Well... I guess it's build thread time.

I used to have a V6 3.0 liter that I put EXTENSIVE work into. I got it down to a 10.3 @134mph on low boost (22psi). However, I keep spinning rod bearings and I am now discouraged with the VG30E engine.

So... now I am moving on to an LQ4 with a Borg Warner S375 turbo. Currently I feel the hot side is too small with an 83mm turbine wheel and definitely with a .90 A/R on the hot side. I was thinking of getting either the 1.25 T4 or there is a local guy selling the same turbo I have but with a 87mm T6 1.35A/R hot side for $550 brand new. Bummer is that I feel the 1.35 A/R may be too big...

Anyways...
Old'n'busted


New hotness
I would post some details, but it is pretty much the same damn thing everyone else is doing...
LQ4 - 75mm - powerglide. I still have a very long way to go on it though.



That's it for now. I'll update when I make enough progress worth making an update for.

EDIT: Adding pictures.

Here is the paint job I did myself. After spending many MANY hours on the body work, I can NOW understand how a paint job can cost MANY thousands of dollars. These pics were just with the body panels hanging on. They are all bolted on now though. Before and after shots. Sorry for the grainy pics.







Cage pics (old fuel system, not like that anymore)

 

How you gonna run the exhaust thru the hood? And sick project those vg30 motors are stout dont know why you kept spinning bearings.

 

Welcome to the Dark Side

 

IN! Love me some Z cars!

 

Nice "Men in Black" quote!

 

So you finally took the plunge. I want to see more build pictures Jon.

 

There are a few of us who were having problems keeping the rod bearings in check once we got over 600whp. The z31 oiling system is lacking. The z32 oiling system is leaps and bounds better. But I don't have a z32, nor am I going through the trouble to swap engines and still keep 3.0 liters. I now have 6.0 liters and the engine actually takes up less room!

The turbo is at an angle, but no more than 10*. It looks like the exhaust is going to have to go through the hood, but I will put it down by the manifolds and under the car. The one down side is that due to space constraints, I'm going to have to go from 4" and then Y into two 3" pipes and snake them past the manfiolds. That's ok though, cause two 3" pipes together have more area than one single 4".

 

Hey Arash... How's that turbo LS1 Miata coming along?!

Eric, I will get some more pics up when I make some more progress. This is going to be my winter project, so it is going to take some time.

 

nice to see the progress Jon, it's going to be awesome. I just got all the tubing and raw materials for my swap and now its time to get creative as I'm mounting the turbo directly in front like you had on your vg30! should be interesting!

 

Cool build!

Could you get another passenger side manifold and run it upside down facing forward on the drivers side then have the dump run underneath? Could free up some hot side plumbing room.

 

SICK!!! Ive never been a fan of the VG motors. They just fell short of the inline 6s.

 

Jon, dont want to thread jump you... but its almost complete. 3 more weeks.
Going to be FUN!

Anyway, Your car is going to be absolutely SICK!
Going to be reliable, fast, and FUN!
Really excited to see your results.
Those poor VG Motors don't like big power from what I've gathered.

 

The problem isn't that the manifold itself is in the way. Even if there were no manifolds on the engine at all, I still could not fit 4" exhaust past the steering linkage and the oil pan, or the oil pan and the frame rail on the other side either.

 

Are you going to stick with the Aem Ems or stock pcm and hptuners?

 

Got it running temporarily just to make sure it does what it is supposed to do. Had to go in and turn off VATS. Fired right up on the first try. Very responsive. It's a little on the throaty side too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpXtIlqWylE

 

Hellz Yeah man! Congrats! Cannot wait to see what this thing does!

 

How something different

 

I could have swore I replied to you Eric, but I guess not...

I will be sticking with OEM PCM and HP Tuners. Tons of potential using HP Tuners. I'm not trying to make a 2000hp monster, just a 1000hp mini monster.

Thanks man! It is going to be an all winter long project though. When I get it all "done", it still won't be done. I still have to blow it up around 800whp or so, then forge it and pin the caps for 1000whp.

 

Did some 3.5" intercooler piping tonight. Still gotta put my BOV on and finish welding the throttle body side of the piping. Turbo side is all done. Like my "JDM" Silicon elbow on my merican motor?

I took the same 4"x 12" x 24" core that everyone else runs and just cut the in and outs off of it and welded on some 3.5 V-bands. The original in and outs had an I.D. of 2 5/8". I know that you guys are making some good numbers on those, but I really can't help but think there is a LOT of unneeded restriction for 800+whp on a 2 5/8" I.D. pipe. That's simply just too small in my opinion.

 

Great package. This is gonna b a fun ride! Keep up the great work.