deciding what to get next

jbaker1121

jbaker1121

Im in touch with humanity
iS VIP
Location
Westchester, New York
Car
09 FX50
hey everyone,

I've been kind of snooping around on some more modifications I could do to my fx.
besides looking at the more expensive options like a supercharger or turbo, I was looking at other things that would help enhance the performance rather than add 35425 HP.

examples of things I am looking at include:

new headers (nismo to match my nismo exhaust)
y-pipe (nismo needs to be modded to fit, so might jsut go with kakumei)

but also some smaller things, like

Stillen engine damper (have heard only good things on the g/z forums)
samco silicone hosing (frank is selling some)

different spark plugs (does that even do anything?)
a different plenum (apparently only good for FI)
valve/throttle body upgrades (are any even worth it?)




i'm trying to just buy things that either support performance or increase performance
without breaking the bank too badly.







I was just looking for opinions on these products or similar products, or items that anyone thinks would be a better option to spend the money on....
reccomendations etc.
 
Last edited:
Just don't buy something that you might end up taking off if you ever go FI. Nothing's dumber than when you waste money on little parts trying to gain HP, and then end up removing them to make real power with FI. Y-pipe would be good to match the rest of the exhaust tubing.
 
StuLax18 said:
Just don't buy something that you might end up taking off if you ever go FI. Nothing's dumber than when you waste money on little parts trying to gain HP, and then end up removing them to make real power with FI. Y-pipe would be good to match the rest of the exhaust tubing.
Click to expand...

yeah but that's what I mean, I am going to buy a y-pipe ( i think for AWD kakumei is the best bet if i dont want to mod the nismo) but i was just looking at some user's random stuff and general tuning mods like plugs and stuff and am just trying to sort out what would be good to get to, like i said, increase or support performance or other mods....
i'm not trying to buy stupid little parts to improve hp, but rather trying to see if there are some parts that can be replaced or upgraded, example pistons plugs etc....not just add-ons like a throttle body spacer or somthing....
 
Ya, I don't know if you ever saw this thread on my350z, but it's basically "what mods do you regret, and what mods are you glad you got". There are alot of people on there who say they regret wasting money on a bunch on N/A mods instead of saving for FI.
 
like the engine damper for example, never heard of it until a recent thread; i did some research and its had mostly positive reviews...and all it does it what, hold the engine down i guess? on g35driver there were a bunch of users who said that according to the butt dyno acceleration was a bit snappier....
so i mean stuff like that......

---------- Post added at 03:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------
StuLax18 said:
Ya, I don't know if you ever saw this thread on my350z, but it's basically "what mods do you regret, and what mods are you glad you got". There are alot of people on there who say they regret wasting money on a bunch on N/A mods instead of saving for FI.
Click to expand...

yeah I understand what you mean, but what kind of stuff falls under that category? (do you have the link) like im pretty sure alot of the stuff im looking at or have can go with both, and im not even sure if i am going to go fi for a while....
 
Even if you do end up going FI or not..

Upgrading your hardware will give you better all performance and extend the life of your FX.

They way you can accomplish this is by Upgrading your Tranny (Valve Body Updgrade) and your Torque Converter.

This will give you such a great advantage when you take off and when you are trying to get more out of your baby....
 
I have the Kinetix V+ Plenum and i have to say it is impressive. the Install took under an hour diy so you dont have to worry about that. The improvement in performance is noticed instantly and it does lower the tone of the exhaust in the slightest bit. The most impressive part is the temperature. I did 10 hot laps last week at my local track and after i popped the hood and i could put my hand right on it and it was warm at best. Its pretty obvious that somthing like this can help performance just based on the lowered temperature and virtually no heat soak. I paid $260 shipped and for the money and given your current mods its prob the best bang for the buck. Also in standard driving i noticed an increase in mpg prob +1 mile per gallon. Like i said given your current mods which are pretty similer to mine id say this is the best one. Ive had it in for about a month now and no complaints. Feel free to ask any Q's!!!
 
HumbertoCALI said:
Even if you do end up going FI or not..

Upgrading your hardware will give you better all performance and extend the life of your FX.

They way you can accomplish this is by Upgrading your Tranny (Valve Body Updgrade) and your Torque Converter.

This will give you such a great advantage when you take off and when you are trying to get more out of your baby....
Click to expand...

i know i may encounter a "do a search"
but where would i find that.....like which company and an approx price.

---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------
Tko512iFX said:
I have the Kinetix V+ Plenum and i have to say it is impressive. the Install took under an hour diy so you dont have to worry about that. The improvement in performance is noticed instantly and it does lower the tone of the exhaust in the slightest bit. The most impressive part is the temperature. I did 10 hot laps last week at my local track and after i popped the hood and i could put my hand right on it and it was warm at best. Its pretty obvious that somthing like this can help performance just based on the lowered temperature and virtually no heat soak. I paid $260 shipped and for the money and given your current mods its prob the best bang for the buck. Also in standard driving i noticed an increase in mpg prob +1 mile per gallon. Like i said given your current mods which are pretty similer to mine id say this is the best one. Ive had it in for about a month now and no complaints. Feel free to ask any Q's!!!
Click to expand...

so where did you see the most increase? which rpms?
 
StuLax18 said:
Jumbosrule just did ALOT of research on this and had this done recently. I would read his threads.
Click to expand...

i currently am hehe. anybody know about spark plugs and stuff? shouldnt they be replaced around 50k?

