I never thought I'd be typing a posting like this, but... I was driving down 2222 at about 10:30pm, and as I came around a turn there was a rock in my lane. I had plenty of room to swerve and dodge it, or brake, but I didn't think it was a rock, and I wasn't 100% sure there wasn't a car in my blind spot, so I just went right over it. It hit hard, so I pulled over and immediately saw that oil was coming out of the engine, so I shut it down within 30 seconds (and I noticed the oil guage still read about 45 psi). I figured I had cracked the oil pan, no big deal.

So I had it towed to UpRev, since my friend Jared was still there installing the new dyno, we put it on the lift, and it turns out the rock bent the swaybar back, crumpled up the oil pan, and the engine block has 2 or 3 cracks in it. I'll try to get some photos posted tomorrow.

It's a 2003 350Z, the engine had 57000 miles on it. I guess I will plan to buy a VQ35DE (non revup) engine, and think about whether to claim this on my insurance. What does a new VQ35DE cost, and labor to install it? I know I could probably replace it with a revup version, (although that also requires a different ECU), but the revups have this oil consumption problem, and I just want a reliable engine. The VQ35HR is tempting too, but same deal, plus I'm not even sure it would fit, any I don't want to be the first one to try it.

Man I was so looking forward to going to the track this weekend too... to try out my new tires! Now they're covered in oil (btw, will oil mess up my tires if it sits on them for a few weeks?).

thanks for any input..

 

Here's a pic that paints a good picture...

 

wow that rock did some damage.....

goodluck

 

Holy crap that's some serious damage...
I believe used VQ35DE from Z cost around 3K depending on the condition and milage.
Good luck with repairs.

 

wow must have been a huge rock, im getting kind of scared now since i dont have an under carriage, cuz it ripped off

 

Wow what kind of rock did you hit? A diamond?

 

I did have an undercarriage, but it's plastic.. it didn't help at all.

I'm pretty sure the rock was limestone, it's the most common rock around here, and the rock actually split into about 10 pieces when I hit it. I went and moved them out of the road while I was waiting for the wrecker. I guess the good thing is, the rock split up, so my whole car didn't roll over it... it could have caused damage all the way down the center of the car (diff, cats, exhaust) if it hadn't broken up.

 

How low is/was your car?

Poor fella, stories like these are starting to pop up very often (Z's getting damaged). Everyone is either getting their Z in accidents or vandalized.

Good thing we're still in production eh? Otherwise there'd only be Z's on the showroom.

 

Of course you should claim this on your insurance. It's not your fault either.

I always hit rocks.. but they always just hit the wheel well and nothing happens. You are really unlucky and sorry to hear about it!

 

god damnn!.. that must of been a pretty B.I.G rock..that sux.. good luck wih everything

 

Why would you NOT file an insurance claim. That's what its for.

bill

 

increase in insurance rate?

You should rely on insurance for stuff you can't pay anyways. Small stuff you're better off keeping it off the books.

 

Sorry to hear that, hope you get your Z up and running soon

 

I'd definately go through insurance for that...not going to be cheap. Maybe you can send it to SGP for the "replacement" if you know what I'm saying...i bet their labor is cheaper than a dealership. They can probably get the "replacement short block" a bit cheaper.

 

A new motor can be had for 5600.00, a block is 1500.00, a short block is 3000.00.
But keep in mind that there is a lower oil pan -60.00 and an upper oil pan (aluminum) thats around 90.00, It may be your upper pan that is cracked.

On the other hand, its about time to freshin up the internals while u have the down time

 

Sorry to hear that. I'm reeling over a loss myself.

 

And ya, Get HOT soapy water and a brush and scrub those tires immediatly

 

Might be time to get a built engine. Thats what I would try to do. Good luck

 

A new engine is not small stuff.

You should rename the thread: Hit a boulder...

 

Man mthreat that is just crazy man it looks like both of us austinites will be without are z's for a bit hopefully you wont be driving a ford focus rental like me lol.