My N/A build for reliability over power - advice welcome
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From the very first post
Background:
This is an N/A build for a VQ35DE from a 2003 350Z. I hadn't planned on having a built engine, but a few months ago I got a cylinder #5 misfire code at the track, and after the usual diagnostics (compression test, etc), it turned out that the #5 piston had started to crack near the edge. I go to HPDE's at the track, so I run the car fairly hard for 25 minutes at a time. My goal is not to increase the horsepower from what it was before, but rather to increase reliability. I want the engine to be strong enough to withstand this kind of track "abuse". However, if there's some extra power to be had, I'll take it. I have several pre-existing engine mods: JWT pop charger, Crawford plenum, Berk high-flow cats, Fujitsubo titanium exhaust, Uprev reflash & tune, an oil cooler, and a Koyo 54mm radiator.
Background:
This is an N/A build for a VQ35DE from a 2003 350Z. I hadn't planned on having a built engine, but a few months ago I got a cylinder #5 misfire code at the track, and after the usual diagnostics (compression test, etc), it turned out that the #5 piston had started to crack near the edge. I go to HPDE's at the track, so I run the car fairly hard for 25 minutes at a time. My goal is not to increase the horsepower from what it was before, but rather to increase reliability. I want the engine to be strong enough to withstand this kind of track "abuse". However, if there's some extra power to be had, I'll take it. I have several pre-existing engine mods: JWT pop charger, Crawford plenum, Berk high-flow cats, Fujitsubo titanium exhaust, Uprev reflash & tune, an oil cooler, and a Koyo 54mm radiator.
#43
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The addition of 264 cams and dc headers then you have my build. The other mods are almost exactly the same. This build was done for piece of mind for the owner who just wants the car to not break on the road course. With a nice smooth power delivery. Take it as another what would this do if I did something like this. The larger database of combinations and results the better educated we can all be. Besides from a cost standpoint cams new are over 1k and thats like 3-4 track days. Guess whats more fun track days or cams.
#44
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i know this. but realistically, can a stock block with cooling upgrades not handle the track and be reliable? im thinking koyo rad, oil cooler upgrade, vented hood, nismo stat, oil catch can, evans coolant, GTM fan upgrade and some good race synthetic oil and your good to go or am i too naive?
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When it comes to serious tracking, there is no right setup. Some will have better luck than others.
Half the things in your list are a waste, and won't save a motor from a cracked ring land
Half the things in your list are a waste, and won't save a motor from a cracked ring land
#46
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I'm a instructor and I daily my z and track it pretty hard. All I have on that list is a nismo rad cap and a catch can. I haven't felt the need for further cooling mods and engines can go at any time. I've seen it happen at the track to 350's before.
I just do my normal maintenance, keep it tunned and hope for the best! I'm at around 40,000 miles on the motor.
How many miles were on the car before it went???
I just do my normal maintenance, keep it tunned and hope for the best! I'm at around 40,000 miles on the motor.
How many miles were on the car before it went???
#47
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I know I could have gotten a bit more power with cams, headers, etc, but that wasn't my goal. I've had crawford headers before and I actually went back to stock because they didn't add any power (for me), and they got so hot it burned my EVAP line.
I had already added a Koyo 54mm radiator and stillen oil cooler, but before I had added these, it got pretty hot a few times. I datalogged the coolant temp at 246 degrees F once. Maybe this started the seed of engine damage (it lasted another year before it died). The engine had 75k when it died. Even with the cooling mods it gets pretty hot. Maybe I just have my foot on the gas more than others at the track ![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
75k miles. I don't think it was normal for my engine to go when it did -- it could have been something I did (overheat it, or whatever).
I plan to install an oil temp gauge to keep a better eye on the temps. In the meantime, the stock (coolant) temp gauge hasn't been over 1/2.
i know this. but realistically, can a stock block with cooling upgrades not handle the track and be reliable? im thinking koyo rad, oil cooler upgrade, vented hood, nismo stat, oil catch can, evans coolant, GTM fan upgrade and some good race synthetic oil and your good to go or am i too naive?
