Build thread: "Back From the Dead"

[Ace2cool]

Lotta cleanup to do.

[Ace2cool]

Figured I'd call this the "Back From the Dead" build since I've been MIA for a while and the Z has 2013 stickers on the license plate it's been so long.

Update: parts list and costs:
(sorry about the formatting, just copied from a spreadsheet)

Engine machining, file fit rings, balance internals: $700
Head decking, valve checking, ect: $200

JWT Sport 530's & oil lines: $2289
AMS 3" Downpipes: 328
3" test pipes w/ H pipe from Z1: 456
3" axle back (Specialty Z): 705

turbo oil drain couplers: 18
shift boot: 30
z1 short throw shifter and solid bracket: 307
one piece braided clutch line: 49
M/T to Engine bolt kit: 24
project Mu brake pads: 98
silicone turbo couplers: 21
EGR Bypass connector: 16
clutch master cylinder: 30
oil cooler lines: 47
clutch line: 49
RPS Segmented flywheel: 395
flywheel bolts: 61.60
Trans Harness: 165
clutch pedal pin: 2.65
pin clip: .87
shifter bolt: 2.90
shifter bolt nut: 0.85
shift boot retainer: 27.48
shifter screws: 3.28
clutch slave cylinder: 12.99
upgraded clutch fork: 70
pilot bushing: 3.00
brake pedal pad: 6.98
Base tune chip (I'm socketing ECU myself): 100
steering rack boot $18.99
AMS manifolds $295.00
turbo timer $155.00
Boost controller (AEM TruBoost) $325.00
Dual intake $650.00
recirc valve hoses $42.00
2.5" intake and BA intercoolers $1,078.00
balance tube O-ring $9.85
D/S exhaust valve cover (used) $45.00
silicone heater core hoses $25.50
rh turbo coolant formed line $10.00
lh turbo lower silicone coolant line $7.00
4' reinforced silicone hose $38.00
turbine to downpipe bolts $29.88
fan blade $74.00
spring fuel clamps $34.30
aem wideband AFR gauge $198.00
AEM oil pressure gauge $193.61
triple gauge pod $75.00


Stuff I already had:
Used manual transmission: $200
Z1 sport clutch: 385
Clutch pedal: (came with transmission)
power steering seals and bushing: 25
One piece driveshaft from Shaftmasters: 387.99

Running total: $8,011.58
Running total: $9,946.81
Running total: $10,521.72

I guess I can no longer call this a budget build. All these "while I'm in here" things just add up too quick.

[DCaff300ZX]

Ace!
Welcome back buddy, long time no see. Glad to see you are still rocking the Z and better yet, have some Fun in the works!
Looking forward to seeing what you do, looks like some major engine mech coming up...YAY!

[NolimitZ32]

In for post count . . . . hahaha

[DCaff300ZX]

In for post count . . . . hahaha

Heh heh...yeah, I'd need a year of commenting on ANYONE'S post to catch him

[Ace2cool]

Haha we competing now? Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out who to go to for building. Z shack is too far away. 13 hours isn't feasible. I think Z1 is gonna charge like a million dollars to build, so I'm thinking about local builders. I'm still gonna give em a call, but I doubt after transporting it all the way down there, it'll be fiscally responsible. Anyone know any shops in TN?

[DCaff300ZX]

Haha we competing now? Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out who to go to for building. Z shack is too far away. 13 hours isn't feasible. I think Z1 is gonna charge like a million dollars to build, so I'm thinking about local builders. I'm still gonna give em a call, but I doubt after transporting it all the way down there, it'll be fiscally responsible. Anyone know any shops in TN?

You're not gonna do the build? Not critical of that as I also bailed on mine (wanted to be SURE everything worked correctly and would last) at the last minute years ago and haven't looked back on that excellent decision, but you have so much more experience than I do so I thought you'd be doing it yourself.
What's your goals? Doing things "normal" more or less, or trying something different?
Seriously curious since, well, you have had a few Z's now and I assume maybe this one may get a little...wild?

