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Ultimate NA VQ37VHR

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : November 25, 2014

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Not very many take the route to build up a naturally aspirated engine. The costs are very high and can easily exceed a “simplistic” approach of adding forced induction. It takes calculated and smart decisions to maximize the airflow through an NA engine. This example pays great attention to detail and no skimping on the parts.

3″ intake piping and of course the most obvious a different intake manifold utilizing Z33 throttle bodies.

The manifold as it was underway at GTM. The “collector” pays great attention to maximizing equal airflow to all cylinders and increasing displacement.

GTM Dry Sump “Oil” Pan, yes this engine also has a dry sump system! The main engine modifications are JUN 11mm lift exhaust cams that feature a 282 duration. Z1 headers, test pipes, and catback 2.5″, 600cc fuel injectors, fuel rails, and Walbro fuel pump. Fuel system remains returnless.

We started by getting a baseline on the setup and came up with our blue run results. 326 whp and 271 torque. Our red run is our tuned run on 91 octane making an impressive 361 whp and 290 torque.

We switched fuels by going to ethanol and we picked up 10 whp peak. Since our bottom end is stock, upgrading rods and to a billet crankshaft would allows us to SAFELY run 9000 RPMs. This would get us very close to 400 whp!

Our comparisons dyno graph. Your seeing both the 91 and ethanol tune for this engine plotted against a bone stock 370Z (green run), and your average 370Z with bolt-ons of catback, intake, and tune.

Tim’s NISMO 370Z TT

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : November 13, 2014

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Tim’s Z made its way from Missouri to get a TT kit from Fast Intentions. This particular kit (optional) received HTA-68 turbochargers with Tial’s Alpha compressor housings. A full Fast Intentions exhaust is used with 3″ down pipes, high flow cats, and 3″ resonated catback. An SZ Max Street Clutch & Flywheel Kit was also installed to ensure power gets to the tires. A Greddy Profec Boost Controller along with the Tial External Wastegates (standard hardware) control boost pressures. Off wastegate alone, the system makes 6 psi and since the state of Missouri uses 93 octane we could turn up the boost considerably even on this high compression engine. the HTA turbos don’t wake up until you get past the double digits of boost pressure. This makes them efficient and also makes very good power.

Upon closer inspection one can distinguish the intercooler peering behind the spacious NISMO bumper.

Tuned for 93 octane fuel, for 575 whp and 501 torque.

Ken Converts to Flex Fuel

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : October 30, 2014

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Ken came back from Idaho so we could update his Z32 to run gasoline (92 octane in Idaho) and ethanol (flex fuel). Ken already had our tune switcher built into his Z’s ECU so we made 10% ethanol tunes on his switcher. In the last 4 years no other performance modifications have been performed since we last saw Ken exactly 4 years ago. We upgraded the factory TT pump with a Walbro “485” unit. All fuel lines were replaced and added a flex fuel sensor with a Zeitronix gauge so Ken can monitor ethanol content and make the necessary tune changes. You can see Ken’s previous visit here. List of mods are all in there.

Zeitronix gauge fits nicely in the 300 Degree Gauge Pod. 30% ethanol content shown.

On an 75% ethanol content, 530 whp was achieved. Since Ken runs our built auto a bit more power is lost through the drivetrain. We were able to max out the fuel flow capacity of the Nismo 740cc fuel injectors.

Sand Rail Turned to the Darkside

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : October 28, 2014

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Almost a year ago we tuned Paul’s VG30DE powered sand rail. Just recently he was back with a VG30DETT running a pair of Mitsu TD04 turbochargers. After some tweaks we were able to make some great power.

Turbos came off courtesy of a couple of Subarus. SZ replica inconel exhaust manifolds. Externally wastegates, a Greddy boost controller, and stock recirc valves are used for boost control.

Intercooler and radiator mounted right above the engine.

I think Paul will notice a “dramatic” difference between the naturally aspirated engine and its TT’ed brother. 160 torque gained and 140 whp.

