Thought I should move this from the 'Journal' forum and update where the project is at. Wish I was at Coventry with everyone, but these things always take longer than anticipated, lol

 

20/01/2013

Having had the car for a few years now I have finally given in to the urge for more power.

 

The original engine in the car runs superbly only 66k miles with a proven Dyno run @ 357bhp, with boost jets and a uprated chip & air filter. Not bad at all for a 300ZX, but I was bitten by the bug and was set on going for more bhp and reliability, (I know why fiddle with it if it ain't broke). But having been lucky enough to have many nice high powered cars in recent years I wanted to keep the Zed long term and the engine is the first part of the project so it need's to be a good strong/reliable build.

 

After looking at various options of buying a part built engine form the US I decide to also keep my eyes peeled for the poteintial of purchasing an uncompleted project rebuild.

 

Back in March/April 2012 an ebay listing caught my eye regarding a nearly completed forged engine rebuild. The only problem with it was that the rebuild wasn't exactly completed by the most reputable of Zed engine builders known within the Zed world. In fact the seller had been caught up in horrific events where parts when missing, work was never finished and finally the garage was broken into and his engine was stolen. Retrieved from a nearby field 24 hours after going "missing". see here for a bit more http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showth...light=s+mochan

After talking with the seller for sometime we struck a deal and I waited for the day when the pallet with the engine would arrive.

 

It came with forged internals, Wiseco pistons, Eagle rods, ACL Duralite white metal bearings ARP main con rods and head bolts, Tomie 260 degree camshafts with solid lifters & harder springs, SARD 850cc injectors with a Border fuel rails/ new Turbo's, s/steel manifolds, new oil pump, heads polished, exhausts ports and valves shimed & lapped.

 

Didn't look all that great mind when it finally arrived to be honest, and I still had my doubts as to whether I had done the right thing in buying this.

 

 

 

After stripping down the engine as far I was prepared to take it anyway,

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn't going to attempt to go much further, so I thought it would be best to get this done properly!

 

So a call was made to Jim @ PowerZed to arrange a date to get everything to him in order for him to work his magic.

Well tomorrow is the big day off to Coventry to see Greg.

 

Just looked at the date I started this thread, nearly 2 years ago!

Greg mapped my car, he is a top bloke a really knows what he is doing.

He certainly is, can't wait to get rid of my current map with all of its issues

He certainly is, can't wait to get rid of my current map with all of its issues

 

 

who did the map you have now with the issues

who did the map you have now with the issues

 

Noel

really wow. from what every one says he is the best ?

I feel it for you bud:(

I feel for you mate, had a similar experience myself, currently getting my bad map removed. And I understand there are many more?

 

Howard lets catch up. you are not able to name and shame on this forum but be great to hear your issues and see if they are similar to mine.

 

Simply blamed the engine builder?

I feel for you mate, had a similar experience myself, currently getting my bad map removed. And I understand there are many more?

 

Howard lets catch up. you are not able to name and shame on this forum but be great to hear your issues and see if they are similar to mine.

 

Simply blamed the engine builder?

 

 

Hi Kev, that statement isnt really just, if you have had an issue with a trader, firstly try and sort it out with the trader, then if no recourse, post up your experience sticking to facts only.

Its mud slinging and one sided bitch slapping that we wont tolerate :yes: a fair detail of unresolved issues or bad experience is welcomed to help forewarn other members from the same fate.

 

Also if we are unaware of issues with any of our traders, we cannot help to resolve them.

 

Cheers :thumbup1:

You are welcome to contact me to discuss Graham rather than type. as I don't exactly agree with your comments. Please feel free to contact me

Interesting.

 

I keep all maps saved (including various iterations created during the mapping process) as well as every log file for every single car I map. Any issues can be shown and explained.

 

The map on Bigh's car was supposed to have been changed a very long time ago, of course it has issues*** as it wasn't completed due to failure of the standard fuel pump. This was back in OCTOBER 2014.

 

Kevin.

I did not blame the engine builder in the slightest. You are completely out of line with that statement. Your car had several issues, inlcuding failure of CAS (two if I recall correctly), boost leak on the turbo outlet, lower than ideal compression (130psi) for a fresh build. This is off the top of my head, as I haven't gone through our previous correspondence which ended badly as you didn't agree with what I was saying. Again, a mapping session that resulted in a less-than-ideal performance result due to mechanical problems. 450bhp with the CAS in one position, 400bhp with the CAS in the original position as set as part of the build. This was back in JULY 2014. Your car then spent many many months off the road due to mechanical issues.

 

I have mapped around 100 Zeds in this country, not including besoke remote maps and chips. Road cars, track cars, Zeds being used for drifting on a regular basis running 400, 500, 600bhp, both standard engines and fully forged. 90% of Zeds have issues, be it loom or mechanical. They're the worst cars to work with.

 

***Edit to add:

An issue was stalling after being revved at standstill or when coasting. The stock system struggles with 2.5" pipework, large frame turbos (GT28RS, GT2870) in conjunction with a Selin translator. Had plenty of correspondence with Greg @ SZ (vendor of the Selin) to the point where I even had him send over a map that his mapper had created to no avail. Solved almost completely by removing the Selin.

