Hiya Guys

I've been looking at getting a Z for a couple of years and am considering pulling the trigger on a high mileage built Greddy TT setup that a guy in CA is selling:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289697

I have some questions regarding turbos and altitude, that I haven't been able to find the answers to.

How hard is it to pass Colorado emissions with a turbo car?

I know the car will have to be re-tuned to run at Denver's altitude: it'll be running too rich if it is tuned properly for sea level. Once you have a turbo system tuned for 5K feet, is it safe to drive it on long trips to sea level destinations, or would you be running lean enough that you could damage your car?

What are people's recommendations for good tuning shops around Denver/Aurora?

The car's current setup doesn't include a BOV (I'm assuming for California/CARB reasons?). I am assuming that a BOV would improve performance and reduce engine where, right?

Any other thoughts about FI at altitude and/or about the car deal very welcome: I'd appreciate some honest feedback, whether positive or negative. The car does have a ton of mils on it (132K), but the price ($17K), especially with a new ~$10K engine in it and Greddy TT (albeit with 100K+ miles on the kit), seems to be very good.

Sean

 

I can't answer that since there are no emissions tests in the Springs, but Mudd has a FI Z and had some issues with emissions, so he can answer better.

You need a sea level tune. Good thing about the UTEC (which is what that Z has, based on the ad), is that you can have multiple maps. So, keep the maps it already has on it, being a California car, and add in some new maps for here in Colorado

I swear by Mac Autosports, in Parker. Nick, the tuner there, is very experienced with UTEC's, and they have done a number of F/I Z's, including my JWT TT G35, with UTEC

In my opinion, BOV's are loud, unneccesary noise makers that don't do anything worthwhile, that can't be done quieter and better with recirc valves. Having said that, I don't know enough about the Greddy set-up to comment on what it uses for excess boost gas.

Thats a whole lot of miles boosted. However, the engine is built (according to the ad) so it might be in great shape. If you are really interested, I would call up the shop that did the work on it (I think it was GT Motorsports) and get their opinion on the shape of the engine.

Dave

 

pull the damn trigger dude. The guy never said when he rebuilt the motor, if he is still using the original motor, or began boosting the motor, just that there are 130k miles on the chasis. That is a hell of a price.

 

18G's wouldn't cost anywhere near as much as say Garrett's to replace or rebuild if the turbo's decide they've had enough miles.

My personal experience is with TC Performance, they did all the work & tuning (UTEC) on my car and it held together like a rock even with my requested aggressive tune with 500 hp/tq on 91 @ 12psi WG springs and it's still running like a champ. They can build your motor and do all your tuning for you and they have the full range of hands on experience with the Z.

I wouldn't worry about the mileage on the car, it's a great price for the 20k in freebies you get with it.

As far as BOV goes, yea put a BOV on it, if you don't like the sound you could always recirculate it.

As far as emissions you'll just want to be able to pass the CO test.

 

Where in CO do you live? You may not even need an emissions test.
If you do need one, it will be tough to pass, but never hurts to try first, then if it fails you need to resort to a plan B.

 

Thanks for the feedback and the ideas, guys. I live in Aurora, so I will have to do emissions. Is there anybody here on these boards that is running TTs and done Colorado emissions?

Awesome idea with keeping the CA mapping for sea level -- I didn't even think of that!

 

when i plan on doing my emissions, i plan on getting a very conservative tune from MAC, putting stock cats back on, and running little to no boost. or registering it in a county that doesn't need emissions.

 

I love the F.I. on my Z, though I am REALLY nervous about my emmisions test in Feb. I see this as the biggest deal breaker for F.I. I had great luck with MAC auto for the tune (as well as many others) and also have a great experiance with T.C.
Man I don't know how I feel about that milage/price for that car. Juztins was less miles, great shape for alot less.....
Good luck,
Sean

 

how many years is a new car emissions exempt?

 

** New vehicles do not require an emissions test until the fourth model year. For example, a 2003 model year vehicle is not due for an emissions inspections until 2007.


** Pursuant to House Bill 1214, a vehicle being registered in the program area for the first time may be registered without an inspection or certification if the vehicle has not yet reached its fourth model year.


http://www.aircarecolorado.com/requires.htm

 

I saw the post from Juztin's Z, when he put it up for sale. that price was crazy -- why was it that low?

 

He needed to unload it. Dont count on finding a deal like that again, most of us were pondering having a second Z for what he was selling for heh.

 

What the HELL does "heh" mean Spivey...I see that everywhere
Grrrrr.....
So anywho, many people have found someway around the emissions thing, I have not. It's a bit nerve racking.
Sean

 

I thought the main reason Turbo kits fail emissions is on the start up. I beleive with all the remote emissions testers out there, all you have to do is drive by one of those and you don't need to take it to a station.

I would think they should pass the drive by remote tests no problem. This is all just theory on my part though.

 

I've got calls into MAC Autosports and TC Performance, waiting to hear back from them about what it might take to get the TT Z tp pass Colo emissions.

Anybody know rouphly now much it will cost to get a TT tuned with the UTEC?

 

well its always around 300 to get mine tuned, its like 100 an hour.

 

That's pretty reasonable. I'm thinkin I could do a low boost tune for emissions and a moderate boost tune for daily driving.

I talked to Jay (?) from MAC Motorsports and he was confident that I could get it to pass emissions with a good tune and the high flow cats.

 

Jay is a good guy, but he is somewhat new to the performance tuning realm. Best person to talk with is either Nick (the guy who actually does the tuning, and is a master with the UTEC), or Bill. Although Bill does like to talk...

 

Thanks for the info. Maybe its worth a trip down there to talk to them?

 

Yeah those "remote stations" are even tougher to pass. I read it on the colorado clean air website. They pass the ones that pass with flying colors. Nick @ MAC said I would pass no problem as well, altough I know of a Z with just the Turbonetics (no advanced tuning and UTEC) and they had to remove WG spring, put in the original non flashed ECU and stock injectors to pass...
Food for thought. Just be ready for the worst case senerio....