Cliff’s notes: Went to Texas with nixit. Pulled motor with aliaz, went to TTZD meeting, went to SGP, dropped off nixit, drove back to Dallas and flew away.
Read on for the full EXTREMLY LONG write up, otherwise, enjoy the pictures you lazy skimmers!I am finally truly beginning my Z build up. I have been planning and saving for the best Z build up I can realistically pull off for some time. Last weekend was the weekend we began the actual nitty gritty process (rather than just phone calls, buying parts, planning etc). Please click “maglito” link at the top of this page if you are curious about my build up (scroll down to “next step”). The basic plan is to drive down to Texas, pull my motor, drive down to SGP, exchange it for a ready-built one, drive back to Dallas and fly out from there. What follows is a journal of my weekend traveling to and from TX, pictures are marked with a reference number to make them easier to reference a particular picture in a reply. I hope everyone enjoys my write up.
Day 0: The trip to STL -> DFW (Thursday 2/17/2005)
Thursday afternoon I pack up my Z with all the misc parts I have had laying around awaiting this project, Koyo radiator, nismo oil cooler, 60mm TBs, (luckily I had almost all the other parts shipped directly to the aliaz house in TX) and of course leaving room for luggage for myself and nixit as well - no small task. After jamming the Z full,
the trip begins when I drive my Z to the STL airport to pick up nixit waiting there in his TT jeep (5pm). Afterwards, we beat most of the STL traffic going out bound and began the drive to Texas. After a few stops we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Texoma just across the TX border(around 1am). No pictures this day, as we were all business in trying to make decent time while making a realistic number of stops. Day 1: DFW arrival (Friday 2/18/2005)
We spent the morning in the hotel, I had to make some phone calls for work and nixit also had some business to attend to. We originally left on Thursday so nixit could spend some time with friends on Friday, but as it turns out they were all working. So, we decided to just go to DFW and find some things to do until our appointment at the aliaz house at 5:30 pm to begin the engine pull. 
The Z as it sits in the Holiday Inn Express parking lot. It will be a shame to dismantle her. (520)
Holiday Inn Express is my official preferred resting place.(522)
On our way into DFW I mention it would be nice to roll by my old house (I lived in DFW for about 2 years, until I moved to STL six months ago). Nixit said his old house is on the way so we stopped there first. 
Nixit being mysterious in my Z while I take a picture of his old house in Allen.(525)
Next stop my old place in Plano. 
Still pretty much how I left it. Some of the (limited) sale proceeds sponsored my Z build up.(527)
Another shot of my old house. Yes, I kind of miss it. If you saw my bedroom where I live now you would understand why. Sorry for boring you guys, I’ll get to the good stuff soon.(529)
Nixit wanted to go to courtesy and hang out with our guy Brian for a little while. 
My Z at Courtesy Nissan in Richardson. This fine establishment has received a fair share of my income over the last three years of Z ownership, and I’m sure there will still be more misc hoses, nuts, bolts, ect I will be buying from them. Courtesy Nissan is one the many good reasons for doing your Z build up in DFW.(530)
After killing some time with Brian at Courtesy, we hit some Tex-mex at one of nixit’s favorite places just south of Courtesy on US75. Then, after some debate nixit decided that since we drove to Texas on my car without an alignment (needed to be done since our previous suspension work on the car)and we still had a few hours before we needed to be at the aliaz household we should get her aligned. The NTB on US75 nixit knows well, so we stopped there. I have to say, I was a little scared when the guy said he didn’t have an allen wrench so he couldn’t adjust my suspension. I also had to argue with the sales guy to let me sit it the car during the adjustment. I was finally allowed to sit in the car and after I pulled some allen wrenches out of my car he reluctantly took on the job. I asked if he had any soapy water to spray on my wheels to make the alignment heads clamp on smoother (and hopefully without damaging my wheels). He replied – “nope”! (I find it hard to believe at National Tire and Battery they have no spray bottles of soapy water). He then took the first head and proceeded to pound it into my wheel as I watched a small bit of clear coat fly off my wheel. I immediately stopped him showed him where he has just damaged my wheel and told him what they cost. He then slowed down and put the heads on a bit gentler.
