My 1990 300zx Twin Turbo build by megaDan

By stevegolf
( 4 )

7 minute(s) of a 414 minute read

4-8-2011

Pulled my Z out of storage, picked up my heads, borrowed my buddies engine stand, and got the block up and ready for work. Alot for 2 hours after work.

The build should take place somewhat soon...Now that I have everything back in my possession in my garage I'm starting to lose it. I want this thing done now :-)

Lots of parts waiting to go on...

Block:

Block cleaned, bored .020 over and decked

Stock TT crank

Reconditioned TT rods with ARP rod bolts

.020" over wiseco pistons

New oil pump

New 120k kit

ARP main studs

ARP head studs

Cometic head gasket

new OEM gasket kit

Heads:

Refurbed 40p heads

3 angle valve job

New seals

Reconditioned lifters (by yours truly. thanks ash!)

Accessories:

AMS exhaust manifolds

JWT Sport 500 turbos

New EFI harness

I've never built a longblock before so...I've got my work cut out for me this weekend. 

Stay tuned for more pics as progress is made


4/13/2011

Work has started again!

It's SOOO nice working in a clean garage! If only I can keep it this way.

Last night I took an hour after work to get everything set up for the weekend. I moved the car to the back of the garage and got it up in the air. It took maybe 15 minutes to drop the exhaust from the downpipes back. It is much easier working with new hardware than 20 year old rusted hardware. Go figure right? I'm impressed with how well the exhaust held up, but was also surprised to find out I had some leaks. I could tell when I installed it that the fitment wasn't quite perfect, but I thought I tweaked it enough to get everything sealed good. I was wrong. The gaskets told the story. Should have taken pictures.

I tried to get my driveshaft off, but I snapped my adapter a while ago so I couldn't use my impact and they weren't budging with my craftsman ratchet. So I gave up.

Unfortunately last night I tweaked my neck while working out sooo I'll probably be working on the top side of the engine this evening. Hurts like hell.

As of right now the plan is to drop the trans before the weekend and pull the engine on saturday. I see no reason why this won't be possible. I've already deleted everything imaginable and I've got a new EFI harness so I don't have to worry too much about labeling.

I'll remember pics tonight. 


4/18/2011

Early day on Saturday, the girlfriend and I were up at 7:30 and working on the car by 9 with Pete's help. We got the motor and trans pulled in well under 3 hours. Not bad for my first time. We didn't really have any hangups getting the thing out...we dropped the transmission last winter so that was easy. And the motor wasn't bad either. Nothing too rusty or frozen in place.

By noon we were already breaking down the motor. I'm using the cams and oilpan and a few other pieces for the motor I'm building and the rest I plan on parting out. Another friend stopped by in the afternoon and helped take stuff apart. 

On Sunday we started later, and put in 3 hours or so. We got hung up on both turbos. The innermost turbo-exhaust manifold bolt on the drivers side, and the waistgate kept hitting the oil line block on the passenger side preventing the turbo from coming out. We took off almost EVERYTHING from both sides of the motor trying to get these stupid things off. Finally I realized there was a little cotter pin holding the waistgate actuator arm on...I pulled that and the turbo dropped. Ugh. After we removed the water tube on the driver's side I could get a U joint up to the innermost turbo nut and that one came down too. We wasted a LOT of time just trying to get those off. Once we figured it out the rest of the pieces came off much faster. We stopped once I got the oil pan off, it was getting late and we had a lot of stuff to do.

Tonight I'll be stopping by after work to remove the oil pump bolts and pickup tube for my new motor. Initially I had hoped to finish building the motor during the week and put it in next weekend since its a 3-day. Saturday I felt good about that...sunday I figured I would need a few more weeks...now I'm not so sure. I think if I get a couple good nights in I could finish building the block on friday and have it ready to go in on saturday. As long as I can remember where everything goes.

I've discovered I need quite a few new parts I have to order quickly though. Most of the water tubes and oil hard lines I need to replace. They were pretty rusty. I've got stainless steel braided turbo feed lines and new oil return tubes. I guess its just the water lines I need. I was thinking of using fuel injection hose for the water lines on the back of the block, instead of rubber - hard line - rubber - hard line - turbo like its set up now. Does anyone know if that would be a bad idea? I would think it would be less leak prone that way. The plenum water line bypass uses those in other places.

I've also got to replace my clutch and I was hoping someone could help me identify the clutch I've got. After looking at pictures on Z1, I'm almost positive its a Street clutch kit. Seehere and compare with the image below. The shape is exactly the same, the only difference is the color. The pressure plate is still good but I was just hoping to replace the clutch disc.

Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Better pictures of a cleaner motor to be posted later this week :-)


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