New project 91 300zx NA 5 speed

[Ace2cool]

Looks like there's a disconnect in there.



Also check your fusible links.

[budget300zx]

FIXED: Traced to the plug to find power. the wire was corroded and wasnt making conection at the starter. so broke it off and re soldered it. thanks Ace2cool
just to recap so far

day 1

now

anyone else debate going back to stock ride height after being under your z?

got a new 2 1/2 dual exhaust installed
along with a handfull of mantiance parts:
radiator hoses
VC gaskets
plenum gasket
slave and master for clutch (waiting untill i order the one piece line to install)
caliper rebuild kit
energy suspension diff bushings
CARPET THROUGHT!!!!!!!
FPR
Valcume, coolant, fuel lines
egr Delete kit
maf adapter and new filter
and some banging seat covers €€€

just a few pic updates and some winter pics of the daily z.

[budget300zx]

just a reminder of inside too just realized that mad alot of progress for a full time student and worker lol

[Ace2cool]

anyone else debate going back to stock ride height after being under your z?

Not a chance in hell

Nice progress for sure. Keep it up

[budget300zx]

I'm trying to come up with a budget for a bottom end rebuild. I'm thinking new bearings, a crank grind(if needed), rings and a set of tt pistons and wrist pins. I don't want crazy power but I'd like to be in the 300-450hp range. I'm going to run a single rear mount turbo and nistune ecu.

Does anyone know if there are adverse effects from blocking off the oil squirters with oem tt pistons? I'm not 100% sure if I will use oem but I know that's a budget option.

Right now I'm saving for the nistune. But would like to get a good estimate on my parts list to boost my n/a and keep away from the painful maintnance with tt turbos.

[NolimitZ32]

If you use OEM TT pistons just get the TT squirters, they are fairly cheap and serve a purpose.

[budget300zx]

OK I will Defiantly get them if I go stock tt pistons. I'm almost leaning towards a concept z built engine and buying a core.

Current engine is a stock na origanal engine 218k

Runs great with no issues.(aside from the common cam gear noise)

So it's a fessablible rebuild canidate
Na to rear mount single turbo 300-450hp

Full quote price estimates
Nistune ecu shipping to aus 750
Wide band. 160
boost controller 40
boost gauge. 40
rebuild kit(w\tt pistons\wristpins, gaskets, belts, etc) 800
Machine shop crank regind hone and bore if needed 250-400
720cc injectors. 300
Scavenge oil pump. 98
exhaust work/boost piping 150
Turbo, couplings, lines, 250-600 turbo will be decided when I set a "real" hp number
stage 4 na clutch(up to ~550hp) 250
spark plugs expensive little things 80
Initial dyno tune (haven't found a tuner near ohio yet) ???



List sound pretty complete? FESABLE? Worth it Since most tts now also need major maintnance?

[wisniaPl]

So you know i know its not a 2jz
But all big horse power builds are using N/A 2jz blocks without oil squirters
Something to think about

[NolimitZ32]

Budget: Where are you finding prices like that? $300 for 740cc injectors is unheard of unless you are getting third rate cheap re-drills for one. Also are you planning to do the work yourself? If not, specialized labor gets real expensive, real fast.

wisnia: What would be the advantage of going this route? I am seriously asking, I've never needed to research the subject.

[budget300zx]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/381046905317?nav=SEARCH

And yes I plan on doing the work myself I'd rather know the car top to bottom. The better I know it the more I'll trust it to drive anywhere. Machine shop will do a regind if needed. Keeping in mind the rebuild is strictly for wrist pins and pistons, but I'm already gonna be there so why not bearings too. I'll be using a feeler gauge and platigauge to check clearances before machining for oversize.

[NolimitZ32]

If you do the work yourself, follow the FSM and do it properly you have nothing to worry about, just pay attention and document everything just in case you need to go back a few steps. If I were you I would inquire about those injectors, they look like they are re-drilled units in which case I'd be weary.

[budget300zx]

Easter photo op... poor front bumper is ready for a respray. Shame there is not room for a lower setup with our roads in southern ohio. Debating just keeping those wheels with 2.5in spacers to fill the gap and a fresh coat of wheel paint. I don't want toloose the comfort ride by getting Bigger wheels.