I hopped in the car and he proceeded to set the car to my requested specs. 
I attempted to get a shot of the alignment readout from in the car with little luck.(532)
Nixit checks out the current setting using my last alignment printout for reference. Don’t ask about his face, just go with it.(531)
With a successful alignment completed, we called the one and only College Boy to stop by his shop (the same shop that shaved and properly painted my fascia - per my specific instructions) and check out his wide body progress. We got to see the car just as the bodywork was being completed and it was scheduled for paint. I was very impressed with the attention to detail and how well it seems to be coming out. No pictures were taken as I know the aversion to his progress report pics here on tt.net. Rant follows in italics, feel free to skip and if the following bothers you please completely disregard.
Whether the widebody mod is worth the price, either for the look or the few additional cm of tires, is not up to debate everytime he posts. Everyone has their own opinion of whether its worth it or just plain stupid. You make your decision with your car and your money and leave others to do the same. If you don’t agree with it, fine but learn some manners. Be polite and mature, please…yes, I briefly saw some of the replies to his “pants” post earlier and I was once again disappointed with the rudeness of many of the replies.
Please, if you feel the need to reply to anything in italics – don’t I’m just blowing off steam and I don’t want to take this post too far off topic. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just wish people could show a bit more tact to their fellow enthusiasts. After saying goodbye to College Boy we made our way to the day’s destination, the aliaz household. He arrived shortly after we did, with Xyberton. Xyberton provided the TTZD community engine hoist and also provided a completely torn down (and blown) short block to relieve the pressure of having mine pulled and completely torn down in time to take it to SGP on the 21st. We unloaded the stuff, chatted for a while, and then Xyberton and nixit split to their respective prior obligations, leaving aliaz and I to the dirty work – literally. 
A shot of the clean a freshly mopped aliaz garage floor, before the carnage ensues.(534)
The car is driven into the garage and put on jack stands. This is the last shot where the car is seen in an operable state for I don’t know how long.(535)
I am tasked with pulling all the accessories, hoses and electronics it’s coming along pretty well in this shot. (537)
A better view of my progress in the engine bay.(538)
Aliaz pulls the exhaust, and the transmission. He is a machine, and has it all done in a cool 45 min flat. Amazing.(536)
With that amount of progress we go inside for the night, do the email and tt.net checks and hit the hay, the end of a long day. Day 2: Engine pull and Twin Turbo Z’s of Dallas meet (Saturday 2/19/2005) Aliaz and I take the oppurtunity to sleep in a little bit and after getting up we soon realize we can’t find the chain for the engine hoist, and need the longer bolts for the engine pull bolt trick. After a trip to Lowes for the chain and bolts, and a stop at chickfilla for Lunch we are back in the garage to finish the job we started. 
With chain and bolts at the ready to perform the extraction, we lower the car to the ground to make lifting the engine out a much more manageable task.(539)
Aliaz wheels the “fuxor’ hoist into position (more on the fuxor later).(540)
Another shot of the engine hoist positioning(541)
The chain looks to be securely attached using the bolt and washer method.(542)
Yep, that chain is secure and tight…speaking of – my plenum is probably getting scratched up by the chain.(543)
Aliaz investigates my concerns about plenum scratching.(544)
We place towels between the chain and my plenum to protect it from being scuffed up my the chain.(545)
We have lift off!(546)
It is an amazing sight (at least to me) to see the engine get lifted out of your car.(547)
Yes, there is no mistaking it the motor is out of the car.(548)
A side shot (549)
While I am in awe aliaz checks things out.(550)
Wheel it back and out of the way.(553)
Side view of the freshly pulled motor(554)
My first glimpse of my newly empty engine bay(555)
My RPS max street clutch appears to have some life left in it (and appears to have turned purple as well).(558)
A close up of the purple beast(559)
The work of art known as the RPS segmented flywheel, even dirty and abused she still looks good.(560).
