The Best G37 Mods: Boost Performance on Your Coupe or Sedan

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Infiniti had a great run with the G35. It was the perfect car for those who wanted a more luxurious, grown-up version of the Nissan 350z. It quickly rose to popularity and became the weapon of choice for stance enthusiasts, racers and daily drivers alike.

However, it had its flaws. Not many enthusiasts liked the typical VQ35 sound. The mid-2000s look felt dated, and the engine would feel like it was running out of air beyond 6000 RPM.

Enthusiasts wanted a lot more. They wanted something that’s not just a rebadged, cleaned up Z. Something fast, modern and practical enough to use every day. And that’s exactly what Infiniti gave us.

2009 marked the introduction of the Infiniti G37. It got the VQ37HR engine, a completely revised “VIP Coupe” look along with a wide range of new features.

Soon after the launch, aftermarket performance parts became readily available, and there was a new modded G on the streets.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best G37 mods on the market along with some tips and recommendations on getting the most out of your car.

Infiniti G37 Performance Mods

Enthusiasts like us will always find a way to make our cars go faster, sound louder and look better.

In the world of motorsport, nothing’s ever enough. Our never-ending quest for more power is constantly changing the definition of what we think is “fast”.

“Why don’t you just leave it stock?” is a question that doesn’t always have an answer. The reason why we feel the need to modify our cars, can’t always be explained.

If this sounds like something you’d say, this section is for you. Read on, as you’ll discover the best Infiniti G37 performance mods.

Infiniti G37 Performance Mods
Stillen supercharger kit installed

Forced Induction

Forced induction is by far, one of the best performance mods for G37 coupes and sedans.

There’s only so much that you can with a naturally aspirated engine. If you really want to put your engine to the test by unlocking its maximum potential, forced induction is the way to go.

Thankfully, the VQ37HR engine seems built for forced induction and can handle a ton of additional power.

What is forced induction you ask? As the name suggests, it is a way of forcing more air into your engine. Doing this helps your engine to deliver hotter combustion and with that, more power.

The most common forms of forced induction are turbos and superchargers.

Turbo Kits

Exhaust and intake modifications will only take you so far. Ask anyone what the best power adder is and they’ll tell you that turbochargers are the real deal.

Turbo kits are expensive. The initial setup cost aside, you’ll also have to spend on supporting upgrades to make sure that your G37 can handle the extra power.

We can’t stress enough on the fact that no other upgrade can beat turbo kits when it comes to all-out power.

It’s completely worth the money if you think about it. A bone stock Infiniti G37 makes around 275whp. To reach 335whp on a naturally aspirated setup, you need to install:

The total cost of all these upgrades is very close to that of a turbo kit ー which also gives you more power than all these upgrades combined.

The best turbo kits available for your G37 are from:

Infiniti G37 twin turbo upgrade
GT Motorsports’ twin turbo kit

Superchargers

Superchargers and turbochargers do the same thing, but they do it differently. Both turbos and superchargers are among the best G37 mods for performance.

Turbos rely on your engine’s exhaust gases to spin a turbine which pushes air into the combustion chamber. Superchargers, on the other hand, are connected directly to your engine’s crankshaft.

The difference between turbochargers and superchargers can be felt in the way they deliver power. Superchargers lack that punch that turbos have, but are more reliable, cheaper and easier to maintain.

The best G37 superchargers include:

Intake

Intake and exhaust are an engine’s equivalent of breathing. Your engine needs to inhale and exhale. It inhales through its intake and exhales through its exhaust.

For this to make any sense, you must know that fuel only burns when mixed with air. The air that your engine draws, is sprayed into the combustion chamber to create an air-fuel mixture.

This air-fuel mixture is ignited by your spark plugs during the compression cycle. This is how a four-stroke engine makes power. So it is needless to say that intake plays a vital role in any engine.

There are ways to improve the quantity and quality of air that your engine draws. This can be done with the help of upgrades like a cold air intake and a plenum spacer.

CAI

Cold air intakes are among the most tempting G37 coupe mods out there. They make your engine bay look nicer, improve engine noise and aren’t too expensive.

However, aftermarket cold air intakes only produce more power when they’re paired with the other engine modifications.

They’re available in many different styles. The main differences lie in tubing length, intake placement, single/dual intake, construction materials and so on.

