Hey everyone,

I have a 2003 Nissan 350z Track edition and basically I'm doing my first engine build and I have a few questions about the parts that I'll be installing. As of right now my engine block is at the machine shop being bored and honed to 96mm, the pistons I bought are Wiseco forged pistons with a 96mm bore and compression ratio of 8:8:1. My initial plan was to run a single turbo with these lower compression pistons, but I'd like to hold out a little longer so I can buy a nicer turbo kit which brings me to a few questions. First, would it be ok to run my Z on these low compression pistons without a turbo? Second, would this change the timing in my engine? And third, does anyone have a recommended place to get my engine tuned so it's running good? If there is already a thread for this could someone redirect me?

Any help is appreciated,

Elijah

List of current mods:

Exhaust
Oil catch can
Coilovers

List of mods being installed during this build:
Wiseco forged pistons
Eagle H beam connecting rods
Brian Crower stage 2 cams
Oil pan spacer
Plenum spacer
Z1 cold air intake

 

What whp are you going for to have such low compression ratio; I feel like a lot of people make this mistake of lowing the compression ratio a lot because they are worried about detonation, my buddy did this on his car 9.5:1 to 8:1 and the car felt significantly slower out of boost.

 

That is not nearly enough block work to be able to run the boost pressures needed to make a 8.8:1 piston the right decision. Scrap that plan an go with a higher compression.

 

Looking for 400 whp

 

Sell pistons and go with stock compression. People have made that on the stock block (oldmanz)

 

First things first.. Do you plan to track the Z? If so how often?

I'd go with Stock Compression. How far are you into the motor build? if it's not already too late, i'd save some money and cancel that build. Also, you don't need BC stage 2 cams for 400whp. Way overkill. I would use that money on a good Fuel Return System and Oil Cooler.

Stock block, Turbo kit, Fuel system, Uprev w/ ARC and a GOOD known VQ tuner will be more than enough to net your 400whp goal, conservatively too.

 

What everyone else said … keep the block stock and add a simple 6psi to 8psi turbo.

Keep it simple and dont over complicate things.

I dont think you need a return fuel system for 8psi of boost (especially if your tuner knows youre running a OEM setup) but you will likely need a 255lph or 300lph fuel pump

What turbo setup are you going with?

Plan on spending $5k to $7k when this is all said and done

 

I just ordered the low compressions pistons from z1 Motorsports a couple weeks ago so im going to go with what you guys said return the pistons get some stock compression pistons. The block haven't been bored or honed yet its just sitting at the machine shop until the pistons arrive. Im just starting to buy the parts to put everything back together. Already had the heads machined resurfaced and cleaned to fit the BC cams. And i also plan to drift the Z at the track yes.

 

Before starting my build I originally planned on going with the SOHO single turbo kit, but it turns out that they have been discontinued during my build at some point so my other options were the cheap turbonetics single turbo setup or maybe even the HKS supercharger kit. I'm not too sure what to go with now if you have any recommendations I'm open to ideas. I was hoping for a single turbo setup but it looks like twin turbo is pretty common compared to single. I'm going to be ordering forged pistons and rods as well so could my block hold more? 500 whp maybe? It's my first build and my original plan is out the window now so any help is appreciated.

 

Look up Unknown Performance (talk to Reilly) best bang for your buck for turbo systems.

 

Really appreciate the recommendation. Think I'm going to go with these guys. Their turbo setup sounds like a great deal and their work looks quality.

 

Going with Unknown Performance? Did you talk to Reilly?

I was affliated with UP up until maybe 6months ago and I stepped down because it was too much for me - I have another side business (that’s also getting sold) and I have my 9 to 5 career job. But they’re a great company, treat customers right, and give great value for their kits.

 

Yes I talked with Reilly about fabricating a kit. For custom fabricated piping, and rest of the kit it sounded like a really good deal. Just over $5,000 for everything which is less than any of the other single turbo kits that i found. Quick responses too, great customer service.

 

Check the marketplace. STS Rear mount kit was just posted for sale

 

Does anyone know the stock compression ratio for the vq35de non rev up? I've seen a lot of different answers and I'm not really sure which ones correct. 10:0:1? 10.3:0:1?

 

10.3:1