My recommendation would be to NOT use that engine. Purchase another. Same year too. I say this from experience.

As for the swap ….no. Too complicated.

Once you succeed at an engine replacement, read and study and consider what your next steps might be.

 

what’s the harm in using this same setup?? Under the assumption that everything is dismantled, cleaned, checked, parts replaced that need replaced, and re-assembled?

 

I was told by Z1 to straight up replace the crank with a new one. That would require honing and balancing like you mentioned too. I could see going with a new or proven engine being the smartest move for me at this point.

JZ swap would be hella work, but it would at least be something unique and fun. That 1JZ sounds is so good man and with the turbo already good to go, its a perfect fit. Heavy *** car with a heavy *** engine. And 0 radiator or firewall clearance, what's not to love! Wiring would be the biggest pain or financial portion I'm not looking forward to. I don't mind chopping things up or welding solutions a few times haha.

 

I respect individual choices.

Is this a hobby car ? Can you afford to have it sit while you play with it ? Is your family supportive? Do you have the time, knowledge, resources, to make sure it goes as planned? Would investing in something else be more rewarding?
Can you purchase what you want cheaper than building it? Are you prepared for that dyno explosion while tuning or that cracked block or spun bearing that just happened by chance ?

How much is it worth it ?

(Personally I have fought all these problems and won some and lost some. IMO the trip was worth the experience. Some people are happiest just purchasing what they want tho)

 

I am not saying this is not possible ^^^^

It is not unusual for a failure of one sort or another to cause other problems. If a bearing was spun for example, the heat may have deformed or softened another unforeseen component of the engine. I had one engine where it overheated and cracked the block. It was a VERY fine crack, that was only discovered after much wasted time.

I seemed to have learned everything the hard way.

 

Yeah it's a project car, although at this point more like a money pit with no tangible reward lol. The 300 miles I drove it recently was definitely fun though. As for time and money and support, yyyeeesssss... I mean I can afford to have it sit and be wrenched on for a bit longer. It's already sat for like 2 years so what's an extended stay past this point amirite? Money is not the biggest issue although yeah, a Porsche would be a more focused sports car. Not ready for those repair bills. With the JZ engine already in-hand, I'm expecting about $5k to get the car to a running and reliable state. That doesn't include a new computer or wiring harness, I have the stock ECU and a SAFC to kick things off. I'm also tending to my daily 135i so that thing always needs something fixed. Good thing I have all the special BMW tools so I can impress my bimmer geek friends.

The car is probably worth about $20 and a stick of bubble gum without an engine. Its pig fat, heavy, understeers hilariously bad, and looks like a bag of *** that got hit by a leaking septic tank. But it's mine and it's paid off and if I ever wreck it, 350z swap is as easy as... a full month's work what's not to love!?

 

Depending on how bad the crank is than yea, replace it…and for how inexpensive they are relatively easy to source it’s a good option.

I would find the handful of JZ builds here on the forum and read the entire post and take notes on what it entails and how much cash you’re looking at spending. I think you have to go standalone and rely heavily on CAN Bus communication.

Wiring Specialties (I think) makes a JZ harness that jives with this platform (but see what others did).

And yea, having a TIG welder and being competent on aluminum is a big advantage (or at least a buddy who can TIG aluminum/steel and will help you out).

100% agree, the journey is the reward…

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So a quick update..

Called the shop on Wed and spoke with the builder as well as one of the senior mechanics that came to check out the motor in person. I was immediately given every excuse and was told the only way to determine anything was to send the motor in so they can tear it apart. The builder told me I'd likely have to pay for a specialist to rotate the crank and determine it's issue. He told me there's no way the clearance measurements were off, that he checked them himself. He also told me he never new the crank had been ground and welded and that if he'd known, he'd never have assembled it. Interesting, considering I told them exactly what the crank had been through and that this was my primary concern from the very beginning. Literally the ground and welded crank was the reason I didn't attempt this myself. It couldn't have been more clear if I tattooed it to my forehead. It's also obviously etched by a machinist "010 010" on the side. I then talked to the senior mechanic who kept his chill a bit better but also told me there was nothing that could be done until I bring in the engine. I understand that logic but I also understand that dropping my engine off could weaken my situation by giving up all evidence and they could just hold everything hostage against a paywall. I've lost all trust and have begun a charge dispute with USAA so wish me luck, it's gonna be fun.

Next time I'm going to a Nissan specialist, getting a signed scope of work agreement before anything happens, a warranty defined, and everything else that can help with accountability. Pretty wack that I'm at this point but hey at least I learned something lmao

 

I would figure they would make as many excuses as they could … My response about clearances would be where is the documentation … if you did all the work to determine the measurements where are they written down? Never provided to you? Never mentioned?

Even with everything in writting/signed, warranty defined, holding them accountable there is so much plausible deniability that it would boil down to a stack of papers.

If I were in your shoes I would be looking to do the next build myself with the help of a machine shop doing the nerd-work.

 

Sorry to hear this. Please keep us posted on the final outcome ?

 

Exactly lol. He mentioned before they don't keep it so I'm just going to forward that quote to the bank. I'm pretty much just treating it like a small claims case and USAA tends to have a good eye out for their custys.

Hell yeah dude! Hopefully I stay part of the community. I've been thinking of dumping it all and going used Porsche or something but we'll see. I just need a manual, limited-slip RWD car in my life haha