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.

http://oi60.tinypic.com/netgfd.jpg


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)

http://oi60.tinypic.com/1ys304.jpg


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! :thumbup:

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.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....97007c0520.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....7d69532e30.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....93c28acb4b.jpg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....bb9551682a.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....c5fadf3791.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....0b5f63f05a.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....3621e0f62b.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....2467abe2da.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....a7a4a09b74.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....c0d04e07b7.jpg

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 phuck 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? :icon43:)


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....07d60756d7.jpg


And so the build finally begins...

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 :thumbup:
http://scontent-b.cdninstagram.com/h...62698773_n.jpg

Removed the harness awhile back and sent it out to get it sleeved and what not.
http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/h...03559817_n.jpg

Oh.. and this wasn't a very pretty sight to see :(
http://scontent-b.cdninstagram.com/h...6e1e851a_8.jpg

OH i know who you are now LOL. I have your old rails sitting right here I believe.

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.

Hopefully someone buys them, they're still brand new :thumbup:

we'll find out. If anything, a spacer or cut/grind something.

I knew id find you on here, Danny! Cant wait to see her after its all said and done!

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 :thumbup:

Can't wait to see it finished!

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

it has no effect on the motor, in or out of traffic.

just cleans up the engine bay.

:thumbup:

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 :icon21:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....db84cf7fea.jpg


Car finally got to the shop safely. Now the fun begins!

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.

ah, so that's your Z. good luck with everything!

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.

:D

Any idea what the shop is going to charge you for the build?

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.

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.

The Invidia will be gone, gonna get some headers, the motordyne ART pipes and y-pipe are staying on there though.

The amount of awesome is too damn high!

[QUOTE=KushZEN;10485179]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.


Gotcha! I wanna be like you when I grow up then and just build whatever I want and not stress about the money :)

Haha, I'm not grown up yet, trust me, still a college student; spending every dime I earn on the car rather than saving it for the future. This is probably the biggest money sink I've ever had and worst thing to invest into as there are no returns... but it makes me happy so that's what counts right? :icon38:

Dream big and chase it - that's what I was always told.

That's a Great Idea! It's not an Investment! It's money thrown into the Gutter!

Be a Leader, and you will never have to chase anything......

You must still be on Mommy and Daddy's Payroll. You'll be in for a rude awakening when it the money stops.

I was Young, Dumb and Stupid once upon a time, I've learned the error of my ways......

Live for Today! Plan for Tomorrow! That's means save you Phucking Money.

Oh, You have a Vortech! You need to Buy a "TimRod Radius Rod Strut Kit" This will stop any Serp Belt Issues like slip, and Hold to a min of 26psi. Buy it NOW!

If you would like to know how to get one, PM me.

Piece

Definitely not on Mommy and Daddy's payroll, I'm partnered in a few business ventures of my own; nothing huge, but enough to slowly fund the car. Parent's don't support this project at all (in fact, they've been trying to make me get rid of it), so there's not a single dime from them on it.

I know it's a terrible way to spend money, but what's done is done.

I already purchased a TimRod kit, thanks though. :) At least one good decision was made here? hah.

Just trying to Harrass You!

no worries; no harm, no foul. :icon38: I do understand the point you make though.

In any case, the car is still at the shop. Waiting for them to start disassembling it, they're currently busy with some other cars at the shop though.

http://oi60.tinypic.com/2ai09c8.jpg

so it begins...

Like like like!

http://oi58.tinypic.com/975y51.jpg

Found the culprit which sadly ended the fate of my motor. If you didn't read the first post, Owner some how FFFFF'd the oil pick up tube and oil pan. He replaced the oil pan and left this hiding behind it, so I had no idea it was broken all along.

hahahah. I mean damn that sucks...he looks so sad.

More....

dang, no oil pressure gauge?

Small Update.


http://oi58.tinypic.com/nvcoxx.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2r4sa49.jpg

GL with the build.

Any updates? How's the build going?

What shop is this in California?

Technosquare

Black Friday sales were pretty awesome ...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....ecd2ccf55a.jpg

Shaved the engine bay...

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....88511dbe56.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....60781868a2.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....865f4f644b.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....431da4d669.jpg




Moving on to paint! Big shout out to Marty, Technosquare, and Auto Explosion for the work thus far.

Good stuff! I'm exited to see the finished baypicks, great choice of Headers also!

Technosquare doesn't do dyno tuning do they?

Goodstuff, I been wanting to tuck the 2 harnesses that go over the wheel arches in the bay... Prolly won't though, my main harness has been flipped to the back of the plenum though.

No not anymore...

You're in good hands :thumbup:

not anymore, but we'll be taking it to Church Automotive to tune.

So this just happened... color is Lambo Grigio Telesto. :icon21:


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....8b1fc0bb0b.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....1c1dfddb82.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....592425e3ad.jpg

With chrome in the engine bay the reflections off reflections will be infinite!

Nice Job.

Subbed because I want to know this as well.

Sorry for the lack of updates, One of my business's warehouses were broken into and I've been busy working on filing papers and what not, so time and money has been a little tight for me. We should be back on track very soon, and hopefully have some huge updates within the next few weeks.

for now, enjoy this shaved and painted core support.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....9db3895214.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....76bcfcff56.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....d44ea7bd96.jpg

following :)