 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
|
 |
||||||
PAT 4 > Issue 1: Introducing The Z & Baseline Dyno
Written By: David Pitlyuk
Nissan made a bold move by bringing back the Z in 2003, but this time with a 3.5 liter V6 and a brand new unique look. On top of that, the car was priced at an affordable starting price around $27,000! The car was quickly picked up by the aftermarket community, and we started seeing the highly modified 350Z's in many booths at shows.
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
Let's move on almost 2 years later. After having two project 3.5 Altima's at ActiveTuning, we decided it was our turn to take on the Z. Low and behold, we ordered a 2004 LeMans Sunset Enthusiast 6-speed. After browsing the forums, you'll tend to notice a lot of people asking what package is right for them, and this is definitely something we had to put a lot of consideration into. Let me tell you why we made the decision that we did.
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
We originally planned getting the base package, since we've learned from our Altima that almost everything we got in the fully loaded car was changed out..and we could have saved ourselves thousands of dollars. Then upon further consideration, we realized for $2,000 more we could get the enthusiast package which had these differences from the base package:
- HID headlights
- Limited slip differential
- Traction control
- Aluminum billet pedals
- Dual vanity mirrors
- Homelink (Integrated garage door opener controls)
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
The first three things are the main things that made us think that the price differential was worth it, so we went with the enthusiast instead of the base. Finally, a couple months later, the car arrived from Nissan, and the work begins!
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
Now, if you're new to Project ActiveTuning, aka PAT, let me tell you how it works.
Basically what we do is with each modification (or a few smaller ones) we will dedicate an issue to writing about it. We'll talk about the benefits of the mod, how it works, and try to do a complete step-by-step install guide.
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
So first things first. We need to do a baseline dyno on the car in order to see what each modification in the future brings to the project in terms of performance gains or losses. We'd like to thank eipTuning as usual for their dyno services. We did two pulls, each in 5th gear. 5th gear on the Z is the 1:1 ratio gear, so if you want a true test on the dyno, make sure you do your pulls in 5th. Temperate was around 73 degrees. The dyno used was a dynojet, and the number are SAE corrected.
As you can see, our max numbers put out 235whp and 232.7ft-lbs/tq. Based on what I've seen other cars do, this is about in the middle. Some people have gotten lucky and pulled over 240whp, but we're pretty happy with our results.
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
So what's in store for the future? In some near future articles we'll be changing the emblems, changing the antennae to an S2000 antennae, EVO-R front concept LED's, Z-Xtreme grounding kit, changing the radio and adding XM radio, hardwiring a radar detector, K&N typhoon short ram intake, and 19" gunmetal Volk SF challenge wheels (wrapped in Bridgestone S0-3's). That's just to name a few things, and we've got PLENTY more to come ;-)
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
Now, we're asking for your suggestions. We're still contemplating between going forced induction (twin turbo) or keeping the motor naturally aspirated. If we go all motor, we're thinking about probably getting another VQ35DE block and building it up from that. When we're done building it, we'd just make the swap. The main reason for going all motor is the VQ35DE is a high compression motor, so running even 7-8lbs of boost, you're risking detonation...and killing the life of the motor. So if we decide to go FI, we'd probably keep the boost between 5 and 6 lbs. just to be safe. At least until we can lower the compression ;)
BUT...we're going to have it be up to you guys. Let us know what your opinions are, and give us any suggestions that you might have. Should we go forced induction, or all motor? Let us know, by posting comments in the dedicated thread for issue 1. We're really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. If you have any suggestions about the car aside from the NA vs. FI issue, please post and let us know as it's you guys that will help decide the direction that we head.
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge More pictures at the end of the article |
|
Thanks again to eipTuning for their dyno services.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Click pictures to enlarge | |
Check out our sponsors:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