[NolimitZ32]

Aaron, Why aren't you doing your own, I did mine and it turned out great. You don't really need much in the way of specialty tools, get the machine work and blueprinting done by a good shop with a torque plate and to your pistons and build the rest yourself.

[Ace2cool]

I guess by builder I'm just meaning machinist. I'll be doing most of, if not all of, the assembly. Just wanting some blueprinting, head polishing, bore, and possibly some valve work. Check tolerances on crank and acid dip. That sort of thing.

And I wish I was doing something wild, but it's just not in the budget. Good news is the car scene around here is pretty much whatever you can buy from a showroom, so 450-500whp is gonna be far more than anyone else has short of C7 'vettes and Hellcats. So I'll still have one of the baddest rides on the street. I'll be going with the 615cc injectors and the upgraded fuel rail though, so there will be room for improvement if the budget ever opens up to upgraded snails.

[NolimitZ32]

I know you were looking for 530s but these are a pretty good deal, I can go look at them for you if you're interested. https://houston.craigslist.org/pts/d/tw ... 41358.html

[Ace2cool]

Oh holy crap. That is a ludicrous deal. My wife would kill me for even asking right now though and I don't have the liquid cash. This is a save, build, save build type project haha. Gonna be slow and steady. Already got a whole parts list picked out but just gotta save up and buy piece by piece. Maybe by the end I can talk her into the turbos. "well if these go out, I have to pull the engine again, and they're the originals for 1991..."

[NolimitZ32]

Dude, just go in there with your head hung low and your best puppy face, she'll have to say yes, don't be skuurred. haha.

[DCaff300ZX]

Dude, just go in there with your head hung low and your best puppy face, she'll have to say yes, don't be skuurred. haha.

Wow, that is a pretty good deal for those turbos, almost as good as the deal I got for mine ($1,200 for turbos and DP's) and was something that made the whole build worthwhile...you GOTTA find a way to get those babies, as these are the only ones I have seen posted since at such a reasonable deal. You know how much they are new, a no way situation.
And yeah, as NoLimit suggests a spell at the mirror practicing your best "I can't live without 'em" face may help, and SURELY a few choice gifts such as cosmetologist and the like may warm her up. You can also try "Honey, you know how much I love you...I just want the Z to be as perfect as you are..." and see where THAT goes!

[Ace2cool]

you guys crack me up.

[DCaff300ZX]

I guess by builder I'm just meaning machinist. I'll be doing most of, if not all of, the assembly. Just wanting some blueprinting, head polishing, bore, and possibly some valve work. Check tolerances on crank and acid dip. That sort of thing.

And I wish I was doing something wild, but it's just not in the budget. Good news is the car scene around here is pretty much whatever you can buy from a showroom, so 450-500whp is gonna be far more than anyone else has short of C7 'vettes and Hellcats. So I'll still have one of the baddest rides on the street. I'll be going with the 615cc injectors and the upgraded fuel rail though, so there will be room for improvement if the budget ever opens up to upgraded snails.

That's awesome, we need some good old fashioned, quality Z work posted here! I'll keep an eye out for any further decent snail prices too, just so we can keep you squirming...surely Anton will help out with this as well?
Glad you liked our ideas for your Lady, haha, surely we can come up with more if you need 'em!

[Ace2cool]

I actually opened dialog with it yesterday. Might be happening. Is CZP still an advertiser on here?

[DCaff300ZX]

I actually opened dialog with it yesterday. Might be happening. Is CZP still an advertiser on here?

Oh, that sounds promising!
Not sure on CZP, although I thought I remember some ads back around last years' Black Friday deals.
Speaking of which, haven't seen nearly as many as years past.

[SevSe7en]

Hey fellas, long time lurker, possibly first or second time poster.

Ace2cool, I can't wait to see what you do with this build man. I've got a 90' Factory Twin Turbo over here 7h away in Greensboro, NC and posts threads like these are the inspiration I'm looking for to get her where she needs to be. I'm aiming for at least 500 at the wheels as well. Best of luck!

