Sporty's 350Z thread

[280Z Turbo]

I got an ECU tune for my SVT Focus and the difference between it and stock was night and day.  The stock tune was terrible and it's well documented all over the net how bad it is.  Peak horsepower and peak torque only went up about 3-5%, but midrange horsepower (3000-5000 rpm) had as much as a 22 hp increase, and the tune completely eliminated the surging that the SVT Focus was notorious for at cruising speeds.

I could use a tune on mine. Ford makes the engine hold onto revs between shifts for emissions reasons. It's really irritating and I blame my bad 3rd gear syncho on that stupid tune.

[12,000 RPM]

I got an ECU tune for my SVT Focus and the difference between it and stock was night and day.  The stock tune was terrible and it's well documented all over the net how bad it is.  Peak horsepower and peak torque only went up about 3-5%, but midrange horsepower (3000-5000 rpm) had as much as a 22 hp increase, and the tune completely eliminated the surging that the SVT Focus was notorious for at cruising speeds.

Ford's shitty stock tunes are no indicator of the norm

My 1st Accord & 2nd Maxima ran as smooth as stock with the mods despite making more power. Most cars don't have problems until you start changing stuff like camshafts or compression

[FlatBlackCaddy]

So no stereo at all?

I put a standard stereo in and a pair of speakers, the stereo dropped right in and I bought speaker brackets to adapt the holes to the proper size.

[SVT666]

Ford's shitty stock tunes are no indicator of the norm

My 1st Accord & 2nd Maxima ran as smooth as stock with the mods despite making more power. Most cars don't have problems until you start changing stuff like camshafts or compression

The car will run smooth with those mods, but they won't realize their full potential without one.  In fact, they won't realize very much without a tune that is designed to take advantage of the mods.

[Raza]

Crazy that so many people care so much about a stereo.  I guess I just don't care that much. 

[GoCougs]

For the love of Christ don't mod it, and not only because the most mods are worthless (CIA, exhaust, grounding cable, etc.) or worse (suspension, ECU tune, etc.). You'll get vastly more utility, and a fair amount more enjoyment, by just keeping it stock and maintaining/repairing as needed.

[12,000 RPM]

For the love of Christ don't mod it, and not only because the most mods are worthless (CIA, exhaust, grounding cable, etc.) or worse (suspension, ECU tune, etc.). You'll get vastly more utility, and a fair amount more enjoyment, by just keeping it stock and maintaining/repairing as needed.

I've modded cars successfully before. I am going to try to enjoy it now.

Crazy that so many people care so much about a stereo.  I guess I just don't care that much. 

It's part of the experience like anything else

[SVT666]

Crazy that so many people care so much about a stereo.  I guess I just don't care that much.

I put a kickass system in my Mustang, but I eventually ripped it out and put the stock stuff back in because the soundtrack from the exhaust was too good and I rarely ever turned the stereo on.  Every other vehicle I've had since....not the case.

[SVT666]

For the love of Christ don't mod it, and not only because the most mods are worthless (CIA, exhaust, grounding cable, etc.) or worse (suspension, ECU tune, etc.). You'll get vastly more utility, and a fair amount more enjoyment, by just keeping it stock and maintaining/repairing as needed.

[12,000 RPM]

Im pretty sure Cougs was thinking about an exhaust too. No sense getting into it though

[El Barto]

Pics coming. I have to fix the window regulator and the subwoofer first (both easy fixes)

Nissan still hasn't figured out how to build a reliable window regulator?  I had to replace all of them in my 1990 Maxima at least once.

It's a nice looking car, congrats.   

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Never had a bad one in the dozen or so nissans I've owned. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Crazy that so many people care so much about a stereo.  I guess I just don't care that much. 

I replaced the radio in my miata because it was actually unlistenable, with the bass all the way down and the trouble turned all the way up I could barely listen to music. The rest of the car's headunits were replaced so I can use my bluetooth wireless music apps.

[280Z Turbo]

I actually made my Z slower when I modded it. That turbo really slows things down.

[12,000 RPM]

Nissan still hasn't figured out how to build a reliable window regulator?  I had to replace all of them in my 1990 Maxima at least once.

It's a nice looking car, congrats.   

