Ive searched through the forums from the beginning to current day and have found many different inputs as to what are the best NA mods. Here's what I have found:

JWT Pop Charger
UD Pulley
Headers
Exhaust
ECU (Ashspec or JWT)
Lighter flywheel
Aluminum driveshaft

I have a couple of questions. I have a 96 na manual, and I'm not sure if they make a pop charger for a 96. It seems that the 90-95 model is a lot easier to modify, so I just wanted to ask some of you guys if you could clear that up for me. Just looking under the hood, to me (which I know nothing about these cars) it seems that there wouldn't be room for a pop charger.

I also wanted to ask about the exhaust. I want to know what you guys think about changing out the mufflers. I don't have the money to do the whole exhaust, so I just would like to know everyone's opinion on the matter. I was thinking about replacing the stock mufflers with maybe a couple of flowmaster mufflers to make it a little louder (more of a deep growl instead of a higher pitch sound) and make exhaust less restrictive. Tell me what you guys think I've already learned a lot since I joined the website. Thanks!!!

 

Just to be sure, you did read this right? https://www.zdriver.com/forums/300zx-z32-tech-tips-273/how-make-n-faster-swap-mass-merge-thread-658/

 

the intake goes under the nose panel, not technically in the engine bay. i don't know why a standard intake wouldn't work for a '96. as far as exhaust, it's not going to give you any noticeable powergain, and the n/a doesn't sound fantastic with most loud exhausts. it starts to get that honda "bap bap bap" sound when you take the pre-cats out. the hks high power cat-back sounds decent, but it really is loud.

my advise, save all that money, sell the n/a, get a turbo with both funds combined. that makes for a much faster, cheaper, and more significant power gain, that instead of leaving you at a cap of ~280 hp, starts you with a clean slate platform of 300 hp with a potential of over 1k hp. = win!

 

Thanks for the advise. Being that I just got the NA, I will definitely stick with it. I love it to death, and it pretty much satisfies my power needs. All I'm really looking for is just a little more "pep" as far as acceleration. When I was looking to buy a Z, I decided to go with the NA for two reasons. 1- Cheaper, didn't have the money to get a TT and 2- I think that a TT would be too much power for me to handle, as I'm only 18 and a semi-aggressive driver anyways. I want to be a part of the Z community, but I think a TT would have gotten me killed. In the future I probably will want to upgrade to a TT, as I will have more experience with them anyways. As far as the mufflers, I will probably stick with stock. With regards to the pop charger, I have another couple of questions. Does the pop charger replace the two air filters in the stock air box? I'm just not sure where it goes and if it replaces something or if its an add on. If someone has a picture of a JWT pop charger in a 300zx NA, that would help a lot.

 

it replaces the whole air box and bolts right to the MAF. with me, i only do power upgrades that will also help mileage. for your intentions, i suggest an intake, and a 1-piece drive shaft IF your carrier bearing goes out. if you've got time on your hands you could also do an egr delete and clean some other stuff up in the engine bay, but now i'm getting into things that won't really help your power.