+1 theyre not something you can slap together and just work

 

There's a huge difference between an engine that comes boosted from the factory and one that is boosted afterwards. And by a highly questionable shop that went out of business due to scamming people. You've been warned by several members and you still have your heart set on buying this car -- apologies if my post came across a bit harsh.

 

Well look at it this way: if you want to learn about tearing down a boosted VQ I think this car will give you plenty of opportunity.

 

No need for apologies. We are all big boys. And I understand you are just trying to offer some advice, which I appreciate.. really. And I completely agree that a stock boosted motor is completely different. Because I have a 2rz tacoma I have been looking into boosting some and I know its a whole different world.

Just as an update, I am heading down to take a look at the car this weekend. I talked to the owner today and he gave me info on the last shop that did work on the car. Jotech (in Dallas I believe). I googled them and heard the same $hitty rep stories about them (but not ALL bad). I am going to try to get in touch with them tomorrow and see if I can get the original owner's info and contact him. Also, I told the guy I wasn't buying anything without all paperwork of work done along with an updated compression test and leak down test.

 

i bought a used boosted z that jotech built. let me tell you i have not been impressed at all when disasembling it with the work that was done. alot of the lines werent routed safely and had been touching the exhaust manifolds and ****. fitment looks like it was done with a pry bar when installing the motor in the car >.> looks like they used a stock headgasget's and headstuds aswell so be weary of them

 

only way I would buy the car is if I were going into it with the intentions of the motor giving out.

that way if your dead set on having a boosted z (which I would be) then you only have to pay for a built motor and possibly turbo rebuild. if you buy a NA z and turbo it you will then have to shell out for a turbo setup and either run it on the stock block or pay to have it built. atleast if the motor does go then the previous owner already payed for the turbo setup and and you just have to pay for a built motor (which you probably would have done on a NA car you turboed your self anyway eventually). also greddy turbos are "relatively" cheap to rebuild (compared to BB turbos) so even if you have to do that also it will still be cheaper than buying a whole new forced induction kit in order to turbo an NA car.

 

well. I drove 3 1/2 hours one way yesterday to take a look at the car. Had cash in hand and was ready to drive it home, untillll. Started car and top end rattled on start up. then would not idle until it was warmed up, and the longer the car ran, if you opened it up it would throw out a plume of white smoke. Passenger side window didnt work, interior handle pulled off. carpet was trashed. and air/fuel gauge didnt work, two bent rims, front bumper torn to hell.

So i told the guy he completely wasted my entire day be I ended up driving 8 hours for nothing at which time he said he didn't give a F*** and tried to fight bc I didnt want the car.

Dealing with custom cars we all deal with all sorts of people but this was one of the worst disappointments, As the car, at one point was amazing Im sure.

I did drive the car and the power was amazing. I will definitely be on the hunt much harder now, for a quality boosted 350.



All that just to say I should have listened to the seasoned guys on my350z. Thanks anyways guys.

 

Sorry you wasted your time. Was the guy selling it the original owner when all the stuff was installed? Keep up the hunt. There should be better sellers out there especially those that have had a lot of heart ache to make their car perfect and would want to sell to someone that cared about the little things.

He's probably been fed up with the car too.

I've got so much in my G I don't think I will ever part with her, but she is a total blast when I open her up!

Happy hunting!

 

Glad you passed on it. Good luck in your search

 

Glad your opportunity to "see the light" didn't cost more than just some driving. My enlightenment cost quite a bit more than that

 

+1000

OP, check the classifieds for boosted Z/Gs for sale. If a member is known and reputable everyone in this section will know that they are a stand up person and the car was built and tuned by a quality shop. You may spend a bit more, but you will get someone's well cared for baby instead of a nightmare being pushed along by a dealer.