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'm a instructor and I daily my z and track it pretty hard. All I have on that list is a nismo rad cap and a catch can. I haven't felt the need for further cooling mods and engines can go at any time. I've seen it happen at the track to 350's before.
I just do my normal maintenance, keep it tunned and hope for the best! I'm at around 40,000 miles on the motor.
How many miles were on the car before it went???
I just do my normal maintenance, keep it tunned and hope for the best! I'm at around 40,000 miles on the motor.
How many miles were on the car before it went???
I plan to install an oil temp gauge to keep a better eye on the temps. In the meantime, the stock (coolant) temp gauge hasn't been over 1/2.
#49
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My Berk metallic high-flow cats came apart, details in this thread: https://my350z.com/forum/intake-exha...f-use-n-a.html
I've ordered Kinetix resonated test pipes. I'm running the stock cats for now. I'm actually enjoying the quietness of the stock cats with the Fujitsubo titanium exhaust.
I've ordered Kinetix resonated test pipes. I'm running the stock cats for now. I'm actually enjoying the quietness of the stock cats with the Fujitsubo titanium exhaust.
#50
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I received and installed the Kinetix resonated test pipes tonight. I did about 15 minutes of driving afterwards. I was surprised -- they actually seem to be quieter than my (blown-out) Berk metallic high-flow cats. From inside the car, they have less of the sound I don't like around 4000 rpms. I'm not sure if it's rasp or not -- it's hard to tell from inside the car, but in any case, I think they actually sound better.
As for power, compared to the stock cats I'd been running for the past week, I can feel more power (no surprise here). I had also been running rich with the stock cats, and now I'm back where I want to be with respect to air/fuel ratio (which probably also helps the power a bit). The fitment wasn't quite as good as the stock cats - the y-pipe flex-joint had to flex a bit more, but it went together okay. Overall, I'm happy. I'll abuse them at the track this weekend.
On another note, I changed the oil again (1060 miles on this oil, 4200 on the engine), and I'll be sending this sample (of Mobil1 0W-40) off for another oil analysis, results to be posted on the VQ oil analysis thread.
As for power, compared to the stock cats I'd been running for the past week, I can feel more power (no surprise here). I had also been running rich with the stock cats, and now I'm back where I want to be with respect to air/fuel ratio (which probably also helps the power a bit). The fitment wasn't quite as good as the stock cats - the y-pipe flex-joint had to flex a bit more, but it went together okay. Overall, I'm happy. I'll abuse them at the track this weekend.
On another note, I changed the oil again (1060 miles on this oil, 4200 on the engine), and I'll be sending this sample (of Mobil1 0W-40) off for another oil analysis, results to be posted on the VQ oil analysis thread.
#54
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A few updates. I've posted my 2nd used oil analysis results -- this time I used Mobil1 0W-40. I chose this oil because of the favorable reviews on the oil analysis thread. My results are posted on that thread:
https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...ml#post7302747
I also installed a Defi oil temperature sensor & gauge. I installed the temp sensor in a "T" on the oil line coming from the sandwich plate TO the oil cooler, so it will be reading the oil temp BEFORE being cooled. So far I've only driven it on the street, and my oil temps 180F for normal driving, up to maybe 190F if I push it (on the street). I'm very curious to see what they are at the track. I've never had any indication of my oil temps, so I feel like I'm no longer blind in this regard.
This brings me to a total of three add-on gauges: 2 widebands (left & right bank), and oil temperature. Now I have to find a place to put/mount these things, not to mention all the power wiring I had to run behind the radio. I really don't want to put them in an A-pillar gauge, due to the extra harassment from cops as well as "street racer" harassment ('ooh he has gauges, he must want to race me'). People see those gauge pillars and start making assumptions. Anyway that's another thread. But I have come to the opinion that gauges are stupid. Can't I just get a (reasonably-priced) screen that displays whatever sensors I hook up to it, maybe even with configurable alarms if the oil temp gets too high, for instance? Basically I want what the GT-R comes with, and I don't want to pay $2000 or even $1000 for it. All that said, I may have to get an triple gauge A-pillar pod anyway... any recommendations on these (good fit, not ugly)?
