Alright, I�ve posted a couple similar threads to this (accidentally posted this in media share) but you guys are truly so helpful so I need more information!!

I have recently purchased a Z1 plenum spacer and a Stillen High Flow Intake for my 2007 G35 5AT. I�m about to install the intake, or both the spacer and intake in the next couple days. SO, it appears I need to do an ECU reset if install the plenum spacer, and I don�t really want to deal with that yet and hurt my baby(essentially me screwing it up), so I might hold on to the spacer for awhile and just install the intake.

Do I need to do an ECU reset if I just install the intake? Also, I�ve seen recommendations about getting new spark plugs when doing this? How recommended is getting new spark plugs? Very necessary? Not very necessary?

Should I just grow a pair and do them both? I�m quite inexperienced working on cars so I�m thinking about just doing the less complicated upgrade first and after a couple months go by and I�m ready for my next upgrade, I will then do the spacer.

I�m also getting a muffler delete on Monday too if anyone wants to chime in any info on that.

THANK YOU!!

 

You have to remove the air intake to replace some of the spark plugs. Unless you have records showing they were changed recently, (especially if you are new to the car) its a generally good idea to replace the spark plugs. Use only NGK or Denso.
The plenum spacer makes the biggest 'bolt-on' performance gain for the money, more than an intake will from what I have seen. I'd recommend you do them both at some point (+ new spark plugs) but if you aren't confident, just do one at a time.
Please do research, watch YouTube videos, reach out to friends, etc. before tackling something you have little or no experience with. Take your time, stay organized, and be careful. Don't be afraid to ask for help!
IMO- You should do an ECU reset any time you modify the intake or exhaust, that way the ECU can learn its new settings

Aside from that, make sure you aren't overlooking any maintenance items. Check the oil level and other fluid conditions, leaks, worn components, etc.

 

If you're doing the plenum spacer throw in new NGK Iridium spark plugs at the same time, its MUCH easier.

 

Is it quite easy to change spark plugs while doing the plenum spacer?? Do I need new spark plugs if I just do the intake?

 

Yes, to install the spacer you have to remove everything that's in the way of changing the spark plugs. It would probably only take an extra 5 minutes to swap them out at that time.

You don't need new spark plugs because you're doing the modifications, you need new spark plugs because they've probably never been changed

 

Regardless if I do the intake or both of these mods I really should do the ECU reset though? Do I also need to reset my idle air recalibration? Or is that only if I�m having idling problems?

 

ECU reset is a good idea. No need to do the idle air recalibration unless you need to

 

If your idle is around 650-700rpm @ operating temp (higher with A/C on), you don't need to do an idle relearn.

 

I would prefer to do the pedal dance method rather than spend more money on the data scan from concept Z. What are these mandatory requirements that have to be met in order for me to do the pedal dance method?

 

The $70 for NDS2 is money well spent. You'll inevitably need it again in the future. As for the requirements they're in the FSM, and it's also been covered many times here. Do a search.

 

Where do I purchase the Bluetooth datascan and which one is the best? Do I use my computer when plugging it in to my car?

 

I would say "learn to Google" because this question has been asked many times. I use ELM327 with Torque Pro for ODBII interface. Works great. Never needed NDS2 for 4 years, but I'm not doing any serious tuning yet either, just keeping 'er running and beating on it.

other tidbits of advice I wish I had heard 4 years ago when I started wrenching on my G:

Buy tools upfront, buy an impact wrench NOW. I wasted so much time with a ratchet and breaker bar at the beginning, time I'll never get back. Same for dozens of harbor frieght runs after realizing the basic tools I had weren't enough. Should have just gone in and bought all the tools for working in small spaces initially. And a tool chest, working on cars is so much more enjoyable when you're not constantly looking for lost tools.

Never reinstall old wear or rubber parts. If you're pulling off your front brakes, and your wheel bearings have 100k+, just do the damn bearings now or you'll be doing it all again after living with some mystery vibration or noise for however long it took before you gave up and did the job again... Same applies to the spark plugs. And if you're pulling off the intake, I'd advise you do the passenger side valve cover as well. And replacing all the hoses you need to take off to do that job. And the knock sensor harness. And.....

Preemptively replace the camshaft sensors and cooling system bleeder tee near the heater core inlet before they break out of nowhere and strand you. Everything else that breaks usually gives you plenty of warning before you're stuck on the side of the road.

 

I do plenty of research and get too many answers. Will unplugging the battery (pressing brake pedal a few times) and reconnecting it do the same thing as an ECU reset from a DataScan? I�m only putting on my intake tomorrow, the computer reset is by far the most stressful to me.

 

And once the intake is installed and the ECU has been reset, how should I drive my car? I�ve been told to floor it everywhere so the ECU learns how to shift in higher rpm�s really well.

Thanks for all the advice guys I�m just nervous to install my first mod and want everything to go perfect.