venture210

Background:
I own a silver 2006 Z
The plan is to swap a vq35hr and twin turbo it

Problems/ things to overcome:
Getting the engine in and running properly with all gauges functioning
Fabricating the manifolds, charge pipes, intercooler with mounting
Routing the oil and water lines to the turbos

If you can't tell by now, my goal is to take the estimated cost of an HR swap and a twin turbo kit and bring it down... way down. Why? Well I've been welding for almost 2 years now, I'm a studying engineer, and was up for a challenge. As difficult as all this work may seem, my biggest problem has been time due to schooling in the fall and spring and working 2 jobs.

Where I sit now:
I have my short block fully assembled with BC connecting rods, wiseco pistons, oem bearings, and ARP main studs. Bearing oil clearances, piston to wall clearance, and ring gaps are all exactly what I want them to be for running 15w-40. I picked up a set of vr38 turbos and intend to swap the turbine housing with that of an STI turbo and fab up a baby down pipe to meet the oem cat location as well as a log style manifold similar to the vr38 manifold. Still have to finish assembling the engine, get a ton of ss tubing, a bunch of silicone couplers, fab up the intercooler using a vertical flow core and ports for BOV's, and of course TUNE IT.

Now that I have lot invested in this build, I find myself having a change of heart. The Z will always be one of my favorite cars but I've been losing my motivation to keep going with this thing.

So weighing my options, I can either part everything out right now and get as much money back as possible or continue building and sell the engine as a whole with the turbos mounted and oil and water lines routed. Or if I can find the drive to complete the build sometime soon, do that.

I'm not usually one to care for the opinions of others but for this situation, I welcome any input. Also, if anyone has serious interest in an HR with a built bottom end and gtr turbos then I'll make a for sale thread outlining all of the details and such. If I can get a decent amount back from all of this then I'll pull the trigger and call it a day for this build.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

only you can make that decision duder....the one question you need to ask yourself. will you regret it later on if you sold it?

some of the best things are worth waiting for, just depends on how long you want to wait

Toneloc

Nah

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

+1 and if could add one more - don't look for happiness, look for satisfaction

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

As an engineering student, I'm sure you can appreciate the differences in different generations of the Z. There will be issues with the electronic architecture between the DE and HR. The mechanical side can be handled, but getting everything else to function properly is the trick. Sure, you can use a standalone ECM to run the HR and rewire the IPDM to regain some of BCM and ABS functions, but there will always be CELs on this swap.

Not sure if this makes any difference in your plans, but rather than spending a lot of time and effort to build a "low-cost" HR turbo swap, realize this will be WAY more expensive than you think. Hard to recoup all your costs, but lessons I'd cut bait NOW.

Frank_White

quote of the day

Leks

LS and call it a day.....

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

truth be told, it's an adam carolla quote...f'ckn love that guy!

venture210

custom mounting, transmission, drive shaft, wiring, full exhaust fab, intake fab, and no originality.

I'm pretty indecisive at times but at the moment, I think I'm going to put in for the long haul. I'll start a build thread as soon as I'm ready to drop it in.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

then be original.... slam an ls7 in it

btw, silky makes almost all the parts you listed...