[Ace2cool]

Greensboro? No kidding? I grew up in Sylva/Asheville. Cool deal dude. Sounds like someone else needs a build thread!

[Ace2cool]

UUUPPPDDDAAAAATTTEEEEE!
(read that in your best Richard Simmons voice)

Finally got some time to work on it yesterday and today. Got timing belt and accessories and everything off the front and back last night. Today I worked on the heads and exhaust. Pulled the air inlet from the passenger side turbo, and it looks like my car has made the decision for me that I'm getting new turbos. Housing had standing oil in it, and the cold side outlet had oil all up through it. Blown seal, complete with side to side shaft play. Told my wife about it, and turns out that she had already planned to buy me turbos for Christmas! She's pretty awesome. So looks like sport 500's are in my future!

Now I'm down to the bare block and oil pan. Good news is the heads are pristine, absolutely no pitting or signs of striking. Minimal soot as well. I'm actually pretty impressed with how clean it all is. Absolutely no damage. Tops of the pistons are perfect. No signs of gouging or anything. Shame, since I already decided on oversized, lol. Going forged anyways so it's all good. Only problem was a slight rod knock on I believe cylinder 1. We will see which one it was when I drop the oil pan and start on the mains.

Gonna send it off to the machine shop after I get it totally bare for the bore job and possibly try to find a head shop for a cleaning, though I'm not sure it even needs anything more than I could do myself. I'll snap some pics soon. We all know build threads aren't worth it without pics

[Ace2cool]

Or if you're still willing to check those 550's out, I'm all in on those.

[krimsonviper]

Or if you're still willing to check those 550's out, I'm all in on those.

Don't listen to this mod. He doesn't know what he's talking about. He's been hallucinating since I gave him shrooms about a decade ago. Tell you what though, best trip for the buck.

[Ace2cool]

John where did you even come from? And those shrooms were weak dude.

[NolimitZ32]

1. Why were the shrooms not shared? WTF mate?
2. Your wife is pretty awesome.
3. I'd be happy to check the turbos out for you and assist in the transaction if the seller is apprehensive about dealing with paypal/shipping. Let me know if you get a hold of him and set something up. Message me on FB if you speak to him and need me to go check them out.

[Ace2cool]

Gotcha. I've got money set aside for the machinist right now but if this is a liquid cash deal, we might have to jump on it before they;re not available anymore. Those 550's are almost too good of a deal to pass up. I'm just wondering how many miles are on them and what pressures they were pushed at.

[krimsonviper]

I came from my dad’s ballsack and my mom’s ovaries.

You think they were weak, but they really just snuck up and never left. Believe me, The Rock wakes me up every morning and dresses me while he’s in a skirt. If that’s not a shroom hallucination, then I’m about to die.

They were passed around. Might have run out before it got to you though

Dude, Ace. You’re married now?! Congrats! Who’s the poor lady?

[DCaff300ZX]

UUUPPPDDDAAAAATTTEEEEE!
Told my wife about it, and turns out that she had already planned to buy me turbos for Christmas! She's pretty awesome. So looks like sport 500's are in my future!

Man, you are one lucky dude to have a wife like that!
Here's hoping that Anton's help gets you those 550's...you'll really enjoy that extra torque, trust me.

[Ace2cool]

Dude, Ace. You’re married now?! Congrats! Who’s the poor lady?

Like you ain't got my facebook boi.

Anyways, I promised pictures.

Heads off:


What you never wanna see:






And how she sits now:


Just gotta flip it over, finish draining oil and coolant from the block, and drop the oil pan and pop the engine mounts off, and she will be ready for machining.

[DCaff300ZX]

Wow, that turbo!!! Yikes...
It still amazes me how tiny the block is on our motors, once it's all broken down it's like "where'd the motor go???"

[NolimitZ32]

Nice progress! Once my most recent Z is on the road I think I may have to throw together another engine from all the parts I have and start looking for another shell.