So I've decided im parting with the Z32 due to rot. It's a C-word after all the money I've spent on parts... but the cost of the below work, PLUS rebuilding half the body would just make it completely inviable.

 

I'm not going to be able to sell it complete, so I can all-but write of the £3000+ I paid for it.

 

I was close to RB26'ing my old datsun Laurel, but figure since I have an engine/box and all ancilliaries/electronics/ wiring already at hand I'd be more sensible spending the 5k I would on an RB26 on the VG instead (however I don't know how far 5k goes as of yet - so a bit of advice would be great).

 

The problem I have is my Z32 overheated, clutch slips and I would like a full check/service/potentially rebuilt with fresh head gaskets and ARP studs to ensure everything is tip-top before converting it. I'm out the country so much now it's not something I can feasibly manage so who is the GO-TO-GUY in the uk?

 

I want around 400-450bhp but don't want to forge it unless absolutely necessary.

 

Engine spec:

factory VG30dett manual.

Blitz ECU

Blitz BOV's

ARC SMIC's (changable for a FMIC which may be necessary in the confines of the datty)

factory turbo's (I'm tempted to plumb for some AMS manifold's and GTX28's if the rebuild cost isn't obscene)

*not to mention EGR delete and new coolant + vacuum hoses all round

Speak to Jimmer (Power Zed) - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Automotive-Repair-Shop/PowerZed-331214947014135/

Jimmer @ Powerzed hands down

 

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Would he be on this forum? Any chance he could give me an idea of the financial outlay on here?

Would he be on this forum? Any chance he could give me an idea of the financial outlay on here?

 

He certainly is and a club trader as well so look him up and give him a call.

Best to call him as i think with each build being individual to the person people dont like to openly quote but i suspect in the region of 4k

Oh dear, lets getting writing that future ad for you now> "Project / engine for sale, thousands spent"

 

 

Whilst Jim is an excellent engine builder and your clearly an enthusiast, your saying you hardly in the country but want 500 bhp but not to forge it, is the engine going in the Laurel or back in the rotten zed shell? could not quite work that one out.

 

I just hope you decide with your head here, seems you have lost out already in the rotten zed shell be careful to not make the same kind of mistake re: the engine and the Laurel / zed shell.

 

Budget ? £4k engine + £1k clutch and ancillaries + £2k big turbo`s + oh like some fresh wheels £1.5k or a respray £3k maybe some new leather £1.5k ................ there is no set budget with cars its a fluid thing, good luck either way !

 

 

Jeff

Thanks for the approximates Jeff. 4k is an acceptable amount! I was under the impression a good VG could handle 400-450 without forging, but possibly not?

I have about 4k worth of accessories on the Z in secondhand value so it makes more financial sense to put the engine in my c32 laurel (good shell, coilovers, alloys, tyres etc), rather than plumb a further 4-6k into fixing the rear quarters, rear bumper, full sills, underbody, front wings and full respray the Z requires. I can fabricate, weld and pretty confident I can swap it successfully (Ive done a full-custom swap before with custom wiring loom etc).

 

I cant see Z prices going up like the other jap sports cars, so dont see it being a worthwhile investment right now :( Plus the laurel gets sooo much attention compared to the Z, it just lacks performance.

Providing the engine is in good condition (good and even compression) and the fuel system is in tip top condition (new high flow high quality injectors and good/new harness), with the correct map/ECU, they can handle 500hp 'ok' although at that upper range (there are quite a few in the US that are substantially over that level) however I'd be wanting forged pistons, especially as we don't get E85 here. It's all to do with the fuelling, even forged pistons will melt at low power levels if the fuel map is wrong, you just have a higher margin for error with a forged piston.

 

You've been on here a decade and you asked whether Jimmer/Powerzed comes on here......that surprises me. Check out facebook for direct contact however PowerZed has its own page.

Haha honestly I never heard of PowerZed - I had a look and the name Jimmer does ring a bell afterall (my memory is very poor so apologies for that).

