Built Motor Guys...What do u regret? (Chapter 2 of was it worth it)
Originally Posted by Alberto
Sorry, didnt know, I figured it was gonna start another "my shop is better than yours" thread
Originally Posted by taurran
Hey wait I thought mine would be done this weekend! 
Hopefully they will finish mine first because it's obviously the faster car.
Hopefully they will finish mine first because it's obviously the faster car.
Sorry OP......
This is a slightly unrelated rant, but I wish I had protected my rear bumper better with a clear-bra or something because the soot from not having cats is starting to get out of hand.
I regret taking my engine to a machine shop that was not familiar with the complexity of the VQ and thus unable to provide me with an accurate quote. When I did get the quote for the machine work (I supplied all the parts mind you), it was astronomical, and completely unacceptable to me. But they had already done the tear down and inspect so I had to pay them for that labor. Then I had to take the disassembled engine to my current builder (who is very familar with the VQ35) to have the work done and be reassembled. All this has cost me time.
I haven't driven my car since the end of December and it sucks. Many have gone longer then that but I think I underestimated the suck factor of not having your car for that long. Dont make that mistake; be prepared for it to take twice as long and cost twice as much.
I regret failing to do adequate research and making impulse buys for my build. For example, I picked up Cometic headgaskets, until I was told by my builder that they are basically the same as the stockers. So I had to sell them at a loss and buy the HKS'.
In retrospect I probably would have just purchased an already built shortblock rather then piece together all the parts and then have it all put together. Some of the prices out there for built shortblocks are really appealing.
A turnkey package like MRC, Forged, GTM and others are offering is probably a good idea for those who are in a position (geographically) to take advantage of them. You are going to have people to fix any issues, your costs will be known, your timeline will probably be reasonable. I would not take this option because I love to work on my own car, but its worth considering for some.
All in all I do regret some choices I've made and I haven't even put my car back together yet. I would change the way I've gone about it so far, but I would definitely do it all again anyway in a heartbeat because I love this car.
I haven't driven my car since the end of December and it sucks. Many have gone longer then that but I think I underestimated the suck factor of not having your car for that long. Dont make that mistake; be prepared for it to take twice as long and cost twice as much.
I regret failing to do adequate research and making impulse buys for my build. For example, I picked up Cometic headgaskets, until I was told by my builder that they are basically the same as the stockers. So I had to sell them at a loss and buy the HKS'.
In retrospect I probably would have just purchased an already built shortblock rather then piece together all the parts and then have it all put together. Some of the prices out there for built shortblocks are really appealing.
A turnkey package like MRC, Forged, GTM and others are offering is probably a good idea for those who are in a position (geographically) to take advantage of them. You are going to have people to fix any issues, your costs will be known, your timeline will probably be reasonable. I would not take this option because I love to work on my own car, but its worth considering for some.
All in all I do regret some choices I've made and I haven't even put my car back together yet. I would change the way I've gone about it so far, but I would definitely do it all again anyway in a heartbeat because I love this car.
Originally Posted by coachk
Its a good chance both will be ready. Are you going to Bradenton this Sunday for the TampaRacing drag races? I'll be there just not racing.
Sorry OP......
Sorry OP......
I'm also on call for work this weekend so that kinda sucks.
I hope both cars are done that would be great!
Jamez - Get some cleaner wax and a terry towel. The soot will come right off and it will be nice and shiny.
Originally Posted by ZthirtyThr33
You know what suckss!!? is that im still N/A... dannng itt.
Butt..
Thumbs up on these 2 threads, I read all of em. Definitely some good info!!
Butt..
Thumbs up on these 2 threads, I read all of em. Definitely some good info!!
Originally Posted by SpoilsofWar
I regret taking my engine to a machine shop that was not familiar with the complexity of the VQ and thus unable to provide me with an accurate quote. When I did get the quote for the machine work (I supplied all the parts mind you), it was astronomical, and completely unacceptable to me. But they had already done the tear down and inspect so I had to pay them for that labor. Then I had to take the disassembled engine to my current builder (who is very familar with the VQ35) to have the work done and be reassembled. All this has cost me time.