Reza’s 240SX Drifter

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : September 16, 2014

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You won’t find the typical SR engine in this S14. Still powered using a Nissan engine, the sound alone will let you know its packing more under the hood.

Reza had us install a Nistune board in the ECU so we could tune the car. We also cleaned up a few things throughout the car, installing colder spark plugs, replacing coil pack connectors, etc. We also finished up the install of a Nitrous Express nitrous system.

We made a new intake pipe to properly hold the new NX Shark Nozzle. We went with a small 50HP shot to give Reza a nice blast of instant power and torque when needed.

If you couldn’t tell in the previous picture, its a V8! Its the VH45DE found in the 1990’s Infiniti Q45. All aluminum to boot! Engine is practically stock aside from the intake, long tube headers, and exhaust system

Our baseline pull is in blue, note the torque and power drop offs throughout the powerband. We finished up our 91 octane tune in green. Great gains everywhere. We gained as much as 60 lb\ft of torque and 50 whp in certain areas! We installed the Nitrous Express Maximizer 4 controller to make sure our nitrous shot (50HP), would only turn on when it should. This meant turning it on above 3500 RPMs and shutting it off completely by 6500 RPMs. Ensuring that we wouldn’t be too close to the rev limiter. Nitrous and factory rev limiters do not work well together. The controller also allows us to set throttle activation. We made sure that it would come on above 75% throttle openings. Another great feature this controller allows us to do is progressively turn on and off the nitrous. We have it coming on 100% at 3500 RPMs but as we get to 6500 RPMs we taper the nitrous duty cycle. Nitrous run is red if it wasn’t obvious enough. A fantastic way to increase power. Nitrous should only be used in controlled environments where the user can ensure that pressures are correct and regular maintenance is performed.

Richard’s 300ZX TT

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : August 26, 2014

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This red 1990 Z32 TT came to us from Oregon with just an HKS Hyper Catback on it and over 160k on the odometer. We performed some simple upgrades and maintenance to keep it running stronger for another 20 years.

We upgraded to NISMO 740cc fuel injectors, cleaned up the engine bay, replaced all water & air hoses, valve cover seals, etc. Pre-cats were upgraded to SZ 4-Bolt Down Pipes mated to SZ 3″ to 2.5″ HFCs and existing HKS catback. SZ Sport Street Clutch and SZ Flywheel were also installed to hold the new found power. A single JWT POP Charger was also installed and the new colorful Greddy Profec Boost Controller was installed to the left of the steering column.

Baseline pull in blue and our upgraded pull in red. 120+ pound feet of torque at 4500 RPMs!

John’s 370Z TT+

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : August 2, 2014

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Not your run of the mill TT 370Z. John’s Z features a built engine, GTM Stage 3 TT Kit featuring the use of GT3071R (T25) turbochargers on .64 A\R turbine housings and T04B housings. Swapping both the compressor and turbine housing would allow for less back pressure and more power. However, we can’t complain with the results once we straightened this beast out!

We modified a few things in the GTM kit. For one we moved the placement of the BOVs. They were located extremely close to the MAF sensors causing drivability and tuning issues. We also removed the water injection system, improved fitment of a few pipes, and powdercoated the pipes black from their original polished look. Silicone couplers were also all swapped out in favor of Vibrant brand couplers. Fixes are pictures above. Another thing you may or may not have noticed is this Z also sports an R35 GTR intake manifold made possible by GTM.

The custom lower plenum that makes it possible to run a GTR intake manifold. We removed it to weld up the holes (pictured) for the old water injection system. No need to run water\meth now that we converted this Z to ethanol.

GTM fuel rails feed Bosch 1000cc fuel injectors.

Feeding the rails and injectors is the CJ Motorsports twin pump fuel assembly. Two Walbro fuel pumps feed the system. We swapped one of the 255s with a 485.

One of our modified pipes finished in powdercoated black.