These are some of the best options on the market:

aFe's Takeda dual G37 intake
aFe’s Takeda dual intake

Plenum and Intake Manifold Upgrades

The plenum is a part of your intake manifold. It’s a pressurized chamber that connects your intake to the engine.

Plenum spacers are gasket-like metal structures which when fitted, increase the volume of air in the plenum chamber. This helps your engine to draw more air and to reduce heat soak.

Plenum spacers are considered to be one of the most effective bolt-on modifications for many cars. It is important to note that it affects every car in a different way.

Interestingly, plenum spacers are an extremely rare G37 mod. This is mostly because the stock plenum isn’t as restrictive as the one on the older Infiniti G35.

However, you can still find aftermarket parts that allow your intake manifold to draw more air. Some of these include:

Exhaust Upgrades

Exhaust gases are thrown out of your engine through a complex assembly of pipes. The faster the exhaust gas leaves, the more power your car puts out.

Performance aside, the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about exhaust system upgrades is the sound. They’re among the best G37 mods for sound.

For most of us, a good exhaust note is like music. If you find yourself turning your stereo off just to let some of that sweet exhaust sound into your cabin, exhaust mods are for you.

The G37 sounds fantastic even when stock. Aftermarket performance exhausts make this car sound even better!

Headers

Headers are the first component of your exhaust assembly. They’re the first set of piping that the exhaust gases pass through.

By installing aftermarket headers, you can speed up the process and efficiency of the exhaust release. This works really well with a cold air intake and plenum upgrades.

The best G37 headers are from:

High-Flow Catalytic Converters

A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that reduces the toxic gases and pollutants in your exhaust gas. It is mandated by law to have one installed in every street driven car.

Deleting the catalytic converter is a tempting option and for good reason. You get more power, better fuel economy, more fuel options, and an insane exhaust note. This can be achieved with the use of test pipes.

Of course, we can’t recommend this; unless your G37 is a track-only car.

High-flow catalytic converters provide some of these benefits. They’re less restrictive compared to the OEM cats and won’t put you on the wrong side of the law.

Test Pipes

Also referred to as “straight pipes”, test pipes are hollow, unrestricted and require removal of your catalytic converter. This is why, in most states, they’re illegal to use on street-driven cars.

Straight-piping your G37 will significantly change the way it drives. Without any restrictions in your exhaust, the engine will breathe a lot better. This can increase power output and improve fuel efficiency.

Y-Pipes

The y-pipe is what connects your exhaust headers to the catalytic converter. Aftermarket y-pipes help to reduce scavenging which speeds up the release of exhaust gases.

One of the best things about installing aftermarket y-pipes is the improved exhaust note. The most popular G37 y-pipes are from:

Cat-Back Exhaust

Cat-back exhaust systems are the most popular exhaust upgrade for Infiniti G37 owners.

The word “cat-back” means exactly what it says. This system replaces all the exhaust components that are fitted beyond the catalytic converter.

These include the muffler and tailpipe and any resonators. This makes catbacks superior when compared with an axleback exhaust system.

You can then either retain your stock catalytic converter or replace it with a high-flow unit.

Some of the best cat-back exhaust systems for your G37 include:

Cooling

If you’re going to get more power out of your engine, you will inevitably also get more heat. And more heat calls for an upgraded cooling system.

The factory cooling system on your G37 is designed to work with stock components only. Any performance modifications (especially forced induction) will require you to upgrade your cooling system.

An abnormal increase in engine heat levels without proper cooling can make your G37 less reliable. Here are some common cooling system upgrades for your G37 coupe/sedan.

High-Performance Radiator

High-performance radiators are a must-have if your G37 is boosted or has a modified engine. They’re designed to handle high levels of heat; a problem that many car enthusiasts face.

If you live in an area that sees high temperatures throughout the year, getting an aftermarket radiator is a good idea.

Here are three of the best units available:

Oil Cooler Kit

Engine oil degrades faster when exposed to a lot of heat. As it gets old, the lubricating molecules in the oil start breaking apart. This causes the oil to lose its lubrication quality which increases friction in your engine.

Aftermarket Oil Cooler installed on 2011 Infiniti G37.
Aftermarket Oil Cooler installed on 2011 Infiniti G37. Photo: Matt Lorentzoe

An oil cooler is like a separate radiator exclusively for cooling your engine oil. This helps to maintain the quality of the oil for a longer time.

