Introducing GRM's Newest Project: 2003 350Z

HiTempguy wrote:

jstein77 wrote: Turbo, baby.

I would prefer an ebay turbo kit. Make a time attack car out of it IMO. I see the 3.5L v6 is good for over 400whp stock plus a couple psi.

Ebay? You want GRM to blow up another motor, or do you want it to work?

Edit - Hey look, I fixed the internet!

Secretariata wrote:

Matt B wrote: - Also, no turbos - not really serving reliability as a daily or on track. It's not like the engine needs a lot more power anyway.

Say what? OK maybe the engine doesn't need a lot more power, but the chassis does. That or some serious lap band surgery. I agree with some of the others in that it would be nice to see where & how much weight you can lose while retaining dd practicality, how to cheaply & reliably increase the HP & torques by about 100 each, and how to deal with the front tire feathering issue on earlier cars. With sufficient info I might buy mine back from the wife when she's done with it. Also, inexpensive fixes for some of the other problems like the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel not working and replacing/repairig the fluid filled rubber isolation donut thingy in the rear chassis brace without buying the whole rear chassis brace.

From what I gather, there isn't an easy way to increase the power that much.

A guy on another forum did a full out 4.0 stroker build to get that much with headwork and cams.

kreb wrote: I'd like to see an interesting kit car build using 350z components. There's all this hoopla abut the Miata-based Exocet. Well a 35VQ will give you twice the power at the same weight. Seems like a no-brainer....

It does have a pretty trick all aluminum suspension.

dean1484 wrote:

pinchvalve wrote: No dig at anyone except the FNF crowd I suppose. I am just saying that this:

I was with you until I saw the aqua blue rotor hats and calipers. I would take the silver one

I could be wrong but isn't aqua the color for Endless brakes?

Make it a nice cruiser, oh wait, that's what it already is.

jstein77 wrote: Turbo, baby.

NA build or Supercharged, no turbo plz. Want to see something that hasn't been done 1000 times over

kreb wrote: I'd like to see an interesting kit car build using 350z components. There's all this hoopla abut the Miata-based Exocet. Well a 35VQ will give you twice the power at the same weight. Seems like a no-brainer....

I was thinking, no way the VQ is the same weight as the BP. But sure enough, they're right around the same. What, did mazda put a 100lb counter weight in the bottom of the BP? 300+ pounds for a 1.8 4-cylinder... Oh wait, iron block. So kind of, yes.

Beer Baron wrote: I would be really interested to see a multi-purpose Drift/HPDE toy that maintains street manners. Basically, are these things mutually exclusive? Or if you don't go too far down the rabbit hole for one purpose, can you have a toy to hoon with the young dorifto boyz that is still confidence inspiring at the limit? Drift isn't my #1 motorsport of choice, but so far I don't believe you've built a drift car yet. I'd really like to see how you guys would go about doing that in a nice mature way that doesn't ruin the car for every other purpose. And absolutely keep it clean and understated as far as styling.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/1986-toyota-corolla-gt-s/drift-style/

I remember reading about this and laughing my ass off.

dculberson wrote:

kreb wrote: I'd like to see an interesting kit car build using 350z components. There's all this hoopla abut the Miata-based Exocet. Well a 35VQ will give you twice the power at the same weight. Seems like a no-brainer....

I was thinking, no way the VQ is the same weight as the BP. But sure enough, they're right around the same. What, did mazda put a 100lb counter weight in the bottom of the BP? 300+ pounds for a 1.8 4-cylinder... Oh wait, iron block. So kind of, yes.

I like iron blocks.

Swank Force One wrote: I like iron blocks.

They certainly have their advantages!!

ST build! I like these on paper... but I worked at a Nissan dealership when they came out. Fun cars to drive, but the interior SUUUUUUUCKS. I guess that's how they kept them so inexpensive. I'd love to pick up a used one for an ST build. Sounds like a ton of relatively cheap fun.

Such a better choice than a p71.

Z's sorta interest me, but the one thing that turns me off about them is the exhaust note.

There's a heavily modded 350Z that lives in my town, and I think it's supercharged. Naturally Aspirated 350Z's with aftermarket exhaust sound like a drunk Wookie on a rampage. This one sounds like a rowdy drunk Wookie whistling at a Wookie strip club at questionable female Wookies. That and it has a huge front mount on it.

Appleseed wrote:

dean1484 wrote:

pinchvalve wrote: No dig at anyone except the FNF crowd I suppose. I am just saying that this:

I was with you until I saw the aqua blue rotor hats and calipers. I would take the silver one

I could be wrong but isn't aqua the color for Endless brakes?

Project Mu

I'm glad to see this. I had a 6-speed G35 sedan and was really surprised at how much I liked that car. With the prices of the 350z's and G35's coming down, I could see them being one of the GRM default answers soon.

STR Build. Or BSP build. Or some road race or time trial class. Or drifting. Just a build to near class limits with the intention of winning - or a really good showing. Not demonstrated compromise.

I'm really tired of reading about multipurpose builds. Like the WRX that's both under-prepped and illegal for STX, and doesn't fall into any time trial classes? Great, a fun car that's uncompetitive and replicates what about 10,000 WRX owners have done before?

SilverFleet wrote: Z's sorta interest me, but the one thing that turns me off about them is the exhaust note. There's a heavily modded 350Z that lives in my town, and I think it's supercharged. Naturally Aspirated 350Z's with aftermarket exhaust sound like a drunk Wookie on a rampage. This one sounds like a rowdy drunk Wookie whistling at a Wookie strip club at questionable female Wookies. That and it has a huge front mount on it.

Most accurate description of a VQ's exhaust note, ever.

Maybe I'm weird, but I think the stock exhaust note of the 350Z/G35 is awesome! I hate it when ricers put some eBay junk on there...the stock sound is one of the best on any car, in my opinion, so unless you're upgrading to something really nice, just leave it alone! It is heavy though...

The stock note is awesome. Anything aftermarket sucks.

My sister has a bone-stock 2006 FX35 that she picked up a few months back. That thing sounds like an exotic car with the stock exhaust. I nicknamed it The Bloatus.

z31maniac wrote: From what I gather, there isn't an easy way to increase the power that much. A guy on another forum did a full out 4.0 stroker build to get that much with headwork and cams.

I remember an article, years and years ago, where a mag threw every part in the NISMO catalog at a 350z. I think they ended up ruining the streetability, and gaining 14hp or so.

I really feel you guys should jump on the new spec class from NASA and build it all out.
Per the comment earlier about being tired of compromised, multi purpose builds, go all out!
maybe leave it BARELY street legal=]

Appleseed wrote: I could be wrong but isn't aqua the color for Endless brakes?

Endless calipers are a darker blue. Could be the flash that caused them to be that color.

That is a clean looking car I would be proud to drive.

Edit: Ahh Slippery beat me to it.

calteg wrote:

z31maniac wrote: From what I gather, there isn't an easy way to increase the power that much. A guy on another forum did a full out 4.0 stroker build to get that much with headwork and cams.

I remember an article, years and years ago, where a mag threw every part in the NISMO catalog at a 350z. I think they ended up ruining the streetability, and gaining 14hp or so.

I'd actually really like to read that article. I've heard that the NISMO stuff doesn't really add a whole lot but I've never seen one fully bolted to get a feel for what the results would be.

pinchvalve wrote: I love the Z when it is understated, like a gentleman's sports racer. Avoid garish paint and huge wings, keep it classy but fast. Something you could take to work all week, then hit a track day with your BMW buddies.

THIS...