TLDR: Z31 turbo, want a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds and want to modify to whatever hp this requires. ~$2,000 to spend. Advice?

I am looking at a 1985 300zx turbo and have a few questions...

I intend on dailying the car mostly but have a '73 240z to cruise in when this is out of commission (swapped in a different L24 with a friend so I have experience wrenching on cars, just not efi)

My funds would be split between this and the 240z so realistically my budget is around $2,000 not including the car

I don't like setting a whp goal since its kind of arbitrary due to weight/diff ratio/dyno/etc differences

I am looking for a 0-60 around 5.0 seconds (e46 m3, 07 STI, 350z, etc range)

1) Is this realistic? Given my experience level (want to do all work myself), budget, and drivetrain
2) If so around how much whp is a good goal? I'm thinking in the 250-300whp range?
3) If that estimate is realistic then are these modifications sufficient?

My plans are as follows:
Basic maintenance(t-belt, plugs, wires, etc)
Stock bottom/top end
Stock Fuel system
Stock ECU
Either maxing out T3 turbo or installing an HY35 I have
MBC set to 13-18psi (what ever will net my hp goals)
Ebay intercooler/piping
stock intake
K&N intake filter w/ resonator removed
3" turbo back exhaust w/ hiflow cat
CA 91 Octane fuel (would love to run E85 but stock fuel system will be strained already without 30% more demand for fuel)
possibly MLS hg/ARP studs just for insurance?

I think I've been reading too much and have gotten a little over saturated. Some people say you NEED this or that, and I've seen too many conflicting opinions.

I've looked at TONS of dyno sheets and stuff on Z31.com/Z31performance's dyno section, but most of those guys are way over my output goals.

Sorry if I sound like just another kid asking what the minimum I can do for X amount of HP is, but I've read so many posts of people saying they made 300whp on stock ECU/long block/fuel system and am just wondering what is necessary/a good idea to upgrade to have a pretty reliable setup for my goals.

Thanks in advance!!

Adrian

 

what you really need is more money, more time, more experience. You can't keep stock parts and expect that level of performance.

 

Well if you could answer the questions and point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it! I've read that even 1,000 is a good budget if you're really thrifty for 300whp

 

Whut? I... ? Anyway...

A link worth your time... Jason's Z Site - RedZ31.Com REDZ31.NET JASONBUTTS.COM

Not sure if you are or aren't setting a hp goal, but an intercooler, boost controller, NisTune, and some larger injectors will easily get you to 300whp.

Setting a 0-60 time is more arbitrary than a hp goal. 0-60 time is also dependant on weight, gear ratio, wind resistance, etc, while whp is calculated when standing still. And who cares about 0-60 time these days other than the Road & Track magazine?

Just do some research. We're here to help, but Z31 mods have been discussed to death.

 

0-60 huuu. Well i think the factory z31 is around 8.8 sec. These cars are heavy as crap compared to other sports cars of its time. Start with weight reduction. But i would suggest you visit your local track first to see what you car runs now. How would you compare if you didnt?

 

Sorry if what I asked was confusing.

I was just trying to out line my goals for the car and intended usage. I thought 0-60 was a better goal to set and was wondering the ball park of what hp figure this would require. If my car did 0-60 in ~5secs with 250whp then I'd call it a day. I'm not chasing a specific horsepower number but I get that 0-60 is also subjective and slightly arbitrary. And I'm only chasing a ball park 0-60 time because thats usually the kind of pulls people do on the street (even less like 0-40 or 20-60). just want a car I can daily that will have comparable acceleration to modern sports cars today (like the ones I listed in the 1st post)

I was mostly confused since even though the mods have been discussed to death, it seems that everyone has conflicting opinions on what is necessary and what is not.

Here is my revised plan:
Stock longblock (free)
stock ex. manifold w/ T3 or HY35 (free if T3 or $50 for oil feed line to HY35)
420cc injectors- top feed since I have the '85 so MB 420 or equivalent ($300)
Nistune (still a little confused about what exactly to purchase but I'll allot $500)
Upgraded MAF? Cobra, Z32TT (necessary?)
Walbro 255 ($120)
3" CM exhaust ($400 possibly less depending on shop)
2.5" intercooler piping kit ($100)
Intercooler(free)
MBC (free)

*free meaning I either have it already or it will come with the car as extra parts

Max total: $1470

Could the other $500 cover dyno tuning? ($2,000 budget)

 

My suggestion to you its weight reduction. Im not a mathematician but I just dont see 5.0 coming out of 250whp. Your curb weight it probably sitting around 3,000 so if you could remove all the unnecessary things in the car like trims, spare tires, carpets, useless stuff. Then get a set of lighter seats or remove the passenger seats. A 1990 Camaro Iroc Z does 5 seconds and weighs 3k + but it has a giant 5.0L V8. If I were you, Id aim more for 26-2700 weight range / 300+rwhp.