The engine itself seems to be doing fine. I didn't get any sound clips at the track last time because I had a bad brake vibration problem (fixed now) so I stopped running. I've been thinking about getting the Cosworth intake manifold. It probably won't add very much power (hey, it's N/A!), but it may have more even airflow to the cylinders (so the fronts aren't running too lean, or something). It would replace my CrawfordZ plenum. It would also allow me to get rid of my CrawfordZ strut brace, and put the OEM one back. And it looks bad ***. But it's also $1000 so I'm not in any rush.
https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...ml#post7302747
I also installed a Defi oil temperature sensor & gauge. I installed the temp sensor in a "T" on the oil line coming from the sandwich plate TO the oil cooler, so it will be reading the oil temp BEFORE being cooled. So far I've only driven it on the street, and my oil temps 180F for normal driving, up to maybe 190F if I push it (on the street). I'm very curious to see what they are at the track. I've never had any indication of my oil temps, so I feel like I'm no longer blind in this regard.
This brings me to a total of three add-on gauges: 2 widebands (left & right bank), and oil temperature. Now I have to find a place to put/mount these things, not to mention all the power wiring I had to run behind the radio. I really don't want to put them in an A-pillar gauge, due to the extra harassment from cops as well as "street racer" harassment ('ooh he has gauges, he must want to race me'). People see those gauge pillars and start making assumptions. Anyway that's another thread. But I have come to the opinion that gauges are stupid. Can't I just get a (reasonably-priced) screen that displays whatever sensors I hook up to it, maybe even with configurable alarms if the oil temp gets too high, for instance? Basically I want what the GT-R comes with, and I don't want to pay $2000 or even $1000 for it. All that said, I may have to get an triple gauge A-pillar pod anyway... any recommendations on these (good fit, not ugly)?
The engine itself seems to be doing fine. I didn't get any sound clips at the track last time because I had a bad brake vibration problem (fixed now) so I stopped running. I've been thinking about getting the Cosworth intake manifold. It probably won't add very much power (hey, it's N/A!), but it may have more even airflow to the cylinders (so the fronts aren't running too lean, or something). It would replace my CrawfordZ plenum. It would also allow me to get rid of my CrawfordZ strut brace, and put the OEM one back. And it looks bad ***. But it's also $1000 so I'm not in any rush.
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there are a few options for what you want, but they will be approaching the $1000 mark by the time it's said and done
PLX has a nice setup - single gauge that displays multiple data streams as you add multiple sensors. We're going to be using this in one of our older Z's soon because there really is no place for gauges in those cars (S30 chassis). Give me a call if you want to go over options.
Blitz also has their RVit Flash 2.0 that you can add air fuel, temp and pressure sensors to. A nice compact setup that won't take up alot of room, and would display all the data you need. These are about the size of Blitz's boost controllers (i-color) so it's easy to set it up in multiple locations.
![](http://www.blitzperformancesales.com/products/r-viticolor/images/flash2_ttl.jpg)
http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...mt&prodid=3828
PLX has a nice setup - single gauge that displays multiple data streams as you add multiple sensors. We're going to be using this in one of our older Z's soon because there really is no place for gauges in those cars (S30 chassis). Give me a call if you want to go over options.
Blitz also has their RVit Flash 2.0 that you can add air fuel, temp and pressure sensors to. A nice compact setup that won't take up alot of room, and would display all the data you need. These are about the size of Blitz's boost controllers (i-color) so it's easy to set it up in multiple locations.
![](http://www.blitzperformancesales.com/products/r-viticolor/images/flash2_ttl.jpg)
http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...mt&prodid=3828
#56
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Adam, thanks for the gauge info. That's definitely the way to go (for me at least)... next time I get gauges, I'll get one of those setups.
Update from the track: This weekend was the first time I was able to see my oil temperatures at the track. As noted above, I placed the oil temperature sensor on the line BEFORE the oil cooler. The highest oil temperature I saw all day was 260 degrees F, which was good news to me. I don't know what temp the oil is after the external oil cooler, does anyone know approximately how much these reduce the temps? Stillen's site says 30-40 degrees, but of course this depends on the outside air temperature. The outdoor temp this weekend at the track was up to 90 degrees (hot Texas weather).
