10 Best Nissan 350z Mods

Dec 31, 2021Austen Wageman

What Mods Should I Do to My Nissan 350z?

The 350z is a car that packs plenty of power and prowess. However, with all this comes the need for some modding so it can perform at its best. It’s truly a fantastic car for those who want to make their ride more exciting, and with all of these aftermarket parts available, choosing which ones are right can be difficult.

Not to worry–We’re here for you! Starting with a quicker, more efficient path for exhaust gases to escape combined with a deep rumbling tone.

Exhaust

By upgrading your 350Z's exhaust, you'll improve airflow through the system and decrease back pressure. This aftermarket catback exhaust reduces wasted energy, leading to better fuel efficiency and a better sound overall.

The right aftermarket exhaust for your 350Z will keep everything cool and improve responses as well as power levels with just one simple installation. If you want to make your 350z stand out from the rest, then this is an excellent way of doing so.

We linked to our favorite exhaust system above, but if you’re looking for more variety, here’s a list of exhaust upgrades worth your time:

Budget exhaust systems

Though these may be lower-priced, they’re still high-quality products that are built to last. Depending on your needs, you may be able to achieve your goals. Check out these budget-friendly exhausts while supplies last.

High-end exhaust systems

These high-end exhaust systems were made to drastically enhance the performance of that beautiful 350Z. Expertly crafted from premium materials, a quality design and workmanship that’s hard to beat, and a durable construction for long service, you don’t have to look anywhere else for the right aftermarket exhaust system upgrade.

Intake

Air intakes on the 350Z are rarely modified, as the stock version performs so well. But if you're looking to add a few horsepower and turn heads with your engine bay, you’ll get there with an intake upgrade.

An aftermarket 350Z intake encourages increased air flow, the best way to help your car breathe more efficiently. You may notice positive effects on power, torque, acceleration and improved fuel economy.

Here are a few other brands we love for their durable and efficient 350Z intakes:

Best intake brands

Headers

Headers are simple bolt-on components to enhance your 350Z's engine performance. Essentially, the goal of headers is to make it easier for the engine to get rid of exhaust fumes out of the cylinders.

Your Nissan 350z's stock exhaust manifold can’t compete with aftermarket ones like these aFe Twisted Steel Headers that fully replace your exhaust manifold. With features like a mandrel-bent form for unrestricted flow, optimized tube length to improve flow and performance, and increased exhaust velocity won’t leave you disappointed.

But if you’re looking for a quality exhaust manifold to replace your stock one, look no further than the Tomei Expreme Exhaust Manifold. This manifold was manufactured to deliver “absolute power” with its efficiency. Its reputation in the automotive industry is that of delivering the absolute best performance possible from any Nissan 350Z manifold.

Downpipe

Aftermarket downpipes are a must for your vehicle to have more power and torque by allowing exhaust fumes to flow easier. It's general knowledge that installing an aftermarket downpipe will add just 10 to 20 horsepower, but that gain is always going to be noticeable at the track.

Aftermarket downpipes typically have wider diameters and aren't as restrictive as stock downpipes. It also assists in exhaust flow, which in terms helps top-end power, while giving it a more aggressive sound.

Want an increase in performance in your Nissan 350Z? Install these Invidia Test Pipes with a High Flow Cat that’s expertly crafted with premium materials and durably constructed for a long life. Or if you want to take a look at another high-quality brand, check out these ARK Performance pipes.

Radiator

Your 350Z’s cooling system is the lifeblood of an efficient machine. And if the radiator’s ability is not up to par, you can bet that your car will not perform well or last long in use. Keeping your 350Z running cool and smooth during both routine driving or competitive times will be a breeze with a high-performance aluminum radiator. This performance mod ensures that you stay safer on all types of roads by maintaining consistent temperature levels.

This high-performance aluminum radiator is perfect for those who demand power on the track or otherwise. Its reliable protection against leaks is unmatched. It’s truly a high-quality product that includes the Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty, guaranteeing superior craftsmanship and protection, so you can feel confident about your purchase.

If you're looking for better cooling efficiency and reliability for both on and off track, then check out these other radiators we trust:

Clutch Kit

Clutches are one of those parts that you probably don’t automatically think of when modding your car, but nevertheless are essential to getting the power from your motor to your wheels. A standard clutch could potentially withstand the demands of driving a high-performance vehicle, but your style and technique can make all the difference in how long stock components last. For instance: doing repeated hard launches or kicking down on hills might result in slipping clutches sooner rather than later.

Your car needs a powerful, responsive clutch that can handle the torque from each gear, and a performance clutch provides that extra edge in competition driving. An aftermarket clutch may be the way to go for several other reasons:

Less weight

The lightweight materials used in performance car clutches make them ideal for the 350Z, improving handling and reducing noises, vibrations and harshness.

