The Goal
Customer brought in this clean 2005 350Z Enthusiast with one goal: reliable 400whp for street driving and occasional track days. The VQ35DE is a proven platform, but adding boost requires careful preparation.
Initial Assessment
Before touching anything turbo-related, we needed to assess the engine’s health:
- Compression test: All cylinders within 5% - excellent
- Leak-down test: Less than 5% across the board
- Oil consumption: Owner reported none - good sign
- Timing chain: No rattle, guides looked good through borescope
With 87,000 miles on the clock and excellent maintenance history, this engine was a solid candidate for boost.
Supporting Modifications
The stock VQ35DE fuel system tops out around 300whp. For our 400whp target, we needed:
Fuel System Upgrades
- DeatschWerks 550cc injectors (stock is 270cc)
- Walbro 255 high-pressure fuel pump
- Aeromotive adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Engine Reinforcement
- ARP head studs (peace of mind under boost)
- New OEM head gaskets (multi-layer steel)
- NGK one-step colder spark plugs
Turbo Kit Selection
After reviewing options from JWT, GReddy, and CXRacing, we went with a CXRacing GT35-based kit for this build:
Pros:
- Excellent value for the power level
- Well-designed manifold with good fitment
- GT35 spools reasonably quick on the 3.5L
Cons:
- Requires intercooler piping modifications
- Wastegate placement isn’t ideal
For a budget-conscious build targeting 400whp, this kit hits the sweet spot.
What’s Next
In Part 2, we’ll cover:
- Turbo kit installation
- Intercooler and piping setup
- Oil feed and return line routing
- ECU tuning with UpRev
Stay tuned for the installation and dyno results.
Parts Used
- GT35 Turbo Kit - CXRacing
- 550cc Fuel Injectors - DeatschWerks
- Walbro 255 Fuel Pump - Walbro
- ARP Head Studs - ARP