Decided to upgrade a little...

[TheRocket300zxtt]

While I am pulling the entire engine and putting in a new JDM one I have decided to upgrade at the same time to same some costs on labor. My question is, am I missing anything? My current mods are as follows:

HKS Hi-Power Cat-Back ExhaustHKS Turbo TimerUltimate Z Split Flange DownpipesUltimate Z High-Flow CatsJWT Single Pop ChargerJWT Reprogrammed ECUUnorthodox Racing Underdrive PulleyApollo Racing Front Mount IntercoolerHowe Racing RadiatorTurbo XS Type RFL Bov'sInjen Intercooler Hard-Pipe Kit

Possible stuff to order:

Greddy Dual Intake SystemBrake Upgrade KitApexi AFC 2Apexi AVCR Boost ControllerPower Enterprise Super Strong II Timing BeltPE 300zx Mag Power II Oil FilterHICAS Eliminator Kit1-Piece Steel DriveshaftLight-weight Pully KitBearing SetNismo 555cc Injector KitPorted JWT 530 Ball-bearing turbos

I originally posted this in the VG section without success ...Any suggestions??
Modified by TheRocket300zxtt at 2:25 PM 8/11/2006

[nsrZ32]

List looks pretty good.

For additional ideas feel free to browse my mod list at http://www.northshoreracing.com/My300z.htm

Its decently up to date.

[TheRocket300zxtt]

Thanks for checking my list. What do you think is the best turbo kit to get for stock internals with 93 octance pump gas? I noticed that your list only shows pistons upgraded internally. Are they recommended?

[evildky]

I would suggest you look at your long term gals and replace the things that would require the most effort now and save the easy items for later, the exhaust for instance is easy to bolt on any time, while the turbo's pretty much necesitate the engine being removed, as for what limits, I believe the standard t28's will get you to 500-550 whp and I believe the stock internals will handle it if propery intercooled with extra fuel via injectors and ecu remap

[nsrZ32]

Thanks for checking my list. What do you think is the best turbo kit to get for stock internals with 93 octance pump gas? I noticed that your list only shows pistons upgraded internally. Are they recommended?

Common easy bolt on turbo kits....

Sport 500's, stock like response if not a little better with more power than stock. Supposedly 500 at the crank potential. Can run stock injectors.

Sport 600's, way more lag than stock but not bad. Supposedly 600 at the crank potential. Need bigger injectors.

Beyond that general size you're looking at noticable lag, unless they're ball bearing, and the need for many other corresponding modifications.

Internals.....

Pistons are the weak point of the bottom end of the VG motor. The stock rods are super strong as is the crank shaft. With a good set of pistons you can push whatever horsepower you desire. With stock pistons on a good motor you can easily make 500hp.

[tw3nty]

jw how much have you spent on your Z?

and roughly how much would it cost for labor to lift an engine and replacing the turbos

[nsrZ32]

jw how much have you spent on your Z?

and roughly how much would it cost for labor to lift an engine and replacing the turbos

I've spent a lot...but I'd spend it all again if I had it to do over again.

As for install cost, all depends on the shop, out in CA there are lots of good Z based shops. Also, FYI, the motor doesn't need to be pulled to replace the turbos.

[WidebodyZ]

While I am pulling the entire engine and putting in a new JDM one I have decided to upgrade at the same time to same some costs on labor. My question is, am I missing anything? My current mods are as follows:Possible stuff to order:

JWT Pop Charger Intake"DOOLZ" Dual Intake (Aluminized Steel)"DOOLZ" v.2 Dual-Intake for FMICBrake Upgrade KitApexi AFC 2Apexi AVCR Boost ControllerPower Enterprise Super Strong II Timing BeltPE 300zx Mag Power II Oil FilterHICAS Eliminator KitSPAL Twin Turbo Electric Fan Kit1-Piece Steel Driveshaft555cc Injector KitJWT Sport 500 TurbosEngine harness

I originally posted this in the VG section without success ...Any suggestions??