Time to go in, and wash up as we are already late for the TTZD meeting. But not before we take turns posing for the required standing in the engine bay shots. 
Aliaz in the engine bay.(561)
That’s right!(562)
Me in the engine bay, at the time it seemed like a good idea to use the fuel filter to help me balance….(563)
Me doing my best, silly/cool shot.(564)
After that we went inside, and cleaned up to go out the TTZD meeting. And, of course there was the brief pause to check tt.net And it’s a good thing we did because many members were in the progress of Voting to Delete (VTD) a forum thread that consisted of a high speed video run of a non popular member on the forum. I thought it was wrong, but having barely downloaded it and needing to get ready to go I had to let it go and finish cleaning up for the TTZD meet where I would get to see a lot of the Texas guys I hadn’t seen in a while. After a quickly pushing my Z out of the garage into the driveway and almost locking Aliaz’s Z key in my car we were ready to go to the meet. And I have to say, riding in aliaz’s Z is a TREAT! Smooth, fast, intense power. Simply awesome, it’s very good proof every time I hop in it that I definitely have the right man helping me on this job. So, after a spirited drive we arrive (late) at the meet. 
right, up. Aliaz, not sure(turk’s friend), carlcuro, Steve Simmons (I think), turk
left, down. Gaupo, Mike Done, his sig other, Greg, LrdVader(566)
The lrd vader car. This car is supposedly just built. Details were sketchy.(565)
A shot of the engine bay. This car should do 200mph according to the owner (he’ll have to beat me to it). One thing is for sure some money was spent on this car.(567)
lrdvadr interior(568)
If you don’t know what car this is you are at the wrong website.
Clean does not begin to describe. I’m sure glad Greg saw this post.(569)
Trying to capture the luster of the finish, impossible – needs to be seen in person.
Greg, carlcuro and the other 500 some Z’s in this color are extremely lucky.(570)
Again, trying to capture the finish.(571)
Greg says to Mike Doan, “You got a problem with yellow?”(572)
Shield your eyes.(575)
Greg’s interior (574)
Funniest moment of the evening: we were all getting ready to leave and this punk kid comes up with some athletic apparel unzipped to his stomach with no shirt underneath. He walks up to Turk’s Z and goes “who’s Z is this?” And goes on to tell us he is looking into buying a “450 horse one” with 150k miles. And asks us if it’s a good deal. He then spots Greg’s car and Greg goes to re-pop the hood, while turk laughs devilishly, and the kid tries to act like he is not impressed, too cool for that. So it’s obvious the kid doesn’t know the first thing about Zs...he makes his way around Greg’s car, while we are all just kind of watching him. The kid then promptly walks up to Greg, and says- “Man I don’t want to tell you how to do you car, but man you really need some Jspec tails.” Carlcuro, turk, and myself could not believe it, and began laughing hysterically, while Greg was shaking his head saying, ”Did you guys put him up to this, who told this guy to do this?” No one put him up to it, it was perfect. So, after a good laugh everyone heads out and aliaz and I walk over to his car, hop in, and drive out. Who pulls out behind us, but Greg. And as soon as we pull out and on to George Bush…you know it’s on. Speed limit is like 50 or something but who cares. Wow, was it ever a treat to be in one of two 500+ hp Zs while lining up and making pulls out on the open road. Definitely a moment to remember. 