Increased power

When you want to get more power from your car, a performance clutch kit is the perfect solution. These clutches weigh less and provide high-performance materials that aid in transferring torque efficiently throughout all four wheels for better handling on any road condition or terrain.

Better track times

The lightweight clutch will help you achieve better times at the track because it has less weight and provides quicker power transfer. The speed-oriented design is perfect for performance racing or enthusiasts who want to beat their previous records or leave other drivers in the dust.

Enhanced fuel efficiency

Aftermarket car clutches are all about power and performance, but they also have a big impact on fuel economy. An incredibly lightweight clutch is key. The less your car weighs, the less fuel is used on the road.

So you know that a clutch upgrade is a great idea, but you’re not quite sure you want to jump just yet. All good! If you wanted to browse through some other clutches for your Z, here are some brands worth your time:

Brakes

It’s essential to upgrade your Nissan 350z’s brakes before enhancing power. All of that extra giddy-up will be rendered useless if you can't stop or take corners easily. With performance brake systems, you’ll be able to stop much faster and stay safe on the track or elsewhere–no matter the conditions, and big brakes do have the benefit of looking great as well.

Replacing your rotors with aftermarket rotors can increase the performance and longevity of a vehicle's braking system. They also affect the way brake pads perform and wear overtime, so it’s crucial to have a good quality set.

To sum everything up, upgrading your brakes leads to:

Improved performance overall

High-quality brake rotors last longer, significantly shorten your stopping distance, and perform better under all conditions. All of which improves your and your vehicle's safety. If you want more information, check out these rotor brands we trust:

Coilovers

At MAPerformance, we love the versatility that comes with installing aftermarket coilovers. With coilovers, you can make ride height adjustments on the fly. These systems are often used in track cars as well as off-road vehicles for a true custom ride experience.

And hey, if you're involved in track events, a good quality set is a more reasonable investment than lowering springs. Fast and easy damping adjustments allow you to fine-tune handling for specific tracks or terrain.

The right suspension products (like these coilovers) can truly transform your Z into one that handles better and provides increased adjustability for how you want to drive. Intrigued and wanting more information? Take a look at these other brands we believe in:

Plenum Spacer

An aftermarket plenum spacer increases the capacity of your plenum chamber, which allows it to hold a high amount of air. That translates to "more air going into your engine." The air is evenly distributed amongst all the cylinders, giving your Z an increase in power.

This intake plenum spacer gives the engine more volume, which in turn will change your power band and increase performance at higher RPMs.

Some of the product’s features and benefits include:

Made out of thermal polymer, which provides dramatic heat insulating properties
Increase the manifold’s capacity and lower the intake air temperature
Increases power and throttle response
Easily installs between the factory’s intake manifold

Sway Bars

If you’ve ever driven a car with poor handling, then it's likely that the sway bar is at least partly responsible.

Sway bars are a great way to improve how your car handles around corners and on tight turns. They work by controlling weight transfer, including body roll- which in turn helps to keep the wheels as level with the ground as possible as you speed through a stretch of road. It’s an essential part of any performance vehicle–especially the Z.

Your Z can have a sway bar on just the front suspension, or it can have it on the front and the back as well. This sway bar kit has both front and rear for the ultimate balance and precise tuning. Designed to improve performance and enhance the driving experience in your Z, you’ll be more than satisfied with this upgrade.

Other suspension components and add-ons we love are:

Turbo Kit

The power of an aftermarket turbocharger kit is in its ability to effectively force more air into your 350Z’s engine. This increased airflow leads not only to greater fuel efficiency, but also horsepower and torque. It’s the ultimate way to stand out from the pack.

They have greater power density and are by far the best option for performance car owners (cars like the Z), allowing smaller engines to put out more horsepower and torque than they ordinarily would. And it eliminates durability problems with a stock turbo (or no turbo) at higher boost pressures/power levels.

Is upgrading your turbo worth it?

Yes. If you want to get the most out of your 350Z, then a high-quality turbocharger can make all the difference as far as responsiveness and speed under acceleration.

How fast is a 350Z with a turbo?

It depends, but the average top speed you’re able to achieve is 183MPH. Pretty fast!

Nissan 350z Upgrades: What Should You Do First?

Suspension / Handling Modifications

Coilovers / springs
Sway Bars
Wheels
Brakes

Power / Performance Modifications

Intake
Downpipe
Headers
Radiator
Clutch
Plenum Spacer

The 350z is quite the legendary car with many options for customization. We know you want to make your car unique, so with that, we're standing by to help you find the right mods for you. Want to learn more about modifying the Nissan 350Z? Get in touch with MAP’s experienced experts.