Want a 400Z to modify, should I start with NISMO?

[Howdog70]

What's a 400Z?

 

[kevinbonds]

If you’re dead set on the Nismo, go for it. But the thing about the Z, unlike some other sports cars, is that the Performance 6MT has basically the same drivetrain as the Nismo.

Yes, Nissan says they improved the shifting feel, and yes, the Nismo makes a little more horsepower, but not enough to make a meaningful difference. The chassis stiffening, suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires are really what separate the Nismo from the Performance.

If I were in your shoes, I’d look for a 2025 or 2026 Performance 6MT that has been sitting on a dealer lot. You can probably find one in the mid to high 40Ks, which could put you roughly $35K below the price of a new Nismo 6MT.

From there, you can add most of the chassis braces for a few hundred bucks, put on a good set of coilovers, add a heat exchanger, and upgrade the tires. I wouldn’t bother upgrading the calipers right away. I’d go with two-piece rotors, better pads, and fresh high-temp brake fluid.

All in, you could probably spend maybe $7–8K and have a very capable car for around 50k or so.

Granted, it won’t say Nismo on the back and you won’t have the Nismo body kit, but from a performance standpoint, you’d have a car that can do just about everything you need without spending Nismo money.

 

[FSUZ33]

Questioning a Mustang owner on exclusivity is like questioning an indigineous Amazonian tribesman on string theory. What do they know about exclusivity? For the last 40 years you haven't been able to drive half a block without seeing at least one Mustang. Not that they're bad cars.

Anyway, found out about the Dark Horse SC earlier this week. Props to Ford on that one.

Not trying to make this thread about Mustangs, but the current Mustang is the best looking yet IMO. Supposedly getting a facelift for 2027, I think.

 

[kevinbonds]

Questioning a Mustang owner on exclusivity is like questioning an indigineous Amazonian tribesman on string theory. What do they know about exclusivity? For the last 40 years you haven't been able to drive half a block without seeing at least one Mustang. Not that they're bad cars.

Anyway, found out about the Dark Horse SC earlier this week. Props to Ford on that one.

I agree on the mustang, but man, what a platform. You can buy a five- or six-year-old mustang 6mt for peanuts slap a supercharger on it and run 10's.

 

[d4rkg04t]

Questioning a Mustang owner on exclusivity is like questioning an indigineous Amazonian tribesman on string theory. What do they know about exclusivity? For the last 40 years you haven't been able to drive half a block without seeing at least one Mustang. Not that they're bad cars.

Anyway, found out about the Dark Horse SC earlier this week. Props to Ford on that one.

Not trying to make this thread about Mustangs, but the current Mustang is the best looking yet IMO. Supposedly getting a facelift for 2027, I think.

Yeah... I'm not really concerned with rareness of a car. Like at all. My friends, though, shook their heads at my as I immediately started modding this serialized car. I was like, "What?! It's just a Mustang."

 

[sarge]

NIsmo - If you're happy with the aero package, interior and nismo Badge. Other benefits include stiffer chassis, larger front rotor and callipers, auxiliary heat exchanger, and recaro seats

Performance - Best happy medium if you're in too modifying your Z. Comes with the extra luxuries, leather interior and heated seats.

Sport - The most barebones Z you can get. Best if you REALLY want to modify your Z. Brakes will be lacking, same with interior. no LSD. Also hear there is a speed limiter set at 180km/h, not sure if true, but something to keep in mind

All of the above - You will definitely be looking at upgrading your suspension and chassis braces, tires, and the usual bolt ons for extra power. As for Nismo and Performance Brakes, upgrading the Rotors, Pads, Lines to SS Braided, and fluid

IF i didn't want to mess with the exterior of the Z, I would've gone for the nismo. ALSO, they didn't have the MT option available at the time, so that made my decision

everybody here has a Z built differently according to their desires and personalities. It really comes to what you want to get out of it.

24 Sport M/T guy here, I’ve hit 134 mph / 215 kph and had pedal left.

it’s absolutely not limited to 180kph / 111 mph

 

[Exquisite_Red]

24 Sport M/T guy here, I’ve hit 134 mph / 215 kph and had pedal left.

it’s absolutely not limited to 180kph / 111 mph

You were almost there! lol Sport is capped at 135 mph vs. 155 mph in the Performance, due to the lack of wing on the Sport. I have never confirmed this, but I’ve seen it reported multiple places. Regardless, I don’t think it really matters for this conversation since any heavily modified car will have a tune, and the tune can remove the limiter.