Edited May 4, 20169 yr by Noz

Most of those Zeds are at Jimmers or Lee Dents getting repaired.. :lol:

 

Miles away with the issues with my car mate... Jimmers build was actually spot on and so is the compression for a fresh build

Most of those Zeds are at Jimmers or Lee Dents getting repaired.. :lol:

 

Miles away with the issues with my car mate... Jimmers build was actually spot on and so is the compression for a fresh build

 

No, they're not. Like I say, I can provide every single bit of detail regarding every single car I have mapped.

 

My messaage to you, from May 1st 2015:

 

I have been through your file. The values are typical for a car of your specification. The reduction in timing via the CAS is the reason for the 50bhp drop in power, not the programmed values. It was put back to 5°* as that was where the CAS was originally positioned, and at the time stripping the cambelt covers or trying another CAS was not an option. Sensors fail sometimes, it is impossible to predict when.

However, it is not something I would be 100% happy just stating "It will be fine". Given that pretty much everything is attributed to the mapping side of things, I recommend that the car is monitored for knock once everything is put back together. I speak to Jimmer daily and have discussed your car.

 

 

 

How was I "miles away with the issues with your car"? They were the problems discussed, were they not?

 

And, to reiterate: I did not blame "the engine builder".

 

***Edit to add:

An issue was stalling after being revved at standstill or when coasting. The stock system struggles with 2.5" pipework, large frame turbos (GT28RS, GT2870) in conjunction with a Selin translator. Had plenty of correspondence with Greg @ SZ (vendor of the Selin) to the point where I even had him send over a map that his mapper had created to no avail. Solved almost completely by removing the Selin.

 

So the well-documented restrictions with the intake pipework (T-piece and small piping diameter) aren't actually an issue at all? And increasing the diameter and removing the T-piece actually create problems, rather then solving them?

So the well-documented restrictions with the intake pipework (T-piece and small piping diameter) aren't actually an issue at all? And increasing the diameter and removing the T-piece actually create problems, rather then solving them?

 

No, the stock 2" pipework should be replaced, even on standard cars IMO. The issue becomes very apparent with a combination of dual intake with Selin, larger pipework and GT28RS or larger sized housings. It can be driven around, but it is annoying.

 

I have mapped two cars to over 600bhp with a single intake & single MAF, many in the mid-500s on single, as well as mildly modified cars with dual intakes & Selins that exhibit no stalling issues whatsoever.

 

The highest-powered car relevant to the above was originally on a Selin but it stalled every single time. It was converted back to single intake, single MAF and subsequently made 621 bhp and didn't have the stalling issue. After that, there was another car and myself and the builder conducted numerous tests with various pipework configurations, maps, balancing kits, MAFs etc.

Edited May 4, 20169 yr by Noz

Miles away with the issues with my car mate... Jimmers build was actually spot on and so is the compression for a fresh build

 

Just to be completely clear about this, I have mapped many Zeds with engines built by Jimmer and had amazing results on various dynos. There is no point whatsoever insinuating I have ever said anything to the contrary.

 

Issues can and will happen with these cars, they are (relatively) complicated and have a few shortcomings that can cause or contribute to catastrophic engine failure.

 

One car in point. I map it to around 420bhp. It goes away, all perfect as it should be. Does a weekend at Santa Pod and the engine dies. Blows the dipstick out. Different engine fitted, I get it back on the dyno and it is now running dangerously lean on boost. After extensive testing, we discovered the FPECU had failed in a way that under normal driving it was perfect, yet under high load it was not providing the full voltage to the pump. FPECU bypassed, everything fine. Just that small incident destroyed a perfectly good engine. Had I not been able to get the car back for further testing, it may have been chalked up to an injector failure, too much boost, "one of those things", or a mapping issue. Plus, it would have happened again & again.

HAHA.. after paying you for a boost leak test and you couldn't find anything by the way, it was the bovs not holding under pressure. close but no cigar boyo.. lol

 

cas being faulty? worn spline shaft definitely. your interpretation was it was a tooth out, you even spoke to Jimmer who said it wasn't the timer..

 

Knock issues, how about my brand new knock sensor and harness was cut? made me laugh no I think about you trying to bypass it with the resistor trick

 

A Noz map, get it to the dyne, thrash it to within an inch of its life, say how much power you got. But really how a real tuner operates is it? Ive even got a cold start map on mine now, even runs nice when I start it up.. wonderful..

 

faulty etc, solenoid I think you said? paid for manual controller.. turned out to be a sticky button..

 

Whats next? PMSL can do this all day long.. will have to go back to my notes though..

 

Each to there own mate, but I prefer a tuner who discusses the issues with you, if they can map it turn you away as to the alternative, map around the issue. Until my car was re mapped it wouldn't rev over 5500 because you mapped round the timing issues.. Jolly good show...

 

We know you as two map in the North East.. lmao

..

