| So, the story starts with my purchase of my TT back on 8/95 when I first bought my TT from Concord Nissan with 6 miles on the odometer. The Z was my daily driver for the first 6 years. My car dynoed 286.1 RWHP with just an HKS super power flow air filter. After that, I had bolt-on power mods installed but nothing crazy. My highest HP was 337.1 RWHP on a dyno. My stock clutch lasted 85,000 miles, my 2nd clutch (JWT street clutch) lasted from 85,000 to 130,000, and my 3rd clutch (JWT severe duty clutch) lasted from 130,000 to now. Fast forward to 2 months ago, when I decided to go almost all-out and go big or go home. I am still on the original engine at 188,732 miles. The Z had a slight oil leak from the valve covers. I actually thought my turbos were leaking. I took my car to Exact Motorsports and when we pulled the motor, the turbos were fine. As suspected by John, oil was leaking from the valve covers. Here is a list of items that I had installed: ~JWT ECU with 740cc program
~APEXi AVC-R boost controller
~Nismo 740cc injectors
~AshSpec Massives V3 2.5" SMIC Intercoolers
~AshSpec Massives intercooler ducts
~AshSpec 2.5" SMIC Piping (nickel triple plated chrome)
~AshSpec Planar Inlet Pipe Kit
~Selin Dual MAF translator
~54 mm bored out throttle bodies with port-matched plenum
~Dual MAFs with dual Specialty Z 370Z air filters
~HKS GT2530BB turbos
~Mike Smith Manifolds
~Specialty Z 3" 5-bolt downpipes
~Specialty Z hi-flow catalytic converters with 3" piping
~Exedy multiplate clutch and lightweight flywheel I also replaced leaking VTC solenoids, O2 sensors, knock sensor, and complete harness. I had the Goose Honk Killer mod performed on my stock recirc valves and had those installed. So here we are now and onto the pictures. There are a lot of them. Sorry if I offend anyone with this pic whoring post. Pic whoring is what I do best. Picture of the engine after we pulled it out of the Z.
My Z looks like it lost in a barroom brawl
Some more pics of the engine and 188,732 miles of buildup
Original VTC solenoids. Melted and leaking oil
Original motor mounts. Both sides were obliterated
Pics of the original turbos. They had no free play, spun freely, and did not have any leaks.
HKS GT2530 turbos to replace stockers
Here's some pictures from the build process:
Old and busted, the original engine harness. The manufacturer sticker survived.
The new hotness engine harness
Goose Honk Killer modified recirc valves from BDE
Selin dual MAF translator and twin 370Z air filters
Install process almost completed
Here is the finished product after washing, waxing, polishing, and cleaning but could not take other pictures because it got dark.
Now, I am ready for the trip to ZCON starting at 4 AM on Tuesday morning. It will be a long drive from NorCal. While I was driving the Z today for a shakedown cruise, I was careful to not boost over 4-5 PSI because I only have the JWT 740cc ECU program. I will be taking it to Greg Dupree and having them tune the car before I dare boost any higher. I can tell you, that after the updates, even at 4-5 PSI boost, the car literally feels like it's trying to jump out of its socks. It has power bubbling all over. Can't wait to see what it can do after tuning. I am hoping for 450+ HP on California piss gas and 630+ on Q16.
I only tire of the chattering from the Exedy multiplate clutch but I can tell you that it feels great and easy to modulate. It will take the HP and abuse and best of all, I don't ever have to buy a new clutch but just buy the packs to replace as it is rebuildable. As for the Ash-spec planar kit and intercooler piping, they are great and definitely allows the VG30DETT to efficiently move air. It just sucks that slight modifications needed to be made so that the pipes could fit. One of the big modifications is a slight trimming of both motor mounts in order to clock the pipes properly. The BDE GHK recirc valves work as promised. You actually hear the turbo sucking up air and it sneezes a bit when you let off on the gas. Sounds better than BOVs IMHO and I used to have the Blitz BOVs installed. It is cool to be able to hear the ball bearing HKS turbos spool up. My exhaust note is definitely louder. The car just feels better, sounds better, and is ready to tear it up. I can't wait to get it out on the open road once it is tuned. As for now, I'll just drive easy on it to ZCON until then.
 
I eat rice, I don't put rice on my car!
sig quote by AEFL92, "you're not a pic whore...you're a pic pornstar..." |
Tons of pics from my TT upgrades. Slow connection unfriendly - 
