Guys,

 

Had it comfirmed today that the head gasket is knackered on my car, hence, losing coolant (not really surprising TBH, I have done every fooking thing else on my car, its the only weakness left). I can still drive the car for 70 miles, stop, bleed the cooling system, top up, and off I go. So, it'll be alright for the summer/weekends for now unless it goes pop in which case, hairy muff...... :)

 

You'd probably be thinking 'why isnt he pi55ed off?', well that my friends is because I look at a negative situation as an opportunity! An opportunity to build a bullet proof engine! :D :smash:

 

The plan is to get the engine out of the car toward the end of September (if it lasts that long! :) ), and then rebuild with the best components I can afford (For now the skys the limit) that will withstand 500bhp all day long......My tubs arnt to that spec but I want the engine capable ready for when the tubs go bang and they get upgraded? Still with me? OK then.....its gonna be a winter project......that reminds me, I must change my avatar to now say....'Project ZX......Summer 2006!' :p

 

What I want is you guys that have had/done major engine work on your zeds, either by yourself or by a garage, to enlighten me as to a specification to be proud of. As I say, 500bhp is the goal, and I have heard that the block is 'supposed' to be good for 600bhp but I want to build a block that is better than that. Some kinda reverse engineering if u like.....the heads also need to be looked at? Is it worth gas flowing them? Cams? Bigger valves? Whats good for a Zed?

 

My NEW gearbox also crunches in 3rd and 4th heavily, thanks Andy :slap: :nono: , so that'll need refurbing too, and I also belive the standard manual gearbox is only good enough for 380bhp? Is that right? I have seen the inside of zed auto box and theres no way I'd touch that but is a manual within an amateurs capabilities?

 

Anyway, enough waffling, this engine building thing is going to be my first attempt so any specs/ideas you guys can give me would be HUGELY appreciated.....All in all, its to be ready for next spring! (Sh1te, it'll take me that long to afford it all!!!!)

 

Thanks in advance..... ;)

i cant give any advice. but GOOD LUCK

i cant give any advice. but GOOD LUCK

 

Thanks mate, there's loads of guys on here that have done big engine mods, one will come along in a bit..... :)

 

I'm seriously VERY excited about this project, kinda like STAGE 2! :D lol

Errrm, anyone? Has anyone out there done or had done, engine work on their zed???

some really good suggestions in this article: http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/9909scc_proj300zx/

best of luck with it Mark! im sure it'll get done one day :)

Buy Mine! :D

some really good suggestions in this article: http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/9909scc_proj300zx/

 

Thanks Lymon, I'll start searching through! :)

some really good suggestions in this article: http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/9909scc_proj300zx/

 

Thats a very good link. like the little write up they do about water injection as i was thinking about it myself

best of luck with it Mark! im sure it'll get done one day :)

 

Thanks Dave, you already know how much of a mare she's been.....

 

Its been an experience and I believe the best part is yet to come.....

 

This part I think I'll take photos each stage along the was and keep it all documented in 'My Rides' section....

Buy Mine! :D

 

Daz, your not selling up are you bud?

 

re. the greddy oil adapter, I'll pop up next week, I'm choca this week mate and working all weekend....that ok?

NAH!! silly I mean the engine :slap: -No probs mate, It will have to be an evening or w/end tho' bud cos od work :rolleyes:

Cheers,

Daz.

Have a look here - lots of useful info.

I think this is for Stage 4 - but search the site.

 

http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_6_14&products_id=58

 

Mark

Thanks Mark....I'll have a look

 

At present I am trying to find someone int he UK that can carry out work similiar to that mentioned in the Link Lymon sent through.

 

If I cant get it done here then I'll have to send my engine off to JWT.... :(

Guys,

 

 

My NEW gearbox also crunches in 3rd and 4th heavily, thanks Andy :slap: :nono: , so that'll need refurbing too, and I also belive the standard manual gearbox is only good enough for 380bhp? Is that right? I have seen the inside of zed auto box and theres no way I'd touch that but is a manual within an amateurs capabilities?

 

 

 

No the standard autobox can only take 400bhp(ish). The stock cluch can only take 380ish but the actual box is good for 600+bhp

No the standard autobox can only take 400bhp(ish). The stock cluch can only take 380ish but the actual box is good for 600+bhp

 

Ah, thanks for that SRRAE, I believe the ACT Stage 3 clutch I have is good for 500bhp so that should suffice for now......one less thing to buy....

