370Z drift build
Nissan 370Z (Z34). 2009-2020.
- Years
- 2009-2020
- Weight
- 3,250-3,450 lb
- Steering
- LHD and RHD
- Used price
- $12,000–$28,000 (checked 2026-10-06)
- As a first build
- 2/5 - straightforward
- Parts availability
- 4/5 - good
The honest read on a 370Z
The 370Z is the 350Z with more power, more refinement and a higher price, and the decision between them is almost entirely financial. It has 332 horsepower from the factory, a limited-slip differential on sport-equipped cars, and a chassis that is noticeably stiffer. Because it is the newest car here, Phase 0 is genuinely shorter: you are buying a car with a service history rather than archaeology. The same two caveats as the 350Z apply and apply harder - it is heavy, and the VQ does not like heat. Cooling is the first real decision, not a later one.
Why it drifts
Plenty of standard torque, a stiff well-sorted chassis, and a factory limited-slip differential on sport models. It is stable and confidence-inspiring, and because the car is relatively new the suspension and drivetrain you are building on is in known condition. The weight is the honest downside: it eats rear tires and it asks a lot of its cooling system.
Steering side, imports and region
Sold new worldwide and recent enough that there is no import process and plenty of local supply. The newest chassis on this list by some margin, which means better condition and higher prices but also fewer thirty-year-old surprises in Phase 0.
A 370Z plan, in the right order
Seat-time goal, every phase priced. $12,000–$28,000 for the car is not included.
- BaselineFix it before you break it $870–$2,640
- Get it slidingBoth rear wheels, one speed, somewhere to sit $1,265–$2,770
- ControlAngle, grip, and keeping it cool $120–$300
- Power and reliabilityPower last, and only as fast as the drivetrain can take it -
- CompetitionSafety, spares, and being able to fix it between runs -
| Goal | Parts | Consumables per season | First season all in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat time | $2,255–$5,710 | $1,590–$4,320 | $3,845–$10,030 |
| Street and local events | $6,150–$13,400 | $2,112–$6,426 | $8,262–$19,826 |
| Competition | $16,750–$45,230 | $2,112–$6,426 | $18,862–$51,656 |
What goes wrong on a 370Z
5 known weak points, each tagged with how much we actually know and which phase it belongs in.
VQ37 heat sensitivity community phase 1
The same family trait as the 350Z and arguably more pressing with more power. Oil temperature rather than water temperature is the limiting factor under sustained drift load. Treat the Phase 2 cooling upgrade as a Phase 0 or Phase 1 item on this chassis, and fit an oil cooler.
Weight verified phase 2
3,250 to 3,450 lb. The highest consumable cost per event of anything on this list except the JZX100, and spring rates and brakes have to be specified for it.
Purchase price is the main barrier verified phase 0
Several times what an E36 costs and more than most S13s. It is a better car, but a first-season driver learns the same lessons in something cheaper and bins the panels at a lower cost.
Rear subframe and diff mounting at power community phase 3
A heavy car with a locked or clutch diff loads the mounting points. Inspect for cracking on any car that has been tracked.
Clutch and synchro wear on hard-used cars community phase 3
Clutch kicking is hard on a factory clutch, and these cars are old enough now that a tired clutch is common. Feel for it on the test drive.
The full buying checklist, with what each problem costs to fix
Engines
| Code | What it is | Stock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VQ37VHR | 3.7 naturally aspirated V6 | 332 hp | More power and more torque than the 350Z's VQ35, with variable valve lift. Still heat-sensitive under sustained load. |
Swap options
| Swap | What it buys you | Rough cost | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supercharger or turbo on the VQ37 | Forced induction on the factory engine. | $5,000–$11,000 | 3/5 | Cooling first. The VQ does not like heat. |
| LS-series V8 | Supported swap on this chassis. | $8,000–$16,000 | 4/5 |
Power comes last in the plan for a reason. The grassroots and Pro-Am field mostly runs 200 to 350 hp and is not held back by it - see why phase 3 is phase 3.
Angle kits and wheel fitment
Supported by Wisefab, GKTech and the Z-specific specialists, so there is real choice here rather than one option. The front end is heavy, so roll centre and bumpsteer correction should be treated as required rather than optional, and front tire width is worth having because the weight has to be turned by something. Available locally in left-hand drive, so none of the steering-side ordering problems that catch people out on the Japan-market chassis apply. Two Z34-specific points: some Z33 suspension parts carry over and some do not, so confirm Z34 fitment rather than buying a bargain listed for a 350Z, and because the car is newer the factory geometry is in better condition than on the older chassis here, which means the alignment after the kit goes on is doing less remedial work and more actual setup.
Offset window: front 15mm to 40mm in 9-10in widths; rear 5mm to 35mm in 10-11in. An angle kit moves the usable front window out by about 10mm.
5x114.3. Wide arches, so there is room, and the weight means you want the width. These windows commonly clear on a stock-bodied car and are a starting point only - measure at full lock with the suspension loaded.
Questions
How much does a 370Z drift build cost?
A seat-time build on a 370Z comes to $2,255–$5,710 in parts, on top of $12,000–$28,000 for the car itself. Add $1,590–$4,320 a season for tires, fluids and entry fees, which is the figure most parts lists leave out. The full breakdown by phase is on the build cost page.
Is the 370Z a good first drift car?
We rate it 2 out of 5 for difficulty as a first build and 4 out of 5 for parts availability. The 370Z is the 350Z with more power, more refinement and a higher price, and the decision between them is almost entirely financial. It has 332 horsepower from the factory, a limited-slip differential on sport-equipped cars, and a chassis that is noticeably stiffer.
What should I check before buying a 370Z?
Whether it is a sport model with the factory limited-slip differential is the first thing. A working factory LSD is a real head start. Tight circle on full lock to confirm it still works. There are 6 checks in the full buying guide, each with what it costs to put right if you find it.
What wheel offset works on a 370Z?
Front offsets of roughly 15mm to 40mm commonly clear on a standard-bodied car, in 9 to 10 inch widths. Fitting an angle kit moves that window out by around 10mm. These are starting points, not guarantees - measure at full lock with the suspension loaded.
Sources
- Drift HQ chassis catalogue lists Z34 among supported Nissan platforms - checked 2026-10-06
Prices are market ranges with the date they were checked, not live quotes. We do not have a live price feed, so we show you a range and send you to the retailer for the real number rather than pretending to know it.