basic tuning question

[theshadow]

i new to the tuning game and wanted to get some input on where to begin. for now all i want to do is increase my z hp to about 400 at the wheels. so what would be the core components i would want add/modify without having to gut the engine too much?

[2003_350z_Touring]

greddy twin turbo should be sufficient

[LancasterWannaBe]

No, it wouldn't.

but the turbo kit (or centrifugal s/c kit) with nitrous would .

[350G]

You could bump the boost with the TT kit to around 7.5PSI and add some type of fuel system upgrade & ignition control to achieve those numbers, BUT, if you want to get some good numbers and keep your car in one piece, I would suggest changing the pistons and rods. Our rods suck.

[LancasterWannaBe]

You might not be able to bump the boost up without trouble unless you use higher octane fuel man. I don't know for sure, but I doubt you can.

Just go to autozone and look for the octane booster they display on the counter - the little +2 octane kind. Just buy the whole box and use 1 or 2 every time you fill up. Then you could boost more.

[350G]

Depending on where you live, 93 octane does a great job to reduce the probability of pinging. If you want to drag race the SOB, pick up some racing fuel Nothing like 100+ octane . . .

[LancasterWannaBe]

93 octane gas is sold at lower elevation where atmospheric pressure is higher and there is more oxygen.

Don't depend on it if you're planning on driving at that same elevation.

[theshadow]

thanx. sooo... what about replacing exhausts, cold air intakes, headers, etc... basically, is there an additional upgrade that would really help much

[350G]

Exhausts are always helpful, but if you get a TT kit, you are wasting your money on headers since the kit comes with exhaust manifolds that use the downpipe, while replacing the cold air intake. If you wait a month, I'll have an Injen CAI (used) for sale

G

[2003_350z_Touring]

hey 350g...i am very interested in picking up your Injen CAI...i am going to PM you...

theshadow - of course getting all of those basic boltons will help with power....but those alone certainly aren't going to get you up to 400hp...that is where forced induction comes into play

[Ninja Bait]

From the impression that I got, the car stock is already tuned to the point that bolt on's aren't going to be a good investment outside of aesthetics. I heard that adding the twin turbo's will give you a chance to achieve your 400 whp goal but you probably wanna get upgrades for the engine since forced induction is going to wear down your engine without them.

[350G]

True, true. Taking a proactive approach to the TT, I just sent out my exhaust manifolds, low elbows, and turbo housings to get "jet hot" coated. For those of you unfamiliar with the coating, its primary design is to keep heat within (exhaust) or out of (turbo housings) the protected area--basically keeping the engine cooler by reducing the thermal soak.