nickz32

Unfortunately, I will now being coming up in the BMW and not the Z

Sad face

But that’s not going to help diagnose a front axle based vibration?

Yes mate, 3.5%

MOT’d the zed on Friday, and as expected it had a couple of advisories (loud exhaust and play in the hicas tie rods, the latter being replace on Monday), but otherwise a clean bill of health for the next 12 months. Something I am quite proud of is the emissions side of things, specifically hydrocarbons (which indicates how much oil the engine is burning), is a good indicator of the health of the engine. 125ppm, the limit is 1200ppm, for a car without catalytic converters shows how little my engine now burns oil. Very happy with that.

I’m going to go with some of the suggestions on Fb, sounds like a blown exhaust manifold gasket, and as that’s Pre O2 sensor would explain your slight misfire. See if you can get a tube down that gap and have a listen.

Gutted for you buddy! You sure it’s not a lifter rattle or similar

Bit of an odd one.... I’ve noticed recently that I’m getting what I would describe as a coarse feeling through the steering wheel when turning right at speed, and only when turning right. Problem isn’t apparent when “dry” steering whilst stationary. Power steering fluid level is correct No nasty noises from the PS pump Any ideas? I thought maybe a dry steering UJ, but surely I’d feel that regardless of which way I turn? CheerZ

I’ll be changing the fronts to components in the future..... to be honest it’s all irrelevant as the cars so effing loud!

Nope, two coaxial fronts and two component rears with tweeters.... not quite sure what I’ve done wrong there....

No, I’ve already got the alpine inline amp, which sends 45w rms to 4 channels. That’s enough for me

I used a online calculator (deatshwerks) which said I only needed to flow 266LPH, which was close to my upper limit but should have allowed me to be mapped to pull potential. Furthermore, as I’m only getting a tiny pressure drop from pump to rail (thanks to my fuel lines) I thought I’d have enough margin for the time being. Re Head Unit, it has the Alpine connection on the back should you wish to hard wire a iPhone cable. Sub wise, I’m looking at an active sub underneath the passenger seat

So last night I did some calculations to figure out why I thought my pump was man enough for the job, and figure out how much fuel flow I actually need (and then find a pump that’ll do the job) I used a calculator a motorsport engineer friend of mine sent me which showed... I need a pump that can deliver 330lph at circa 70psi (I’ll only be running a max fuel system pressure of 67psi, but speccing to cover over boost scenario). So I had a look at my spec sheet of my AEM 340LPH pump Low and behold, The AEM only flows circa 270lph, a good 60lph less than what I need without considering head room. The Walbro 485 and 450 (they flow the same, the 485 is E85 compatible) is apparently the highest flowing in tank fuel pump on the market, so I had a look at the spec sheet As you can see, it flows 355lph at 70psi, which gives a 25lph headroom (so at my running pressures, more like 35lph). But, the Walbro has a 5amp increase in amp draw compared to the AEM. A quick check of a wire gauge calculator.... Show for 15ft (my battery loom is probably about 12ft) of length at 18amps I’ll need a 14awg thickness wire. I’ll probably over spec and go to a 12awg. I’ll also need a new connector for the fuel pump as my current one is only rated to 16amp. I’ve got a couple of parts I need to sell to fund the new pump setup (as I went a bought a new headunit for the Z the other day) I’ll look at swapping the fuel pump after the lakes trip. Now I need to prep for the MOT next weekend

Well, the car spent a few hours on the dyno today. After a couple of boost leaks were solved, we started pushing some boost..... and yet again the fuel system is spoiling the party. Above 1.3 Bar of boost the fuel pump runs out of puff and pressure drops off. So it’s been knocked back at the top end to 1.2 Bar of boost and makes.... So I’m probably going to look into either a swirl pot system with a secondary pump, or just try a Walbro 485lph (which is the cheaper option). I’m pretty sure it has a boost leak aswell as peak boost is now 4/500 rpm higher up the Rev range than it has been previously The potential is still there to breach the 600 mark (at 1.6bar of boost), so im a little disappointed. However, it’s now usable for the Lakes trip, so I’m happy on that front.

I’ve got BCR8ES in mine

Sounds like a bargain. Given the stock brackets are 1mm steel held on with two very small spot welds, and mine is 8mm billet 5056 TIG welded on all 4 sides, I’m sure it’ll be fine

A what now? It’s TIG welded by someone ive used many times, it’s solid!

All easy jobs to sort mate. Won’t be long before you’ll be enjoying your Z again. Well done bud

All finished (Bar a bit of wiring)

Picked up the new billet fuel tank lid. Mocked up the fittings, and lined up the new pump hanger for it to be welded into place tomorrow. Just need to find some longer bolts to boot it down

Toight like a toiger

EIX’s are iridiums, BKR7E are coppers and perfect for your spec Si

Bang on the money. The colder the grade the more recessed the electrode is into the plug, but as you mention there is a trade off. Because the electrode is more recessed, it doesn’t create as clean a burn at idle, low load and low RPM, but risks over heating or blow out at high rpm/high boost scenarios. From memory, I started experiencing spark blow out issues at around 18psi on 6’s and 23psi on 7’s. The other thing to consider with EIX’s (iridiums), the tips CANT be cleaned. Once they’re fouled, they’re junk. Coolers on the other hand can be. Yes, iridiums last longer but I can get a set of grade 8 NGK coppers for £11 delivered, unlike £60 for iridiums.

I see him fairly regularly, and he does fancy another Z (especially since I’ve told him I’ve seen them fitted with hand controls). He’s got a nice little collection of cars including a 240Z, KPC skyline, a old Chevy truck and a couple of others.... I keep kicking him in the stump and telling him to pop on here.... although he may still be on the Banned list?

[video=youtube_share;gA5EwwSuiSc]