Having too many problems with my Evolution 8, I traded it in for a 2003 Nissan 350Z Touring six-speed. I was sold on the 350Z after the test drive and happy to get back into a true sport coupe. Since then I have been in love with this car. I've attended High-Performance Driving Events (HPDE), SCCA Autocrosses (Auto-Xs), Drag Racing events & spirited cruises through the mountains of Colorado. I'm very please with it's all around performance, style, and reliability. However I knew there is more performance that could be freed. This is where the wife has the love, hate relationship with the Z.
Throughout the car you will find subtle changes. On the exterior you'll first notice the 19x9.5 & 19x11 Work Meister S1 wheels wrapped in 245/35 & 285/35 Yokohama Advan Sport tires. I also added an AeroSync N1 front bumper with JDM Nissan smoked side markers, AUT carbon fiber side Z emblems, CraftSquare carbon fiber TC-N1 mirrors, NISMO side skirts, and Varis carbon fiber b-pillars. A Seibon carbon fiber TS-style hood and TT-style rear lip is also installed. Lighting is provided by McChulloch 6000K high intensity discharge bulbs and Nismo horns add a distinct sportier pitch.
Under the hood you'll find the VQ35DE is paired with the JWT 700BB (Garrett GT2860RS turbo) Twin Turbo System. To help hide and keep the air cool, I had the front mount intercooler sent to Swaint Tech for their BBE Heat Emitting Coating. Though the primary purpose of the coating is to improve cooling, the coating does offer a durable semi-gloss black finish. To keep the engine running cool an oversized Koyo Racing radiator with Samco hoses and a Stillen oil cooler was added. The Cosworth intake plenum was polished by J&S Polishing and added to help feed air to the engine. An AAM fuel return system, RC 750cc injectors and a Walbro 255lph fuel pump provides more than enough fuel. APS 2.5" test pipes and a Stillen true-dual exhaust keep air moving freely to the end and a nice note to the ear. Usieing a TurboXS UTEC, Mark Gust of SGP Racing in Houston tuned 420whp & 420wtq on thier DynaPack dyno.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a JWT clutch and flywheel. StopTech 14” 4-pot and 13” 2-Pot calipers with slotted zinc coated rotors brings the Z to a stop quickly. The Hotchkis TVS kit springs gave me the stance I wanted while providing a better center of gravity. The Hotchkis adjustable sways with SPL endlinks helped improve the handling as well. The GTSpec complete braces stiffen up the ride and make the car feel like it's on rails.
DEFI 60mm BF-series gauges are added to monitor boost and fuel pressure. While the DEFI-Link display shows oil and water temperatures and a TurboXS Tuner wideband displays my AFRs.
So I don't get lost around Houston or long rode trip a Pioneer AVIC-D3X DVD/Navigation receiver was added. The XM NavTraffic satellite radio keeps me up-to-date with live-time traffic reports. Bluetooth keeps me driving with both hands and the rear camera let me see who's behind me. Oh, if the commercial free XM/Sirius music isn't enough I control my iPod through the Avic-D3. JL Audio components, 10W3v3 and 500/5 amp keep the music loud and clear. The Beltronics RX65 Radar/Laser detector lets me know of the sitting jealous officer and a Clifford Matrix 12.5X secures and detours possible thieves. The Nismo Titanium shift knob adds a little bling and the TurboXS map switch helps me go from daily driving to track day performance.
**More** Info At: Robert_K's 2003 350Z