[budget300zx]

Well finally tore in. deleted aiv egr pcv coolant bypass and anything I didn't need and got all the new injectors and adapters installed. She runs amazing now

[budget300zx]

also figured id post some things i found hard to find even with search everything just says buy from z1 or coz

(keywords manifold exhaust plug thread pitch)
EGR delete parts used keywords
Ebay Block off plates 5.99
22x1.5 drain plug from oriley's 12.99

pcv delete
2-1/4 npt plugs from lowes 2.98 each (used to plug pcv valve hole also used gasolene thread tape)
bypass cap variety pack from orileys 5.99
optional to plug valve cover were out of stock at my lowes (3/8 npt tap+2-3/8 npt plugs)

[budget300zx]

well something catastrophic happen to my z yesterday. i put about 500 miles on it after all the upper engine work. I was on a 4 lane highway and she started ticking then knocking. by the time i could get to the pull off lane she blew a huge smoke cloud and locked up 100miles from home(near Cincinnati). no ideal what happened i didn't loose oil pressure until it blew the cloud.


my only guess atm is that a rod bolt came loose. but as for now it will sit untill i recoupe from that towing bill. if it threw out it out the pan maybe there is a chance of the rebuild.

[NolimitZ32]

Doood, thats terrible, Im really sorry to hear that, generally when things in the engine go knock knock boom its impossible to speculate the extent of the damage but if it just flat locked up on you and you cant move the crank from the front bolt than I would venture to guess that you'll be needing a new bottom end or top end or both.

[budget300zx]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what direction i should go? looking for 550hp MAX. either way i need injectors and nistune added on top of these prices.

stock rebuilt tt engine 0 mile rebuild oversize parts for around $2k plus cost of timing parts and some gaskets

buy n rebuild a stock block with eagle rods + wisco pistons about $4k with machine work and gaskets

any suggestions? what way would you go? keep in mind im saying max 550hp since i will most likely have a low boost tune ~300hp for dd

[Taleek]

Oh crap! That really sucks, and so far from home too. I'm pretty new to the Z32 myself (hands on wise), but there is A LOT of knowledge and wisdom here to be learned. 550hp is quite a bit to be asking from the VG right? I'm not an expert but you would have to start putting in a lot of money not only building the engine but all the accessories as well. Controllers, ECU tuning (unless you do it yourself,) much more solid and good quality internals especially if you want to boost much above 10 or so psi. Intercooler(s), radiator etc. I mean it seems like the engine build alone might be 4k but wouldn't you just about if not more than double that getting all the supporting equipment to the same level? For that price it may be easier finding a TT for a good deal (seen some for like 4k, mine was 6k with about 380Whp) and working on that.

I'm following the thread whatever you choose, and I do like watching z's that have basically bit the dust come back to life harder than ever. Just entertaining a thought.

[budget300zx]

ive considered purchasing a tt, but with what im doing i just dont see the point. i will be replacing everything in it as well. my main hate of the tt cars is simply just not having enough room to work on the turbos without an engine pull.

and im not to far off starting with an n/a with a tt motor. i think my list is still needed on a tt if you wanted numbers 350-550?
realistcly ~$3k with odds and ends for supporting mods me doing all the work aside from welding.

Nistune ecu shipping to aus 750
Wide band. 160
boost controller 40
boost gauge. 40
720cc injectors. 300
Scavenge oil pump. 98
exhaust work/boost piping 150
Turbo, couplings, lines, 250-600 turbo will be decided when I set a "real" hp number
stage 4 na clutch(up to ~550hp) 250
spark plugs expensive little things 80

Im also playing with the idea of twin rear turbos one small and fast spooling and one large and slow spooling (hasnt been seriously researched yet.

[NolimitZ32]

550 bhp is conceivable on a stock bottom end, I can't speak to reliability because I've never tried. As for you numbers, I am sorry to say but they are waaaay off. a decent set of turbos will run you over $2k, you will also need all the turbo plumbing and piping as well as intercoolers, that is another ~$500-$1000. You WILL NOT get 720cc injectors of any type of decent quality for $300 (even used). What you are talking about doing will come out to no less than $4k if you are buying good parts. If you are using chinese knockoff crap you will be constantly working on the car, more so than driving it.

[minlow88]

That unfortunate after all that work man.