The best oil coolers for your G37 include:

ECU Upgrades & Tuning

Every modern car comes with an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls vital functions like fuel injection, valve timing, ABS and even traction in some cases.

When you make performance upgrades of any kind, it is important to let your ECU know. By programming it to make use of the upgrades you’ve made, you can get a lot more power out of your car.

With the right tune, you’ll experience better throttle control and fuel economy. You’ll also be able to use all your performance upgrades to their maximum potential.

At this point in time, an EcuTek is a top option for G37 owners seeking an  ECU upgrade.

G37 Handling Modifications

No matter how athletic you are, a 100m sprint wearing a pair of flip flops is going to be slower and more difficult than if you wore running shoes.

Power means nothing if you don’t have the right equipment to harness and handle it correctly. This applies to everything that generates power; especially cars.

If you are modifying your G37 on a limited budget, you’ll probably wonder what you should spend on first. Performance? Cosmetic mods? Handling? The answer is always handling.

Preparing your car for the performance upgrades it will likely receive in the future is a great idea. If you really want to make your G37 feel more sporty, invest in handling mods like tires, sway bars, coilovers, etc.

You’ll get a lot more bang for your buck that way. Here are some of the best ways of upgrading your G37’s handling.

Suspension

Suspension is the most important component of your car’s handling. The way your G37 rides and feels while maneuvering, heavily depends on how your suspension is tuned.

Tuning your suspension lets you adjust your ride height and stiffness according to the driving style you’re aiming for.

A side benefit of modifying the ride height of your car is that it’s often a great cosmetic mod as well. It may be subtle, but it does make your car look meaner.

Pro tip: Upgrading to coilovers and aftermarket sway bars will instantly transform the way your G37 handles.

Coilovers

Getting coilovers is the most popular and effective method to improve your car’s handling.

With coilovers, the spring and damper are combined into one unit. This is awesome because you don’t have to worry about any compatibility issues. Coilovers work perfectly out of the box.

Infiniti G37 Coupe modified with coilovers
Lowered Infiniti G37 Coupe. Photo: Infiniti G37 on Candy Apple Red CW-12 by CONCAVO WHEELS, modified by Low Offset, CC BY-SA 2.0

Coilovers have multiple levels of adjustability. This allows you to tune your suspension the way you want.

G37 owners can choose from a wide variety of options:

Lowering Springs

Just like coilovers, lowering springs are ideal if you want to drop your ride height and improve weight transfer.

Lowering springs are cheaper than coilovers, though they don’t allow for as much fine-tuning.

If you’re not too sure about changing the way your G37 handles but want to get a feel of what it’s like without breaking the bank, lowering springs are your best option.

Air Suspension

Air suspension means exactly what it says. Instead of traditional coil springs, the suspension strut has a bag that’s filled with air. This bag can inflate or deflate to change the height of the car.

In addition to this, you have a tank that stores the pressurized air, a pump to push the car up and sensors to control the ride height. If weight is added to the car (passengers), the sensors will automatically adjust the struts to keep the car at the same level

This opens up a whole new world of height tunability. Air suspension kits let you adjust your G37’s ride height at the push of a button. You can even lower your G37 all the way to the ground if you wish to – great for car shows.

If you’re into the stance scene, air bags might be a better option than coilovers.

However, if you prefer reliability and performance over style, we recommend sticking to coilovers. Air suspension technology has come a long way but it’s still not the same as a proper coil spring.

These are the air-suspension kits we recommend for your Infiniti G37:

Infiniti G37 Coupe on air suspension.
Infiniti G37 Coupe lowered with Universal Air suspension kit.

Sway Bars

When it comes to value for money, sway bars are among the best mods for G37 sedans and coupes.

This cheap G37 mod lets you stiffen up your car around corners. This reduces body-roll and loss in traction.

If you track your G37 often and haven’t installed sway bars, now’s the time. You will definitely see an improvement in lap times with this seemingly simple upgrade.

Here are the best G37 sway bars you can buy:

Strut Bars

Strut bars are one of those “icing on the cake” style upgrades that you can get once your build is fully complete.

Strut bars connect your strut towers laterally, to increase the stiffness of your chassis. This is most noticeable only during heavy cornering.

Unless you’re aggressively pushing your G37 on the track, you won’t have much use for strut bars.

