The 10 Best Nissan 370z Mods

Jan 07, 2022Austen Wageman

10 Best Nissan 370z Mods

The Nissan 370z is a generation-defining car that has been highly sought after by enthusiasts across the globe. The iconic sports coupe saw its first release in 2009 and was received positively from drivers looking for that extra edge at the track and something different on the streets.

All Z cars’ stock parts are great, but what about modding to fine-tune the beast to unbeatable levels? You’re looking to install aftermarket parts without breaking the bank–is that even possible? Very much so! In this article we discuss how these must-have modifications enhance an already great vehicle.

What Mods Should I Do to My Nissan 370z?

Green light. It’s time to get the most out of your 370z! With a little know-how and some elbow grease, you can breathe new life into an already solid car. There are a lot of options and different types, so we'll take some time to explore what we believe to be the best upgrades for maximum performance–starting with exhaust.

1) Exhaust

There are many great reasons to replace your exhaust system with a newer, higher-quality one. That said, we believe the notable advantages of an Upgraded exhaust system on your 370Z include increased engine performance, less corrosion and build-up, enhanced look and sound, and improved gas mileage.

Improved engine performance

By upgrading your Z's exhaust system, your engine will intake more air. Increased engine air leads to torque and power increases. With a custom exhaust system, you can instantly upgrade your horsepower by 15 without ever touching anything under the hood.

Less corrosion and build-up

A more efficient escape route for pesky gases and fumes means that you'll have less of an issue with moisture build-up and corrosion on your vehicle's components in general.

Enhanced look and sound

It’s true: aftermarket exhaust systems look pretty slick. Smooth stainless-steel pipes like cat-back exhausts and exhaust tips give off an aggressive look that says, “I’ll leave you in the dust, Chief.” Combine that with an aggressive exhaust note and you’re going to be the talk of the town. Upgrade your muffler to one that affects your exhaust note while adding in sound-amplifying exhaust tips as well.

Improved gas mileage

When a factory exhaust is replaced with an aftermarket muffler or cat-back system, there’s less restriction in the tube. This means that your engine exhales easier, improving fuel efficiency!

Some other 370Z exhaust brands we love include:

2) Intake

Upgrading the intake on your Nissan 370Z will allow for increased air flow, which helps it breathe better and more efficiently. You'll see a positive effect not only in horsepower–though slight–but also torque and acceleration rates. With an improved fuel economy to boot, what's not to love about upgrading your intake?

More horsepower

When upgrading your air intake, 370Z owners can expect a slight improvement of between 5 to 15 horsepower. That increase doesn’t seem like much but is an added edge on track day.

More torque and acceleration

Since torque revolves around air intake and fuel combustion inside the cylinders of the engine, it's no wonder that upgrading your Nissan 370Z's intake will affect it positively. This means the 370Z will have better throttle response and accelerate faster.

Improved fuel economy

The cooler your interior components are, the better your car will run. Cold air intakes can improve fuel efficiency by 3-5 MPG, but only if they deliver more cold than their stock counterparts.

Browse these 370Z intake brands we trust:

3) Strut Brace

Add extra stiffness, reduce chassis flex, and minimize the load off of your front end during cornering with an aftermarket 370Z strut brace. You’re focused on time attack or overtaking your competition. You don’t want to worry about your chassis flexing too much or, God forbid, body roll. Well, a strut brace upgrade has you and your Z’s back.

Extra stiffness

A strut brace/bar is simply an aftermarket suspension bar that connects the left and right strut towers together. The idea is that by connecting the strut towers, you reinforce the frame of the car. This provides for a stiff yet safe ride by minimizing the load off your front end, especially when taking corners.

Reduced chassis flex

Installing strut braces is one of the best ways to increase your car's rigidity. This will keep you safe by eliminating any possibility for flexing when going over bumps or turning hard into corners.

Grab an aftermarket strut brace while supplies last!

4) Camber Arms

By adding aftermarket camber arms (usually negative camber), your tire can lean into the vehicle and have a better, tighter fit into the wheel well. Camber spreads weight across the whole tire tread, so it wears evenly. If the camber is out of line, needs replacement, or is done wrong, it can make the tire wear unevenly and may cause the vehicle to pull to one side. These adjustable 370Z camber arms allow a full range of camber adjustment for your rear wheels, so you never have to worry about cornering inaccurately or uneven tire tread.

Negative camber vs. positive camber

If the top of the wheel sticks out more than the bottom, it's labeled as "positive camber." If the bottom of the wheel sticks out more than the top, it's labeled as "negative camber." Positive camber is perfect for keeping a recreational vehicle or a daily commuter stable, while negative camber is far better for high-performance vehicles, especially when cornering.

Need more information? Browse these brands we love:

5) Radiator

Keeping your 350Z running cool and smooth during both commuting or spirited driving will be a breeze with our high performance aluminum radiators. This upgrade guarantees you stay safer on all types of roads by maintaining consistent temperature levels.

