VQ35HR ST (VSR) Begins
06-23-2014, 06:06 PM
#1
VQ35HR ST (VSR) Begins
Today begins my story. I bought my 2007 350z Grand Touring Roadster March 2008. I bought her brand new with 16 miles on the clock. Over the last 6 years, we've gone through many changes but none of which involved the magnitude of work as required with FI.
I've been hunting for a single turbo setup for nearly a year now and chose VSR's setup primarily for two reasons. 1) They are a one stop shop for the setup. You ship your car to them and they take care of everything (install, tuning, other stuff). I've always been a hands-on kind of guy (search for my DIYs). I really enjoy wrenching on cars, probably more so than actually driving. However life has gotton away from me with work, the house, the wife, my toddler and second on the way. It was time to put my hobbies aside (wrenching) and enjoy the car as it should have came out of the Nissan plant. 2) The turbo and intake placement resonated with what I wanted in a turbo kit. To the best of my knowledge, the only other ST setup for the HR has the turbo mounted low and the intake tucked next to the transmission. While im sure it works just fine down low, I feel better if the intake and turbo sat above my crash beam (Just a personal preference).
Proposed Setup:
VSR Topmount turbo kit
CJM Stage 1 VQ35HR fuel return w/ pump harness
HKS M-Series 1 step colder
Southbend Stage 2 Kevlar Clutch and Flywheel Kit
ZSpeed HD CSC
Mishimoto Radiator
Stillen Headers
AEM Tru-Boost and UEGO
Innovate Oil Temp and Pressure
Vibrant 3" HFC
I track my car a few times a year. It'll be interesting how well this setup performs at the track. Not just from a reliability standpoint but also from a safety standpoint. I've never had an issue with NA, so this new setup will be interesting. There were reports on the.370z.com of improper placement of a few critical lines in relation to the downpipe, exhaust leaks, oil and ps leaks. The owner of VSR, Bobby, stood behind his product and offered to make it right.
I hope my story will be a great one as there are only 2 other VQ35HR VSR turbos in the states (to the best of my knowledge).
PS. Pardon my spelling and grammar.
Timeline:
June 23, 2014: Car on transport and on its way
August 13, 2014: Car still at shop
Their welder had a little accident over the 4th. Apparently he has limited mobility. Added pixs of exhaust side and oil pan.
August 29, 2014: Car nearly done! Going to retune w/ and w/o cat
Sept 5, 2014: Car made no power, Cylinder 1 had low compression ~160. VSR believes its a burnt valve.
Sept 8, 2014: Cylinder 1 had 40% leak, doing modest build
to be continued
Sept 25, 2014: Build Starts
Sept 29, 2014: Motor dropped over the weekend. Broke down shortblock to find oil starvation on bearings and rings.
Oct 13, 2014: Motor nearly back into the car, added pix of shortblock.
Oct 17, 2014: Car tuned. Stock exhaust holding power back. 6psi = 380 whp, 8psi = 420 whp, 13psi = 500 whp
Oct 18, 2014: Dyno posted https://my350z.com/forum/attachments...uilt_dyno.jpeg
I've been hunting for a single turbo setup for nearly a year now and chose VSR's setup primarily for two reasons. 1) They are a one stop shop for the setup. You ship your car to them and they take care of everything (install, tuning, other stuff). I've always been a hands-on kind of guy (search for my DIYs). I really enjoy wrenching on cars, probably more so than actually driving. However life has gotton away from me with work, the house, the wife, my toddler and second on the way. It was time to put my hobbies aside (wrenching) and enjoy the car as it should have came out of the Nissan plant. 2) The turbo and intake placement resonated with what I wanted in a turbo kit. To the best of my knowledge, the only other ST setup for the HR has the turbo mounted low and the intake tucked next to the transmission. While im sure it works just fine down low, I feel better if the intake and turbo sat above my crash beam (Just a personal preference).
Proposed Setup:
VSR Topmount turbo kit
CJM Stage 1 VQ35HR fuel return w/ pump harness
HKS M-Series 1 step colder
Southbend Stage 2 Kevlar Clutch and Flywheel Kit
ZSpeed HD CSC
Mishimoto Radiator
Stillen Headers
AEM Tru-Boost and UEGO
Innovate Oil Temp and Pressure
Vibrant 3" HFC
I track my car a few times a year. It'll be interesting how well this setup performs at the track. Not just from a reliability standpoint but also from a safety standpoint. I've never had an issue with NA, so this new setup will be interesting. There were reports on the.370z.com of improper placement of a few critical lines in relation to the downpipe, exhaust leaks, oil and ps leaks. The owner of VSR, Bobby, stood behind his product and offered to make it right.
