Soon to be TT Nismo

elliotty · 11-21-2011, 06:41 PM

Update 12/29/2011:
Parts made it today! (Minus the steering coupler, which is back-ordered) Install will begin tomorrow, and I will keep the thread updated!

Big thanks to Sam and everyone at GTM for the great packing job, quality parts, and dealing with my constant phone calls!

Update 12/30/2011:
Made decent progress today. Got the ECU flashed, fuel pump replaced, injectors done and Passenger header off. Tomorrow will begin with the driver's side header. Only a couple hiccups today:
-The stupid heater pipe on the driver's side is a complete PITA to get off. I probably wasted an hour just on that. I was having trouble getting the clip off that holds part of the wiring harness, so I just cut it and will replace it.
-The injector pack was missing the Super Lube, so Sam is sending me some along with my steering coupler. I got the injectors in with no problem, but Sam suggested taking them back out and lubing them to ensure there are no leaks, so that's what I will do!

Things are going well and I will be back at it again tomorrow. Any comments or suggestions are welcome! I will try to add some pics later tonight/tomorrow.

Well I have been very bad at updating my thread. I have worked pretty much full time on the install from 12/30 to 1/6, with the occasional days off. Here is my synopsis:
- The GTM product quality is excellent (as many on the forum already know), I am very impressed with the parts, packaging, and support.
- Doing the install on jack stands with the engine in the car is a MAJOR pain. There were countless times where I thought putting a part on or getting bolts tight was going to be physically impossible, but if you persist, it can be done.
- You have to be ready to head to the store and buy some tools. There were a few times when I just couldn't get a bolt tight with the tools I had on hand.

I think going back to work next week will be a nice break from the hard work!

And now on to the results...
Pros:
The car is put back together and running strong. I have run a few data logs both in and out of boost, and everything looks good. In boost the car pulls strong and feels great overall. She fired right up on the first try and idled normally almost immediately. I was able to get everything together and take her out for some shakedown runs this afternoon. Sam has been great with answering my questions quickly and giving me much-needed feedback. (THANKS SAM!)

Cons:
I have been battling leaks on the Driver's Side turbo. On initial start up, I had a coolant leak and an oil leak. I was able to get the coolant leak fixed by tightening the banjo bolt a little more. I was also able to get rid of the oil leak by taking off the down pipe, waste gate pipe, and waste gate and getting an offset wrench up to tighten the oil feed banjo. After multiple start ups and re-tightening, the leak was fixed and I put everything back together. BUT today during some shakedown runs, the dreaded oil leak returned. It is the smallest drip, but none the less it is STILL there. At this point, I don't think I will have the time or patience to disassemble, attempt to fix the banjo, and reassemble. I plan to take the car to a shop in the next week or two to have the oil leak fixed and have them do a once-over of the car to make sure everything looks okay.

Final Thoughts:
Let me just say I knew what I was getting into with this project! I expected to have hurdles and am overall very happy with the outcome thus far. The GTM product is great and I am confident that the end result will be everything I expected and more. I will keep updating the thread and am hoping the car will be where I want it very soon!

Also, any performance shop recommendations in the DC/Northern Virginia area would be much appreciated! I need someone reliable to fix this oil leak!

6/22/2012 Update

Been driving the car quite a bit and have put close to 800 miles on the kit! Finally took it to the dyno at Moore Automotive today. I would like to thank the owner Bill and the rest of the team for their work!

I uploaded the graph below. It dips around 7k rpm every time, due to it pulling about a degree of timing. I sent Sam an email with the graph and data log to see what is going on. 455 whp peak and 475 wtq peak at 8.8psi - not too bad!

Footloose301 · 11-21-2011, 06:43 PM

Nice! Congrats

Nixlimited · 11-21-2011, 06:56 PM

External wastegates! That's agressive. Look forward to following your progress.

elliotty · 11-21-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Footloose301

Nice! Congrats

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

External wastegates! That's agressive. Look forward to following your progress.

Yeah, decided to go with an option that allows for growth (and loud noise!). Can't wait to get started!

Dembflyr · 11-21-2011, 08:27 PM

Nice!

You doing the install yourself?

elliotty · 11-21-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dembflyr

Nice!

You doing the install yourself?

That's the plan, yes! I have probably read through your intstall thread 50 times in the past couple months! I plan to devote about 2 weeks fulltime work to it. Any words of wisdom are much appreciated!

Dembflyr · 11-21-2011, 09:04 PM

Working on it for two weeks full time should be plenty of time.

Words of wisdom.... Hmm. I think the most important is to take your time and when you get overwhelmed take a break. There will be times that you will be lying in bed and thinking about how to do the next step. Then you will dream about the install. LOL. There will be times that you want to pull your hair out but just keep thinking about how much fun you'll have when it's all done.

If you need any help along the way feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll do my best to help out.

Looking forward to your build thread.

Will@Logic · 11-21-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elliotty

Well after debating whether to sell the Nismo or keep it...I decided to keep it and add a little more power with a GTM Stage II TT turn-key kit with external wastegates. Ordered today and plan to tackle the install during the holidays! I will try to post statuses and pictures as I go. Can't wait to join the FI club!

Curious to see how it turns out. Thanks for the info pal. We'll be sure to tune in.

elliotty · 11-21-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dembflyr

Working on it for two weeks full time should be plenty of time.

Words of wisdom.... Hmm. I think the most important is to take your time and when you get overwhelmed take a break. There will be times that you will be lying in bed and thinking about how to do the next step. Then you will dream about the install. LOL. There will be times that you want to pull your hair out but just keep thinking about how much fun you'll have when it's all done.

If you need any help along the way feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll do my best to help out.

Looking forward to your build thread.

Ah man so the good dreams will turn to bad ones? Haha. I know I am in for quite the project, but can't be more pumped. Thanks for the offer, I am sure I will take you up on it. Are you Running on Sam's tune?

Dembflyr · 11-21-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elliotty

Ah man so the good dreams will turn to bad ones? Haha. I know I am in for quite the project, but can't be more pumped. Thanks for the offer, I am sure I will take you up on it. Are you Running on Sam's tune?

Ha ha. Yeah but the bad dreams turn back when it's all done.

Yes I am still on the canned tune from Sam. I may look into a custom tune next year when I get a better clutch. But the canned tune is great. No worries with it at all.

If you're doing a clutch also you may want to consider removing the transmission while you're doing the TT install. It will give you a ton of room.

elliotty · 11-21-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dembflyr

Ha ha. Yeah but the bad dreams turn back when it's all done.

Yes I am still on the canned tune from Sam. I may look into a custom tune next year when I get a better clutch. But the canned tune is great. No worries with it at all.

If you're doing a clutch also you may want to consider removing the transmission while you're doing the TT install. It will give you a ton of room.

My plan right now is to stick with the stock clutch for as long as it lasts (have 11k miles on it right now). But I don't anticipate it lasting too long. How has yours been holding up? Still running wastegate spring pressure for boost?

Dembflyr · 11-21-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elliotty

My plan right now is to stick with the stock clutch for as long as it lasts (have 11k miles on it right now). But I don't anticipate it lasting too long. How has yours been holding up? Still running wastegate spring pressure for boost?

I did my install at 12k miles and the stock clutch is holding up well. The car has a little over 18k miles now. Honestly, if I was going to keep the boost where it is right now I would leave the clutch alone until it died. I am at 8psi and there is no slip like I had at first when I was up around 11psi.

Yes still on the waste gate spring. My plan is to get a clutch and boost controller over the winter. When I do that I'll probably go with a spring that'll put the lowest boost setting at around 6psi and using the controller I don't see myself going over 11psi until I build the motor.

elliotty · 11-22-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dembflyr

I did my install at 12k miles and the stock clutch is holding up well. The car has a little over 18k miles now. Honestly, if i was going to keep the boost where it is right now i would leave the clutch alone until it died. I am at 8psi and there is no slip like I had at first when I was up around 11psi.

Yes still on the waste gate spring. My plan is to get a clutch and boost controller over the winter. When I do that I'll probably go with a spring that'll put the lowest boost setting at around 6psi and using the controller I don't see myself going over 11psi until I build the motor.

^^^My plan exactly. May go with a boost controller now to serve as a boost gauge as well. Still need to figure out how I am going to monitor AFR, etc. I am contemplating the PLX devices option. I would rather not hack up the stock gauges and want a stock-looking interior. I am still looking into my options.

elliotty · 11-23-2011, 08:51 AM

Well I went ahead and picked up a 34R oil cooler and the HKS EVC-S boost controller (pic below) from a couple of forum members (thanks guys!) and now just need to tackle the monitoring aspect.

I am planning to monitor boost via the EVC, since it has its own boost sensor. Anyone see any issues with that? I am thinking it should work fine.

As of now, I hope to monitor AFR and Oil Pressure via two gauges I'll install in a plate in the cubby (with the EVC), but I am still toying with the idea of going with the PLX Kiwi system to monitor sensors on my iPhone. I am just concerned there could be some delay. Anyone have any experience with this or suggestions?

Thanks! I'll keep updating as things change!

Red__Zed · 11-23-2011, 09:10 AM

in for updates, should be a fun adventure

11-21-2011, 06:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	Nice! Congrats __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

11-21-2011, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	External wastegates! That's agressive. Look forward to following your progress. __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

11-21-2011, 08:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dembflyr Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 886 Drives: G37S Sedan Rep Power: 16	Nice! You doing the install yourself? __________________ 2012 G37S Sedan 6MT - Project Practicality 2009-6MT-Sport/Touring-Dembflyr's Journal-TT Build Thread-CAR IS SOLD

11-21-2011, 09:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dembflyr Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 886 Drives: G37S Sedan Rep Power: 16	Working on it for two weeks full time should be plenty of time. Words of wisdom.... Hmm. I think the most important is to take your time and when you get overwhelmed take a break. There will be times that you will be lying in bed and thinking about how to do the next step. Then you will dream about the install. LOL. There will be times that you want to pull your hair out but just keep thinking about how much fun you'll have when it's all done. If you need any help along the way feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll do my best to help out. Looking forward to your build thread. __________________ 2012 G37S Sedan 6MT - Project Practicality 2009-6MT-Sport/Touring-Dembflyr's Journal-TT Build Thread-CAR IS SOLD

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