Since they’re quite inexpensive and make your engine bay look great, you’ll still regularly see these in modified G37 coupes and sedans. These are the options we like the most:

Camber Kits & Upper Arms

Infiniti’s G range is not the most well known for camber adjustable top mounts from factory. That said, aftermarket camber kits are necessary if you are lowering your G37 and you want to be able to fine tune your wheel camber.

If you’ve planned to have all your G37 suspension upgrades installed at once, be sure to add adjustable camber arms to that list.

These are designed to work with coilovers, wheels and other aftermarket suspension parts. They’re stronger, lighter and more durable compared to the stock setup.

Installing an Infiniti G37 camber kit
If you want those wheels to fit, you definitely need a camber kit.

The most usable advantage that aftermarket control arms have is additional wheel travel. This means you can drop your G37 low, without losing out on comfort.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite G37 upper arms:

Front
Rear

Wheels

A set of wheels have more than one function. Apart from making your car look good, aftermarket G37 wheels also contribute towards the way it handles. However, this isn’t as noticeable as what suspension upgrades do.

Upgrading your wheels will open up new opportunities. Based on the type of wheels you select, you can buy your tires and other suspension components accordingly.

The best thing you can do is to plan/purchase all your handling mods at once. That way you won’t run into compatibility issues.

Considering the visual aspect and functionality, aftermarket wheels are among the best mods for G37 coupes and sedans.

G37 Wheel Fitment

Fitment refers to everything that’s involved in getting a new set of wheels installed correctly. If you want them to look perfect, the fitment has to be spot on.

A lot of effort and calculation goes into making your aftermarket wheels look good. Whether you’re sizing up or down, it’s important to know what your G37 can handle.

There’s no “one size fits all” recipe to wheel selection. This is mainly because wheel fitment is a personal decision and everyone likes it done a certain way.

Combine that with lowering your car, different camber angles and whether or not you’ve rolled your fenders, and no one setup is the same.

As long as you choose your bolt pattern, hub bore, diameter and width within the recommended sizing, you won’t have a problem.

Bolt Pattern: 5×114.3mm (5×4.5″)

Coupe

Diameter: 19″ or 20″
Front: 9.5 +30
Rear: 10.5 +35

Infiniti G37 Coupe on Enkei RPF1 Wheels
Enkei RPF1s: 19×8.5 +35 / 19×10 +22
Sedan

Diameter: 19″ or 20″
Front: 9.5 +30
Rear: 10 +35

Please remember though, this is just a starting point. You may want to go less or more aggressive with your wheels depending on the look and height of your car.

Tires

No matter how much time and money you spend on handling upgrades, it won’t do much without the right tires. Your G37 needs to be able to put down the power it makes.

Tires are the only link between your car and the road, with a point of contact as small as your hand. Imagine the forces being placed on those tiny contact patches; especially when you’re cornering at high speeds.

There’s no question that getting the best possible tires is one of the best handling modifications you can make; unless you’re planning to drift on them of course.

Brakes

Big power demands big brakes.

If you intend on souping up your G37 to a point where it becomes a lot faster than what Infiniti intended, upgrading your brakes is a must.

Apart from safety, powerful brakes give you the confidence to push harder and brake later. This is vital if you want to improve your lap times or smoke some supercars on the track.

Brake Pads

Brake pads are the most consumable part in your brake assembly. They’re easy to change and there are many options to choose from.

You can choose a compound that works best for you. Some brake pads are designed for durability while others prioritize performance.

The stock brakes on your G37 are more than adequate for driving in normal conditions. But if you’re a spirited driver who loves deceleration as much as acceleration, do consider upgrading your brake pads.

If you do track days, we recommend getting the best brake pads on the market. Here’s a good shortlist for you:

Brake Rotors

High-performance brake pads go really well with aftermarket rotors. If you’re looking for a complete-ish braking system upgrade, consider combining your aftermarket pads and aftermarket brake rotors.

When you’re on the lookout for aftermarket rotors, you’ll come across drilled and slotted rotors.

Drilled rotors are better for heat dissipation and will give you optimum braking power for daily driving. Slotted rotors, on the other hand, do not improve heat transfer but they perform better. This makes them more useful in high-speed scenarios.

Most of these aftermarket rotors have both of these design features:

Brake Fluids

Timely replacement of brake fluid is vital. The last thing you want is boiling fluid or air bubbles in your brake lines.

Apart from just using a brake bleeder and topping up your master cylinder, you can always opt for better quality brake fluid. This is especially necessary if you have aftermarket brakes on your G37.

