List of Best Upgrades

[Osage]

Ordering a '27 Nismo with the 6MT. Cross shopped the M2, RS5, Mustang Dark Horse, etc. The Nismo Z with the 6MT seems like the best combination of looks, community, and reasonable aftermarket tuning possibilities. It just seems the most fun.

This is sort of an alternative/companion thread to the one about making 500HP. I don't care about doing that as I have no interest in upgrading the stock twin turbo system. I just want a good old numbered list of everyone's favorite aftermarket add-ons, with preferred make and model, to noticeably improve performance.

For intakes, for example, I see there's the Nismo version, AMS has one, as does Mishimoto, and several others. Wondering what everyone's experiences are.

If I had to guess, it would seem that the list is:

1. Exhaust
2. Intake
3. Wheels (Apex seem to be the lightest)
4. Tune

I have seen others suggest upgraded heat exchangers and downpipes, etc., but not sure what the quantifiable gain is with those. Really would appreciate the conversation on these things. Thanks!

 

[SleepyD7]

Welcome Osage.
For my 24' MT Performance my goals are simple. (1) 10.99 sec quarter mile (2) the best street-able ride quality I can achieve (3) Sick wheels. All this with caveat that I wanted to go only with premium parts. (I've gone el cheapo any many previous cars so...)

My List:
(1) Armytrix cat back exhaust with lower down pipes
(2) Advan Beyond GT Wheels on PS4's
(3) Intakes (leaning towards an open K&N or Mishi)
(4) Mishimoto Skid Plate/Catch Can/HX/Intercoolers
(5) B6A Flex Fuel kit w/Port Injection
(7) And finally a tune from Sonic or Racebox and send it

I'm open to running Air or Coilovers as soon as I'm convinced there's a product that will actually improve my ride quality, so far the offerings are purely lowering/handling focused.

27' Nismo in Black Diamond looks absolutely sinister with the contrasting red piping on the fascias.

 

[fenetikZ]

Congrats on the decision! Very cool choice. That Nismo already comes a bit kitted out; so you may not need as many bolt on choices to achieve your end goal. My goal was an OEM plus experience for my Performance model. I basically have everything the AMS Alpha 5 offers minus the e85/fuel pump upgrades. This lists as follows:

1. AMS 80mm intakes (make excellent sounds with the turbos)
2. AMS street lower downpipes
3. AWE Track exhaust
4. AMS heat exchanger
5. AMS tune for aforementioned components

I have a dyno appointment later this month, so I’ll be interested in sharing those results once I have them. All of the installed components, coupled with the tune have created a car that has a substantially improved throttle response and excellent, overall drivability. If I had to guess, I think the vehicle is putting down something between 430 and 450 wheel horsepower with a torque figure that is not too far in tow. Candidly, I’m not sure the vehicle needs much more than this… The upgraded turbo route and the pursuit of 600 plus hp seems like a route of diminishing returns for the money. Plus, I knew I needed different wheels and some aero too….and that’s always a cost. I also installed the Z1 sway bar kit and have plans for some more suspension work as well.

 

[KyleWI]

Ordering a '27 Nismo with the 6MT. Cross shopped the M2, RS5, Mustang Dark Horse, etc. The Nismo Z with the 6MT seems like the best combination of looks, community, and reasonable aftermarket tuning possibilities. It just seems the most fun.

This is sort of an alternative/companion thread to the one about making 500HP. I don't care about doing that as I have no interest in upgrading the stock twin turbo system. I just want a good old numbered list of everyone's favorite aftermarket add-ons, with preferred make and model, to noticeably improve performance.

For intakes, for example, I see there's the Nismo version, AMS has one, as does Mishimoto, and several others. Wondering what everyone's experiences are.

If I had to guess, it would seem that the list is:

1. Exhaust
2. Intake
3. Wheels (Apex seem to be the lightest)
4. Tune

I have seen others suggest upgraded heat exchangers and downpipes, etc., but not sure what the quantifiable gain is with those. Really would appreciate the conversation on these things. Thanks!

HX is great.

Biggest thing with the Nismo is sway bars. Is there any AM option that supports the brake cooling deflectors?

You just street driving the NISMO or doing track days?

 

[Osage]

It’s a second car truly for fun. Probably weekends and the track day every now and again. What is HX?

 

[Osage]

Congrats on the decision! Very cool choice. That Nismo already comes a bit kitted out; so you may not need as many bolt on choices to achieve your end goal. My goal was an OEM plus experience for my Performance model. I basically have everything the AMS Alpha 5 offers minus the e85/fuel pump upgrades. This lists as follows:

1. AMS 80mm intakes (make excellent sounds with the turbos)
2. AMS street lower downpipes
3. AWE Track exhaust
4. AMS heat exchanger
5. AMS tune for aforementioned components

I have a dyno appointment later this month, so I’ll be interested in sharing those results once I have them. All of the installed components, coupled with the tune have created a car that has a substantially improved throttle response and excellent, overall drivability. If I had to guess, I think the vehicle is putting down something between 430 and 450 wheel horsepower with a torque figure that is not too far in tow. Candidly, I’m not sure the vehicle needs much more than this… The upgraded turbo route and the pursuit of 600 plus hp seems like a route of diminishing returns for the money. Plus, I knew I needed different wheels and some aero too….and that’s always a cost. I also installed the Z1 sway bar kit and have plans for some more suspension work as well.