 

So, I guess I need to overhaul the box or is it possible just to sort out the gear crunching with an overhaul kit?

Have a look here - lots of useful info.

I think this is for Stage 4 - but search the site.

 

http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_6_14&products_id=58

 

Mark

 

WOW, thats a really good site......

 

I forse a large crate coming over... :D

I would suggest a charge cooler instead of a bigger intercooler to keep things cold mate, in realtion to MR2's people with high spec engines usually (if they can afford it) go for this option in oder to try and minimise heat soak.

 

Now addmitadley I know next to nowt about 300's and works best for them, but thinking back to how hot your car is/was getting at the naughty side of 300 bhp -imagine that doubled ;)

 

-Just a thought mate, wish you the best of luck with it all and I MIGHT even pop up to Pork Pie town and PERHAPS give you a hand one cold Winter weekend if you like ;)

 

Cheers,

Gareth ;)

Just out of interest does anyone have a guesstimate of how much it would cost to ship a Stage 4 engine from Z1 ? Assume an engine price of about $12,000 with all the bits....

 

At the current £/$ exchange rates that seems like a lot of engine for the cost.....unless it costs as much again to get it here :)

 

Mark

shipping an engine from the states to a European harbour is usually around $700

 

On a sidenote: I wouldn't recommend getting an engine from Z1.

(do a search on twinturbo.net for some Z1 engine horror stories)

If you want to get an engine from the US, get it from SGP.

Their engines seem to be much better.

 

But it's better to have an engine build locally at a well known/good engine rebuilder, also in case of warranty issues (I don't think you want to get the engine out again and send it back to the US to get it fixed in case something is wrong ?)

Bad luck Mark...better than a pourous block though I suppose! Good luck with the next step, maybe its time to start talking to the traders to see what they can do. What about going to a slightly higher capacity e.g 3.1 ltr blueprinted or something that can rev a bit higher?

There are loads of good engine builders in the UK. Just find someone with a proven competition record then you know it'll hold together. Autosprint, puma race engines, CTM (where my V8 is), BBR are just a few that spring to mind.

I would suggest a charge cooler instead of a bigger intercooler to keep things cold mate, in realtion to MR2's people with high spec engines usually (if they can afford it) go for this option in oder to try and minimise heat soak.

 

Now addmitadley I know next to nowt about 300's and works best for them, but thinking back to how hot your car is/was getting at the naughty side of 300 bhp -imagine that doubled ;)

 

-Just a thought mate, wish you the best of luck with it all and I MIGHT even pop up to Pork Pie town and PERHAPS give you a hand one cold Winter weekend if you like ;)

 

Cheers,

Gareth ;)

 

Hello mate,

 

Feel free to pop up whenever you like, its been a while... :)

 

I'll look into the chargecooler stuff although I already have trust side mount coolers to go on which should be good enough for 500bhp....

 

Heatwise, I have quite a few ideas in mind, including a vented bonnet (essential on a zed!), new front bumper to go on with vented wings, bigger rad and a few other bits....

 

Let me know when you want to come up and I'll get the Soup and Porkie pies in! :D

There are loads of good engine builders in the UK. Just find someone with a proven competition record then you know it'll hold together. Autosprint, puma race engines, CTM (where my V8 is), BBR are just a few that spring to mind.

 

Thanks for that John, I am worried about warranty issues with buying in the US, a UK engine component reseller would be more beneficial.....

 

I just need to find the time to search...... :smash:

 

Although do you see any problem buying the components from the US, ie. rods, pistons, cams etc etc....

Bad luck Mark...better than a pourous block though I suppose! Good luck with the next step, maybe its time to start talking to the traders to see what they can do. What about going to a slightly higher capacity e.g 3.1 ltr blueprinted or something that can rev a bit higher?

 

Hi Alex,

 

At least I now know what it is so I can now fix it.....sounds silly but it was a relief to know.....

 

The engine is def going to be increased in capacity and the cryogenic procedure sounds almost essential for a higher spec engine.....its just trying to find someone in the UK that can do it for me....

talk to Baggins matey, he rebuilt mine when the h/g went the 2nd time (dont ask!!) wouldnt let anybody else touch her..