On another note, I tried the new Yokohama ADVAN AD08 tires. The grip was great, I think they are faster but I had a lot of sessions with a passenger, and my times in summer are usually slower than the colder months, so I didn't break my best lap time. Unfortunately, on the 2nd day, I noticed the front right tire had started "chunking" or something, around the edge - see photos. This was definitely unexpected -- I have run the old Yokohama AD07 tires a few times and never had any chunking problems.
![](http://www.zeroslope.com/350z/advan-ad08-chunk-1.jpg)
Update from the track: This weekend was the first time I was able to see my oil temperatures at the track. As noted above, I placed the oil temperature sensor on the line BEFORE the oil cooler. The highest oil temperature I saw all day was 260 degrees F, which was good news to me. I don't know what temp the oil is after the external oil cooler, does anyone know approximately how much these reduce the temps? Stillen's site says 30-40 degrees, but of course this depends on the outside air temperature. The outdoor temp this weekend at the track was up to 90 degrees (hot Texas weather).
On another note, I tried the new Yokohama ADVAN AD08 tires. The grip was great, I think they are faster but I had a lot of sessions with a passenger, and my times in summer are usually slower than the colder months, so I didn't break my best lap time. Unfortunately, on the 2nd day, I noticed the front right tire had started "chunking" or something, around the edge - see photos. This was definitely unexpected -- I have run the old Yokohama AD07 tires a few times and never had any chunking problems.
![](http://www.zeroslope.com/350z/advan-ad08-chunk-1.jpg)
![](http://www.zeroslope.com/350z/advan-ad08-chunk-2.jpg)
#57
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I'd probably measure the temp post cooler...so you know exactly what is being fed to the engine. Post cooler I guess it will depend on lots of factors, not the least of which is the efficiency of the core. If you're using Stillens cooler, I guess you can go off their suggestions.
For the tires, I'm not familiar with those, but if they are street tires, you're finding the limits of the amount of heat they will deal with. This is where r compounds truly shine. If you're chunking the outer edge, you should try a bit more pressure - and you can hose them down between runs to get some heat out of them. The tire is telling you that you've got too much heat concentrated on it's outer edge. Increasing the pressure will help spread that heat across the face of the tire better. Pick up digital pyrometer from Pegasus or something and bring , with you next time, I swear it will be the single most important thing you take with you! Take the temps outer, middle, inner, between runs, front and back, as soon as you can and start playing with the pressures accordingly.
For the tires, I'm not familiar with those, but if they are street tires, you're finding the limits of the amount of heat they will deal with. This is where r compounds truly shine. If you're chunking the outer edge, you should try a bit more pressure - and you can hose them down between runs to get some heat out of them. The tire is telling you that you've got too much heat concentrated on it's outer edge. Increasing the pressure will help spread that heat across the face of the tire better. Pick up digital pyrometer from Pegasus or something and bring , with you next time, I swear it will be the single most important thing you take with you! Take the temps outer, middle, inner, between runs, front and back, as soon as you can and start playing with the pressures accordingly.
Last edited by Z1 Performance; 06-01-2009 at 04:19 AM.
#59
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For the tires, I'm not familiar with those, but if they are street tires, you're finding the limits of the amount of heat they will deal with. This is where r compounds truly shine. If you're chunking the outer edge, you should try a bit more pressure - and you can hose them down between runs to get some heat out of them. The tire is telling you that you've got too much heat concentrated on it's outer edge. Increasing the pressure will help spread that heat across the face of the tire better. Pick up digital pyrometer from Pegasus or something and bring , with you next time, I swear it will be the single most important thing you take with you! Take the temps outer, middle, inner, between runs, front and back, as soon as you can and start playing with the pressures accordingly.
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I showed Colin at Soulspeed and he said it didn't seem right, especially since I never had this happen with AD07's (the predecessor to the yokohama AD08). We sent pics to the yokohama rep and they asked us if we could send the tire in so they can check it out. I think I probably should be doing a heat cycle on new tires 24-48 hours before hitting the track...
I'll be at TWS again this weekend for driver's edge, but I don't think I'll have my tire back so I may be rockin my '93 del Sol this time. I guess I can hope it rains, so I can continue to pass the corvettes
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)