My first suggestion would be to dump the Apollo intercooler..they are terrible in their design. There is also the lack of crossflow characteristics inherant in the system. This is what a properly designed FMIC for the VG should look like: JWT Sport 500's are basically stock in my opinion. go with at least the 530BB's. also the 555cc injectors are going to be working on the high end of their duty cycle which I don't recommend for extended periods of time. As far as intakes go, most of them work pretty well and there is little performance difference..the doolz are nice though. For brakes I personally went with the 6 piston AP's with Hawk HPS pads in front and Brembo rotor and HPS's in the rear. I didn't see the use for a larger caliper in the rear, especially for my purposes. I have the Z1 drive shaft and love it. Scratch the electric fan idea...they suck. I tried several of them before returning to the stock fan and have not overheated since (I have a Howe as well). I run a closed system with an overflow tank. A new engine harness is going to cost you a grip. If it's only the connectors you're worried about..you can buy them and splice them in as I did. Honestly you don't really need the AFC..and if you were wanting to buy an AVCR as well, I'd just get a Power FC and Commander. I suggest that when you pull the motor to swap it all out that you replace all the coolant lines and pull the plenum to elliminate the throttle body coolant lines and bypass them. Any other specific things you wanted to know??

Also the pistons are NOT as weak as some claim, they are steel sheathed with large oil squirters. Many have run close to 600WHP on STOCK internals for years with no problems on a well tuned motor. BTW..not sure how he's getting 650 with GT2530's..highest I've seen on the dyno was 597whp and that was with far more mods than he has..including cams and full headwork.

[idriveaTTz32]

Im glad someone said something about the apollo, ditch if you can, if your fixed on it you will have to run an additional balance tube to aid in the crossflow (the left feeds the right and vise versa). a cheaper big brake method might be to get the 350z track brake upgrade kit which goes for about $200 i think and just includes the caliper relocators and then you can source your own rotors 12.75 vs 11ish stockers. and then pair it up with some good pads front and rear. You will need at least 17's with that kit though. IF you are going to upgrade the turbos you will want to look into the bigger injectors and an appropriate ecu tune (ash, stillen, jwt). Good luck keep us updated!

[partymonster 975]

looks to be on the right path, nice choices. keep us updated!

[partymonster 975]

BTW: What is a good front mount? What one is in that picture above?

[WidebodyZ]

BTW: What is a good front mount? What one is in that picture above?

That is my own design. I'm actually going to be selling it soon since I'm doing my RB26 swap. The piping and FMIC are all custom and flow tested at 630cfm each side (left/right) as apposed to Apollo's 330 CFM per "side" (top/bottom) and will be good to over 800hp. Not sure what I'll sell it at, but I'll make it reasonable. Shipping is the only part that will suck since I'm in Hawaii. I'll have to ship it as two seperate boxes, one with the FMIC itself and one with the piping...but overall the cost shouldn't be bad at all. It of course is used, but no leaks and minor fin damage..well, not damage, but you know what I mean..one day with some plyers and it's all G.

[partymonster 975]

So some thing like the Greddy or HKS FMIC kit would would work fine?

BTW: What would your price be, hit me up when you decide on one.

[WidebodyZ]

So some thing like the Greddy or HKS FMIC kit would would work fine?

BTW: What would your price be, hit me up when you decide on one.

The HKS one was my inspiration for building mine...only problem with it is the price. Both of those are some bank..the GReddy is side mounts and flow less as well at just over 500cfm. The HKS is an FMIC like mine.

As far as my set-up I'll let you know..but I'll make the price very inviting.

[jEzTeR]

Any trouble with the car overheating due to the FMIC blocking air flow to the radiator?

[WidebodyZ]

Any trouble with the car overheating due to the FMIC blocking air flow to the radiator?

Not sure if that was directed to me, but I'll answer it since I run an FMIC on my Z32..it has no effect on my cooling. I run a Howe Racing radiator and a fully closed system with relief tank (also sealed). The temps, even under stressed conditions stay regular. I use the stock fan unshrouded since the Howe radiator is far bigger and comes within an inch or two from the fan blades.

[nsrZ32]

Any trouble with the car overheating due to the FMIC blocking air flow to the radiator?