Tried to snap a picture before one of the pulls not to successful, foiled by the windshield once again. Look closely and you can see the GODZRA.(575)
Once we are back at the aliaz household I log back onto tt.net and see there is a post about some guy talking about censorship and VTD. I am going back into italics again, this means if you feel the need to discuss VTD in your reply or you feel strongly about the topic in one way or another please skip the following, as I am just getting it off my chest. I don’t want to discuss this topic any more as it gets me pretty worked up. So, in this thread there is some pretty heated debate about censorship and the right of members to VTD. I spend a good 40-45 minutes of my time posting replies to this thread to only see it deleted by members a few moments later. I was annoyed as all those replies that I spent my time typing would be read by almost no one. So after careful thinking about it, I decided to write a simple non-inflammatory request to the members of tt.net to please only use the VTD function to help eliminate off topic, abusive, or malicious posts. And do not Vote To Delete posts that are very Z related and that many members (including myself), would like to see (like a video of a guy driving his Z to 160mph), just because you don’t like the person posting. It's not a punishment tool. It really comes down to, for me, that I miss many interesting or controversial discussion or video/pictures for no reason other than people don’t like the person posting said content and want to punish them, but in fact they punish every member of the forum who has not yet had a chance to view said content. If you don’t like someone don’t read their posts, its that simple. This is a car forum, not a soap opera. Some people on this forum need to get over themselves and grow up.
Let ME decided if I want to see something, I don’t need or want your help.
You hurt this site when you misuse VTD. 
My somewhat failed attempt to ask people to think about the others who haven’t viewed a post before using VTD, and to ultimately use VTD based on content only. These are all the replies I was able to read, as I went to bed and in the morning it was gone. Notice most people that replied were in agreement, but apparently however many it takes to VTD, were still not over themselves. OK, no VTD replys, lets not go off topic.
I go to bed and another long day comes to an end.
Day 3: Nixit and I drive to Houston (SGP) (Sunday 2/20/2005)
This day’s plan is pretty simple I work on tearing down the engine on the stand a little bit. Nixit comes over, we play around with fitting on the larger throttle bodies, he checks out the aliaz car (a fine machine to be sure), and we drive to the Holiday Inn Express nearest to SGP, so as to be out there at a decent hour the next day. My father is in town on business and stops by to see the engine torn out of the car at the same time guapo and nixit arrive. The four of us go out to grab some TX BBQ. Guapo and my father have to roll, so aliaz, nixit and I hang out for a bit outside and in the garage. 
The motor is moved off the hoist and on to an engine stand. On the left will be our fine steed for teh trip to Houston(the aliaz 240SX beater), and on the right is my Z without its heart.(579)
This is why the engine hoist is known as “fuxor” This thing has been around the block a few times, and apparently got inked up along the way. I’m proud to be a member of its legacy in North Dallas.(581)
nixit and aliaz check out the aliaz Z. It’s a shame it's dirty in these pictures because just after they were taken the car was washed.(582)
Again when you can see nixit’s face strange things happen, although check out the hat, supposedly if you are from DFW its pretty cool.(583)
nixit checks out the only hint there is something non-stock about this 500+ rwhp(on rich pump tune) super quick spooling monster setup.(584)
The stealth killer engine(587)
A different angle.(585)
The aliaz Z is not only quick, but stops and handles great too. Supercar caliber - top to bottom. And don’t even think about bashing on the Konig’s when they are backed with a Stoptech Big Brake kit.(586)
After some chatting, the donated Xybertron short block is loaded into the 240 and nixit and I are off for Houston. We arrive at the Tomball, TX Holiday Inn Express around 11pm.
Once again we are at another holiday inn express, can you believe you are still reading this post?(589) 
A dark picture of the short block in the back of the 240, next to the trademark nixit Z bag.(590)
Of course we get stuck in a room without wired internet access and I realize I left my wireless card in my Z. I ponder what life was like before I used the internet for the remainder of the evening while nixit reads men’s health magazines (Men’s Journal). Sleep is good.
Day 4: SGP and goodbye to nixit (Monday 2/21/2005 – President’s Day)
SGP day says it all. I ordered the best (IMO) short block, from Kyle at SGP, one of the (IMO) best VG (and now VQ and 2JZ as well) engine builders in the country. He has also hooked me up with some nice titanium valve spring retainers (will help provide piece of mind at high RPM –like at 200mph), and special JWT turbos to arrive later in the day. 
A picture of the Z motor in the light right before leaving for SGP (592)
A closer picture of the engine in the trunk.(591)
Nixit and I hop in the 240 and shoot down the road to SGP, meet Kyle and the gang. And its not long before Kyle asks us to take a look at his shop and see my new motor. Of course, I can’t wait. 
