The G35's bumper support needs...
The G35's bumper support needs to be notched, just in front of, and below, the compressor's inlet for the air filter to clear. You'll only need to do this if you have a sedan.
Before we went for a drive in our test G35, we took a few minutes to ponder things under the hood. This really didn't take all that long. What isn't masked off by the molded-plastic engine covers is tucked away, out of sight, down in the depths of the engine bay. What is clear is the shiny Turbonetics 60-1 Stage V turbo positioned just behind the driver-side headlight though. The 60-1 uses a T4 turbine that houses a Big Shaft turbine wheel and a ceramic ball bearing center section to build the 10 psi of boost the G35 regularly sees. A Turbonetics Raptor blow-off valve is used for relieving pressure in between shifting the six-speed, and an Evolution wastegate is used to regulate all that boost to a reasonable level. We also came to appreciate the black chrome intercooler piping. It's not as bling bling as more conventional polished chrome piping, and that's exactly what we liked about it. G35s-especially this one-aren't exactly bling-bling types of cars.
The Spearco front-mount intercooler...
The Spearco front-mount intercooler is tucked behind the front bumper, license plate and all. It's the only clue as to the power this sedan's really packing.
Like other Turbonetics kits, this one's complete. But it is missing one thing. Two things, actually. Exhaust manifolds. Turbonetics wanted to simplify the installation process and keep costs down. To do this, they fabricated a crossover pipe that connects the passenger-side manifold with the driver-side manifold and then to the turbine housing. Genious. At least we thought so. Single turbocharging any V-engine is not for the lighthearted since a rather complex set of manifolds is almost always necessary to tie both heads' exhaust ports into the turbo. And when you're all done, the turbos are almost always placed down low, where you'll never see them. The Turbonetics kit sticks the 60-1 right in your face, as soon as you pop the hood. Besides all that, the kit comes with all of the usual suspects: larger fuel injectors, a higher volume fuel pump, a front-mount intercooler, piping, clamps, couplers, oil and so on. And like all Turbonetics kits, the list is exhausting, which means it comes with everything you need down to the last bolt.
The Turbonetics 60-1 Stage...
The Turbonetics 60-1 Stage V turbo also comes with heat wrap for the turbine side. Quarters are so close under the G35's hood that every bit of heat insulation helps.
The result: It's fast. And we're not talking shrug-your-shoulders, pretty-fast-for-a-four-door fast. No, this four door is fast. Period. The VQ35DE acts as if it's aching for boost-as soon as you step on the throttle. Stab the throttle on a RWD model when cornering and you'd better know how to react. Or else. There's enough power here to force the G35's ass-end out from underneath you faster than you can watch the boost gauge go from 0 to 10. And the semi-unbolstered leather bucket seats don't help. Our test drive through a remote Southern California section of winding road had us slip-sliding across the Infiniti's seats every time the car accelerated, came to a stop, or turned. Approaching 100 mph in the turbo'd G35 is easy. But scary on a two-lane rural road that's in need of repair. And even scarier when somebody else is driving. It's excusable though. Plant your foot to the turbocharged G35's gas pedal and the magnetic foot-to-pedal draw feels inescapable, as it's exponentially more difficult to pull it away as boost rises and speeds increase. You're sucked in. 100 mph in a residential zone can become easily unavoidable as the pressure increases and traction ensues. Four doors, two doors, who cares? Boost is boost, 100 mph is what it is, and horsepower doesn't lie. Sedans shouldn't be this fast, but it sure is fun when they are.
Dyno
The Turbonetics 350Z/G35 turbo kit is good for 390 hp on the 3.5L. Getting more is easy though. The 60-1 is good for upwards of 600 hp at just the turn of a boost controller and some stronger engine internals.
Like all Turbonetics turbo...
Like all Turbonetics turbo kits, the G35's is complete-hose clamps, fittings, lines and all. We especially like that heavy duty T-bolt clamps are supplied instead of the more conventional worm gear radiator clamps. Having a boost hose blow off is never fun.
It doesn't get any more stock...
It doesn't get any more stock looking than this. All this power and the OEM exhaust hasn't even been removed.