Yeah... I think the most important reality you need to be comfortable with is the fact that unless you're doing your own work, you'll likely never get any of that money back. It is not an investment- it is not practical... My situation is particularly dire but at the same time I've learned a LOT from it and while some of the circumstances were entirely random and downright unorthodox- THAT is part and parcel of what you have to accept is the full package.

To give some perspective my first dyno run on my car following a full breather upgrade was about 224whp at the wheels- an Auto at relatively high altitude where I am... so probably a BIT on the low side even for an AT.

Though my configuration has changed somewhat since- I was able to put almost 520 down to the wheels following my build. 300hp increase and related costs are 30k and climbing steadily. 100 dollars per WHP... which I think actually averages out pretty well if you're not doing your own work. Granted, this isn't ONLY about the kit and the install... but let's face it- this isn't a "set it and forget it" situation- it's not long before you either want to change something else... and a slippery slope starts to form as you get deeper and deeper into it.

Or you get bored with the car, regret it and sell it for a huge loss.

There is a good support community here and my350z- but keep in mind that just because people have good intentions their advice may not always be right for your situation. Guys don't try to mislead on purpose (unless you're being flamed for asking a question you probably should have searched- but it's usually pretty obvious and guys are content not to be discrete about it)... but you still need to take responsibility for whatever decisions you make and whatever path you choose.

 

it's cost a lot of money, but very subjective in term of whether it's worth it. It all comes down to how much hw a person do before going down the path of FI. Even then, there are suprises but those individual who did their hw tend to make it out ok. It's the "let me spend $xxK for a 'safe' build" that ends up in trouble. Expectations is the other factor, with enough research/hw done, you'd build realistic set of expectations and don't end up trying to make the motor do something it wasn't built for.

 

I added a simple Stillen roots style SC (300whp) on my 350Z and I LOVED it...for a year and a half. But it was still so much more satisfying over stock. The throttle response was sick and the sound...well you either hate it or love it and I was in the park of the latter.

Of course.. I wanted more. I twin-charged it by adding a powerlab ST kit onto the sc (430whp). I LOVED it..for 6 months. Of course...I want more.

Now my engine is tapped out. System is capable of 600 or 700 whp. Do I build it for $9K and invest more money into the car that if i sell I wont see a fraction of?

Now Im onto the idea of not spending another dime on my car and selling it for what i can get out of it and buy a 370z which is good for 550whp. Which I think would be enough. But will it? Should I start all over again from scratch?

My point is it is addictive. Like a crack addict you seem to never have enough and to get more it is very expensive. However, like a crack addict, when your on it (the throttle), you are smiling and saying. Fukc Yeah its worth it!!!

 

Having a boosted G that I just finished up a $10K motor build on I can say one thing. It is worth it in the end. It will be frustrating at times and make you want t quit but if you stick with it and your wallet can keep up then I say go for it all day as long as you like to go fast. Best advice though. Deaf get a daily driver in the mean time. My car was down for 4-5 months waiting on a short block build to be shipped. Anything can happen and you don't want to only set aside a week or two for a build project and be stuck without a car to drive around for awhile.

 

Yes, I got a APS ST and love it. But I am about to buy a different car that is already Turboed and use my G as a DD.

 

I'm sure I'm alone in my opinions here, but I don't feel it's worth it at all. 5 years of driving a boosted G and all I can say is how much I've grown to appreciate naturally aspirated engines.

The turbos are way too temperamental. How well it drives depends almost entirely on the weather. If it's hot out.. good luck having any fun with it. Not a fan of the sound either. It's borderline embarrassing.

I'd like to have mine taken out tbh. Anyone know how much that would cost?

 

Huh? The only thing I have ever seen that had a noticeable difference was my Roots style stillen. In 90* weather and above 5k rpms it would dog out. But my turbo has never acted any differently. Maybe you have a poopy kit or sounds like you need to find a better place for your intake.