I hope my story will be a great one as there are only 2 other VQ35HR VSR turbos in the states (to the best of my knowledge).
PS. Pardon my spelling and grammar.
Timeline:
June 23, 2014: Car on transport and on its way
August 13, 2014: Car still at shop
Their welder had a little accident over the 4th. Apparently he has limited mobility. Added pixs of exhaust side and oil pan.August 29, 2014: Car nearly done! Going to retune w/ and w/o cat
Sept 5, 2014: Car made no power, Cylinder 1 had low compression ~160. VSR believes its a burnt valve.
Sept 8, 2014: Cylinder 1 had 40% leak, doing modest build
to be continued
Sept 25, 2014: Build Starts
Sept 29, 2014: Motor dropped over the weekend. Broke down shortblock to find oil starvation on bearings and rings.
Oct 13, 2014: Motor nearly back into the car, added pix of shortblock.
Oct 17, 2014: Car tuned. Stock exhaust holding power back. 6psi = 380 whp, 8psi = 420 whp, 13psi = 500 whp
Oct 18, 2014: Dyno posted https://my350z.com/forum/attachments...uilt_dyno.jpeg
Last edited by vtchang; 10-17-2014 at 11:09 AM. Reason: 10/18/14 Dyno posted
06-24-2014, 04:57 AM
#4
Thanks. I am looking for 450/400. While I am sure the motor can do that on the dyno, I am not sure if it can sustain that kind of power level across multiple track days. Only time will tell. Maybe there are others out there with data to support the claim.
Regardless, i am siked!
Regardless, i am siked!
06-24-2014, 05:50 AM
#5
Goodluck bud.. U made the right decision of shipping your car to them. I on the other hand wasn't so lucky. I order their ST kit for de motor.. And the kit didn't line up at all, I basically had to pay another bill to a fabricator to cut and reweld everything. Bobby was a good guy at heart, but wouldn't help me out with that situation . After all said and done, I'm pleased with how the kit turned out.
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08-28-2014, 12:31 PM
#12
I like this and think Ive seen the FaceBook updates. Personally I would go with the 3.5 Stage clutch. It's (I believe) a hybrid of full faced sprung and 8 ceramic puck, giving it plenty of grunt for hard pulls, drag and autoX, but also the every day drivability. It's the clutch I have for my HR as well and so far it's performed flawlessly.
I'm assuming you are going with the Stage 2 daily? I'm sure it will fit all your needs. And I'm sure it will feel great. SouthBend is a great company and good quality from everything I've seen so far.
If you're thinking of ever going for more HP or doing a good drag day I would go with something that wont begin to slip.
I'm assuming you are going with the Stage 2 daily? I'm sure it will fit all your needs. And I'm sure it will feel great. SouthBend is a great company and good quality from everything I've seen so far.
If you're thinking of ever going for more HP or doing a good drag day I would go with something that wont begin to slip.
Last edited by Nismo350z#0310; 08-28-2014 at 12:32 PM.
08-29-2014, 04:15 PM
#13
Thanks for the tip. I'll keep stage 3.5 in mind. I haven't been to the strip before but certainly looks like fun.
There is a track day in November I'd like to attend so that event will be the real test of the kit and the clutch! If the clutch doesn't hold i'll upgrade. The other option is the OS Giken twin plate or Carbonetics carbon disc.
There is a track day in November I'd like to attend so that event will be the real test of the kit and the clutch! If the clutch doesn't hold i'll upgrade. The other option is the OS Giken twin plate or Carbonetics carbon disc.
09-07-2014, 06:04 AM
#14
Update: Car made no power, cylinder 1 had low compression. VSR believes its a burnt valve.
Options: 1 run the car down until it dies
Option 2: Put a used "good" motor in there
Option 3: Build it
Option 4: Rebuild the heads (assuming it is JUST the valves)
Options: 1 run the car down until it dies
Option 2: Put a used "good" motor in there
Option 3: Build it
Option 4: Rebuild the heads (assuming it is JUST the valves)
09-07-2014, 08:40 AM
#16
Most likely before it was shipped. I was stupid and didn't do a compression test and leak down before sending it off.
Only person to blame is myself at this point. Just looking to get a resolution that will last. Yes, thinking about doing a build.
Only person to blame is myself at this point. Just looking to get a resolution that will last. Yes, thinking about doing a build.
09-25-2014, 06:44 PM
#20
nothing crazy. CP pistons, BC Rods, OEM bearings, pumps, gaskets, ARP headstuds.
Nothing has changed in terms of expectations for power. Only difference now is that it should be built to last and I shouldn't have to worry about the motor letting go at the track.
Nothing has changed in terms of expectations for power. Only difference now is that it should be built to last and I shouldn't have to worry about the motor letting go at the track.