To Mod, or Not to Mod...

[ArchDiver]

Looking for some input here. I have an 89 2+2, NA, with about 119,000 miles on it. This car is in fantastic shape, fun to drive, and the one I pined after since I saw its twin in 1990. I've had the car for 4 years, performed most of the maintenance myself, and have been itching for performance.

So, my problem is, part of me feels that this is the last year the Z was made in this body style, and has a bit of nostalgic value for keeping it mainly stock since I generally see every other year but mine around. When looking at minor modifications, I wonder if it is even worth it when dealing with a car as heavy as the 2+2, which in my opinion, is a well-designed sport touring car.

Anyone have experience with modding 2+2's and familiar with the cost/benefit? I'm considering looking for a Turbo just to have for play, but I've got to come up with some fancy excuses to justify it with my fiance!

[1viadrft]

edit

Okay you have a Z31 NA 2+2. Not the greatest Z31 out there IMO... but it would be different if it were a Z32!

This is a toughy... I don't know many people that would take the time to actually mod a VG30E powered Z31 but not to say they don't. Intake, headers, and exhaust is your best bet for performance thirst.

But IMHO I would swap out that engine and swap in the VG30ET... turbo-power, baby! Other options? How about a supercharger?

[ArchDiver]

Hmm. Been thinking about all those that you mentioned. Went with a Monza exhaust a couple years ago... Never recommend those to anyone, although there did seem to be a slight improvement. I bought the headers and downpipe to go with it at the same time, but held off on those until I figure out what else should be done once I'm under there, ie. clutch.

I've been looking at various people's postings about upgrading to a turbo, and it looks like quite a task, not so much from the engine swap, but from all the other components that need to be changed as well, I'm guessing. Did the 2+2's ever come with the VG30ET? I don't recall seeing one.

[DeleriousZ]

yeah, monza's are general crap no questions asked... it's too bad because i really like the look of the muffler/tips...

anyway, dropping money on go-fast parts on an n/a is like shooting yourself in the foot... you're not going to get more than perhaps 30 rwhp from intake/exhaust, throttle body/intake manifold and a reprogrammed ecu.. you can do things such as switch to an electric fan from the sucktastick stock mechanical fan, that will free up a noticeable amount of power and will let your engine rev much faster... i suppose if you really wanted to get into it (still not worth it imo) you could replace the clutch with a performance one and an aluminum flywheel... that will get your engine revving extremely fast and free up a bit more power through reducing reciprocating mass...

if you want a serious kick in the pants you can always convert your n/a engine to a turbo motor, but that requires a bit of work that you may or may not be willing to do... however you will notice quite a gain from it as running the turbo on a higher compression will net you a bit more power than a stock turbo...

just depends on what you really want to do i guess..

[freakonaleash1187]

if you have the money, i would personally keep this Z31 since its a '89 and then buy a Z31 Turbo for your performance thurst. or even a Z32 if you have enough money.

[xXxRocker5150]

well, yes there were turbo'd 2+2's but they weren't available to the U.S... they were in Canada however, but they only came in autos...

if you'd posted about a month ago, I would've sold you by turbo engine and tranny with 115K for like 500 bucks... but I say engine swap is the best way to go... ohh and get an LSD while you're at it... modding and n/a really just won't give you the benefits that modding a turbo does... and don't slap a turbo on the n/a, because it's not worth it IMO... since it's higher compression ratio I belive that you won't be able to boost as high in the long run, but if you're only gonna boost stock levels (4-5PSI) than it won't matter...

[ArchDiver]

Thanks to All for the input. I have a feeling I'll be going the direction that Freak mentioned. The Z31 will continue to be my everyday car for now and I'll look for a Z32 soon. Having just bought a house here in Texas... it might take a little longer.