---------- Post added at 04:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------

and what about the 3.9 final drive or aftermarket CAMS?
 
Biggest bang for the buck I didn't see on your signature is a plenum spacer. Do that first - it's the cheapest and was the biggest result after the intake mod. Nobody on here has the Altered Atmosphere angled plenum spacer. If I had it to do over again - I'd get that. In fact, if you want my motordyne 5/16", I'll sell it to you and go buy the AA spacer.

Tranny mods are rough because they are expensive and it makes sense to do several at one time so you are not paying somebody to drop the transmission several times for small mods.

Instead of a Valve Body upgrade, you can do a shift kit. This is about $250 (I did Transgo) and you can really feel the difference in how quickly the shifts happen. If you do a total valve body upgrade (two or three aftermarket options out there), then you are also replacing the transmission ECU. With a shift kit, the tranny ECU stays stock, which I wanted and really like.

Torque Converter modification helps out a little now, but much more when you go FI. This is really a future-proofing mod. I had my TC core modified, rather than swapping it out with an aftermarket TC. TC mod was about $450 locally.

I did a level 10 transmission internals upgrade as well. This kit is also around $800 and it replaces all the seals and upgrades the internal clutches.

Also got a tranny fluid cooler with fan. Also a future proofing mod. Wanted to make sure my transmission could handle anything I throw at it in the future. The improvement in performance is good - but I wouldn't say it's bang for the buck.

All this together at one time with labor, this was $2800 and none of it was work I could do myself. But I essentially have a brand new transmission that is bomb proof.

I like the idea of Cams, but that will totally eat your mpgs. Final drive is interesting. It will negatively impact mpgs, but not nearly as much as cams. This might be my next drivetrain mod...
 
off of that my350 thread,,,

"Stillen engine torque damper. Pain to install, but the reduction in engine movement was a very welcomed and noticeable result. The engine still rocks a bit, but the torque damper definitely helped. Great mod."

maybe i'll end up getting that...anybody have any opinions on how the install is?

---------- Post added at 04:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:33 PM ----------
jumbosrule said:
Biggest bang for the buck I didn't see on your signature is a plenum spacer. Do that first - it's the cheapest and was the biggest result after the intake mod. Nobody on here has the Altered Atmosphere angled plenum spacer. If I had it to do over again - I'd get that. In fact, if you want my motordyne 5/16", I'll sell it to you and go buy the AA spacer.

Tranny mods are rough because they are expensive and it makes sense to do several at one time so you are not paying somebody to drop the transmission several times for small mods.

Instead of a Valve Body upgrade, you can do a shift kit. This is about $250 (I did Transgo) and you can really feel the difference in how quickly the shifts happen. If you do a total valve body upgrade (two or three aftermarket options out there), then you are also replacing the transmission ECU. With a shift kit, the tranny ECU stays stock, which I wanted and really like.

Torque Converter modification helps out a little now, but much more when you go FI. This is really a future-proofing mod. I had my TC core modified, rather than swapping it out with an aftermarket TC. TC mod was about $450 locally.

I did a level 10 transmission internals upgrade as well. This kit is also around $800 and it replaces all the seals and upgrades the internal clutches.

Also got a tranny fluid cooler with fan. Also a future proofing mod. Wanted to make sure my transmission could handle anything I throw at it in the future. The improvement in performance is good - but I wouldn't say it's bang for the buck.

All this together at one time with labor, this was $2800 and none of it was work I could do myself. But I essentially have a brand new transmission that is bomb proof.

I like the idea of Cams, but that will totally eat your mpgs. Final drive is interesting. It will negatively impact mpgs, but not nearly as much as cams. This might be my next drivetrain mod...
Click to expand...

i do have a plenum spacer (like the 6th item on my sig) 5/16th

that shift kit sounds interesting....how much more is the install and what exactly does it do..?

alot fo thsoe mods sound like what im looking for, but if i eventually dont go Fi do you really feel a difference when you have all of that done?
 
U notice the kinetix id say 4500 and up like i said it good power for the money. Kinetix says it adds 15+ hp and id say that accurate. $260 for 15+ hp is a solid trade off for our cars.

---------- Post added at 03:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:36 PM ----------

the only neg is that you dont use an addition spacer with it
 
Tko512iFX said:
U notice the kinetix id say 4500 and up like i said it good power for the money. Kinetix says it adds 15+ hp and id say that accurate. $260 for 15+ hp is a solid trade off for our cars.

---------- Post added at 03:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:36 PM ----------

the only neg is that you dont use an addition spacer with it
Click to expand...

see that's the thing i would rather have more below that rpm, alot of my mods support high rpm like i can even feel when i drive that it really picks up around 3000.....
thats why i went with the 5/16th spacer to get more low end



and for all who are wondering, i do eventually want to hit the track
 
Tko512iFX said:
U notice the kinetix id say 4500 and up like i said it good power for the money. Kinetix says it adds 15+ hp and id say that accurate. $260 for 15+ hp is a solid trade off for our cars.

---------- Post added at 03:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:36 PM ----------

the only neg is that you dont use an addition spacer with it
Click to expand...
I would say it's a positive. It just replaces the plenum spacer, kinda a step up from it, if the inside is polished.
 
It completely eliminates heat soak which is good if you wanna hit the track

---------- Post added at 03:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:54 PM ----------

Its tuff to find low end torque on our motors w/o FI
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top