I recently bought a motor from a wrecked 350z with 86k on it. I have the motor on a engine stand currently. The plan is to do the following while the motor is out:

1) Throughly clean and detail the motor
2) Replace spark plugs (possibly replace the coils depending on cost)
3) Replace the valve covers with a set of 04 maxima covers
4) Replace the knock sensor with a OEM sensor
5) Replace the knock sensor harness with one from z1 Motorsport
6) Replace the camshaft position sensors on both banks with OEM sensors
7) Replace the crankshaft position sensor with a OEM sensor
8) Install under drive pulleys and new belts
9) Install plenum spacer
10) Install catch can

Things I might do:
1) Replace water pump - anyway to check if it works while the motor is out?
2) Replace the front O2 sensors on both banks with OEM sensors
3) Install headers

What are your thoughts? Are replacing some of these parts a overkill? Is there anything else I should do while the motor is out that I'm missing? (within reason)

 

If you have ever thought of going with LTHeaders, now would be the time.

 

Stroker, twin turbo

 

Water pump is not simple unless you are willing the tear it down a bit.

 

If you are doing the water pump might as well do the thermostat also. That's what I did at least. I'm assuming this is a DE, that is.

 

I would def do the water pump. I did mine and only took about 2 hours to replace. Would def be easier while the engine is out. There is a vid on youtube that is made by an infiniti tech that shows how to do it without pulling the timing cover.

 

I had a hell of a time getting the timing chain slack enough to get it out. It was weird, I thought I had rotated the crank as much as I could but eventually got some extra slack. I thought I had messed something up at first because it seemed like I couldn't get anymore slack.

 

is this for daily driving/street purposes or for actual track driving?

also what is your budget?

big difference in both and also price.

 

i would definitely do headers if i had the motor out

 

I would do LTH, and also replace the Timing chain and guides.

 

if i were u i d get
injectors cleaned
fuel rail
check the clutch with flywheel, see if that needs any replacement (that is if its manual) check all the hoses
check compression
take oil pan off, see how it looks from inside, maybe clean that with break cleaner(all the little nooks and corners
drain the coolant from the block, flush that

and other suggestion by other like timing chain and thermo

i'm sure i'm forgetting something else, but this is what i would get done if i had a used motor, in fact if ur work area allows, i d hook it up to an engine stand and run it, u can build ur own if u want to go that far. but this is what i would do, i'm not saying this is what needs to be done. but doing this, would give me a better understanding of where i'm standing with this motor.
But honestly i d take it all apart, and replace vital stuff like piston heads, rings, get the block redone, the heads cleaned, the valves cleaned, ect ect. but i guess thats abit too much attention to a used motor, most just want to drop it in, but if i had the money, i d do what i mentioned. Just my 2 cents.

 

The paper work for the motor I bought says that the water pump is bad. However, I think the guy that sold me the motor wasn't very familiar with it and thought that the idler pulley was the water pump. He wrote on the receipt that the alternator bracket and water pump were broken. The alternator bracket and the idler pulley brackets are both broken.

Do you guys know of anyway to check if the water pump work while the motor is out of the car? Also, if I do decide to replace the water pump, do you have to take the front cover off? Do you have to mess with the timing in anyway?

 

This will be my daily driver. Budget is a MAJOR factor. Car has a rebuilt title, therefore not worth investing to much money into it. I have about $500 more I would like to work with. (i already have new valve covers, Nissan OEM Knock Sensor, Nissan OEM Crank Shaft Sensor, Nissan OEM Cam Shaft Sensor (Driver Side), New EGI Harness)

 

I am almost ready to pull my old motor out. I just have to disconnect my driveshaft and its ready to go. Last night, as I was removing the shifter, I realized two things I forgot to list:

1) Motor mounts (is it worth replacing them? old ones appear to be in good shape)
2) Short throw shifter? (are they worth it for our cars)

Anybody looking for a spare motor? I have NO clue how many miles are on this one. The valve seals are shot, and the head gaskets appear to be seeping, and would probably need to be replaced. Excellent candidate for a build. I'm located about 45min south of Tampa, Florida if anybodies interested.