MRH 350Z

Nicely put

Order of purchase for me was Milltek, pop charger and then the HFC's... I think the addition of the cats really brings out the pop charger. I like the swoosh (turbo like) sound it makes on lift off under stationary revving. I assume that's because of the PC.

Also ran out of fuel in a VX220.

True It is rather distinctive, other cats (also metal) don't make that noise.

... love it or hate it (love it), HOW does it make that metallic rasp sound when you give it some? Does anyone know?

Amen I put 126,000 miles on a mk1 Focus 1.6 Zetec (52 plate) and it never put a foot wrong! Naturally discs, pads, clutch and exhaust needed changing in that time but as you suggest parts can be had for cheap. Compared to other modern family cars it really does have excellent steering feel... and a well balanced chassis. Reviews of the mk3 Focus are generally positive but most point to steering feel as a weakness... the mk1 set the bar high.

Yup, this has happened to me even with the O2 spacers from Zmanalex.

I don't get badge snobbery... A great car is a great car... That's it. I like the ST but would definitely take the Zed. As suggested though different cars for different purposes. I chose a VXT over an Elise - I suppose the lower asking price helped. I find it weird that lots of VX220 and VXR8 owners choose to de-badge. Right now I could get just as excited about a Focus RS, Megane R26R or the new Megane 265 Cup as the Zed.

I do like the metallic rasp from the Berks.

Urr, I take it you haven't seen the pictures of what has happened to some zeds run on 95 ron then? Sorry I haven't... I know this is a well discussed topic but I am not familiar I'm just a cynical sod that's all... I think in most instances (for most vehicles) it probably makes no difference - but it may very well do for the 350z? Where there's a product to sell there will always be potentially biased information directed towards selling that product..?!? Of course I am not suggesting that folk on here have anything to gain... I'm just talking in general. I primarily use the super stuff so I am not immune to my own cynicism..!

Interesting this... But let's not forget the hordes of people who own a 350z but do not use this forum... and probably therefore are not as in love with the car as we are... they are more likely to put 95 in..? And the car hardly has any significant reliability issues against it's name. Also, has there ever been a reliable, well controlled and unbiased test to see if the higher stuff makes any difference to performance? I don't think you can really trust your own judgement on the road... there's bound to be a placebo effect of sorts. I think this stuff will give the car more power, therefore I believe it, therefore it does..?!?

Keep at it and revel in your new found strength..!?!

A tad harsh..? I will concede that it does not handle as well as the mk 1 Focus - that has nicely weighted steering and a well balanced chassis. The electronically assisted steering in the new one is rather vague.

Definitely...

The three pot even sounds quite good..!? And in Zetec S trim which comes with a little body kit and 18 inch wheels... I tell you! I might be getting overexcited...?!?!

In addition to the Zed I own a mark 1 Ford Focus (for family purposes). I decided to trade in the Focus and buy the New Focus Zetec S... The engine of choice: a 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder!!! CO2 emissions = 114 g/km and combined 56.5 mpg (I'll believe that when I see it)!! Those figures are better than a lot of diesel engines. Thing is it has 125 ps and 148 lb ft of torque (on overboost); it performs quite well. Apparently the engine weighs just 75 kg and the engine block could fit on a sheet of A4 paper..! It has been achieved with a tiny turbocharger, direct injection and twin variable camshaft timing. I was rather impressed by the technology that has gone into this little beast... the petrol engine has a future yet!! Never thought I'd be excited by an eco based engine (car) but there you go... (still nice to have a meaty V6 for contrast though!!)

Another American Dad Zed... silver this time. Get's spun by Stan's SUV at 32 sec. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWLMpUfj0Q

Loving Forza 4. Is anyone level 150 yet..? I'm level 76. I own six Zed's of various stages of tune... Of course I have one resembling my real life Zed as closely as possible... adding the mods I have (cone filter air intake, freer flowing cats and exhaust) improves the performance more than real life... My wife thinks I'm mad for driving the car so much in the game when I have a real one in the drive. Fair cop!

Presumably the spacers just add to the spacer which is already part of the cat retracting the lambda sensor slightly..???? I also read on here a mixture of opinions... some stating that the light sometimes comes on with Berks HFC (mainly in cold weather) - but mainly with decats. For the sake of £20 from Zmanalex I thought I would do it just in case. Easy to fit.

Finally had the Berks HFC fitted today (along with DBA rotors and Brembo pads). Now running JWT popcharger, Berks HFC and Milltek cat-back. Love it! Limited drone when cruising or idling; and [compared to Milltek only] a bit louder with more bass... I think it has a tiny hint of American muscle car..!?!? Sounds great under load and as for the metallic rasp with more spirited use of the right pedal at higher revs... I rather like it. It adds real character... as if saying "now I'm getting serious"! Apparently, fitting was easy (including the O2 simulators/spacers from Zmanalex) and even the old cats came off easy. Great service from Tarmac - thanks a lot. Looking forward to my drive to work tomorrow...

A VX220 Turbo can be had for a bargain... rarer than the Elise, better looking (imo) and with a great engine - lots more usable torque than the Elise and marginally faster on the road. Also generally bullet proof. A nice turbo whoosh. A great owners club and easy mod paths (e.g. Milltek staged conversions). Have I sold it yet...?!? I do miss my VX220. But I also love the 350Z... when the time comes I don't think I would get another 350Z... simply because it is nice to have the experience of smelling all the flowers in the field (so to speak). If my budget stretched I would love a VXR220 Turbo - very rare but £15k +.

Every car enthusiast should own an Elise/Exige/VX220 at some point. On the wrong day on the wrong road they can be a real pain... but on the right day an absolute joy. Go-karts on steroids! Or go-kart on steroids and growth hormone in the case of the Exige.

Having the Berks fitted next week... I have been browsing the forum for information on common issues - e.g. P116 error code and running lean. Lots of information on here but can I just run my understanding by you... If P116 comes on the O2 spacers from zmanalex should sort this. I am pre-empting this and buying a set now. Long-term an uprev would be best (I will be running: JWT popcharger, Berks HFC and Milltek cat-back). The uprev will maximise performance from these mods and eradicate the running lean issue. I am unlikely to have the uprev done soon (maybe next 12 months?) However, this is unlikley to cause damage - with the car covering about 7k miles per year. The running lean issue would be worse if the Berks was added after the uprev. Until the engine remap is done any performance gain from the mods I have will be minimal - rather they will just add to the aural pleasure. Is my understanding about right? Would anyone call me mad for fitting the Berks and running them for a year or so before having an uprev?

Received this morning; thank-you very much. I will post feedback as soon as I have them fitted.