New Z added! Pics and budget build!

[IonZ32]

So I finally picked up a Twin Turbo! Been looking for ages it seems, after looking and driving many I decided on a second owner (older guy, compared to me) garage kept 1990 Twin Turbo with 161,000 miles that needed a little help. They kept every record and repair done to the car, so it has been taken care of. Car doesnt show its age, paint is flawless, interior is damn near immaculate, its got chromies, and the outside trim looks showroom.



Front tire had a little leak, so spare is on while I'm working on it.

Sorry for all the fingerprints on the car haha


Here I already have some stuff pulled.

Car had quite a few water leaks and had been parked for awhile. So here's what I've bought so far:
120k kit
Koyo "Best Radiator"
Koyo 1.3 cap
Brass shifter bushings
OEM Fan clutch and blade
New lines
Few other parts I cant recall off the top of my head

This is replacing my NA as my daily driver, so I don't have any crazy hp aspirations for the car, I plan on having a healthy running TT that looks good and is a somewhat reliable daily driver. So the works like a full exhaust, intake, intercoolers, chip, and maybe a decent tune to get me somewhere around the 320RWHP mark. Nothing too crazy. Some aggressive XD9s (unless someone shows me something cooler)

I also got in on the group buy at the last minute,


Something very similar to this car is the flexible aim point for the wheels


I'm always open to suggestions and opinions so have at it!

[Fearspect]

For your info, you don't even need as much as you are planning on doing to hit 320rwhp. I hit it on the following:

Stock automatic turbos (smaller than manual ones)
3" downpipes, testpipes, catback
Single pop charger
SpecialtyZ chip and SZ tune
Everything else relevant to making power is stock

Just wanted to let you know how ridiculously easy it is to achieve what you're looking for!

[z32loverboy]

Yeah, with all you're planning to get my best guess would be mid 300-400 range. Though I wouldn't change those plans a bit. Just do basic bolt on's while you can and you'll be much happier

[300ZXttZMAN]

NICE! Congrats!

[DCaff300ZX]

Congrats man, like your plans for your Z. I also went from NA DD to TT DD, have fun with her!

[IonZ32]

Thanks guys!
So I installed everything, buttoned it all up, started adding coolant and when I got to about 1-1.5gal of coolant inside, coolant started dribbling off the bottom of the bellhousing where the trans meets the block, its running down the housing from somewhere up top, I didnt take a super close look yet. I took the heater core lines off and bypassed the core to see if that was the issue and it still dribbles down. Its a pretty steady stream.

Any ideas as to what could cause this? I'm thinking one of the coolant lines on the backside of the plenum is off. Perhaps the hookups to the block that feed the heater core are leaking? Those are just my ideas, but if you have an idea, throw them my way!

I'll probably have to pull the transmission to see the metal heater core block hookups if I cant find any lines disconnected on the back of the plenum.

[z32loverboy]

Unless they've been deleted, there are those pesky coolant hoses that connect to the throttle bodies under the intake plenum would be the first thing I'd check before I'd drop the transmission. It's either those, the heater hoses/inlet or outlet, or possibly somehow the head gasket is leaking. Those are my best guesses, some of the other guys may be able to back me up on that.

[IonZ32]

Update:
It's definitely not the headgasket and definitely not the rubber heater core lines. I think for sure it's one of the metal heater core tubes, if I pinch the upper radiator hose I can hear air and water escaping off the driver side back of the block right next to the metal lines.
I also checked the coolant lines that run to the turbos and under te plenum, all fine, previous owner had them replaced along with the entire plenum.

So I'm gonna pull that trans off and see what I can do, trans is a pretty easy job, done that too many times, so while I'm in there I'm gonna put in a the 360tq southbend clutch.

Also a leakdown test revealed this motor is in incredible health, motor was cold and all cylinders were between 85 and 94! So I couldn't be happier with that!

I'm also looking at picking up some Miro 398 (TE37 reps) 18x9.5 +35 and running that with some 265/35s on all four corners. My next order will be the clutch, powertrix RUCAs, FUCAs, and tension rods!

[z32loverboy]

Well, looks like you've got it handled. Keep the updates and pics coming!

[IonZ32]

Heres an update and some pictures!
Belt off

Belt and pump on (I took the pic after turning the motor over a few times, but rest assured all the alignment marks are lined up!)

