PowerLab GT35R Will Put a Huge Grin on Your Face
(thatv35guy’s PowerLab & ProEFI Single Turbo Build)

My turn to do a build thread!

The car:
2003 G35 Coupe, 6-speed, with Brembo brakes

Old setup:
Injen cold air intake (removed)
PowerLab 3/8 plenum spacer
HKS Exhaust (modified)
TiTek test pipes (removed)
UpRev Osiris re-flash/dyno tune (removed)
Injected Performance rear differential brace

New setup:
PowerLab GT35R Kit
(Garrett GT35R dual ball bearing turbo w/.82 A/R turbine, TiAL 44mm external wastegate, TiAL 50mm B.O.V., PowerLab oil pan spacer, etc.)
Deatschwerks 600cc injectors
Walbro 255lph fuel pump
Jet Hot extreme sterling coating
ProEFI Pro48 ECU
ProEFI plug and play harness
ProEFI 5bar map sensor
ProEFI fuel pressure sensor
ProEFI Can gauge
Mishimoto black silicone radiator hoses (awaiting install)
SPL solid differential bushing (awaiting install)

Some background info:

I purchased this car from my brother-in-law about two years ago when he “sold-out” and bought a 335i; I remember going down to the dealership with him when he purchased the car back in 2003 and despite calling his car a “backwards Maxima” I’ve secretly always wanted a RWD VQ car…so, a few years later after selling my B20Z Integra I picked up his G35.

When I first purchased the car it was already equipped with a few modifications including Injen CAI, PowerLab plenum spacer, and an HKS exhaust, about 6 months later I added test pipes and an UpRev Osiris dyno tune, originally thinking I wasn’t going to boost or mod extensively…but after driving my brother’s PowerLab single turbo 350Z, I quickly realized just how wrong I was…

Project Boost:

PowerLab kit impressions:

I looked into a few kits but after seeing the PowerLab single turbo kit in action my mind was pretty much made up from the beginning. And recently, I came across a great deal on a PowerLab GT35R Turbo kit and having no self-control, I jumped on it. The kit I purchased was the complete GT35R kit (minus the UTEC); standard equipment included the TiAL b.o.v., TiAL wastegate, Deatschwerks 600cc fuel injectors, Walbro fuel pump, etc…

All together it took about a weekend to install this kit in the garage with basic tools, a fairly simple and straightforward process. I was thoroughly impressed with the quality and fitment of this kit and based on my experience I highly recommend this kit.

Engine management selection:

As far as the EMS I’ve chosen the ProEFI Pro48 ECU (along with VQ plug and play harness, 5bar map sensor)…I’m ditching the UpRev Osiris software, I feel more confident having the ProEFI controlling everything. I also opted for the fuel pressure sensor and ProEFI can gauge to monitor everything.

Coatings:

Also, I recently sent the exhaust side piping and hot side of the turbo housing to Jet Hot for a thermal coating, and the charge piping and cold side of the turbocharger was powder coated a glossy black before I picked up the kit.

Goals:

Aside from opting to use the HKS dual exhaust rather than a single JIC exhaust, this build should essentially be a carbon copy of my brother’s setup (speedsniper). I just wanted a simple and proven setup that I know will work. The target hp goal is about 370 – 380 whp with the 4.5 psi spring in the wastegate.

I should be going to the dyno later this week for the final dyno tune! I’ll post the results as soon as I get out!

Shout-out!

I’ve got to give a big thanks to Shar, Intense Motorsports, PowerLab, and ProEFI for all the help with the build…

>> Shar! (speedsniper) for doing the install in his garage!

>> Intense Motorsports for providing technical support and for helping out with the little things we couldn’t do in the garage ourselves!
They fabricated a custom reverse y-pipe for the downpipe to connect to the HKS exhaust, took care of the A/C, and made sure I got all the parts I needed! Thanks to Han, Tyler, Pete, and Darren!

>> PowerLab for making an awesome single turbo kit!

>> ProEFI for making sure I safely squeeze every last horsepower from the new setup!

Now a “few” pictures…

The car in N/A form:


PowerLab GT35R Kit:












Turbo piping and housing back from Jet Hot:







ProEFI Pro48 EMS:







Fuel:



Motivation/Rival/Brother: https://my350z.com/forum/forced-indu...fi-tunned.html

More pictures of the car post boost to come (…as soon as I’m able to clean it!)

 

Looks nice! GL with the build!

 

looks good!!!

 

FINALLY!!!!!

This is going to make for some interesting sibling rivalry at Firebird!!!!

 

I’m gunning for Shar’s times!

For anyone that doesn’t know…my brother has a 350Z equipped with the PowerLab GT35R single and I’ve just now joined him with my own PowerLab kit on my G35 Coupe… Firebird’s newly refreshed track is waiting!

Oh, the build’s already done! I just have to make my appointment for dyno tuning…but the turbo is up and running!

I haven’t had a chance to clean up the car and take some proper pictures; I’ll be doing that this week though!

 

did u alrdy get your reverse y pipe made to fit your HKS exhaust?

 

Yeah, Intense fabricated one up for me last week. I’ve been driving the car for about a week now.

 

Nice list.

GL.

 

Congrats OP!! Can't wait to see numbers, vids, and pics!

 

the G35 is going to have to go on a serious diet or run more HP to get equivalent 350z times. all else equal, you'll have your work cut out to beat him

 

Nice kit though broski.

 

Yeah, I know there’s about a 250 lb weight difference between the two cars…that just means I’ll have to get the ProEFI I-Boost controller and up the boost a little before he does… and/or I’ll need sticker tires too…

 

NICE!

 

FYI,
My 04 G35 with the SP TT kit was 3655lbs with me in it (~215lbs) and virtually no fuel.

Tom

 

Yeah, that’s right about what I figured. Honestly though, I’m not too concerned with actually being faster than his car, I really just want a mid to low 12 sec. car that’ll trap around 115 mph on stock motor and I certainly think that’ll be attainable.

Can’t wait to get tuned and go WOT!

 

Congrats on nice set-up. Looks to be pretty well thought out. Turbo, EMS, only thing holding you back may be the exhaust though. IIRC its a 2.5 diameter piping.
Either way Good Luck.

 

not on a stock block. that exhaust is more than adeqaute. probably perfect as it wont be super loud and will flow more than enough.

 

Nice man




When are you planning on getting it tuned?

 

Thanks! I’m hoping to hit the dyno at the end of the week or early next week…

After that I want a shot at your HR! How do you like your new Z BTW?

 

Congrats man on coming to the darkside.