The finished product.

Onto the fruits of ours and John’s labor:

Peak boost of 15 psi, average of 14 psi we managed 567 whp. This is for 91 octane. After this we began working on the ethanol tuning.

18 psi for 615 whp (ethanol fuel), we slowly worked our way up.

19 psi for 674 whp.

21 psi for 706 whp.

Fully cranked up we managed a peak boost pressure of 25 psi, dropping past 5500 RPMs in part due to the compressor and turbine housings. Just enough to make 800 whp and 700 pound feet of torque.

Rob’s 300ZX TT

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : May 30, 2014

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As the availability of ethanol has increased in SoCal (depending where in SoCal you live). Rob’s itched to get the fuel in his Z along with other upgrades performed. This Z32 is using JWT GTX63 Turbos, JWT 500 Cams, MSP Exhaust Manifolds, SZ 3″ Down Pipes, SZ 3″ to 2.5″ T-Pipes, and SZ 2.5″ Catback. For fueling we turned to the BDE Top Feed Fuel Rail Kit with Bosch 1150cc fuel injectors. Currently the Z is running a single Walbro 485 fuel pump which limited us as to how much power we could run. Later on down the road we will add a second fuel pump to get the most out of the engine\turbo hardware. To harmoniously control the engine and all the fueling we turn to the Haltech Platinum Pro-Plug In ECU and supporting sensors. This allows the Z to be a full “flex fuel” vehicle. Rob can pump in any different combination of 91 octane gasoline and ethanol fuel and not worry about having to switch tunes. No guessing or worrying!

To simplify plumbing we fabricated our own metal hard line for the BDE rails. Always after a clean and detail oriented engine bay.

Rob can monitor ethanol content with the use of this Dynosty gauge. Here it shows a content of 46 if you couldn’t tell.

With a fresh engine in place we were able to make great power on terrible CA 91 Octane gasoline.

On an ethanol content of 78% and at this power level our single Walbro fuel pump was dropping fuel pressure. Adding a 2nd fuel pump will get us around 750-800 whp.

For the time being we’ll leave the power level here (613 whp) on about 20 psi of boost. This gives the pump some comfortable working room. Thank you to Rob, BDE, JWT, and Haltech!

Josh’s 370Z TT

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : May 5, 2014

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How’s that saying go? A little more makes it better? Well, what we have here is Josh’s beautiful black Nismo that has been transformed to be a killer. A Fast Intentions Twin Turbo Kit. This time its armed with HTA-68 Turbos covered by Alpha Compressor Housings. The F.I. kit is all encompassing. Should you ~~need~~ want the ultimate in power you can select from many different turbochargers to fit the bill.

Besides looking good, you’ll find this Z on road courses doing some time and kicking ass.

There really isn’t much to see when the hood is open. Looks better than something the factory could put out.

One very important note to make is we converted the fuel system to a return style, similar to Norman’s Z. In Josh’s Z we went with an Aeromotive 340 fuel pump. We were impressed by its performance, as we ran only ethanol fuel.

9 psi of boost on ethanol.

10+ psi of boost, again on ethanol.

13 psi of boost, yes on ethanol, and also on a stock engine. Could we have gone further? Sure! We have to control ourselves at some point however! What’s that saying go??

Norman’s 370Z TT

Posted by : Sebastian Chacoff On : April 7, 2014

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Norman’s Black Cherry Z may look docile but this Z packs a big punch. The Z had a Fast Intentions “Stage 1” Twin Turbo Kit installed; consisting of Garrett GT2860RS Turbos. The major difference between this one and the others we’ve done is the fueling. The fuel system was converted to a return style fuel system with larger fuel rails provided by CJ Motorsports. 1000cc fuel injectors, Z32TT fuel pressure regulator, and a single Walbro 485 fuel pump finish off the fueling bits. Beefed up for the sole purpose of running ethanol fuel and doing it on a stock engine.