Ok, there has only been 1 report of how many installed??????

 

Well, I built the engine for better performance. I don't drag race, so hopefully that really won't be a problem. But thanks for mentioning Taurran...You are not the first to suggest that.

 

I've seen at least 3 reports of underdrive pulley related failures on builr vq35's on this forum alone, one going WAY back to an older build. (I forget if it was GMAN or BigBri that reported it)

I don't believe the possible gains from an underdrive pulley are even worth the "small" risk associated with them. There's a reason engine builders have been installing harmonic dampers for all these years. Besides, I don't see the UR pulley providing much, if any, power gains. There are safer, proven methods for that.

No worries. I don't want to start a debate on it. I just saw the pulley and thought I'd mention it, so take it as you will.

Best of luck whichever way you go!

 

First objective of the day..If the car has to be high, make it safe...

12 Ton jack ought to handle it.


Re-Align the Oil feed lines to the Turbo...recommended by another forum member.

Not so crazy about running the line under neath the oil pan, but it is definitely better than cutting thru other parts of the car. Stainless Steel lines tend to do just that.



I took some time to shorten the return lines, so they didn't have any unwanted bends or curves that would impede a smooth flow of oil back to the pan.

You can see here how much I had to cut off.


This is an interesting angle. From underneath the driver wheel, facing the tranny, you can see the trany flush with the engine....SUCCESS!!!!


Hook up all of the tranny connections:




Now that the tranny is installed, I can re-install the shifter. Going back to stock shifter.

Back to normal


That was the mission for the day.
TO be continued.

 

Hey Jeremy thanks for the recommendation...

is this what you had in mind?

 

Whats left to do:
Install AC Compressor and lines
Install Belts and tension then appropriately
Install Radiator
Install Inter-Cooler
Install remainder of Inter-cooler piping
Install Intake piping, plenum and intake manifold
Complete wiring harness connections

Add all of the necessary fluids...Hydraulic fluids, coolant, oil, tranny fluid...replace diff fluid (Why not)
Bleed all hydraulic pumps...steering & clutch
Start & Drive
Break in engine for 50 miles - drop oil and filter, run again for 1000 miles and drop oil again.

If anyone can see something I missed, please chime in.

Drive it to my friend to re-charge the AC, check for leaks.
Get it Tuned. Post Results.

 

Your doing great for a 1 man Army.. Whats your estimated ETA on completion??

 

For first time start up, I would prime/start the engine, let it run for 15 minutes, change the oil, then use the new oil for break in.

 

I am following instructions from the engine builder - Kyle at Import Parts Pro.

I also have to install the Exhaust Greddy TT & the HKS EVC 6
With the list of things itemized as left to do above, that should take the majority of the day. But I live 20 minutes away from the car, so I can only get to it a couple of days a week. I think 1 week is reasonable. (In the back of my mind I'm thinking 1 more day)...LOL

 

Now that the tranny is in, its time to install the new Greddy Wastegate relocator kit and open dump pipes.

Here goes the left. And let me add these are a pain to install. Once the tranny is in, things get really tight. Getting the nuts on to fasten them on is ridiculous.

Here goes the right.

Rear side view:


Back up top to the intake components:

Fuel injectors and fuel rails...CJ Motorsports Fuel Rails

Make sure to play it safe and protect the intake so nothing falls in. I almost lost 2 rubber washers from the injectors from simple carelessness. Fortunately I was able to retrieve them with some medical forceps. See being a medic is handy afterall.


Lets finish off with the AC compressor and put the belts on



Back up top to add the intake air filter

Here is the driver side:


Lower Plenum


And Yes MOMMA ZMEDIC is in the building making an encore presentation:


No I really didn't let her do much, but she kept me company as I worked.

Radiator Shroud in place

Fasten the bolts to the right and left

Like So.


Add my New Koyo Radiator


Add the fans

A little Momma Medic Helping hand


To be continued...

 

Attach the AC components


Before going any further I figured now would be a good time to install the Cusco oil catch can.


Next up is the Greddy TT Exhaust..which is chock full of surprises.

Open Box

Well as usual, parts from Japan come with Absolutely no instructions.
What the hell is this part...You'll find out.

Here is the back of the car (underneath) Looks like chaos. Come to find out there are some important components...don't ask me what they are, but they involve two electrical connections, and 3 hoses.
Anyway, apparently the passenger side rear muffler won't fit without moving this unit and its hoses.
The unit in the picture below is what needs to move and be relocated.
The unit is located behind the passenger rear tire and must be twisted and remounted 180 degrees from where it originated. Its final resting place will be where the current OEM 350z muffler canister sits which explains the heat shields.

You can hopefully see in this picture how the muffler won't fit unless you move the unit.



What a pain to release the unit. Here it is loose but still connected. You will now note that the hoses are not long enough to turn and relocate. That explains the 2 pieces of hose in the Exhaust box.


Here you see what the bracket is intended for:

Here is the unit in its new home with hoses extended.

These hoses unfortunately now sit right on top of the passenger side muffler and need to be protected.

They provide a small piece of heat wrap. Thankfully I have a little extra laying around to protect the hoses a little better.

Now the muffler fits with ease and you are not in danger of burning hoses, as they are all heat wrapped.

 

I've got the newly painted upper plenum installed, so now we attach the throttle body. Note I have included the AAM Throttle Body Spacer to help me keep the engine bay clean of a thousand vacuum lines. It has 3 vacuum ports in the back side.

Some of the intake piping:

Insert from the bottom up. Note the HKS SQV Blow Off Valve.

Attach in the middle:

Inter-cooler mocked up in place. Still need to secure from below.

 

In regards to the windshield water fluid tank that gets replaced, I noticed there is a sensor to identify when the fluid is low. Any idea how to deal with that one??? I would love to keep it, but I don't want a stupid light on my dash indicating low fluid all the time. Any ideas? Does it even come on at all if left unplugged?

 

I ditched it.. No it doesnt come on for me at all while left unplugged..

 

Thanks for the info. P.S. What year is your Z? I have 2003.

 

I have an '04 G35

 

I plan to. Thanks for the idea.

 

Today was a quickie...Only a few hours a daylight to start...
I left off with the inter-cooler mounted but not attached.



Just a quick shot of th engine bay so far:


I got the driveshaft in today, so the drivetrain is complete.
Here is the exhaust - Greddy TT:



I had an O2 sensor bung welded in today...lucky me, so I can hook up my Wideband.


Here are the tails...Sweeeeet.



Darkness has fallen, until tomorrow.

 

Worked on the car again last night. Here is all that is left before starting.
- Finished with the exhaust, all gaskets are in.
- I connected the vacuum lines to run the stock 7 psi setting on waste-gate springs for now, until the car breaks in, (Later on I'll add the HKS EVC6 unit.)
- Mount the radiator overflow container.
- Finish mounting the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
- Added oil 6.5 Quarts (oil pan spacer & new engine)
- Added Power steering fluid
- Added clutch fluid DOT3 - gotta bleed it.
- Brake fluid OK (untouched)
- Replaced Transmission fluid
- Will change fuel - old gas sat unused for 4 months.

 

Your ALMOST there bro.... Make sure you triple check all your connections before starting... Lemme know if you need anything!!! Good Luck!!

K