New battery

New parts and Koyo Radiator (this thing is giant! Was a tight fit, but it works with the stock fan shroud)



Specialty Z/RPS Segmented lightweight flywheel (Southbend 430ft/lb Stage 2 clutch still in mail)


With the transmission off I was able to find the culprit of the leak! Looks like the rubber section of the coolant line to the driver side turbo went bad, major leaking. Metal heater core lines were in perfect condition and sealed fine


Heres another interesting thing I found. Edit: I'm just gonna replace it while I'm in there, the extra insurance will ease my OCD head


More updates are on the way!

[Ace2cool]

Ew, leaking freeze plug. Good luck with that one. Those are a PAIN.

[z32loverboy]

Love the new parts, good choices. Freeze plugs are not fun.. Good luck for real.

[IonZ32]

Thanks, they werent as bad as I expected, a thick punch and small sledge on the edge of the plug worked well. I cleaned up the holes using emery cloth, threw some ultra black RTV on the brass freeze plugs and used a socket to gently put them in. Worked awesome!
Here are the old freeze plugs, one of which had a massive hole (leaky one pictured above) which could only be seen after I messed with it, the corrosion hid it how big the hole actually was. The other two had tiny pin holes. Scary!

Here are the new brass freeze plugs in and sealed up. Uses a 30mm plug if anyone is curious. Brass is much better than steel for this, steel rusts, brass does not.

RPS/Specialty Z Flywheel mounted with disc on

Southbend Stage 2 430ft/lb pressure plate installed and torqued

I replaced the leaky line with some transmission cooler line, which is much stronger. Used hose clamps for some added security. I left a little extra length on each end of the hose, the clamps are right behind the lip of the metal lines


Here she is on the ground after the first test drive! With fresh Mobil 1! To the right is my younger brothers 57 Chevy Bel Air.


Temp was golden, no leaks to report, car drove well. I havent even driven the car hard and I'm already in love with the clutch combo. Car upon initial start up (first start up in 5 years or so) ran pretty rough. Drove it to the station, filled up with better gas and the car is running much better. I havent brought the car up in the revs at all yet. Havent even touched boost. Check engine light came on immediately after startup and is still on even though car is running much better. Code 51 (Injector circuit). So I'll be testing the ohms on the injectors soon. I'm not sure of any other potential causes for the code besides a bad injector.

More updates coming after I check the injectors out!

[IonZ32]

Small update, narrowed down the issue to cylinder #4, pulled the coilpacks one by one and every one but #4 resulted in a drop in the rpms. So #4 is at fault, I'm now thinking its a bad coilpack, but how common are those to break down?
Tomorrow I'll pull a coilpack off my NA and put on the TT to see if its the coilpack at fault.

[z32loverboy]

Sometimes I've heard they'll go, but thats few and far between. A more common issue is the PTU going out. If it isn't already the new style one, I would suggest swapping it out for the new style. Your local Nissan dealership should be able to replace it as iirc it was a recall/warranty thing. I would also suggest relocating it somewhere less warm than directly under a coolant hose where it's located stock (under the nose panel is a popular place). I would go ahead and OHM out the injectors as well. May only be the injector.

[zswap0429]

I had 2 bad coilpacks on my tt when i got it. I bought a while set from z1 for $30

[IonZ32]

Sorry for the late update, been busy with work. Earlier this week I checked the coilpacks, all are fine. I forgot to note that my PTU is the new style. Pulled injector clip #4, checked the resistance and its an open circuit hahaha, sooo that injector isnt opening at all. 100% fried. Pulled the plenum and 95+ 370cc injectors + conversion kit are on the way!
Here are some pictures, most of the injectors were between 10-14, there was one that was 15ohm, but doesnt matter, I'm changing them all and deleting the water lines.
Plenum off

The water lines deleted

Crap that came off


More updates on the way when I finish the wiring and install the injectors

[IonZ32]

Update!

I got the Z1 conversion kit for the 95+ injectors, and its awesome! I bought new lower plenum to fuel rail seals, new orings, 95+ 370cc pintle-less injectors, and the 95+ injector connectors. During this time I also looked for cracked wire loom on the harness and covered broken areas back up with electrical tape. I also found some disconnected wires for the det sensor, so I soldered those back together.
Rerouted the turbo coolant lines and some vacuum lines according to a guide found on TT.net which was a huge help! Definitely a must for anyone doing their first plenum pull.
Here are the new injectors, inside of the fuel rail seats were cleaned religiously, you can see the new caps and adapters for the old style fuel rail

Also replaced was all the fuel line for the rail, the upper part of the rail, the fuel filter, the rubber lines running to the filter and the rubber return lines
Here are the injectors in their new seats, the new cap screws are allen head instead of phillip head screws.

Also included in the kit is an oring grease and that makes everything go together easily and successful.