 

[Zplz]

What‘s a 400Z?

This guy after a Red Bull binge?

 

[FSUZ33]

This guy after a Red Bull binge?

Fake Zorro.
If he were a real Zorro he'd carve his crank hp# in front of the Z.

 

[FSUZ33]

And not to drone on, but something hit me. Some context for those who don't understand why people like me get pissy about the "400Z" thing.

Z's have had numbers that set them apart from the beginning. So when they call the latest one a Z, how are people supposed to know which one you drive?
The Supra has always been Supra. So how can people tell which one you drive if you just say "Supra"?
Go on BMW Supra forums and start calling the current Supra a "255 Supra" and see how well that community takes to it.

The aftermarket uses A80, A90, etc., like S30, Z32, RZ34, etc., for the Z. The 400 thing is useless and just wrong.
When I hear or see "400Z" it's uncomfortable. Like when my grandma does her DMX impression during deacon's meeting.

 

[sarge]

You were almost there! lol Sport is capped at 135 mph vs. 155 mph in the Performance, due to the lack of wing on the Sport. I have never confirmed this, but I’ve seen it reported multiple places. Regardless, I don’t think it really matters for this conversation since any heavily modified car will have a tune, and the tune can remove the limiter.

Google found a speed quote from Nissan of 136 for the 24 Sport, 155 for the Performance and 173 for the Nismo. Once the warranty is done I’ll make sure mine runs faster than 136

It wasn’t sluggish as I pushed it, plenty of power the whole way. No handling problems either, it was glued and smooth. I wish I’d pushed a little more to max, I thought I still had some room left. The pedal wasn’t floored but the limiter doesn’t care where your foot is!!

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

You were almost there! lol Sport is capped at 135 mph vs. 155 mph in the Performance, due to the lack of wing on the Sport. I have never confirmed this, but I’ve seen it reported multiple places. Regardless, I don’t think it really matters for this conversation since any heavily modified car will have a tune, and the tune can remove the limiter.

Confirmed. I reached 135 on a straight with 1/8th mile left before my braking zone. It just wouldnt go faster and stays at 135 with my foot pegged to the floor.

Im getting that limiter fixed once Im tuned and some kind of spoiler to help keep the rear planted.

Sport - The most barebones Z you can get. Best if you REALLY want to modify your Z. Brakes will be lacking, same with interior. no LSD. Also hear there is a speed limiter set at 180km/h, not sure if true, but something to keep in mind

Interesting that Australian limiter is lower

 

[Bumflik]

NIsmo - If you're happy with the aero package, interior and nismo Badge. Other benefits include stiffer chassis, larger front rotor and callipers, auxiliary heat exchanger, and recaro seats

Performance - Best happy medium if you're in too modifying your Z. Comes with the extra luxuries, leather interior and heated seats.

Sport - The most barebones Z you can get. Best if you REALLY want to modify your Z. Brakes will be lacking, same with interior. no LSD. Also hear there is a speed limiter set at 180km/h, not sure if true, but something to keep in mind

All of the above - You will definitely be looking at upgrading your suspension and chassis braces, tires, and the usual bolt ons for extra power. As for Nismo and Performance Brakes, upgrading the Rotors, Pads, Lines to SS Braided, and fluid

IF i didn't want to mess with the exterior of the Z, I would've gone for the nismo. ALSO, they didn't have the MT option available at the time, so that made my decision

everybody here has a Z built differently according to their desires and personalities. It really comes to what you want to get out of it.

Hernandooo has the prettiest Z here! Take his advice!

 

[Bumflik]

Confirmed. I reached 135 on a straight with 1/8th mile left before my braking zone. It just wouldnt go faster and stays at 135 with my foot pegged to the floor.

Im getting that limiter fixed once Im tuned and some kind of spoiler to help keep the rear planted.

Interesting that Australian limiter is lower

I had limiter deleted after my Tune.

 

[Hernandooo]

Confirmed. I reached 135 on a straight with 1/8th mile left before my braking zone. It just wouldnt go faster and stays at 135 with my foot pegged to the floor.

Im getting that limiter fixed once Im tuned and some kind of spoiler to help keep the rear planted.

Interesting that Australian limiter is lower

Negative, Australia doesn't have a sport option

I'm going off here say