OK, so I'm debating between three main mods at this point:

HKS Sport Exhaust

GT Spec Front Lower Tie Brace, Rear Lateral Arm Brace & Rear Tie Brace

or

Stillen Adjustable Sway Bar Set.

If you say suspension first, which one of the last two should I get? I wouldn't mind a deeper exhaust tone with a little more power for the engine but handling is important to and it's the area I've modded the least at this point. Let me know your thoughts!

 

are you going to autox cross your car then I would go for handeling if not power

 

pure preference.
I would personally work on suspension first.

 

When up traded my coupe for my sedan I missed the handling, so my vote is handling first!

I have the 05 6mt sport sedan (Rev-up) so I didnt worry about the power so much.

 

I have a buddy who's auto x'ing his coupe down here but it's not really my thing. I did it a couple of times with my old Accord but didn't really get into it. The handling increase would just be for my regular driving, etc.

 

Out of those choices, do the sway bars. That mod will make the biggest diff out of those choices.

 

It's pretty tough to increase the power very much without going Forced Induction. Go for the Stillen sways AND the GTSpec bars, I have both and really love the increased handling performance. I don't have the GTSpec lateral as it will not fit with my coupe midpipe. But I do have both the GTSpec front and rear tie braces with the Stillen sways.
The HKS sport muffler wont get you any HP, but sounds Grrreat!

 

the HKS isn't gonna give you any noticeable power gains so go w/ suspension, which is my next project.

 

it's totally up to you.

but maybe ask yourself:

will I get more enjoyment out of pushing the car around corners a little faster every now and again?

or

will I get more pleasure from hearing the growl from the exhaust?

no wrong answers here!

 

Like some of the others said, I started with Stillen sways and that made a huge difference in terms of handling. Then I stepped it up with Eibach springs after putting 19's on. If you're on some kind of budget then I would recommend suspension mods. Power will certainly be a wallet-buster, especially if you're going FI.

 

I would do the sways AND the front lower tie. It'll work well with the strut tower brace.

 

Sways first all the way.

HKS is not what I would call a power mod...

 

yup, probably a sound mod more than a power mod.

 

Definitely sways and tie bars.

 

I'd suggest the following:

Performance/Sound-

1) 2003-2004 sedan muffler $40. It has a 15% smaller can and will emit a good bit more volume while still retaining the variable-valve technology which improves power delivery compared to something like the HKS muffler. Paint the can black and buy a set of 2007+ Altima exhaust tips ($40) and you'll have the aftermarket look and sound with no drone. My 2003's exhaust with the 2006 sedan midpipe is quite a bit louder than that of a 05/06 sedan and about as loud as a coupe/Z.

2) Z-tube and seal off the airbox lower resonator. $70

3) MD 5/16" spacer. Legit 10whp and a deeper induction sound. $220

Handling

1) Tires $580-800. Bar none, there is NO mod that will improve handling and braking better than a good set of tires.

2) 350Z springs in the front, coupe springs in the back. For $100, you can't beat the look that doesn't compromise wheel travel or alignment.

3) Swaybars $200. Improved roll stiffness. Will definitely give the sensation that the car is handling better. Make the bars too stiff though and you'll compromise handling.


I personally wouldn't waste my money on lower tie bars. I don't really see how'd they be that benefical seeing that the G35's structure is pretty stiff to begin with and adding bolt-on bars will do little to improve rigidity. Welded? Maybe, but bolt-on pieces are questionable.