Fuel rail installed, look how good those new injectors look!


Picture of the soldering, I used heatshrink after soldering them together and then covered it in black electrical tape


Here is the plenum all buttoned up and ready to go!


The car runs like a swiss watch now. Runs absolutely amazing. Fires up immediately, it is very responsive and healthy. I really couldnt ask for more. I smogged the car and registered it, ending its 8 years of non-op! She passed with flying colors.

Here is a pic as she sits now, with my SSR integral A2s on! (they are plasti dipped bronze/brown, but will soon be anthracite black) In the backround is my 92 NA (Which I have sold to my younger brother and he is enjoying it)


I have a few small things left to do, I'm going to replace the radiator lines with brand new ones, and my driveline makes a rattle in first/second gear under 2500rpm when under a load, so I think my center support bearing may be on its way out. I'm looking into the Z1 Platinum 1 piece driveshaft but I dont want any vibration issues at speed, anyone have any first hand experience with those?

Edit: Checked the driveline out today, seems the center support bolts were overlooked when I reinstalled the driveline, they were still finger tight and were loose. I wrenched that down and now its golden! Phew!

Next up is installing my exhaust, pop charger and the full Powertrix suspension!

[NolimitZ32]

What a transformation, looks awsome man. Also let us know how the DXD clutch does in the long run.

[DCaff300ZX]

Nice work, congrats on the successful plenum and injector work!
Can't wait to see her after the next round

[H1tman]

I like where this is going. Good job man, that thing is CLEANNN

[Roguepriest1287]

Looks good man I am like it

[IonZ32]

Thanks guys!

Installed my catback and my intake


The combination of the two made a noticeable difference in acceleration!

So recently I noticed a large puddle under my Z, a quick look under showed a leaking freeze plug on the side of the block.
So motor needed to come out, here it is on its way out. Takes a decent amount of time to get to that point. Dropping the transmission is the best way to do it in my opinion.

One of the leaking freeze plugs

The turbos made boost fine, but were original and had begun to leak oil into the charge pipes. So I figured now is an excellent time to do some preventative maintenance and change them out. I'd much rather install new ones now, then have my old ones fail and have to pull the motor again down the line.



So the new turbos are on the way, just OEM nothing special, this is a daily, so I'm not going too crazy! I also ordered split downpipes and test pipes, more updates on the way!

[z32loverboy]

Geez, you're rocking this thing. Gotta be a pro at pulling the engine out by now huh?

[IonZ32]

Update:

Been doing quite a bit of work to this thing, When I removed the old turbo coolant lines, they were rusted and shot, bought 4 new coolant hardlines for the turbos, along with 4 new banjo bolts, new turbo inlet, outlet, and oil return gaskets, new downpipe studs, and replaced the rest of the rubber lines with transmission cooler line and hose clamps

Here are four of the notorious freeze plugs that were leaking

New brass ones are in and sealed up!

While the turbos were en route I decided to tackle the leaking heater core while the car is apart, what a miserable job I must add. Was nice to get in there and square everything away properly though. Its all back together now, pulling the dash is surprisingly easy, getting the heater core out... not so much

The severely leaking heater core


Downpipes and testpipes to liven her up a bit! I also picked up new O2 sensors, quite the steep price for a couple of sensors.

Rebuilt OEM turbos from Turbos direct, a Garret distributor, no shaft play, spin freely, I'm very excited.

Driver side all set up and ready to run!

Passenger side

And the replacement of all those crappy lines on the back of the block


Shes getting there piece by piece, I'm hoping to have the motor back in the car sometime this week, hopefully running and driving by next week! More updates are on the way
Also seeing everyone elses build threads makes me realize how crappy my Kodak camera is!

[DCaff300ZX]

Congrats on the heater core job, it's a total b**** indeed but so necessary.
Fun watching you go, keep it up!

[crazycarguy59]

Hello, anybody here tried Evan's or one of the other waterless coolants? Supposed to eliminate corrosion issues.

[IonZ32]

Thanks! She's almost there!

And about the coolant, antifreeze is a corrosion protectant, water only will rust the balls off it. My car sat for 8 years in a garage with only a small amount of coolant in the car before I bought it, so some corrosion in the cooling system was to be expected (jut turned out to be much worse than I had initially expected)

So with the proper antifreeze and water mixture you won't have to worry about corrosion.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Awesome build, very fun to read and watch. You're taking fine care of her Ion,

[Phan]

dang, that some wicked stuff your doing. keep up the good work. also very fun to watch you do all these stuff to your z. lol