With a stock radiator that problem is common. A lot of kids are picking up Z32's and thinking a FMIC should be their first mod, when in reality it shouldn't be for a lot of reasons. But many people don't bother to go about modding in a logical manner. Most people upgrade to something like a Koyo, PWR, Howe, etc long before they put on an FMIC. Plus a lot of space to allow for flow can be had by eliminating AC, the pusher fan, all the stock intake piping, and other various clutter under the nose panel in front of the radiator.

[jEzTeR]

Gotya'

Good points.

[evildky]

seeing as you are running a pair of vertical flow intercoolers I am just wondering why mount them in the middle? would they not fit in the sides? or are you just trying to get more air to them? also the bar thingy running across the tops of the endtanks, looks to have some diminsion to it, are you using this as a means of ballancing the 2 seperate intercoolers? while also attaching them to each other? it's obvious you've put a lot of thought and work into I just wondered how big the individual I/C's were and if they would potentially fit inside stock bodywork, not that I'll ever do so much to my own Z32

[WidebodyZ]

seeing as you are running a pair of vertical flow intercoolers I am just wondering why mount them in the middle? would they not fit in the sides? or are you just trying to get more air to them? also the bar thingy running across the tops of the endtanks, looks to have some diminsion to it, are you using this as a means of ballancing the 2 seperate intercoolers? while also attaching them to each other? it's obvious you've put a lot of thought and work into I just wondered how big the individual I/C's were and if they would potentially fit inside stock bodywork, not that I'll ever do so much to my own Z32

There is a very good reason:But what you stated is also true. They would not get enough air flow over the surface as the surface area is larger than all the side openings of bumpers I can think of. That bar is on all Z32's it's the bumper support. I used that to hard mount and protect the FMIC from damage due to "off course excursions". The FMIC itself is welded together seperate from welding it to the support. They will fit inside the stock bodywork as you can see it is behind and below the stock support in its' stock location.

[whiterps13]

That front bumper is badass. Nice work on the I/C too...

[WidebodyZ]

That front bumper is badass. Nice work on the I/C too...

Thanks..front bumper and wide vented front fenders are from Final Konnexion.

[whiterps13]

Thanks..front bumper and wide vented front fenders are from Final Konnexion.

Sick, I miss my dads Z32. Got any more pics of your ride?

[WidebodyZ]

Sick, I miss my dads Z32. Got any more pics of your ride?

I'll just show you this one for now...I'm finishing my rear overfenders at the moment. I'll take pics again soon after my swap is done and fenders are on.

[USsil80]

nag it looks like you may have had some serios rubbing issues in the rear... but car looks really great...

[WidebodyZ]

nag it looks like you may have had some serios rubbing issues in the rear... but car looks really great...

I wasn't running them like that..I have my other Works I was using in the back which are much higher offset, but still give me over 3" dish. My VS-KF rears give me 6" dish (fronts give 4.5" dish), but like I said overfenders coming soon so I can run them daily. Thanks about the car..just keeping it my style. Glad someone can appreciate it.

Sorry for going off topic in your post Rocket.

[TheRocket300zxtt]

It's fine man, good stuff. Well about the turbos, I managed to get a set of ported JWT 530 ball bearing turbos for pretty cheap. What do you guys think of these turbos and also what size injectors should i get with them? The J-spec engine is finally in and I need to order some parts. Thanks again for the help guys.

[WidebodyZ]

It's fine man, good stuff. Well about the turbos, I managed to get a set of ported JWT 530 ball bearing turbos for pretty cheap. What do you guys think of these turbos and also what size injectors should i get with them? The J-spec engine is finally in and I need to order some parts. Thanks again for the help guys.

Well, like I said earlier those are great turbos. And should get you close to your power goals. They spool up pretty quick too. As far as the injectors go I would suggest going above the 550's. I am going with 800's, but you could go with 740's and it would be far more than enough. A little excess is good when it comes to the chance of fuel starvation. Just make sure you get the right injectors..they have different feed types depending on the year of the motor.

[TheRocket300zxtt]

I believe the engine is a 1992 VG30DETT and the injectors are side feed. Is this correct? Also where is a good place to get these injectors from?

[WidebodyZ]

I believe the engine is a 1992 VG30DETT and the injectors are side feed. Is this correct? Also where is a good place to get these injectors from?

Here: NEW SARD 800cc Injector set VG30dett Z32 300zx 89-94