Randy, Is the Z running yet?

 

Yeah. The only problem is that I stripped a bolt in the upper plenum, so I have a vacuum leak. I successfully started the car but it did not idle well. Unfortunately, the idle was all screwy, most likely due to the plenum leak,but I'm sure once I fix that, it will hopefully idle just fine.

After that, its off to Turbo Trix for the low boost tune 7-8 psi. I also installed the boost controller, so if things go well, they can go up a bit. Once I break that in, I go to higher psi wastegate springs. (1 bar)

 

Well, I thought the plenum leak would be the culprit in an unsteady idle, but even after fixing it, I found that it is still very wierd. The only thing new really is the added turbo set up and the pro-efi.
Previous to all this, the car was broken in on the stock ECU and stock injectors. It ran basically...... flawlessly.
Now that I added the ProEFi with a base map, it is running like crap.
In fact I tried to drive it around the neighborhood and all of the engine lights came on (VDC, SLIP, Brake, CEL), then later the RPM's went thru the roof, blasting to 5K with my foot off the pedal. I had to ride the brake to safely get the car home. Maybe I have to hook up the O2 sensor as well. Not really sure what is going on.
I planned on driving the car from NY to NJ for the tune, but if things don't improve, it looks like I'll be towing it there just to be safe.

 

try connecting the 02 sensors Randy - I'd bet the proEfi needs feedback from it to run its base map

 

Might as well give that a shot. I've got nothing else to lose.

 

did it work?

 

Spoke to a couple of folks over at EFI and they stated that if the car is programmed for o2 sensor reading and it doesn't see a signal that it will shut down that sensor, in other words, it won't look there any more. So it would be unnecessary to bother hooking it up. I may go ahead and do it anyway, because it is a good feature to improve on tuning capabilities and the self tuning feature. I guess the primary problem right now is simply getting the car to NJ for the tune. And let them (Turbo Trix) worry about it.

 

I will be flatbedding the car to NJ this Friday. Wish me luck.

 

OK. Well I brought the car over to the tuner (Friday 4/25) and swapped out the harness. Turns out that was causing all of the engine light problems...Now the car will be there for the better half of the week for tuning. I'll post up the results when I get it back.

Keep your fingers crossed.

 

Here is how I brought it to the tuner:




Kind of makes you feel like its a race car when you see it on a flatbed.
Anyway, we'll see how it works out.

 

You're almost there, Randy... We're all pulling for you to make good horsepower and have a fun safe car to drive...

We'll miss your good DIY's though...

 

Thanks. But my DIY days are far from over. I am now helping out some of my local buddies with there installs. If its not my Z, its someone else's. I just can't get enough of this car. Its a blast to work on!!!

I just wish I had more projects to work on. I have another Turbonetics project waiting in the wings. If anyone needs help with installation of any FI project hit me up. (Custom or Manufactured.)

 

anyword on what this bad boy put down???

 

Patience Grasshopper. I get my car back this weekend...hopefully.

 

Oh yeah and the unsteady idle was caused by a temporary hose I was using to replace my catch can. I used a thin hose to serve as a temporary measure between the passenger valve cover and the lower plenum and apparently it was flat and not allowing adequate air flow...yielding an unsteady idle.
Problem solved. Not an EFI issue afterall.

After several tuning sessions we have the lower end of the spectrum down solid. Start up is good, idle is perfect and the car is making decent power. I have yet to drive it even after all this time. I dropped off the last of the meth kit parts yesterday so hopefully that can be installed today and the car will be re-tuned to accommodate for the added 'fuel'.
I will then have to take the car, install the 1 bar wastegate springs and bring it back one last time to adjust the duty cycle of the boost solenoid otherwise I could be overboosting the car. (Don't want to do that!)
This can be done the same day...Friday when I pick it up. Thats 2 very long days from now.

 

Why is start up only good bro?

 

I don't have more feedback because I have not been in the car in almost 3 weeks. When I brought it to the tuner it was bad...took 5-6 seconds and a heavy blip of the throttle to start. I've been told its much better. As to whether or not its back to OEM start up I won't know until Friday when I get it back.

Hopefully its back to what I am accustomed to.

 

I got the car back and have been trying to get as much seat time as I can for the last week, unfortunately the weather in NY has not been so cooperative.

First impression..I need my tuner to tweak 2 things:
1) start up (both hot & cold) - no biggie for the tuner
2) on/off throttle changes are a bit abrasive - no biggie for the tuner as well.

I am so happy to have the car back. It is nothing like I remember..but I mean this in the best way possible. The acceleration is insane. I cant get much grip in first thru 3rd gears when I nail it. Punching it on the highway is fun and the G-Forces are just what the Medic ordered. It's just crazy 60-100 in a second or two. Watching the road is key, so although I am tempted to watch the rpm's shoot up, I don't want to end this ride too soon...Know what I mean?

The car idles perfect and I have no Cel lights...woohoo.

The brakes were recently upgraded (Stoptechs) and they absolutely stop on a dime. Oh man, I got to tell you, I need the brakes to stop this monster.

Right now I am set to 15psi of boost and this gives 530rwhp. I still have the stock wastegate springs (7 psi) on board so the boost solenoid is controlling the rest (8 psi).
I have yet to upgrade the WG springs to the 1 bar (14 psi) springs to ease the workload on the solenoid for my higher boost settings which have yet to come. I'm having so much fun with 15 psi though.

The suspension is also new...completely.
I installed BC Coilovers and I am so glad I did. The D2's were too stiff for the NY crappy roads. The BC's are very much more compliant, while still giving me plenty of grip. I HIGHLY recommend the BC's. They are a great compromise. And my pregnant wife agrees it was a good move.

I also have the rear traction & lower link arms installed, as well as a new set of Topspeed A-arms for the front. I will need an alignment now that they have pretty much all settled into place.

In case I forgot to mention, I have yet to bring the car back...just trying to feel around for any more possible bugs in the tuning (if any).

But so far...so VERY good. Worth the wait.

I will also be getting the CAN Gauge controller as part of the PROEFI package I ordered to give me ultimate control over boost from the driver seat.

Thats about it for now, feel free to ask any questions about anything I failed to cover.

 

Still undergoing some changes. Be patient grasshopper.
I have ben accumulating a few goodies since the car was away on 'vacation' getting tuned. Once I can get them on I'll be back in full swing.

I know u got something up ur sleeve...just let me know when the cat is out of the bag.

 

No Worries Zen Dragon there is enough info in this thread as well as the countless others to help you get thru just about anything. Trust me. And if that fails, you have your trusty Nissan 350z Service Manual. This is your new bible!
or you can pay me to do the work for you...or if you must you could go to the many wonderful vendors and my350z sponsors for assistance.
Good Luck.