The most recommended and widely trusted G37 brake fluid options include:

Big Brake Kits

A big brake kit includes the rotor, caliper, brake pads, and all necessary fittings. There are two main reasons why you’d want one; looks and the best possible stopping power.

Seriously, if you’re into track days and often brake aggressively from three-digit speeds, a big brake kit will go a long way.

Infiniti G37 coupe with Akebono BBK installed

Once installed, you’ll find that it takes you far less time to come to a dead stop. Lower braking distance is very useful in terms of safety.

The only problem you may run into when fitting a big brake kit on your G37 is wheel clearance. Getting aftermarket wheels, tires and brakes all at once is a fantastic upgrade.

Doing this will allow you to select parts that are compatible with each other.

  • Akebono
  • Brembo
  • Stoptech

Infiniti G37 Cosmetic Mods

With the introduction of the G37, Infiniti unveiled a whole new design language. They broke out of that soft, mid-2000s look and gave us something modern.

Even though a lot of G37 owners aren’t fans of that euro look, they always find a way to spice things up with cosmetic mods.

Tastefully selected aero, lights, and wheels can really make your G37 pop. We’ve seen some fantastic examples! Who would’ve thought how well this modern, VIP-Esque car would clean up.

Front Lip/Splitter and Rear Diffuser

So you’ve spent a lot of time and money making your G37 go fast. Now it’s time to make it look the part.

Subtle visual upgrades like a front lip and a rear diffuser will help you enhance the aggressive character of your G37 coupe/sedan.

Infiniti G37 rear carbon diffuser

Pair them with a nice set of side skirts and you’ll be turning heads in no time. Here are a few options to get you started:

Rear Wing

When you start modifying your G37’s exterior, it’s difficult to stop unless you get the whole package. It’s like getting tattoos — you can’t stop at one.

Rear wings are among the most controversial G37 exterior mods. Some enthusiasts suggest that the car looks much cleaner without one, while others say that you should get something subtle.

Infiniti G37 with rear lip wing
A subtle lip wing is our personal preference. Photo: Danny’s G37 by AJH.RAW, modified by Low Offset, CC BY-SA 2.0

We recommend that you get what you like. After all, modifying cars is all about self-expression.

Check these rear lips and spoilers out:

The Best G37 Mods: Step by Step List

It’s clear that handling and safety comes before performance. Keeping this in mind, most G37 owners go about their upgrades in a certain order.

Planning your build and ordering parts accordingly is the best way to save as much time and money as you can.

Here’s the order in which you should upgrade your Infiniti G37:

Step 1: Handling

Compared to performance modifications, handling upgrades will definitely make a bigger difference in the way your car feels.

We recommend improving your car’s handling in this order:

  1. Coilovers or lowering springs
  2. Sway bars
  3. Wheels
  4. Tires
  5. Brakes

Step 2: Performance

Once your car is ready to handle everything you throw at it, it’s a good time to start adding more power.

Here’s the best order to follow:

  1. Short ram or cold air intake
  2. Exhaust
  3. Intake manifold upgrades
  4. Custom tune
  5. Forced induction/engine swap or rebuild

Step 3: Cosmetic Mods

There are plenty of things you can do when it comes to making your G37 look more unique. The simplest options to begin with include:

  1. Front splitter
  2. Lip wing
  3. Interior tweaks to make your car more personal
  4. Aftermarket lights and modules
  5. Custom exterior finish (find out how much a car wrap costs here)

Like any car, modifications will drive up the cost of insuring your Infiniti G37. This is a small price to pay for purists like myself, but if you’re worried about the cost, make sure to get a quote before you start buying upgrades.

What upgrades have you made on your Infiniti G37? Are there any other upgrades that should have made it on this list? Leave us a comment below!

Feature Image: Danny’s G37 by AJH.RAW, modified by Low Offset, CC BY-SA 2.0

5 comments

  1. Great site looking for daytime running and fog light combo for 2009 G37 convertible that did not come with factory fog lights. Looks stupid with long lower grill opening and no lights. Recommendations?
    Thanks
    Karl

    Reply

  2. Appreciate the thoroughness of this write up! Just bought a 2013 g37x and am debating what I should upgrade first. Leaning towards the exhaust since I wanna show off the new car.

    Reply

  5. you are amazing i literally just got a infiniti q40 awd with 50k miles ( base model g37) and did not know where to start with this thing

    Reply

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