But why did you delete your crankcase ventilation?

[budget300zx]

i deleted it just for simplification. there is already a vent on the other valve covers that on the n/a. it goes to the intake piping . Mainly i was preping and preparing for more plenum pulls removing anything that wasnt important or have seen people have leaks or problems with.

currently im thinking of just getting a spare block and building it and using my heads all my timing and upper end looks to be o.k.
anyone know if there is a tune for tt break in without boost? will the stock n/a tune work with thelow compression with header exhaut and intake?

[budget300zx]

So today I sat down and did a full number crunch on the engine build and some supportin mods . I came up with a pretty solid figure of 8k finished engine wise.

That's fresh rebuild with z1 wisco eagle rebuild kit with an over sizing and reground crank.
Shopping list
radiator. 100-275
Electric fan. 80. (No ac p/s or turbos under hood) includes hook up kit
Rebuild kit 2100 (with gaskets+timing)
vtc springs. 25
short block 300 (mines sure to be damaged)
Aem gauges. 500 (afr, oil pressure, boost)
Clutc. 475 (stage 5 4 puck competition clutches tt, have coz line)
coz fork. 90 (will shave bellhousing)
Turbo. 1100 (precission 6262)
Couplings. 60 (5 pack with t clamps)
turbo hw. 100 ( ebay stainless lines t-4 flange)
intercooler. 80 ( ebay 5.5x27 rembemr rear mount)
Oil tank. 40 (ebay motorcycle oil tank rear mount)
Rear oil pump 100 (turbo has own oil system)
Nistune. 600
Injectors. 320-500(remans)
Exhaust shop. 500 (mount turbo and tube to front y intake after intercooler)
Machine shop. 500 (bore regind crank resurface flywheel)
tune. 200 (already have dedicated laptop car pc)

[grayman_TT]

Sorry to hear about the engine failure.

Are you going to switch the fuel pump to a TT unit?

[budget300zx]

good catch

walbro 400lph 120
a few thing i forgot but wrote down
arp bolt set 275 (coz)
knock sensor 100 (coz with relocation)
boost controler 20 (manual knob hard lined into cabin) wont be damaged by rain exposure....its is a z with ttops AND is rear mount


keep in mind i may try and get some sponsors to get some things done right and do shows. possibly get parts from other sources to cut down on some of the cost as well.

[budget300zx]

I believe I've Come to a desicion

If by miracle the block is good I will get the eagle and wiseco setup

If not I will get a stock rebuilt tt engine


Either way I will also get the ecu done, a tune, new timing, and clutch

My budget to get it running again is 4k max I believe this is highly possible if I wait to introduce boost.

[budget300zx]

so while im tearing down my z 9ve decided to fix and delete alot of the extra wires and re-do alot of factory over kill systems.

only thing straight forward, that i know, will be the 180ohm clock fix. my power wire was cut to it and i noticed it was probably to save the clock since it was spazzing when i rehooked it up.

is there anything else electrical thats common?

other fixes i need to get down
1. wipers - they will turn on but wont turn off or change speed once on(unless you turn off by key).
2. Dash lights - there is a short in the bottom projecting lights in my cluster (caused a wire melt down which is something i will fix when the wire delete is going)
3. properly finish the rack work on deleting my power steering.
4. install the rear end bushings
5. fit new seats (possibly a set of free miata seats)

any thing else i should do that can be done and transferred between cars if the time comes?

[budget300zx]

so i did some investigating today on the z. Have a hole on cyl 3or6 Passenger side rear piston and a smashed spark plug. no holes in block and found that pretty much every bottom end seal blew oil out(caused the smoke cloud). there was also a lot of oil in the intake manifold.

so hoping this monday i can tear down and see where im at. thinking worst case now- replace 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves, sleeve that cyl and bore them all the same, replace the crank, through in an eagle wiseco setup and break in till i can afford a decent turbo system.

looking at about $2500 in parts and me doing all the work.

[NolimitZ32]

That's would be cyl 6, sucks to hear man. GL on the rebuild.

[budget300zx]

photo update. these are jut the pictures ive taken so far in the tear down. ive been very carefull about all my hardware labeling them in ziplock bags. also during the tear down i found out i was driving on luck...my t-belt tensioner was shot and not applying pressure at all to the belt.