2003 350Z with Injen CAI and espelir exhaust both for the 3 years I've owned the car. 49k miles on the odometer. Was doing some spirited driving on a series of high g corners in 2nd gear (never even hit the rev limiter) and hear tat tat tat tat of what sounded like cam bearings and POOF! I think my oil pump may have failed and my motor was oil starved. Witnesses said they saw fire on the passenger side.

Didn't have any oil burn problems and my last change was 2800 miles ago using Motul full synthetic religiously.

No, I'm not going to try to get a replacement under warranty even though I bought the extended warranty. Towing to the dealer will be expensive and the dealer will take a look at my suspension and rollcage (for 3 runs of autox once a month and hdpe's 2 or 3 times a year) and won't even have to bother to look for the actual cause since their initial impression will be that I abuse my daily driven car. And I don't think I would have a legitimate answer to why a motor that has already been driven nearly 50k miles would now have a manufacturer defect. If it was the oil pump, kinda sucks that one part could do that to a 3yr old car without any indication (oil pressure has been normal).

We're going to open her up and see if it's just the head or the entire block. If it can't be rebuilt then I'll have to shop around for used motors with low miles. Of course this all won't be cheap and it won't be done quick.

Aye, this sucks.

 

never hurt to try at your "mod friendly" dealer.

 

Oh man, sorry to hear. Please keep us posted. Sucks that your motor would blow with not even 50k miles on it with just an intake and exhaust.

 

something might have leaned you out.. should've dyno'd and checked your A/F? whatever it was.. sux bro

 

Sorry to hear bro.....

 

why did you even buy the extended warrenty

 

Blown motor under extended warranty ? If the engine was warm, and there was enough oil, I don't see how they could cover themselves except if you misshifted, say 6th to 3rd...

If the oil pump is seized, you have a case. Failed part and resulting damage thereof. I don't see why they wouldn't replace the engine.

 

Dam Jim!!! I'll start to take up donations...

I did see a guy on the market place selling a 05 motor in Canada...let me see if I can find the link.

 

Here is one...
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184193

another...
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193372

and the last one...
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186434

 

Put it back to stock, take out roll cage and bring to dealer. They should cover this. If it wasn't something you did wrong then there is something wrong with the car and I believe the burden of proof that YOU or a MOD caused the failure is on Nissan. I wouldn't just go out and get a new engine on my dime.

 

damn bro, I am sorry to hear that. Hope it all works out in the cheapest way possible.

 

Just buy a built shortblock and get some turbos.

 

If what you say is True, those mods are VERY unlikley to cause, or lead to pre-mature engine failure. You really do have a case for a warranty repair.

 

I'm going to guess he doesnt feel like shelling out 10k+ right now unexpectedly.

Man that stinks. Blew my engine with my TT install over 2 years ago and just the replacement low mileage engine was a killer. Hope you get good news from a dealer because paying out for something that you already had is always a big bummer.

 

+1!

That sucks! Hope the rebuild goes well.

 

Sorry to hear that Jim. Your SB Z was one of my favorites and inspired me to build it the same way. Hopefully you can get it back together and running soon.

 

Dude, are you freakin serious!? That sucks man, hope it all turns out alright.

 

One of my friends just blew his motor and he was a stock 03 as well. Maybe you guys have a bad lot. Should check it out.

 

Thanks guys for the support and advice.

My rollcage is weld-in - I got it in trade for building the website of the fabricator. But I love having it for safety even though it is the first clue that my car is not just a cruising car.

I would only take my car to one dealer - Performance Nissan (a my350Z sponsor here) but it's like 35 miles away and the tow charges alone would be a hit from Anaheim. I think it would just be too easy for a dealer to say, "umm your rollcage, intake, and exhaust suggests that you use your car in a manner outside of the warranty."

And to the guy who asked why I bought the extended warranty - it sounded like a good idea...3 years ago when I bought the car.

Thanks Netko - at least it's good to know there are motors available.