Edited August 30, 20178 yr by Alic

... :whistling:

You know he's a trader here for a reason. Discussion is fine, but I would stray away from directly insulting him and his work...

 

At the risk of throwing fuel around, he's a Trader here for exactly the same reason I am: because he's paid for that privilege.

 

That doesn't make him (or me) immune to issues or unhappy customers, Ali.

HAHA.. after paying you for a boost leak test and you couldn't find anything by the way, it was the bovs not holding under pressure. close but no cigar boyo.. lol

 

cas being faulty? worn spline shaft definitely. your interpretation was it was a tooth out, you even spoke to Jimmer who said it wasn't the timer..

 

Knock issues, how about my brand new knock sensor and harness was cut? made me laugh no I think about you trying to bypass it with the resistor trick

 

A Noz map, get it to the dyne, thrash it to within an inch of its life, say how much power you got. But really how a real tuner operates is it? Ive even got a cold start map on mine now, even runs nice when I start it up.. wonderful..

 

faulty etc, solenoid I think you said? paid for manual controller.. turned out to be a sticky button..

 

Whats next? PMSL can do this all day long.. will have to go back to my notes though..

 

Each to there own mate, but I prefer a tuner who discusses the issues with you, if they can map it turn you away as to the alternative, map around the issue. Until my car was re mapped it wouldn't rev over 5500 because you mapped round the timing issues.. Jolly good show...

 

We know you as two map in the North East.. lmao

 

Yes, your car had numerous issues that shouldn't have been present. Don't know anything about your knock sensor wiring, nothing was mentioned at the time. It was 2 years ago.

 

Timing: I said it *could* be a tooth out, but wouldn't have expected it to be. It's quite clear in my quoted message that it wasn't possible to strip the covers off or change the CAS. Not difficult to understand.

 

EBC: No. It was an issue with the controller itself, the button did stick. I told you this. MBC was a cheap option to allow boost to be increased for the purposes of mapping. It's something I have had to provide many a time due to faulty EBC components. Or Gizzmos....

 

Cold start: Wasn't aware of any issue whatsoever, never been mentioned before. It's not impossible to create a cold-start for the most highly-modified car to provide any AFR desired, but you need the car for a couple of days. This was not possible in your case, and as I said.... Nothing was ever mentioned.

 

Yes, I had to map around the issues. How else would you get the car back down to the builder for the issues to be investigated? Think about it. Sometimes, when there are issues, the car goes away to have the issues rectified, then comes back. Everything was explained very clearly to you at the time.

 

I've set up and mapped so many Zeds and had so very few issues. That's the way it is.

I feel for you mate, had a similar experience myself, currently getting my bad map removed. And I understand there are many more?

 

Howard lets catch up. you are not able to name and shame on this forum but be great to hear your issues and see if they are similar to mine.

 

Simply blamed the engine builder?

 

When my HG went the first time round there were lots of promises made, by both parties concerned. About who would pay what and contribute time/labour to the rebuild. Once the engine was rebuilt and after many months of waiting/text/phone calls I wasn't getting anywhere. I was only asking for a date to get my car re-mapped. (in 1 month, 2 months, 3months time, so I could book a day off) We are all busy people with lots going in our work and home, so saying I'm busy or just ignoring you simply isn't good enough in my book.

 

I think that when you have your own business (and I have had by the way for 11years), the way in which you respond to issues and problems says a lot about the company and those who run it! Morals, I think is the word I'm looking for here. The engine builder and myself put our hands into our pockets and sorted out what we all agreed at the start, the mapper walked away from everything he promised that the offset.

Draw your own conclusions guys.

 

I'm sure there will be another side to the story :whistling: but without going into all the nitty gritty these are the simple facts.

 

Anyway my car made 626bhp, with the (un-mapable Selin Translator,) there were issues along the way last night, but all were eventually overcome. I was at tuners for 16hrs and left at 2:00am this morning. Just encase you're wondering, this was for a set price, no matter how long it took it was going to be done right.

 

The car is now a pleasure to drive, and that's exactly what I intend to do from now on. I cant wait to get the car to Jimmers sometime soon so he can have a go as well, I'm sure it will put a big grin on his face as it did mine on the drive home last night.

 

If anyone wants anymore details just PM me.

At the risk of throwing fuel around, he's a Trader here for exactly the same reason I am: because he's paid for that privilege.

 

That doesn't make him (or me) immune to issues or unhappy customers, Ali.

Of course there are going to be unhappy customers, while trying not to get involved, I simply do not like the direction this thread is going and think it would be better if resolutions instead of insults were made.

Edited May 4, 20169 yr by Alic

Whose made insults pal, I was asked to state facts, I did...

 

if you don't like the direction the thread is going don't read it.. LOL

 

Bet you complain about whats on tv as well, when theres loads of other channels to watch.. :-)

Of course there are going to be unhappy customers, while trying not to get involved, I simply do not like the direction this thread is going and think it would be better if resolutions instead of insults were made.

 

I'm not taking sides here, but WTF? Where are there insults from either party? :confused: