No Self Installers?
 

I may end up catching a lot of heat for this...but oh well. I’ve been doing a good bit of research on the AAM twin turbo kit for a while now(maybe not enough). But I’ve always wondered why there are no detailed install videos on boosting these cars. I’ve read over the instructions for the procedure, and to me it does not really seem all that difficult, just a lot of parts and steps. I am no expert when it comes to boosting a vehicle so I am sure there are a ton of unwritten things that goes along with such a project. But I’m just curious on what to look forward to when I attempt to install my own kit. Lack of equipment? Time?


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I have never done it myself but I knew a guy Kyle that boosted his 420a Talon. He and his dad ran a small shop and it took them about 12 hours. That was a single turbo and components from a gst eclipse. It ended up pushing a rod into the valves. It certainly isn't a task for the faint of heart and both were somewhat mechanically inclined lol

It has been done before with a Fast Intentions kit. Their kit has very good instructions. The AAM nobody wants that are in the know because of all of the pitfalls it has. Plus they have poor customer service. The intercooler (CAC) is too small, the turbo's have internal gates which will cause boost creap, etc. It has been said before and I will say it again. You need at least 25k to start a TT upgrade. If you don't have the cash for that laying around you don't need to do the upgrade. The TT kit itself is the cheapest part of the build.

Just labor intensive. Boosting a car is boosting a car. Most of my cars have been turbo'd, people seem to think it's complicated but it's not if you're mechanically inclined and have any sort of project management skills. The Z will be a frustratingly tight space to work in though. I couldn't imagine doing it without a lift. Personally I'd avoid AAM, their business seems to be a mess.

No surprise about the 420a lol. The DSM guys are the cheapest people on the planet and spend just as much as everyone else because they're always breaking **** lol.

Bro....true story lol...car ran it's a** off for a few weeks. The build was simple but the execution was wayyy off! Funny thing is we had a buddy that boosted his integra and that thing lasted for years.

This is interesting. I heard that AAM's customer service has not been the best in the past. Guess it is time for me to do some more research. I do not plan on going through with this for the next few years. Just trying to learn as much about it as I can before I dive into it.

I installed a GTM supercharger stage 2 kit on my 2015 nismo and a boosted performance kit on my 2017 nismo .. both were done over a weekend and was pretty easy to do .. not sure if you was referring to the AAM KIT or any self installed kit ... from my understanding the twin turbo kits require removing the motor for install.

I installed my BP kit in my buddy’s garage.

I have always said to customer that are looking at installing a Boosted Performance turbo kit...if you can remove your OEM catalytic converters, you can install the turbo kit. It is probably the biggest P.I.T.A to do really...well, some may find the fuel pump a bit overwhelming, but that has to be done with every single forced induction kit out there.

Now with the Oil-less turbos, it is also much easier, no need to mess with anything oil related. Just splice two T fitting in to the heater core hoses, and that's it as far as liquids for the turbo go. The rest of the kit assembles like Lego.

Should also mention that most of these kits I have sold (close to 100 for the VHR alone) have been installed by the customers themselves.

:iagree:
Great Customer Service!

This has really been my mindset when it comes to installing the kit so far. Ive already put a walbro 255 fuel pump in and it was skeptical at first, but if someone else could do it, I did not see why i would not be able to.

ABSOLUTELY....that is a life attitude for me.

The problem on the forums is you have no idea what kind of skills the guy on the other end of the keyboard has. He may have 20yrs experience or he may have no experience. It is extremely difficult to give any solid advice. I have worked with folks that should not be allowed to touch a car and some that were extremely good.

I installed my boosted performance kit on my 2010 370z. The only work I did before that was oil changes and an exhaust install. I did skip the fuel pump though, I'm horrible with electrical work.

I’m gonna finish helping a friend complete his in a couple weeks; a lot of preliminary things were performed before even touching any shiny parts,,,getting lift operational,removal of old exhaust,diff & transmission....replace rear diff bushings,clutch,flywheel,pressure plate,cmak & clean up all bolts & holes with re-threader (for ease of installation),,,also remove inverted torx bolts in manifolds & punch out holes to size of others...the larger fasteners keep gaskets alignment better & less worry of breaking from vibrations etc...also upon installation of diff,cv axles,flywheel,clutch & tranny...used loctite where required & torque wrench for proper tightness. I’m gonna take my time performing tasks as these...being the 1st time working with a BP kit- Want to ensure everything is perfect. Not much left to do,,,a nice CJM fuel system & some plumbing...hopefully the weather will be decent enough to draw some lines on some nearby asphalt :tup:

It’s Michigan, the tires will be hockey pucks.

There is snow on the ground already, there will be no Z on the road. My driveway is about 600ft long so there might be some room for a launch, hopefully not into the trees. :icon17:

JC will not go outside there. Or he will become a Popsicle. :rofl2:

Or be like my one friend and launch his nitro dragster into the garage door. :eek: :rofl2:

I dont have heat in the garage, he is going to freeze in there too!

Having JC help was great as I am not a mechanic but can pull wrenches. After digging into the kit and instructions, I would not hesitate to do the install myself next time. Like others, the fuel system is another area of uncertainty having never looked at it or other systems before but I am sure it wont turn out to be that bad.

Space heater, Ah-big-un.

Yeah, something. i worry about using the torpedo style heaters as they tend to make it rain and not the good kind like in a strip club.

Those are not good for an enclosed area. You will get carbon monoxide poisoning. Ask me how I know.

:icon17:

I need to find something to keep the chill out of the fingers. maybe Ill lay a pallet of insulation and drywall out when JC gets here. After a few minutes working in the garage Ill see him hanging the sheet rock. :rofl2:

Working on the fuel system. Remove the seats. You'll have more room to move around. :tup:

:eek::eek::eek:

We will just let EW's Z run with the windows down and heat on full blast. route the exhaust out the window.

Make sure the hood is open to. So you get heat off of the motor.

he has my old seibon TS style hood, the heat will pour out. we can use the vents as hand warmers

For lunch. You can cook hot dogs off the exhaust manifolds. :tup:

I almost thought that was a joke then I remembered it’s a Z. Step one of fuel pump work in the G was remove the back seat.

I only had a hobbyist level of skills and installed my own TT kit... but it took forever and was a huge PITA. These kits require a mild amount of 'figure out how to make it work' details that the manufacturer instructions dont bother describing because it's easy and obvious to experienced installers but can be challenging to amateurs. I can't speak to the AAM kit but my kit could be installed without dropping the motor so that made things easier. I also had access to a lift... I think trying to do it with the car on stands would have driven me off the deep end.

That being said - the BP kit looks like an absolute breeze to install. As bolt-on as it gets as far as turbos go for these cars.

Yep; seats definitely coming out,,,as we aren’t exactly the smallest fellas :icon17:

They’re not bad; just get a little “ocd” & want to ensure everything is perfect the first time :tup:

I don't see you and Scott side by side working inside the Z. :rofl2: