Hello Everyone,

I have an 03 G35 running with the turbonetics kit. I have haltech controlling my system and 550 upgraded injectors, 5/16 motordyne spacer and greddy exhaust.

My engine is shot, but had issues before the install - not the best time to install a kit in retrospect.

I'm not sure what my next step should be as I'm only looking for 375 to 425 who but money is running out in the eyes of the wife. I currently get about 350 to the wheels but tuning needed to be cut short due to engine health. IE - spewing lots of smoke on the dyne.. and lots of smoke upon start-up of engine, and then when hard on the accelerator I get blue/white smoke...

I have two options:
1) Get a built engine installed and keep running off of the turbonetics kit, or
2) Put in a new VQ engine, not built, and sell the turbonetics and get a greddy twin or another single T kit

Suggestions? I just don't have the money to do both, which would be a best case scenario - built engine and sell kit...

Thanks for the help

 

Are you absolutely sure the engine is toast and not something else in the kit?

Have you:
Checked the plugs
Compression test
Blackstone Labs Oil test (for bearing wear etc- cheaper than it sounds)
What is the health of your cooling system? Radiator etc; any drops in coolant levels etc?


Builds take dedication and a serious will to make happen. I don't recommend getting a built motor unless you're financially/emotionally ready for it. You could buy a greddy kit brand new off the shelf with everything on it for less than the cost of what the built motor runs you.

My vote is figure out what exactly is wrong with your motor. Blown rings? That would have to be from detonation which probably would happen after the kit was installed/run.

White smoke is a bad sign, but if you figure out what's actually wrong you could save yourself money long run. IE take out your engine and get another stock block, swap the blocks+new hr gasket+juke bolts+new/rev-up oil pump and plop her back in. That would set you back less than a grand.

 

Check the IC and charge pipes for oil, TN kits are known for blowing oil out the turbo. If it were me I'd sell the POS TN kit, build the motor, find a used 18G kit and refresh the turbos.

 

You gotta pay to play. I never understand people wanting to boost a Z when they can barely afford the turbo kit.

If I were you I would sell your current kit. Buy a used VQ and throw it in there and run it stock until you save up enough money to do it the right way.

 

You could always do an LS swap as well. If I were you I'd part the VQ and buy another one or just sell the VQ as is and buy another one. You could always get another engine with your credit card and that will give you time to pay it off. You could always sell the Haltech as well and get a cheaper tuning option. You have several options brotha.

 

If he can't afford a proper turbo install then he can't afford to do an LS swap. It's not a cheaper option for 99% of people who do the swap.

 

Exactly an LS swap is gonna be equal or more costly and usually less power in the end + a ton more custom one-off work to get everything working right. Nothing against it, just hate it when people consider it a 'cost saving' option.

 

As all the gents are saying figure out the issue before throwing $ @ it. Sounds like you have 1. a blown turbo or seal (startup smoke) & 2. Blown head gasket (blueish smoke) which may not be so common on the motors leading to other motor troubles. I'm not a knowledgeable motor guy here as others are. Start first with the east stuff like removing the turbo kit. Then decide what you really want a reliable car or a project. GL either way

 

Yeah the TN kit is pretty crappy. I don't like it at all. But if you're really broke, I guess it 'works'

 

I would swap in a stock motor, keeping run the '****' kit you have. No way I'd throw a built setup at that turbo kit... HUGE waste of money. If you do a build, get a twin setup of sorts and ditch the TN kit... at that point you are better off swapping in a stock motor, and selling off the car and buying a twin setup car. You can't build them for what they cost to just buy done

 

This.

 

You all offer some great advice, thank you. But, in the end I'm selling the TN kit, just bought a JWT TT kit and IP stage 2.. Back when I bought the TN kit it was cheap, and you're right I never had all the money to do it right - so we'll see what money I can get from the parts I sell and just proceed forward.. thank you all

 

Gratz on your purchase, you should have sent your car to AAM and got their new TT set up, Ill bet it will yield better results and for a lot cheaper.

 

I am not sure if you are being serious. The AAM needs test cars to start building the kit and will take longer to get back then a ready made JWT and the JWT, depending on the turbo size, will still be cheaper than the estimated10K cost of the AAM. If his goals hold true then JWT will be enough even the AAM may be an overall better performer but that is still yet to be seen.

 

No I'm being serious, yes it may take a little longer to get his car back but with the discounts he would get I'm sure it would be well worth it to go with AAM. Also doesn't JWT still require a authorized dealer to install the all the kits? I could be way wrong but it was just a thought since I just noticed he was in Canada.

 

yeah, discounts would go into price of shipping his car.

I am interested in what the AAM will do but it is all bench numbers now.

 

I installed a JWT kit on my own 04 G35 2 months ago. I bought it through a local dealer here in Phoenix. The local shops all drop the motor for installs but I did it in place. Due to little available space on the sides of the engine it was not an easy job. Doable but not easy. If your going to use another engine the assembly would be somewhat easier. IMO opinion the kit design and fit is excellent and the few times I called for advice Jim Wolf answered the questions himself.

 

**** any other turbo kit, its Greddy or nothin. lol

 

I'm sure the AAM kit is good but as it was noted needs lots of time to be out together and sorted out. The block and kit I'm getting are from another user and is in great shape. A lot of custom work was done and the price is much better then AAM and a built block otherwise would be, guaranteed.

 

Buying another persons built block always ends with f************, unless its from a reputable member with reputable builders behind it.