My new car... and it's not a TC

[Jay666]

Rolex, no. Swiss Army (as in S.A. Knife) actually. Still, it was an $800.00 watch LOL. It was a gift from the new wife a couple years ago. Thanx for noticing it. I'm a big watch guy myself, so I'll make sure to let her know you like it.

Trying for magazine spreads. Came really close over the summer, but they chose my friends 600 HP twin turbo 350Z instead. Still, my 370 has gotten a ton of press and awards in the short time I've had it. It's been less than a year, and you can see by looking at it, I've done a lot to it already. You know how I was before even with the TC LOL. I didn't mess around.

This photo shoot is being looked at by Canibeat as we speak as well.

I think this next season though, we'll start getting some attention for magazine spreads. That's my goal anyways. With what I have planned over the winter, this car may possibly be the most insanely built 370 around. We're going twin turbo for sure and full engine build. We're planning on tuning for around 700 HP and building the engine to handle around 1,000 HP. (there is currently no management system available for the 370 that can handle more than around 700 HP properly, but there will be one eventually, so we are thinking of having the engine already built to handle it in advance).

In addition, we are looking into full engine bay wire tuck, fully shaved engine bay and a CJ Motorsports custom built aluminum manifold plenum.

One word. RIDICULOUS.

[Jay666]

Jay, I have a question for you. How reliable are the Nissan 350Z's? I am looking at getting one after my tC is paid off, but I am not too sure which year or model I want. I have also been hearing mixed reports about them, electrical issues, eating up tires and suspension isuues. I know the base model from 03-05 is the lightest and can be built up to be as fast if not faster than the Nismo. The newer ones 07-09 have slightly more HP but weight a lot more.

Your thoughts/opinions?

Actually, the 370 does not weigh a lot more than the 350. Depending and which trim package you are comparing with, the 370 can actually weigh less. But all in all, it weighs about the same as the 350. Check Wikipedia and etc. Curb weight for base 350 is 3,188 lbs, compared to curb weight of base 370 which is 3,232. A difference of only 44 lbs. Not bad when you consider the 370 has somewhere between 30-50 more HP, depending on what year 350 you are comparing to the 370.

If you are thinking of getting a 350 though, when you start looking, you should keep this Wiki page handy because depending on what year, package etc, there a quite a bit of different variances in what engine you will be getting. It's not just which year. Nissan 350Z - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I can also tell you that I have heard one of the engines in either the '05 or '06 (can't recall which) is a pain in the ass to work on. Not unreliable, just a pain. It was only available for one year though.

Reliability is not an issue. No. Not at all. It's a Nissan. Nissan has a long heritage in racing and is known for its bulletproof and powerful engines. Period.

It's also Japanese. I don't know about you, but I don't really know of ANY unreliable Japanese cars, let alone in a well known brand name that has been around for around 40 years. This is the second Nissan I've had and I have no complaints about reliability or quality issues. In fact my prior Nissan was an '01 Sentra which by the time I sold it in '06 had over 100K on it, no body rust (I live in Chicago keep in mind, so it saw plenty of snow) and all I ever did was change the oil, brakes, exhaust etc.

I'd rank my 2 Nissan cars equal in reliability to the 2 Toyota's I've owned in fact. Both are phenomenal brands in reliability.

My brother has a Nissan Extera SUV that is maybe an '02. He's had some issues with basic things falling apart such as auto window motors burning out and some body rust, but the truck is also 10 years old and has over 100K on it, and he lives in Buffalo NY where there is no shortage of snow and salt. The engine is going strong however. He's also not the 1st owner, so there's now way to know what abuse it took before he owned it. But again, engine running stellar.

I've never heard of any electrical or suspension issues to tell the truth. Nor have I had any issues myself. But keep in mind, you're talking about a true RWD sports car. You will abuse it. These are true track cars, and it won't take much for you to want to drive it like one. So, don't be surprised if yes, you do in fact burn through tires quicker than you're accustomed to. Or if you get really crazy and take it to the track from time to time. Parts just wear out faster. But anything out of the ordinary? No. Definitely not that I have had any issues with, nor that any of the guys in the team I'm with have expressed either. And one guy has a twin turbo 600 HP 350 LOL.

