Introduction
You’ve been thinking about it for a while, and now it’s time to go for it.
You’ve got the Nissan 350Z—a car that’s always been known for its sporty demeanour, but haven’t you always wanted to add a little something extra?
Chances are if you are reading this then you want to personalise it a little bit and make it stand out from the crowd.
Not all cars suit extensive exterior modifications, but the 350Z is one where you can go a bit wild!
The first thing to keep in mind is that there are no real rules when it comes to customizing a car like the 350Z. Your car is a reflection of who you are as a person, so why not make it reflect your personality and interests?
In this article we’ll go over some of the most popular exterior mods you can do to your 350Z and hopefully give you some inspiration to create something unique and stylish.
Wing/Spoiler
If you’re a fan of the Nissan 350Z, you know that it’s got a distinctive mean look to it.
But what if you want to give your car even more of a sporty edge? Well, we’ve got just the thing for you: the rear spoiler!
Aside from looking great, a spoiler/wing also has function with helping increase cornering stability at higher speeds. Although lets be honest you are probably considering a spoiler primarily because it looks pretty awesome.
There are different sizes and styles when it comes to rear wings/spoilers.
A more subtle option is a ducktail styled spoiler which extends the rear slightly while fitting in nicely with the lines of the car. This isn’t too bold and preserves much of the OEM look.
If you are wanting something more aggressive that stands out, then you may want to go for a larger rear spoiler like some of the track focused cars have.
This option is more for those who want their 350Z to have a little more flair—and we mean “flair” in the most literal sense of the word.
There are various spoilers made specifically for the 350Z you can purchase online.
Wheels
One of the most simple yet effective cosmetic mods you can do for your 350Z is to change the wheels. The same goes for any car really.
If you’re looking for a way to make your car look sportier and more stylish, adding new wheels is an excellent choice. This can help give your car an edge by making it look more aggressive and confident than it already does.
One of the more popular options is increasing the size of the wheels.
From factory, the earlier models came with 17 inch wheels and then moved up to 18 inch wheels with later limited edition models like the Nismo and Track featuring 19 inch wheels. Going above 19 inch wheels may lead to fitment issues and reduced performance.
Depending on how outlandish you want to go with your wheels, you could go for a more subtle option that blends in with the car’s color.
Or you could go for a more in-your-face look with deep dish wheels that really pop. If you are going for an aggressive stance and have other cosmetic mods, these type of wheels can compliment the car nicely.
Ride Height
Lets talk about lowering your car, which is a very popular modification on the 350Z.
There are different options you have depending on your goals and budget. There is the option of lowering springs which tend to be the cheapest, then you have coilovers which tend to be more expensive but are more adjustable and usually let you get a lower ride height.
The main downside is that when you lower your car too much, it can get a bit too low to the ground—so if you’re planning on driving in places where there are potholes or uneven road surfaces, you may want to rethink.
If you do live in an area with dodgy roads but want your car to sit really low, then an air suspension kit could be an option. Although expensive, these kits let you have adjustable ride heights on the go so you can have your car sitting on the ground in the parking lot and then at a more reasonable height when actually driving.
Aside from looking more aggressive, lowering your car also brings some performance advantages (assuming you have purchased a good lowering kit).
When you lower your car, it lowers its center of gravity, and can decrease body roll which means that it’s going to feel more stable when turning.
This can really add to the sporty nature of it when pushing on around corners.
Front Splitter/ Rear Diffuser
It’s the little things, right?
A front splitter and rear diffuser can reduce drag, which means a faster car in theory and better fuel consumption. Aside from the performance benefits, they tend to look pretty badass as well and can transform your car to make it look much more aggressive.
This upgrade could be as simple as a small subtle front lip on your bumper, or it could be an aggressive track day built splitter and rear diffuser to really give your 350Z some character.
Body Kit
If you want your 350Z to really stand out from the crowd, then you may want to consider a body kit.
A body kit is basically a set of parts that goes on top of your car’s exterior.
They can include things like bumpers, mirrors, side skirts, and even rear quarter panels. Body kits are available in many different styles and designs, so and can really make your 350Z stand out from the others on the road!
Not only do they look cool when added to your car, but they also improve its performance through better aerodynamics – perhaps slightly increasing fuel economy too! (Although you probably didn’t get a 350Z to worry too much about fuel).
Most body kits for the 350Z are built with fibreglass which is lightweight and easy for manufacturers to mold.
However fibreglass isn’t the most strong material so you will need to be extra careful when parking to avoid bumps.
Most body kit parts you order will also need to be painted to match the rest of the panels on your car. If you are going for a complete body kit that replaces the majority of panels, they you will probably want to think about getting the car resprayed. Could be a good chance of trying out a new color!
Painted Brake Calipers
If you are looking for a mod that is a little more subtle and one that won’t cost you much money, then you may want to think about some painted brake calipers. Painting your brake callipers can be a fun, inexpensive way to give your 350Z that extra touch of flair.
This can be something you do yourself, or if you want a professional finish then you can take it to a body shop who should be able to spray them in any color of your choice.
If you are wanting to paint them yourself, you can grab some good quality brake caliper paint here. It’s important to only use high temperature paint that is designed for brake calipers, as normal paint will simply fade off when the brakes get hot!
You may want to paint them a brighter color that contrasts with the body of your car and go with bright red paint. Or you may just want to refresh them a bit and get them back to how they looked when leaving the factory.
Additionally, painting your brake callipers will give them a new lease on life. The paint will help protect them from rust and corrosion, which means that they’ll last longer than if you didn’t paint them at all.
Exhaust Upgrades
Last but certainly not least on this list, lets talk exhaust mods!
Those of us car enthusiasts can attest to how much fun it is to hear a powerful V6 engine roar at full throttle.
It’s loud, rumbling and aggressive – and is sure to put a massive grin on any petrol head’s face.
When looking to add a bit more sound from the back of your 350Z, you have different options.
The most common is an aftermarket backbox/muffler. If you’re looking for an easy way to get more sound out of your car, this is probably your best bet.
For added performance benefits, you can also add sports cats or a decat (not legal for road use in most countries). Theses can also increase the sound and tone of the lovely V6.
If you are looking for something a bit more obnoxious, then there is always the good ol’ straight piped exhaust. However this is likely not legal where you are and will attract a lot of unwanted attention from police.
Be sure to invest in a good quality exhaust for your car that doesn’t drone and fits nicely.
Finishing Thoughts
Now that you know the best different types of exterior modifications for the Nissan 350Z, it’s time to decide which ones are right for your car.
We recommend starting with small changes and working up to larger ones. That way, you can get used to the look of your car changing before taking the plunge into making more drastic changes such as body kits.
Happy modding!