If your bov is too loud then buy a quieter one and recirc it. Ive heard some aftermarket twin turbos that are damn near silent.

Taking it out would be like $500. Pending you still have all your old oem parts to put back on. But you seriously want to go back down to 240 whp? Just sell your car to someone who will appreciate it.

 

Nothing to add here, just a thanks to the OP for asking and all the folks who took time to respond. I'm on the fence about what to do next and appreciate all the feedback here.

 

If i had to do it again i would not.Luckily for me i did my install and do all the work on my car except tuning so i saved a lot of money but it really is a lot of lost cash that you cant recoup 100%.I have been quite lucky over the years and with over 70,000 miles of boost with really only 1 problem and that was just a leaking oil line.

 

I wouldnt do it again, I loved my car when it was stock block with Jim Wolf 530bb twin turbos but I needed more and now way too much time and money has been invested. I dont really like it anymore, I dont owe any money on it but I still cant bring myself to sell it. I cant do much with it anymore I cant take clients out in it, it smells like fuel and scrapes on everything I dont always trust it will start either...that would be awesome to be out with a client and get stranded Sure I can smoke just about anything on the street and on weekends it can be a blast but if I did it again it would be a stock block build and be happy with what ever the results are or....buy a better car to start with.

 

I loved my Boosted G when I had it. It was a great decision for me at the time, and I was happy with the outcome regardless of the amount of money I spent building it. I have since parted the car out (which was a hard decision) and have moved onto a Subaru STI as other things in my life have become more of a priority than cars. The STI is great because it is a blast to drive, much cheaper to mod, and I still get to have a decently quick car (just not as fast as my G was). The STI allowed me to focus on other priorities in my life without completely sacrificing my car addiction lol!.

Would I do it again? Yes I will someday...not sure when...but it was an overall positive experience for me, and I absolutely loved my TTG35.

 

If you like working on your car as much as, or more than, driving it (like myself) and you don't feel bad about spending 10-15k on a car to make it faster but less reliable, AND you have a daily driver, then do it.

 

Yes yes and yes

It was worth it... every thousands I have spent. Only down side is if you spend too much ... you may only retrieve 50% (if you are lucky) of the value of what you have spent if you decide to sell the car.

That aside.... there is nothing I like better than to punish a ZR1

 

From all of that I gather from reading couuuuntless threads over the past few years, once you go past the stock block limits of this car, that's when you start regretting the decision.

That's when you have to get a less reliable motor (built engine... I know that there are exceptions but tipically they are always problematic in the long run), you blow engines (I got greedy and had my old motor tuned at 425 and blew it racing an M3 lol ), and other issues.

If you stick with a conservatively tuned ST or SC, you will learn more about your car ( and mechanics overall), you will have a car that you can trully appreciate and have the satisfaction that you started with something good and by smart choices and lots of reseraching you have improved its handling, performanace, looks, cooling, stopping power, etc).

I am parting out now since I'm going overseas with my company for the next two years, but when I get back I feel like a ST or SC 370z is on the horizon, specially as they can hold 500 hp on a stock block! I bought my FI stuff used, waited patiently for months for the perfect condition kit, and didn't lose much money selling it while still being able to provide a friendwiht a great kit that is proven to not have any flaws.

Therefore, my recommendation is. Stay stock block, get the right supporting mods (correct injectors, correct maf, correct pump, oil cooler to avoid the familiar VQ overheating), and keep your kit faily like it came, so that if you decide to sell, you won't take too hard of a hit. If you want, start modding the car to get ready for it, with things such as a larger diamenter exhaust, test pipes, better clutch, better brakes, better front to allow for proper airflow, better brakes, and if by then you are still willing to drop more money, go for it, otherwise just get a tune and be happy with it as is. Good luck

 

^^^^ From my experience...if you do it the right way the first time with a well experienced shop, you will be fine no matter what power level you are at. . Cars are man made...even from the factory you could have major issues. If you build cheap...well, you know the rest