 

That's reassuring. I've never been one to beat on an engine but it would be nice to have a 'modern' level of power for the odd occasion, the poor Z barely keeps up with hot hatches these days :p

 

Here's a little look at the Laurel:

 

I can see a lot of stress with this project. Just sell everything and buy a good 300zx.

I can see a lot of stress with this project. Just sell everything and buy a good 300zx.

 

exactly !

 

 

Jeff

The only way of getting a perfect one would be to import one, and then I'd be looking around 10k all in for a minter.. so few 'good ones' come up in the uk (that are acctually, honestly completely rot free) that I'd be waiting a long time to find one. For the 8-10k outlay I could make my z32 bodywork mint, and refresh the engine.

 

HOWEVER, for me to make it the way I'd want it I'd still be looking at spending a further 8-9k in body/suspension/interior mods as I'm extremely particular about what parts I use, I never ever accept substitutes. I'm sure I have some sort of mental issue where I simply can't be satisfied with any car unless it comes out exactly how it is in my imagination :p . That fee would apply to any mint Z I purchase too so realistically it's just never going to be worth it. Going by posts on here I'm a bit like Si.. extremely anal about what goes on my car; whilst his is obviously in far superior condition to mine, I would imagine it's exactly how he wants it to be?

 

The Laurel however is already precisely how I want it aesthetically (just had rear aluminium strut-spacers made to raise the rear as it was as high as the tein coilovers went) - and the fact I already have a full engine/running gear/wiring/brakes etc with the Z means my initial outlay is much less than if I were to source an RB26; even an RB25. The VG30 would be no more a headache than an RB, and pleanty people have done the RB swap in them.

 

On a side note the Laurel's ride is also better than the Z32 ten-fold, and that's on it's arse to boot. Z32 is still standard suspension. It's a pleasure to drive, better than my old man's merc.

It's your project mate so good luck.

What cars have you done in the past to this high spec? any pictures so we can see what level your aiming at.

I've lost heaps of my photos, but money always used to be the stopper - failing that it was either boredom before the end, or fear of mechanical failure and costs. I'm not aiming for extreme modifications, but I have a very particular mindset I guess would be the way to put it Jeff. Most cars I keep fairly simple, but focus on little mods which usually cost a ******* fortune hah.

 

Few cars I finished was 405mi16 in red, lowered on centrelock motorsport wheels, heaps of crx and civic ef's, heaps of 200sx, heaps of silvias s12, 13 and 14 which had problably 15k worth of rare jap wheels through the years, R33 GTST full GTR exterior conversion with GRACER kit and blitz technospeeds in 18x10 et22 - later converted to spec 2 gtst with nismo kit (that was pricey, never finished cause got the fear of engine failure.. boy who bought it drifted it for 3 years without failure :p) , my old z32 had 99 spec front and some zeit BIMS ganadors, evo 8 mr seats and coilies, looked ok. My micra did full SR20 conversion with new shafts, mounts, poly's, coilovers, pulsar brakes, watanabe's full new tucked loom to mix with micra interior loom etc. proper little sleeper.

 

My plan for Z32 was very specific:

Veilside EC1 rear spoiler (got it, at cost of around £1500)

99 spec front (got it) + accesorries

Ganadors (got it)

18x10 and 18x9 Blitz technospeeds (got them, dont ask how much, and refurbed them)

Z1 99 spec front lip without the middle-gap.

99 spec rear brake light perspex

new rear bumper as previous owner drilled parking sensors into it

99 spec plastic skirts or possibly stillens

coilovers

GTR R35 style exhaust

rear diffuser

coilovers

full wet-lay carbon interior

DC5 black seats

350z brakes (got the brackets so far)

 

Not a very long list but aquiring these bits and getting them shipped and painted doesn't come cheap as you'll know.

Xenon headlights were on the table, but I think the price for them is extortionate and won't improve the look that significantly.