I haven't driven my car since the end of December and it sucks. Many have gone longer then that but I think I underestimated the suck factor of not having your car for that long. Dont make that mistake; be prepared for it to take twice as long and cost twice as much.
I regret failing to do adequate research and making impulse buys for my build. For example, I picked up Cometic headgaskets, until I was told by my builder that they are basically the same as the stockers. So I had to sell them at a loss and buy the HKS'.
In retrospect I probably would have just purchased an already built shortblock rather then piece together all the parts and then have it all put together. Some of the prices out there for built shortblocks are really appealing.
A turnkey package like MRC, Forged, GTM and others are offering is probably a good idea for those who are in a position (geographically) to take advantage of them. You are going to have people to fix any issues, your costs will be known, your timeline will probably be reasonable. I would not take this option because I love to work on my own car, but its worth considering for some.
All in all I do regret some choices I've made and I haven't even put my car back together yet. I would change the way I've gone about it so far, but I would definitely do it all again anyway in a heartbeat because I love this car.
I haven't driven my car since the end of December and it sucks. Many have gone longer then that but I think I underestimated the suck factor of not having your car for that long. Dont make that mistake; be prepared for it to take twice as long and cost twice as much.
I regret failing to do adequate research and making impulse buys for my build. For example, I picked up Cometic headgaskets, until I was told by my builder that they are basically the same as the stockers. So I had to sell them at a loss and buy the HKS'.
In retrospect I probably would have just purchased an already built shortblock rather then piece together all the parts and then have it all put together. Some of the prices out there for built shortblocks are really appealing.
A turnkey package like MRC, Forged, GTM and others are offering is probably a good idea for those who are in a position (geographically) to take advantage of them. You are going to have people to fix any issues, your costs will be known, your timeline will probably be reasonable. I would not take this option because I love to work on my own car, but its worth considering for some.
All in all I do regret some choices I've made and I haven't even put my car back together yet. I would change the way I've gone about it so far, but I would definitely do it all again anyway in a heartbeat because I love this car.
Originally Posted by taurran
Jamez - Get some cleaner wax and a terry towel. The soot will come right off and it will be nice and shiny.
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I have no regrets...but I cant take credit for that. Its because of all the info I have recieved from this website. I have learned from the mistakes of others. You all that have the knowledge and have been welling to share it...all i can say is thanks.
Alberto....I know you are one of the main ones that are willing to share the good and the bad.....most will not. Thanks to you too for steering me in the right directions.
Alberto....I know you are one of the main ones that are willing to share the good and the bad.....most will not. Thanks to you too for steering me in the right directions.
Originally Posted by Alberto
I dont know if you are serious. If you are, thats the type of thinking that makes me not want to share my experiences with the community anymore, why potentially help you if your not doing the same? Good luck with your build.
Getting to the OP's question:
*Better EMS from the start, but at the time FCON was only choice and having a locked down EMS wasnt an option!
*L19's instead of 1/2" studs
*No sleeves, but again at the time they were thought to be required for 550+whp
*If I hadnt done sleeves, and studs I could have likely done some mild headwork which would have proven beneficial.
*HKS DLI ignition, while I did feel smoother throttle response, who knows what if anything its doing for me, $$$$ better spent elsewhere
*Braille 11.5lb battery, POS died on me within 1 week of having it? Actually 10 min with the HU on and car off = dead
Replacement was also garbage. Perhaps 15lb is better
*Wish I had done crazier cams other than JWT S1, but midrange TQ was nasty. BC stage 3 should pull like a raped ape up top
EDIT
*Wish I had "just" done Eagle rods, Pauters are nicer but for my power levels Eagles would have been more than fine and I could have saved $600
Let me add some things, I DONT regret:
*Carbonetics triple disc clutch, if it can handle my abuse, it can handle yours
*Koyo radiator, cheap and effective
*SS clutch line, made clutch pedal feel much better
Ok, Im done
Getting to the OP's question:
*Better EMS from the start, but at the time FCON was only choice and having a locked down EMS wasnt an option!
