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KushZEN's Dreamer (Nightmare rather) Vortech Build

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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 03:04 PM
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Default KushZEN's Dreamer (Nightmare rather) Vortech Build

Background: I purchased the car in October of 2011, my fourth car in a rather short amount of time since the previous one's were either wrecked or stolen. It was a 2004 Nissan 350z with 60k on the clock and almost stock with the exception of megan coilovers, Fujita intake, and Invidia exhaust. I then added a few minor mods, nothing drastic (shortshifter, wheels, etc.).

Here she is after the first time I met KingBaby, who helped me install my SPL camber arms.




Car lasted well for a year, until one day, the motor died of oil starvation. Turns out, the previous owner dented the oil pan and oil pick up tube, HOWEVER he only replaced the pan which hid the bad pick up tube thus leading to the lack of oil. The car has been sitting in this spot for the past two years. (Here you can see the aftermath of my ambitious removal of the engine harness)




In the mean time, I had been doing countless hours of reading, stripping parts off the car, saving money and buying parts when I could. Eventually leading up to my current stockpile of parts. I lucked out on a Vortech V3 kit from a fellow club member and things fell into place from there. I never had plans on going FI, I never intended this to be the crazy plan it is today. Everything snowballed and it went from a simple and clean daily driver to what I hope will be a show-stopping, track-ready/capable car. Notice how I said both, not one or the other.

With the plan going so far off track from what I had originally planned for, lots of blood, sweat, tears went into it to get it this far, and two girlfriends also parted after both had some crazy idea about how I cared about the car more than I cared about them (which... may have been true) In any case, more money to spend on the car!

Here are pictures of a few parts I've collected from my Instagram. (Shameless plug: @Boosted350Z) I apologize ahead of time for the quality of the pictures, some of which are quite terrible, but without further ado.































Over the past few months I've been working with Marty and several vendors in California who I purchased parts from, and had them hold for me til I would ship them all at once to save on shipping to Hawaii. Well, One day I had the idea of just saying ***** it, Let's just ship the whole car to you, and have your shop build it there. So off the car went on it's voyage from Hawaii to San Diego, from which it will be towed to LA and reside at Techno Square for her reincarnation.

So here we are today, about two years from when the motor took a dump, she finally moves (does getting flatbedded count as moving? )





And so the build finally begins...

Last edited by KushZEN; Mar 8, 2015 at 08:40 AM. Reason: title change
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 04:22 PM
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nice collection of parts there. youre going to have a whole lot of fun when thats done.

I like the elimination of the radiator bypass, makes the engine much cleaner. I must ask though, why didnt you ditch the throttle coolant while you were at it?
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by phunk2
nice collection of parts there. youre going to have a whole lot of fun when thats done.

I like the elimination of the radiator bypass, makes the engine much cleaner. I must ask though, why didnt you ditch the throttle coolant while you were at it?
I didn't specify it at first and by the time I found out, it had already been finished, but I was told it wouldn't be too much of a difference, so we just kept it as is.

Also, new CJM v3 fuel rails


Removed the harness awhile back and sent it out to get it sleeved and what not.


Oh.. and this wasn't a very pretty sight to see

Last edited by KushZEN; Sep 19, 2014 at 04:47 PM.
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 04:55 PM
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OH i know who you are now LOL. I have your old rails sitting right here I believe.
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 04:57 PM
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I am very anxious to find out if the v3 rails clear the Cosworth plenum at stock mounting height (48mm injectors), or if the spacer is required.
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by phunk2
OH i know who you are now LOL. I have your old rails sitting right here I believe.
Hopefully someone buys them, they're still brand new

Originally Posted by phunk2
I am very anxious to find out if the v3 rails clear the Cosworth plenum at stock mounting height (48mm injectors), or if the spacer is required.
we'll find out. If anything, a spacer or cut/grind something.
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Old Sep 28, 2014 | 04:59 PM
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I knew id find you on here, Danny! Cant wait to see her after its all said and done!
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by KushZEN
I didn't specify it at first and by the time I found out, it had already been finished, but I was told it wouldn't be too much of a difference, so we just kept it as is...
You can still bypass the throttle body. Just run a hose directly from that port on the driver's side pipe to the corresponding inlet on the pipe at the rear of the motor. Btw, nice build
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 04:46 AM
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Can't wait to see it finished!
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 05:30 AM
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Eliminating the oem oil cooler/warmer and thermostat bypass would make things easier on a f/I motor in stand still traffic, correct ?

Great build list btw... Goodluck
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 08:28 AM
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it has no effect on the motor, in or out of traffic.

just cleans up the engine bay.
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Old Oct 2, 2014 | 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by NAbuilderZ33
I knew id find you on here, Danny! Cant wait to see her after its all said and done!


Originally Posted by str8dum1
it has no effect on the motor, in or out of traffic.

just cleans up the engine bay.
Good to know. Thank you.



Little Update.. The car just landed in Cali yesterday, shop's gonna pick it up some time next week and then the build can get started
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 03:43 PM
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Car finally got to the shop safely. Now the fun begins!

Last edited by KushZEN; Jan 28, 2015 at 01:43 PM.
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 04:28 PM
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Another ppw vorteched z... I like it, lol what kind of power you shooting for? With the pistons pictured above, are you doing a built block? Maybe I missed it or something.
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 09:08 PM
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ah, so that's your Z. good luck with everything!
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by meanz
Another ppw vorteched z... I like it, lol what kind of power you shooting for? With the pistons pictured above, are you doing a built block? Maybe I missed it or something.
Yup, built block. Im hoping for 500, but honestly, I'll be happy with mid 400s. I just want to drive the car after almost 2 years of it just sitting there.

Originally Posted by - bigc -
ah, so that's your Z. good luck with everything!
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Old Oct 16, 2014 | 04:48 AM
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Any idea what the shop is going to charge you for the build?
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Old Oct 16, 2014 | 09:31 AM
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I didnt see anything pertaining to your exhaust setup if they were going to be changes to it (Headers, Longtubes etc..). I know you are running Invidia just wondering if you had any plans.
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Old Oct 16, 2014 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by LeonardiZ
Any idea what the shop is going to charge you for the build?
It all depends on which path I take, I literally left everything in their hands. I figure go big or go home since money isn't really an issue.

Originally Posted by NAbuilderZ33
I didnt see anything pertaining to your exhaust setup if they were going to be changes to it (Headers, Longtubes etc..). I know you are running Invidia just wondering if you had any plans.
The Invidia will be gone, gonna get some headers, the motordyne ART pipes and y-pipe are staying on there though.
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Old Oct 16, 2014 | 02:33 PM
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The amount of awesome is too damn high!
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