You can get a 350Z dirt cheap these days. It's a lot of bang for the buck when you consider you're getting a RWD sports car with close to 300 HP. Throw on a few bolt on mods and you're no joke. My 370 Nismo is around 380 HP with the only engine performance mods being CAI, High Flow Cats, a cat back exhaust, an oil cooler and the Nismo tuned ECU (about 10 more HP than the standard 370).

Hope that helps.

[navylife59]

Jay, I have two words for you.......Insanely Ridiculous! Looking forward to see what you have planned put to pavement. Me, I am saving money for a Ford GT. So far, I have $20.32.....Oh wait.....I had to buy gas a few days ago...uhmm...that would make it $0.32 saved so far! I am well on my way.

[CadenceScion]

Actually, the 370 does not weigh a lot more than the 350. Depending and which trim package you are comparing with, the 370 can actually weigh less. But all in all, it weighs about the same as the 350. Check Wikipedia and etc. Curb weight for base 350 is 3,188 lbs, compared to curb weight of base 370 which is 3,232. A difference of only 44 lbs. Not bad when you consider the 370 has somewhere between 30-50 more HP, depending on what year 350 you are comparing to the 370.

If you are thinking of getting a 350 though, when you start looking, you should keep this Wiki page handy because depending on what year, package etc, there a quite a bit of different variances in what engine you will be getting. It's not just which year. Nissan 350Z - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I can also tell you that I have heard one of the engines in either the '05 or '06 (can't recall which) is a pain in the ass to work on. Not unreliable, just a pain. It was only available for one year though.

Reliability is not an issue. No. Not at all. It's a Nissan. Nissan has a long heritage in racing and is known for its bulletproof and powerful engines. Period.

It's also Japanese. I don't know about you, but I don't really know of ANY unreliable Japanese cars, let alone in a well known brand name that has been around for around 40 years. This is the second Nissan I've had and I have no complaints about reliability or quality issues. In fact my prior Nissan was an '01 Sentra which by the time I sold it in '06 had over 100K on it, no body rust (I live in Chicago keep in mind, so it saw plenty of snow) and all I ever did was change the oil, brakes, exhaust etc.

I'd rank my 2 Nissan cars equal in reliability to the 2 Toyota's I've owned in fact. Both are phenomenal brands in reliability.

My brother has a Nissan Extera SUV that is maybe an '02. He's had some issues with basic things falling apart such as auto window motors burning out and some body rust, but the truck is also 10 years old and has over 100K on it, and he lives in Buffalo NY where there is no shortage of snow and salt. The engine is going strong however. He's also not the 1st owner, so there's now way to know what abuse it took before he owned it. But again, engine running stellar.

I've never heard of any electrical or suspension issues to tell the truth. Nor have I had any issues myself. But keep in mind, you're talking about a true RWD sports car. You will abuse it. These are true track cars, and it won't take much for you to want to drive it like one. So, don't be surprised if yes, you do in fact burn through tires quicker than you're accustomed to. Or if you get really crazy and take it to the track from time to time. Parts just wear out faster. But anything out of the ordinary? No. Definitely not that I have had any issues with, nor that any of the guys in the team I'm with have expressed either. And one guy has a twin turbo 600 HP 350 LOL.

You can get a 350Z dirt cheap these days. It's a lot of bang for the buck when you consider you're getting a RWD sports car with close to 300 HP. Throw on a few bolt on mods and you're no joke. My 370 Nismo is around 380 HP with the only engine performance mods being CAI, High Flow Cats, a cat back exhaust, an oil cooler and the Nismo tuned ECU (about 10 more HP than the standard 370).

Hope that helps.

My main goal if I do buy a 350z is for the street and for car shows. I have been asking around and some people have told me to buy an 03-06 and others have said to buy the second generation. I was also told to get one w/ TCS and not the LSD. I do know that earlier models are lighter and come stock w/ 287HP. The newer 350's are heavier and have 300+ HP. I also know they offer the Base Model, Touring, Track, Enthusiast, and Nismo. I was told to get either a Track Edition or Enthusiast Model. I would prefer leather seats over cloth. What model do you suggest?