*L19's instead of 1/2" studs
*No sleeves, but again at the time they were thought to be required for 550+whp
*If I hadnt done sleeves, and studs I could have likely done some mild headwork which would have proven beneficial.
*HKS DLI ignition, while I did feel smoother throttle response, who knows what if anything its doing for me, $$$$ better spent elsewhere
*Braille 11.5lb battery, POS died on me within 1 week of having it? Actually 10 min with the HU on and car off = dead
Replacement was also garbage. Perhaps 15lb is better*Wish I had done crazier cams other than JWT S1, but midrange TQ was nasty. BC stage 3 should pull like a raped ape up top
EDIT
*Wish I had "just" done Eagle rods, Pauters are nicer but for my power levels Eagles would have been more than fine and I could have saved $600
Let me add some things, I DONT regret:
*Carbonetics triple disc clutch, if it can handle my abuse, it can handle yours
*Koyo radiator, cheap and effective
*SS clutch line, made clutch pedal feel much better
Ok, Im done
I have been part of 3 VQ motor builds now and have learned a ton about this setup. My advise:
- Spend the money on a good EMS
- Over buy your clutch. it will just end up costing you more in the long run
- there is a big difference from a car <500whp and one that is 500+whp in terms of parts needed, traction, reliability, etc
- sometimes proper machine work and proper installation are more important than buying the absolute best parts
-keep things as simple as you can
-don't be short sighted and don't have tunnel vision... look beyond making the 500whp on the dyno and consider other aspects of making the car enjoyable to drive
and my most important lessons learned:
1.)18+ psi is too much for oem headgaskets
2.)DO NOT run underdrive pulleys, it isn't worth it
- Spend the money on a good EMS
- Over buy your clutch. it will just end up costing you more in the long run
- there is a big difference from a car <500whp and one that is 500+whp in terms of parts needed, traction, reliability, etc
- sometimes proper machine work and proper installation are more important than buying the absolute best parts
-keep things as simple as you can
-don't be short sighted and don't have tunnel vision... look beyond making the 500whp on the dyno and consider other aspects of making the car enjoyable to drive
and my most important lessons learned:
1.)18+ psi is too much for oem headgaskets
2.)DO NOT run underdrive pulleys, it isn't worth it
I regret not getting 3 inch downpipes from the start.
I regret not getting bigger cams
I regret not buy better tires in the rear I went thru ALOT
Other than that nothing I beat the **** out of my car nitely and it loves it
I regret not getting bigger cams
I regret not buy better tires in the rear I went thru ALOT
Other than that nothing I beat the **** out of my car nitely and it loves it
Originally Posted by Tyler4
I'm not gonna lie, there is a lot of bull**** that sometimes goes on in these forums, but it's posts/info like this that make this site sooo helpful to the whole Z community.
Originally Posted by JAMEZ@CiNcity
This is a slightly unrelated rant, but I wish I had protected my rear bumper better with a clear-bra or something because the soot from not having cats is starting to get out of hand.
Things I regret:
-Buying a turbonetics kit, and trying to go for big power
-Taking my car to Tuning Factory in Michigan
-Using a Turbo Xcess Utec
-Using Standard ARP head Studs
-Using a Cometic head gasket
-RC Injectors
-Not test driving my car before I picked it up
-Wiesco Pistons
-Not buying a Greddy TT first
-Not Porting my heads
-Buying a turbonetics kit, and trying to go for big power
-Taking my car to Tuning Factory in Michigan
-Using a Turbo Xcess Utec
-Using Standard ARP head Studs
-Using a Cometic head gasket
-RC Injectors
-Not test driving my car before I picked it up
-Wiesco Pistons
-Not buying a Greddy TT first
-Not Porting my heads
This thread delivers definitely. Keep the good info going. Black soot FTL, but it's such a small price to pay for the sound of the DP and dumps plus the TT's. Anybody suggest a specific brand of cleaner wax?