This is the customer engine area. Mine is the VG out front.(593)
He she is, the new heart for my baby!(596)
 A close up of the rare Ash-spec pistons. These are not off the shelf pistons at either SGP or Z1, these are the pistons he designed for his engine utilizing quench pads to reduce probability to detonate (this is not new tech – just not often implemented on the VG engine). They are similar but not identical the endyne crown design and are also 8.5:1 pistons not the 9.2:1 of endyne designed pistons.(595)
Kyle goes on to order lunch for everyone and we stick around because the JWT turbos are on the fedex truck, and we want to wait for them so we don’t have get them mailed. While lunch is being delivered we swap the new motor for the old. 
The old in the car about to be traded for the new (615)
New motor on the left old on the right (616)
Kyle says, just say no to high boost on stock 350Z/G35 (VQ) internals. Any hint of detonation and the weak rods bend like noodles. (618)
Lunch arrives- Kyle's treat, and it was great. It actually felt like that scene towards the end of The Fast and the Furious, where they were all sitting down eating and talking about motors and running a shop. Except with fajitas and not BBQ, and it didn’t suck.(620)
We finished lunch, everyone got back to work and I decided to walk around and take pictures to kill time while waiting for the Fed-Ex truck to deliver my turbos. 
Of course my first subject is this amazing yellow car everyone knows and loves. Yes, this is Chris(nj)’s car. And I have to tell you it has to be seen in person to be truly appreciated. The car is extremely well done, and just beautiful. (603)
 Again, very nicely done.(602)
This, I would say is my favorite 350Z of all I have seen. From top to bottom is looks to have been done right (or just as I would have done). Volk SF Winning wheels are extremely hot, and I almost choose them for my car before going with the BBS LM’s. Even still, I would say they look best on this 350Z.(604)
That’s right boys, she’s a TT. I don’t know any details on this car, but it looks well done to me. I hope they go with the S-tune fascia (and of course forged pistons and rods).(605)
A couple of random Zs out in front.(606)
I believe this car is fresh off a build and being broken in now.(608)
A sentra(609)
I believe Kyle will officially soon become the proud owner of this “interesting” chromallusion Z. I guess when the owner of a car goes to jail and never pays his bill you get to keep the car.(611)
aliaz 240sx backed in to load the new motor (625)
A couple of current SGP projects (598)
It would seem they have some progress to make yet on this Supra. (599)
The SGP dyno room. I love the paint scheme (reminds me of how I did my living room in my house in Plano). A very classy place to make big power to be sure.(612)
They are even AWD savvy(613)
got B&B?(626)
got cams?(ok, enough) (622)
Yep, no true speed shop is complete without the random parachute laying on the shop floor.(624)
Finally, one for yugobernie.(619)
After taking pictures of everything interesting I could fine I sat in the waiting room and read through a few issues of stuff magazine while nixit kicked back and tried to stay cool. (totally unrelated but check out this months Maxim – JLH will is unbelievable.) Anyway, finally the moment was upon us when nixit points out the window at the Fed Ex truck. 
Whats this…could it be my new turbos?!(527)
Look out, I’m on a mission here! (630)
Alright, here is the deal with these turbos. Jim Wolf doesn’t have many of them in this configuration, and doesn’t want me to post details about them until they are ready to sell them in quantity. If you have been following this at all you know exactly what these turbos are, but he asked Kyle over the phone to hold off on posting the turbo details until he has tested them and officially released them as he doesn’t want a ton of calls about them before he is ready. Kyle had a hard time even getting him to sell us this set, and on top of it JWT charged us a bunch extra over the standard price for them. So, that’s why these photos are edited. Take it easy, wait a month or two and I’m sure you will hear about these turbos availability and get them once they are released at a far better price than I paid. (631)
Here you can see the edited label and Kyle on the phone with Jim Wolf taking about the turbos and if we can release details.(633)
There she is in all her glory.(634)
Cold (compressor) side(636)
Hot (turbine) side(635)
At that point it was time to take nixit back to the airport, and thank Kyle for his hospitality and services.(637)
nixit shakes hands with Kyle(638)
With that we box the turbo back up and I drive nixit over to the airport so he can fly back to his beloved Jeep in STL.  Nixit walking away at the Houston airport with his trademark Z bag.