[Jay666]

Jay, I have two words for you.......Insanely Ridiculous! Looking forward to see what you have planned put to pavement. Me, I am saving money for a Ford GT. So far, I have $20.32.....Oh wait.....I had to buy gas a few days ago...uhmm...that would make it $0.32 saved so far! I am well on my way.

LOL!

I'm still also saving for this. As previously discussed. Shelby GT500CR Built by Classic Recreations ® - Content

I actually spoke to the owner on the phone a few months back. To my surprise, he called me personally in response to an E-mail question I sent him.

For those that don't know the story, this company took over the rights to build the Shelby GT500 in a deal with Carroll Shelby when the company that initially was doing so after Gone In 60 Seconds was sued repeatedly and counter sued Carroll Shelby, lost and went under. That company had a deal with Shelby to make continuations of the GT500 and made a deal with MGM to the Gone In 60 Seconds Eleanor car, BUT... never got the okay from the widow of the original creator of the 70's cult classic Gone In 60 Seconds who actually owned the rights to the Eleanor name and likeness from the Nicholas Cage re-make.

These guys struck gold with a deal to continue making authentic Shelby registered GT500's. And my dream is to own one in a few years.

[Jay666]

My main goal if I do buy a 350z is for the street and for car shows. I have been asking around and some people have told me to buy an 03-06 and others have said to buy the second generation. I was also told to get one w/ TCS and not the LSD. I do know that earlier models are lighter and come stock w/ 287HP. The newer 350's are heavier and have 300+ HP. I also know they offer the Base Model, Touring, Track, Enthusiast, and Nismo. I was told to get either a Track Edition or Enthusiast Model. I would prefer leather seats over cloth. What model do you suggest?

My friend with the 600 HP twin turbo has the track edition, which is pretty limited. That may be hard to find, but it's nice. If you're going for lightweight and power and want to show it, it would be extremely easy to find a cheap base model and put enough mods on it to make it show worthy.

If you want leather, you'll have to get Touring.

If you want a bit more performance, you want the Track.

IMO, the Nismo 350's are ugly. They made vast improvements on the 370 Nismo though.

[CadenceScion]

Now what's your opinion on the LSD and TCS that Nissan offers on the 350z's? The base model or Touring Edition sounds like the best deal, the better models have the Brembo Brakes and other options. I would rather upgrade to what I want on the car. As far as I am concerned you're paying for Nissan's upgrades that you can go out and buy a lot cheaper w/ after market.

[Jay666]

IMO the TCS and LSD are really two totally different things that aren't really comparable. Here's a pretty good thread that discusses the "comparison". TCS vs. LSD - SR20 Forum

TCS is more a part of your ABS system to keep your wheels from spinning. Whereas a LSD is designed to keep ONE wheel spinning more than the other and transfer power to the wheel it's needed. Say, when cornering for example, putting more power to the outside wheel so that you can power out of the corner better.

Then there's VDC. Which is what I have on my 370, along with the LSD. I actually prefer to drive with the VDC off because it inhibits being able to have a lot of fun with the car. If it's raining, it's a good idea, but if you want to feel the fun of a RWD sports car, letting the LSD do it's thing and nothing else, no VDC or TCS is FAR more fun.

I can only speak my opinion, but my experience has been that you can't wipe the smile off my face when I drive this car on nothing but the LSD.

[jdmtc5]

Nice Z man.

[Jay666]

Thanx man!

[CadenceScion]

Jay, I heard something mentioned to me about the 350z engines, one is better than the other. I also heard that certain years were better than others as well, do you have anything on this?

[Jay666]

Better? It's not that simple. It depends what you want. Here's what I know.

'03-'06 have more parts available to mod it. Some '06 motors have also been known to have oil consumptions issues.
'07-'08 have have a bit more HP but less mid range torque.

If you want to do nothing to the car, '07-'08 would be the way to go. If you were going to go FI but not build the motor at all, '07-'08 would also be a better choice.

If you want to build the engine and go FI, '03-'06 would be the way to go.

If you were going to get an '03-'06, make sure it's been tested for oil consumption before buying.

[CadenceScion]

My goals are to build an N/A street car and for shows. 350-400HP is sufficient to me.

[navylife59]

Intruder detected
spammer kia
shelby is bad arse
me want one
still holding out for scion tc lotus series
twin turbo mid-mount v6 rwd
your nismo is bad arse
that is all

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