Just an absolutely gorgeous ride! How loud is the AWE track exhaust? I've heard it's quite loud and seen others recommend going street instead of track due to the volume.

And what does the upgraded heat exchanger actually do? It improves heat soak in hot conditions on track? Any meaningful immediate performance improvements from that? Thanks!

 

[Osage]

Update: I NOW know that HX means heat exchanger! Learning everyday thanks to this group! Great community. Light years different than what I've seen on BMW and Corvette forums. Great engagement, no gatekeeping or judgment. Love it.

 

[fenetikZ]

Just an absolutely gorgeous ride! How loud is the AWE track exhaust? I've heard it's quite loud and seen others recommend going street instead of track due to the volume.

And what does the upgraded heat exchanger actually do? It improves heat soak in hot conditions on track? Any meaningful immediate performance improvements from that? Thanks!

Thanks for your compliments! The AWE track exhaust is indeed quite loud, especially when paired with a downpipe upgrade. This was very intentional on my part - I want the car to feel loud and generally unsettling; it increases the excitement factor. You can try to maximize this car for a comfort experience, but I like that it seems to lean into a more raw/pure sports car driving experience….which is not easy to find these days. I think that’s one of the things that makes the Z so special. For those who want comfort and luxury paired with speed, the market has lots of offerings. Back to the AWE track, I’m sure you’ve seen that they have a “track to touring conversion” piece that is not too expensive and, as I understand, really calms things down.

Regarding the heat exchanger - I felt it was a critical upgrade, especially when using the 80mm intakes since I’d like as much of that extra airflow to be properly cooled - Plus, I likely would not be able to get the most out of my tune if I had the OEM exchanger in there as a potential choke point.

Congrats again on the purchase! Have fun on the journey.

 

[Osage]

Thanks for your compliments! The AWE track exhaust is indeed quite loud, especially when paired with a downpipe upgrade. This was very intentional on my part - I want the car to feel loud and generally unsettling; it increases the excitement factor. You can try to maximize this car for a comfort experience, but I like that it seems to lean into a more raw/pure sports car driving experience….which is not easy to find these days. I think that’s one of the things that makes the Z so special. For those who want comfort and luxury paired with speed, the market has lots of offerings. Back to the AWE track, I’m sure you’ve seen that they have a “track to touring conversion” piece that is not too expensive and, as I understand, really calms things down.

Regarding the heat exchanger - I felt it was a critical upgrade, especially when using the 80mm intakes since I’d like as much of that extra airflow to be properly cooled - Plus, I likely would not be able to get the most out of my tune if I had the OEM exchanger in there as a potential choke point.

Congrats again on the purchase! Have fun on the journey.

do you have any videos of your ride with audio? Would love to hear how it sounds. Since this is a second true sports car for me, I do want the more raw analog experience.

 

[fenetikZ]

do you have any videos of your ride with audio? Would love to hear how it sounds. Since this is a second true sports car for me, I do want the more raw analog experience.

I can easily take a few videos on my phone for you….maybe the most impactful will be from inside the vehicle. AWE has videos on YouTube of cold starts and fly by, but the experience you get in the car is crazy different. For example, parts of the dash and interior do shake and make noise depending on the gear and RPM….I love this, most people don’t, however. When I get home tonight I’ll go out and make a video for you.

 

[DiZZ1]

I agree that the information shared here is great. The cars you cross shopped I’ve owned accept the M2 , I bought a 23’ C8 Z51 pkg. instead.Leased the Audi RS5 and i built a similar 17’ whipple charged mustang GT performance pkg Lund Tuned. The dark horse is a gimmick Mach edition. This Nismo Z does offer a dual purpose like the Z51 package in my Corvette. My Z Nismo seems to be more engaging as a daily driver , I have no track time yet.

 

[ZillaZ]

HX is great.

Biggest thing with the Nismo is sway bars. Is there any AM option that supports the brake cooling deflectors?

You just street driving the NISMO or doing track days?

Are sway-bars needed on the new 2027's? I thought they made them even more stiff for 2027, could be wrong.

 

[Bumflik]

do you have any videos of your ride with audio? Would love to hear how it sounds. Since this is a second true sports car for me, I do want the more raw analog experience.

AWE Track Exhaust. Before I went AMS 3" full downpipes, HAD Spool lowers on at this time in Dec 25'. Its louder and more throaty now. I got a sports car to be seen felt and heard.

 

[Osage]

Wow that is VICIOUS!!

 

[Bumflik]

fenetikZ and I love AWE Track edition because of its visceral exotic sound with wow factor.