Next I installed my timing & rear main seal covers using some Alignit tools. These things come in handy. After the covers were aligned I installed the seals.





Moving on I installed the Improved Racing oil pan baffle into my F-Body oil pan. It's a shame that something so nice won't be seen.




I also deleted my oil level sensor but using Dorman Drain Plug 65221.



The balancer started looking lonely on my work bench so I slapped it on followed by the ARP Balancer Bolt.

 

Installed the F-Body windage tray & pick up tube. Rotated the engine a few more times to check for clearance. Then tossed the oil pan on.

 

 

To finish up the 4.8 I installed the water pump & valley cover.




With the 4.8 together I needed to find a clutch. I originally ordered clutch but they requested I buy their flywheel. Which informed that would be useless for me. Well that struck a cord with them. So I explained my setup & they told me the LS wouldn't even fit in car. I told them to Google my car which must be mystical unicorn ROFL. Got my refund and began searching for another option. Found a couple options. In 1 hand there was an affordable 700-800$ clutch. In the other there was a 2100$ clutch that was way more than I needed. The 1st clutch appeared to fit my needs & had a nice price to match. So I gave the clutch maker a call. They informed me that my set up would be pushing to the limits of that clutch. They've had people make 800+hp but on less torque producing V6's. Not wanting to be held back by my clutch I went with option 2. It hurt in the beginning. Hell this clutch cost more than my car, turbo, engine & transmission combined lol. But it'll aid me obtain my goals & pay for itself in the long run. Due to the fact it's a twin disc & can be rebuilt. I went with Ceramic & Rigid Organic disc combination per Clutch Masters recommendation. The clutch comes with a custom flywheel that allows you to back the LSX with a Z32 transmission. With that said they're made to order. I was quoted 3-4 weeks for them to make it. I figured it was likely another week for shipping. Boy was I wrong. My clutch was delivered in just 10 days!

While I was waiting on my clutch I went ahead & had my starter rebuilt.





I also converted my power steering rack to manual. Here's how the rack started out.


After I hit it with some glass bead media

 

Disassembly began

 

Removal of the high pressure seal & inner tube seal

 

Cleaned everything up

 

 

 

Let the assembly begin!

 

 

 

After it was all assembled I gave it a fresh coat of paint for protection.

 

I ordered some grease fittings for the finishing touch. But I'm still waiting on them to arrive. That way I could grease my steering rack during routine maintenance. I'll add some pics in my next update.

Sold vs Factory rubber bushing



Installed manual rack with new sold bushing.

 

Here's my new clutch & flywheel in all their glory.

 

The standard length LSX flywheel bolts were just a tad to short. So I ordered some extended length ARP bolts #244-2902.


Now I installed the flywheel & clutch onto the 4.8.






Decided to clean the transmission up a bit.

 

Installed the clutch fork dust boot, chromoly pivot ball, 350z clutch fork, throw out bearing & sleeve

 

Then I mounted my transmission to my engine.




I finally installed my engine & transmission back into my Z!

 

It's beginning to resemble a car again. Lol

I told myself I wouldn't install the kit until I got it Ceramic coated but I couldn't take it anymore.