The top replacement radiators are made out of aluminum. The material is flexible and much lighter than most stock components. If you have available space under your hood, you can upgrade the size of the radiator, increasing your cooling power without much more weight.

Take a look at these Nissan 370Z radiator brands we love:

6) Clutch Kit

At its most basic function, the clutch is at the center of power delivery to the rest of your Z. The connection from you, the driver, to the machine’s characteristics and performance relies heavily on the performance of your clutch. A high-performance clutch can make a big difference when you need that extra edge. They're designed to be more responsive than stock units, provide better response time during acceleration and deceleration as well as powering through high-performance gears.

High-performance clutches are also a vital component in reducing weight for speed machines like the 370Z. The use of modern materials like aluminum or titanium helps reduce the overall size and enhances performance driving.

An aftermarket clutch upgrade is a smart choice because:

Less weight leads to enhanced acceleration and more power

Reduced weight on the clutch reduces the weight that the engine has to accelerate, along with the overall weight of your car and the force the car needs to start moving. The lighter-weight materials used in performance clutches also help in transferring torque efficiently to the rear wheels for increased power.

Better fuel efficiency

The impact of a lightweight clutch on your 370Z’s fuel economy is undeniable. The less your 370Z weighs, the less fuel you’ll need to use!

Need more information? Check out these top 370Z clutch brands we love:

7) Brakes

The most neglected part in the Nissan 370Z is your braking system. As enthusiasts, we all love to talk about horsepower, torque, exhaust, body kits, or wheels. But the brakes are essential for keeping you safe, especially during spirited driving. The main goal of your Z's braking system is to controllably bring your car to a stop or a lesser speed when cornering. If you’re into competition and racing around a track, we recommend upgrading to bigger brakes.

Upgrade your 370Z to a big brake kit for the ultimate stopping power. When a few inches separate you from other cars or sudden turns, the room for error is critically low. Investing in high-quality brakes is always a great idea. The cost of upgrading will be far lower than the price you pay if your car’s braking fails. Ensure great stopping performance on your Z today!

What comes with a big brake kit?

Rotors, caliper brackets, pads, and brake lines come with our big brake kits. In addition, you’ll also receive a 12 month limited warranty.

We linked to our favorite kit above, but be sure to check out our other Nissan 370Z brake components as well.

8) Coilovers

One of the most versatile ways to alter your 370Z’s height is with aftermarket coilovers. With these systems, you can make adjustments in real time and experience an even better customized ride than ever before.

Coilovers also provide a much greater range of adjustability in shock damping and spring preload. Aftermarket coilovers like these have better performance when it comes to handling because they're lighter than most factory components.

Shock damping

Shock damping absorbs and dampens the energy from shocks. They do this by converting kinetic energy into heat, which then gets dissipated.

Spring preload

Preloading is a great way to reduce the amount of travel in your suspension and make for an overall smoother riding experience.

370Z coilover brands we love:

9) Wheels

Replacing your mediocre stock wheels with new wheels and tires will not just change the look of your car, but also enhance its performance. The right fit can make all the difference in how well it drives. If you’re looking to leave your competition in the dust with your Z and look great doing it, we recommend a set of XXR 531 Reaxion Wheels. They’re truly the cutting-edge of today’s modern wheel performance and fashion and they’re available in different sizes and finishes.

If you’ve got performance and pure aesthetics on your mind, take a look at all of our wheels and rims. Most are universal fit, but you can filter by application.

10) Sway Bars

Sway bars (anti-roll bars) help your Z handle turns while preventing body lean–the last thing you want while cornering on the track.

The primary differences between stock sway bars and aftermarket ones are aftermarket bars are stiffer for durability, lighter in weight, and more flexible in adjustability. If you're looking for increased responsiveness in your suspension, aftermarket sway bars are perfect and give your vehicle more stability at high speeds and cornering with no adverse effects on handling.

Miscellaneous – Sway bar links, bushings, and other extras

Sway bar links are small components on each end of the sway bar that attach the sway bar to the suspension. Sway bar bushings (bushings come with the aftermarket sway bar we linked to) help keep the bar in place and close to the vehicle, absorbing the energy taken on by the bar as a result.

11) (bonus) Turbo Kit

Look, the 370Z is a great car to start with as stock, but if you want even more power and torque then an aftermarket turbocharger kit would be right up your alley.

Aftermarket turbocharger kits are the ultimate performance-geared way to stand out on track day. With increased airflow, after-market turbos can give you more power and torque while increasing fuel efficiency.

How much horsepower does a 370Z have with a turbo?

The right turbo on a 370Z can get you an impressive 175 horsepower increase! That’s super fast.

Nissan 370z Upgrades: What Should You Do First?

Suspension (coilovers, sway bars)
Handing (Wheels, brakes)
Exhaust (headers, downpipe)
Intake
Brakes
Radiator
Plenum Spacer
Clutch Kit

When it comes down to it, the iconic Nissan 370Z has a whole plethora of options for modding. With all of the upgrades at your fingertips, we know it can be a bit overwhelming. We are standing by to help you find the right mods for you. Get in touch with MAP’s experienced experts today.