From there I turn around and drive through rush hour Houston traffic back towards DFW. I get back to aliaz’s house somewhat late. But not too late to grab the turbos out of the car, and trade them back and forth with aliaz as we spin the turbine wheel and make “vroom vroom” sounds. Day 5: engine tear down, clean up, and leave (Tuesday 2/22/2005) My last day in DFW. I contemplate driving to Greg’s place to pick up some stickers for the engine bay dress up college boy is helping me with, but ultimately end up taking up all my time online with tt.net, emails and just catching up after the rush of the previous days. In the afternoon I go back out to the garage and tear off all the parts college boy will need from the engine to make it look pretty, drop them off with him, and visit some friends for dinner. 
My old motor after pulling all the goodies off to deliver to college boy.
After I got back from dinner with friends (11pm) aliaz and I unloaded the new SGP short block from the car. Removed the bag and inspected it. 
So, nice and clean
another angle
. So, as I finished mopping the floor at 3:50 my ride pulled up. I through all my clothes in my bags made it out to the van at 4:01am and proceeded to DFW. While waiting at my gate an amazing thing happened, maybe they saw how dirty and tired I looked, I’m not sure, but they called my name out and at the podium they game me a free 1st class upgrade. Not too shabby, at least I will get an hour of sleep in a larger seat.<p><img src=)
Shot of my new 1st class ticket on my dirty, greasy jeans.
IF YOU’RE STILL READING YOU CAN STOP NOW
NZR content follows.
Rest of the week (if you care – basically why its taken until now to see this write up).
Wednesday
From Atlanta, GA I get a rental mustang convertible and drive to Albany Georgia, stop at a Holiday Inn, clean up go do my job at the local hospital, go back to the Holiday Inn around 7pm and SLEEP (14+hrs).
Thursday
Get a call from my boss to drive down to Gainesville, FL and do some work there. A beautiful day put the top down on the v6 mustang and after restful night enjoy the ride down US75, get to the local hospital there and work until midnight. Take the guys I work with there to dinner and get back to the Holiday Inn Gainesville and with the short notice all that’s left is one smoking room. So, I go to sleep in my ashtray bed.
Friday
Realize I forgot my USB drive in the USB port at the local hospital, go back there and the traffic and weather are just horrible through Gainesville. So, I am unable to leave Gainesville for the Atlanta airport until 1pm (stuck in traffic badly), and my flight is at 7pm out of ATL. Drive the ragtop mustang 80-100 all the way back to Atlanta, its looking like I should make the flight no problem so I stop by the ATL airport post office to mail Kyle@SGP some ARP studs I owed him and mail my paperwork to my boss, and the post office is like a comedy routine. The woman keeps sending everyone in line to get there own packaging materials then their own labels over and over again so you have to get back in line about 3 times. After I finally get my stuff mailed I arrive at the ticket counter 8 minutes after cut off. So, I take the flight leaving 3.5 hours later. I take that time to check tt.net on my PDA and start the wonderful write up at the gate.
I finished about 25% of this at the gate, and again worked on it in route back to STL completed up to about 35% of it by the time I landed. Took a cab home, and my roommate where having a get together of sorts. Finally much later I went to sleep.
And the funny part is Wednesday – Friday portion of the week is actually a normal week for me (minus the free first class upgrade I’m usually coach all the way).
Saturday
Well, today I finished the rest of what you are reading now. And that’s about all I have done. So yeah, this write up has gotten a WAY out of hand, I apologize for the life wasted reading this that you will never get back. I hope you at least found some parts entertaining. Thanks,
Anthony R. Magliari
maglito
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TX trip-motor pull,TTZD,SGP and more–Longest post ever!94img - 
11:04:22 02/27/05
