Mr. G. Brettin's Slow Motion Leg Hump

gbrettin

Well, after a bit of debating with my self... I'm going to jump in and post some of my build progress, again... version 2. It's hard for me to relive this mentally and I didn't care to post this initially, I wasn't out thrashing on the road and I had a pending court case (which I won). I had a major set back earlier in May where my OEM VLSD rear diff turned into a peg leg and I went off the road into a swamp... all the way in. (see picture). No one was hurt, and ultimately that is the only thing that matters to me.

Yeah, I'm lame and beat the sh1t out of myself. I took the term break in miles far too literal. If you feel the urge to joke about this to me, I probably wont find it funny. ... well... First thing I said to the cop on scene was "I can't park there, right?". Anyway, I think the context is important as to why I'm going through the build again with pictures, which is why I offered that information up. I'm taking it in stride and want to make my car better than before fixing issues that I didn't like. So much for having a clean titled Z.

Moving forward...

The last couple months has been jack stand life and poking around the car to see what I need to do. Immediate issues were addressed: draining the water from my car, rolling over the engine over with some oil in the cylinders, change the fuel and testing electrical (BCM worked perfectly). During that time insurance was pretty reasonable to deal with and I ended up buying my car back from them because they marked it as a total loss.

Since then I've been getting a list of parts/purchasing parts. The more I dug into the engine the more stuff I saw that I didn't like, mainly swamp water coming in through the valve breathers. I made the decision to pull the engine and transmission to get them fully serviced. The short block was taken to Baker Engineering for main studs, light cylinder hone and an inspection. The 4L80e was taken into Capizzi Automotive to have the clutch packs redone and a billet sprag put in. Heads were taken into Irwin Engines in Kalamazoo to have the valves inspected and loaded with BTR .650 titanium retainers (SK703). Remember when the timing was out 180deg? Well, that bent all my intake valves slightly, not surprised about this.

I'm trying to nail this build down exactly how I want it. Both the transmission and heads will be dialed in to spin 9k RPM. The twin intake was removed and sold to Bryan Settle (way better for his build) in favor of a Shearer Fab ULP air to water which has shorter runners to support higher RPM and to remove a TON of weight off the nose... which also cleans the clutter. A Motion Raceworks Billet merge will for simplified boost tubes to the plenum.

Wheels have been upgraded to Nismo 57cr Clubsport 19's with r888r on the front and the rears are getting the same but in 18's with MAC Fab beadlocks w/ Mickey Thompsons.

So yeah, lots going on. I'm looking to have the car back up and running Dec so that I can get the car to Sick Week 2024. I'm not entirely sure if that is going to happen but I'm certainly attempting to give it a go.

Current progress has me to the point where I need to replace the rear subframe with my new: Sikky Subframe, Winters Quick Change, DSS Axels, SPL components (most of the rear), IDS drag shocks.

The engine and transmission will return in November... I think. Shops around here are backed up.

gbrettin

I forgot to mention I bought a new LOJ front sump oil pan because my custom pan was possible broken. Also, the pan hung up on the kmember when taking the engine out. The new pan doesn't have an oil return so I found an awesome timing cover that matches up the return to the scavenger pump perfect.

https://www.lojkits.com/collections/...x-swap-oil-pan

ZontheRocks

Daaaaaaaamn! This thing (and you) has no quit in it! Bring it on!

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'16 Pearl White Sport | Stillen Gen. 3 | Motordyne ART | Motordyne Shockwave | ZSpeed | Powertrix | EVO-R | Aeroworkz | Nismo | Z1 | EcuTek | Tuned by Seb @ SpecialtyZ

NorthStyle

Sorry to hear but good to see you getting back at it.

geeteezee

Wow, that's some bad luck there. Sorry you had to go through that, but good to see you persevering and making some improvements to boot! Hats off to you bud!

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filip00

That's some bad luck. But very nice to see you've got the will and the means to bring it all back up again, good luck ahead with the build.

blackcherry20

Oh. My. Gawd.

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Grand Sport Corvette Arctic White

gbrettin

I just realized I never mentioned what Sick Week 2024 was. Well, it's a drag and drive event. 5 days of drag racing which requires 100-200mi drives between the track WITH the car you entered in with. I'd really like to have a showing for the 370z crowd and put some numbers on the board. Unfortunately my car doesn't have a cage so I'll be locked in on the 10.0 class until I can get a 8.5 cert cage built.

https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-week

Mr&Mrs

Sorry for the troubles. Glad you are willing to get back at it. I'm not sure how but I've never heard of sick week. Sounds like an absolute blast.

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Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

Mr&Mrs

Do the juke seats work as a plug and play to the Z's harness?

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Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

FL 4Motion

Iirc, for the 370z it was basically plug and play. I’m pretty sure a few folks have threads about it on here.

gbrettin

The wiring for the air bags, yes. They require seat rails. I was going to adapt my OEM seat sliders to the Juke base rails to make them work. A less painful option would be to buy the seat rails.

FL 4Motion

Since when have you ever opted for the less painful option.

gbrettin

Well guys. I've gone and done it now. Signed up for the Sick Week 2024. If I get the engine and transmission back in Nov, I should be in good shape.... We'll see. There' s a live stream during the week of the event if you guys want to see me race. Not many imports enter the event so It will be great representing Z cars.

https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-week

SteveVQ

You'll probably get featured in a 1320 video. They always record Sick Week.
I could definitely see Kyle wanting to interview you, feature you in a video and learn more about that badass ride.

Good luck man!

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'23 Camaro 1SS 6MT
'19 Camaro 1SS 6MT (Totaled by Red Light Runner)
'13 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT 328whp (Sold)