I'll keep this one simple so the APS bandwagon won’t try and run me over.

Yesterday I was told that the bolt and nut in the middle of my steering column was hitting the turbine housing on my APS TT kit. I was having some problems turning the steering wheel at low speeds and at higher speeds in a hard right turn to the point the steering wheel even felt like it locked up!!! That scared me enough to garage the car a couple of months until I found out what was going on. I’m not sure if this is an isolated incident or if others have had similar problems but I would suggest APS TT owners to check under their cars and see how much clearance they have between their steering column and their turbos. Id say at least ¼” for an extra safety margin. Aging engine mounts, a hard right turn causing the engine to shift left in the bay, and counter torque from deceleration all combined to give me one nasty surprise. If this problem appeared during a track day or during a spirited cruise, it would have been very dangerous to say the least. Because I didn’t have this problem before, I’d assume it’s because my engine mounts have settled after 2 years, 34k miles, and the extra torque.

 

Damn you are lucky. I think this is the second time someone has posted something similar to this. Someone needs to contact them and notify them of the problem. I wonder if they could get sued on something like this, if someone were to have an accident.

 

You should have SGP take a look at it and see if they have any advice to what should be done.

 

SGP was the ones that did the repairs. Most places, including the dealer take one look at the car and dont want to touch it.

 

The clearance issue with the LHS turbo is common knowledge. The APS instructions specifically state that you must shave the knuckle. But I never thought about the effects aging motor mounts. I think it's good that you brought it up. I suppose solid motor mounts is the long term solution to this problem.

 

Enron, do you know if your knuckle was shaved previously? What did SGP do to fix the problem? Shim? New motor mount?

 

(The clearance issue with the LHS turbo is common knowledge. The APS instructions specifically state that you must shave the knuckle.)

+1 duh

brooke

 

Yes i read the instruction and yes the shop that did my install read the instructions. I wish you would stop staing the obvious to me like im some 16 year old gone wild with daddy's credit card. Im a 29 year old project engineer for an electrical firm and i have alot of hobbies. This is one of them.

Im not claiming to be a tech or any type of expert on modding the 350Z but just FYI about my history here.

I picked up my 03 Performance on May 2003.

I installed a used ATI SC Dec 2003 myself with guidance from Julian aka Daking350Z. lol Or i like to call dakingoftheban350z! I learned alot about FI.

I tried to organize the first group buy for Pauter rods and Arias pistons on this forum but with a handle like mine, i didnt get far. Summer 2004

My car went in for the motor build August 2004. The shop that did my build, Lightspeed Performance, and machinist, Faerman Racing, gave me a huge understanding on motors.

I picked up one of the first APS TT kits Jan 2005. I think i was the first to attempt an APS TT with a built motor as far as i know on this board but because i ran into so any problem, i ended finishing it all 2nd or 3rd.

My car finally rolls out April 2005, after 100's of delays and heart aches.

Stuck on stock actuators until as of 2 weeks ago. SGP put in the Forged actuators and im looking for sub 500 rwhp and maxxing the APS injectors by next week.

If there was an hours logger on the FI section, my account would be in the top 30 i bet. I just have been quite the past few months so alot of the newer guys might think i popped out of la la land and started making unsubstantiated comments.

 

. Even more so for the Extreme. The Speed senesative Zs have bigger knuckles. This info is in other threads.

Not bashing, just saying.


Added: I've seen ya for a while. Strange how its strating now. Let us know if its the motor mounts or something else.

 

this is good to know. i was interested in the APS TT. i now made my decision to stay NA. 3.9FD and Quaife LSD is all ima do with this car. good luck in the future.

 

Would solid motor mounts cure the problem or would you need to do some other crap to make it fit right?

 

For ppl with mild power goals like me, I think a good first install with an expierenced shop should be all they need. SGP shaved maybe another 1/8 off the bolt and a hair off the turbine housing. Seems to work great now.

For ppl like .... id jsut weld the block together and then to the frame of the car.

 

Damn. Well, you may be an engineer but you act like a child. I wasn't being condescending in the slightest. I even thanked you for bringing up the aging motor mounts. But no, ignore the compliment and just get all pissed off at me for stating the "obvious". Did it ever cross your mind that not everybody reading this thread would know about the knucke? If I hadn't self installed my kit, I doubt I would have known about it.

Oh and thanks for not answering any of my questions.

 

So you have fixed the problem? has it happened again?

This is a big question< I m assuming the problem is fixed can you take an pics of what was shaved, mine is going in, in 2 weeks!!!!!!

 

Yea, as far as i know, the problem is fixed.

Its hard to say because this might be a case by case problem. My only advise would be to follow the APS instructions and make sure you have plenty of space between the steering column and turbo to compensate for engine torque and wear on the engine mounts. Grind off as much of the steering column as you feel safe. It sounds like alot of guess work but i dont know what else to say. Like some of the other issues ive had with the APS kit, this one is a balancing act a well.

 

do you think a engine damper would help here,

Also please PM other issues you had with the kit so I can plan ahead,

thanks

 

I had mine shaved by ZCG last week as I was getting a wierd nose when turning right only, I was told that this job had been done already when I got the APS TT installed but of course it was not.

 

THe LHS steering shaft contact issue is common and I also experience it under hard right turns and especially during engine braking. Also note the first generation of APS 3.5" Test pipes are also very close to the steering shaft on G35s, so that is another contention for G owners. Statically I have lots of clearance. The OEM motor mounts just flex too much when torqued. I am attemting to mount a stillen damper, however, it requires relocation of the lower mount point mounting since the RHS APS intake pipe is in the way.

Another altenative may be to make stiffer (~urethane) , not solid, mounts.

 

Try reading. Looks like your questions were, in fact, answered.

 

A damper would certainly help. Solid motor mounts would also help I'm sure. That makes me think that I need to check mine before the Spring.

I never had any issues with the steering knuckle. I shave it during the install, just like the instruction says. You can safely shave quite a bit. I think I have about 1/2" clearence with the turbo housing.

Anyway Andy, for your APS TT install, like I told you and unlike our friends in the States, you will have to remove your block heater and plug the hole in the block.