suggest is that you consider ensuring that your suspension is absolutely up to factory-new spec before you contemplate doing anything to the engine compartment. And then, after that, consider doing some performance upgrades to the suspension. This will provide you with much more driving pleasure than anything you've mentioned re. the power train, at least at legal speeds ( whatever that means. ) And most assuredly at grossly higher speeds. Marginal increases in horsepower mean nothing when you're a smudge on the scenery.

Again, just my crazy ( but jaundiced ) opinion.

Doug Dawson
[email protected]

 

[Unknown User]

I must agree with Doug. Make the suspension top priority. Bushings. springs, struts, whatever. If you more horsepower you should get a mild cam. It would probably give you more at a fraction of the costs of what you said you were thinking about getting. Modified is just that.. Anything other than stock is modified to a point. Putting on spoilers, air dams, side skirts, chopping off the top is modified. Bushings and struts isn't as this is an acceptable upgrade from inferior parts.

 

[Unknown User]

> I must agree with Doug. Make the suspension
> top priority. Bushings. springs, struts,
> whatever. If you more horsepower you should
> get a mild cam. It would probably give you
> more at a fraction of the costs of what you
> said you were thinking about getting.
> Modified is just that.. Anything other than
> stock is modified to a point. Putting on
> spoilers, air dams, side skirts, chopping
> off the top is modified.
> Bushings and struts isn't as this is an
> acceptable upgrade from inferior parts.
I agree with Doug on the need to make sure the car and driver can handle any added horsepower.
We just parted out a homemade v8 chev 350 conversion which would break the tires loose at 70mph. I considered it to be unsafe, and turned down numerous offers to purchase it. I came to that conclusion after driving it one time.
Out of the many z cars that come through our doors, I think that some of the cheapest, neatest
upgrades are the braking system, steering, and suspension. We also have built close ratio 5 spd
trans(part 260z) and have installed differentials
with 3:90 or 4:11 ratios, which are a blast around town. If you want to drive fast, I would go
to one of the race schools in your area, and do it on the track. Everyone is going the same direction, and they are all the same size.
Good luck, and drive safe, Joe