This was the first of about 8 or so Nissans I've owned or dealt with that had a problem

I'm surprised manufacturers don't have a 1 size fits all deal for this. They even had a different design for each side... they could have easily designed it to fit both. I know because the parts guy gave me the wrong one 

[S204STi]

Motorcycles suck for turning and braking.

Only if you suck@bikes.

[S204STi]

Congrats, Sporty.  Good choice.

[S204STi]

This was the first of about 8 or so Nissans I've owned or dealt with that had a problem

I'm surprised manufacturers don't have a 1 size fits all deal for this. They even had a different design for each side... they could have easily designed it to fit both. I know because the parts guy gave me the wrong one 

By nature, you have to have a mirrored design for those.  But cross-platform applications would seem reasonable here.

[hotrodalex]

I have seen nice gains w/rudimentary mods on my old cars and no ECU tuning. My 1st Accord got a good 25-30HP at the fuel cut (not peak) from some mild but smart mods. My 2nd Maxima got a really nice low + midrange torque boost (~15-20lb-ft) from changing the exhaust. A lot of the untuned gains on these mods are documented. Sure it won't be like turning up the boost on a turbo car but bleh. Im not looking for 100 more WHP or even much at all TBH.

I don't like the stock wheels. They are the same ones on the same year Maxima. Pretty bland IMO. I'm not sure what color I would get though. Maybe something between stock silver and gunmetal. The 19" G35s look pretty nice

Nickel finish would look great. Those don't seem to have the correct backspacing, though. Maybe it's just the angle of the picture.

[280Z Turbo]

Nickel finish would look great. Those don't seem to have the correct backspacing, though. Maybe it's just the angle of the picture.

Backspacing? It's called offset! These aren't old timey Cragars, you hillbilly.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Backspacing? It's called offset! These aren't old timey Cragars, you hillbilly.

I agree, the back spacing on those mag wheels don't look correct.

[Madman]

Here's some recommended mods for your 350Z......



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[mzziaz]

Congrats, Yaw. That is a very nice car.

Thank god you didn't capitulate and got a sensible car.

[GoCougs]

That backspacing is correct, or at least, it's factory - both the G35 and 350Z had identical backspacing (those are 19" 1st gen G35 wheels on that white 350Z). I don't think they look that good - custom/non-factory wheels never do. I think the factory 5 spoke wheels look best:

[SJ_GTI]

That backspacing is correct, or at least, it's factory - both the G35 and 350Z had identical backspacing (those are 19" 1st gen G35 wheels on that white 350Z). I don't think they look that good - custom/non-factory wheels never do. I think the factory 5 spoke wheels look best:

Those look nicer than what he has now, but I definitely think a gunmetal or black coating on the wheels would look better on a white car! 

[12,000 RPM]

They could use and do look a LOT better with spacers. I am not a fan of staggered setups though. Can't rotate Inherent understeer I would probably go for 2 pairs of rears or a set of aftermarket 18x9s all around.

The 370Z rides on 245s up front and 275s in the back  That's a lot of meat!!! Those would fill the wheel wells nicely.

[SJ_GTI]

They could use and do look a LOT better with spacers. I am not a fan of staggered setups though. Can't rotate Inherent understeer I would probably go for 2 pairs of rears or a set of aftermarket 18x9s all around.

The 370Z rides on 245s up front and 275s in the back  That's a lot of meat!!! Those would fill the wheel wells nicely.

Yeah 275's in back is a wide wheel. Definitely think it would look better being pushed out a bit. On my car the aftermarket wheels I have (and practically all of the wheels available) push the wheels out to the edge of the fenders just a little bit, but it is noticeable (to me at least) and gives the car a nicer stance overall IMHO.

[Cookie Monster]

Yeah I don't like staggered setups either. I think 18x9's would be pretty cool, although I don't know what tire size you'd use. If it comes with 275's in the back already, that'd be way too much tire for the front IMO.

[hotrodalex]

Yeah I don't like staggered setups either. I think 18x9's would be pretty cool, although I don't know what tire size you'd use. If it comes with 275's in the back already, that'd be way too much tire for the front IMO.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

With some cars it's very hard NOT to have a staggered setup. Most RWD cars that are putting down any reasonable amount of power will have them. If you want to run a squared setup you'de need to under-tire the rear. On a stock car like the Z you might be able to run 255's all the way around. At the stock power level it wouldn't be too bad, but sadly staggered sizes are somewhat of a necessity in the performance world.