Z1 Parts... What to get priority

[hipertec]

Looks like Z1 is having a sale and wondering what is the best mod for the Z Performance. Just added AWE track exhaust, Nismo Intake, and next month will add a coilovers to lower car about 1" for better handling.

Was thinking in ranking order:
1. Z1 Oil catch can
2. Z1 undercarriage aluminum shoud * to protect since car will be lowered
* anyone have the silver color? Is the black worth 2x the cost?
3. Z1 front/rear sway bars
* may be overkill after the coilovers?
4. Z1 aluminum oil pan
* to protect since car will be lowered
5. Anything else?

What do you guys think are necessary and what could be an overkill? Anyone with them have feedback?

 

[FSUZ33]

A GT wing on a Hyundai Elantra is overkill. I don't consider any of your list remotely overkill.

- I'd add a magnetic drain plug to the list.
- If you're doing your own oil changes, all or occasional, add their funnel.
- Someone here can respond, and I assume it fits, but make sure the pan fits with the undertray (shroud...whatever). It's probably been stated here, but I haven't committed it to memory. And careful with the torque on the oil pan bolts.
- Another one I prefer others to chime in on. Regarding the sways - depending on how much you're lowered/lowering, you may want/need adjustable end links.

As far as black ano vs silver, that's a personal preference. I didn't realize that was an option. Their NISMO one only comes in black ano. My concern with silver would be whether or not it has any coating/protection at all. I would guess based on the price difference it doesn't. Because you're in southern California and don't have to worry about salt on the roads I assume you wouldn't have much of a corrosion issue though...unless you're close to the coast.
My opinion:
1. Go for black ano (see note below)
2. If not, buy a can of aluminum primer and a can of whatever color you want it. Wipe it down with acetone or a good pre-paint solvent. Prime, then paint. Prob +$30, and a little work on your part, but better than +$190. May be able to find a can or black aluminum primer and leave it at that, but they usually make primer in colors that you wouldn't want so you have to buy their paint as well.

-> MSRP on the black ano NISMO tray is the same as the non-ano non-NISMO tray ($362.99). Not like one's more complicated than the other. And I'm positive they're buying non-NISMO trays in higher volume than the NISMO, so it should be the same or cheaper. Right now they're both on sale, with the NISMO at $291 and non-NISMO at $390. Maybe you could talk to them and see if they can cut you a deal on the black non-NISMO.

 

[5amp5on]

There are photos on the site of both versions, here’s the black one on my car, 24 performance.

 

[sarge]

I’ve got the silver one. My plan is to clean, prime and paint the underside of the tray w/ truck bed liner. It’s tough enough to protect the tray and and help it not be noticeable. I do plan on taping over the service panel logo before I spray to keep it legible for service. I’ll survive covering the Z1 logo

 

[ZillaZ]

Here is my silver one. I didn't see a reason to get the black one. I do think the Black looks better but I don't show off the under side of my car ever. I just wanted the protection / easy panel for oil changes.

 

[FSUZ33]

I haven't taken a good look at mine (not installed yet) but based on these pics it looks like half the cost is rivets. Seems cheaper/easier to resistance weld the pieces together. Maybe their supplier doesn't do that.

 

[Midz10]

The only thing I wouldn't get from the Z1 is their coilovers (multiple reports of clunking sounds). Also some people reported an issue with the Z1 oil pan drain plug stripping or something. Everything else they make is good quality. Both Z1 and CZP are my go to shops for Nissan parts.

 

[FSUZ33]

I’ve read and seen (video, not personally) about Z1’s coils clunking, and it’s weird, because Z1 coilovers are made by FEAL, which is a decent company. From what I’ve heard they’re no KW, but they’re also no Megan Racing.
Z1 has their garage and tuning business, but they need to pay closer attention to their part sales. Seems like they’re too used to receiving and shipping parts without checking/testing. Not that they need to inspect every nut and bolt that comes in, but something more than they’re doing now. AND having a ‘come to Jesus’ session with their suppliers for sending nonconforming parts (cf engine cover!). Unfortunately it appears they’re leaving the flaw-finding to their customers.

 

[hipertec]

Here is my silver one. I didn't see a reason to get the black one. I do think the Black looks better but I don't show off the under side of my car ever. I just wanted the protection / easy panel for oil changes.

Thanks for sharing. Is the silver version protected with some sort of coating? Does it hang any lower than the plastic OEM ones?

 

[FSUZ33]

Not sure on the coating.
No, no part of it hangs lower than the OEM tray.

 

[ZillaZ]

Thanks for sharing. Is the silver version protected with some sort of coating? Does it hang any lower than the plastic OEM ones?

No coating that I am aware of. Just smooth aluminum it feels very solid, I am happy with it. Only issue I have (and color doesn't matter here) is sometimes leaves build up in the vent on the bottom because unlike the OEM plastic ones and Moshimoto ones the vent has a honeycomb pattern and is not wide open to eject stuff that flows in from the front grill.

ike @FSUZ33 said it does not hang lower.

 

[Cdgreencd87]

I went with the CZP black one since it was a better price, I think the black looks good. Also added their oil pan. It is VERY tight and I couldn't get the 3 plastic clips in, the other bolts all around were fine so didn't worry about it.

One thing on the oil pan, don't over torque these bolts. Hand tighten with a half turn on socket is plenty. I broke one off over torquing and had to drill it out.

Went with Mishimoto catch can, but the Z1 bracket seems nicer. Nothing wrong with Mishimoto bracket but if I had a choice I prob would have gone with Z1 if doing again.

Lastly, went with White way sways and end links. Haven't done coilovers but after exhaust install tomorrow will probably do brakes then coilovers.

 

[hipertec]

I went with the CZP black one since it was a better price, I think the black looks good. Also added their oil pan. It is VERY tight and I couldn't get the 3 plastic clips in, the other bolts all around were fine so didn't worry about it.

One thing on the oil pan, don't over torque these bolts. Hand tighten with a half turn on socket is plenty. I broke one off over torquing and had to drill it out.

Went with Mishimoto catch can, but the Z1 bracket seems nicer. Nothing wrong with Mishimoto bracket but if I had a choice I prob would have gone with Z1 if doing again.

Lastly, not trying to be long winded but the Z1 sways have a lot of posts about snapping on ends. Went with White way because of that. Haven't done coilovers but after exhaust install tomorrow will probably do brakes then coilovers.

The CZP undercarriage cover looks really nice and much cheaper. Was it a direct placement or did you have to drill holes like the Z1? Also, does the CZP vlcover hang any lower than the oem plastic one? Any regrets?

 

[Cdgreencd87]

The CZP undercarriage cover looks really nice and much cheaper. Was it a direct placement or did you have to drill holes like the Z1? Also, does the CZP vlcover hang any lower than the oem plastic one? Any regrets?

No regrets, it seems to hang about 1/4 in lower.

No drilling at all. That was one of my main reasons for going with CZP. Not sure if the oil pan restricts the clips or the shroud angle but the bolts were fine and 3 plastic clips didn't seem like a make or break for me.

 

[FSUZ33]

Lastly, not trying to be long winded but the Z1 sways have a lot of posts about snapping on ends. Went with White way because of that.

Not disagreeing with you, but my first thought was the NISMO branded sways breaking because of the thin and welded ends. Are you talking about that, or are Z1’s breaking as well?
https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/threads/sway-bars-what-did-you-choose-why.6306/post-123421