Mr. G. Brettin's Slow Motion Leg Hump

gbrettin

Pulled from IG:
I can't really gather how happy I am to have my engine finished. It's built exactly how I wanted using quality parts. There's a lot of high dollar builds out there and I understand this isn't some billet bad *** master piece; but, this is special because it was built by me going through every nut and bolt (with some guidance from close friends). This is my first engine built. Clearly I'm not finished with my build but I finally have a green check in the right column. That means a lot to me. ✅

Nothing like dropping in the engine by yourself. On and off the he forklift a million times to make sure nothing gets hit!

I've got to say, the Sikky power steering lines were really nice and made life easy.

If anyone was curious about how far the LS sits back with LOJ motor mounts and F body accessories. Here you go.

I modified the old core support to have a lower air shroud. Literally 2 bolts to take it on and off as one unit. I can also run the Zspeed under tray with this set-up too.

Using factory mount points, my crash bar is held on with 2 bolts and 4 locking nuts. Crash bar also serves as turbo mounting (using @mavenperformance) and radiator mounting.

4 bolts to hold the radiator on. Back of the air box gains stiffness from the radiator. Water pump lines have been simplified. Lol okay like I'll need a 45deg -16 coming off the Meziere pump to bottom of the radiator. @independenteng moved the bung to the bottom side so minimal hose could be used.

Small problem with my air shroud. Looks like an easy fix. Improvise, adapt and overcome.

Almost have my lines wrapped up. 4 -10 lines will be mounted against the shock tower vertical. All this hose management is difficult to keep looking clean. #motionraceworks #fragola


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If any of this hose management looks trivial... It's really not. It's a PITA because there is no blue print to guarantee fit.

I need to order up a couple more fittings but I think This is near the final stage of what the Oil, coolant and breather hoses need to be.

ZontheRocks

Keanu 'Whoa!'

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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

Rusty

You have a small fortune in AN fittings and hoses.

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"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

gbrettin

I feel like I needed Fragola stock before I started.

gbrettin

Getting closer to having the front end together. I need to have the transmission in so that the engine tilts forward a little bit. Look how damn close the water pump hot side fitting is right now! Again, transmission will tell the true placement. The X pipe will need some adjustment.

I posted the pictures below on FB. The response was VERY positive. I only had one comment of concern and that was over the X pipe. So yeah, I'm sure there are better engineered solutions; but, this is where I landed at for now. There's absolutely no concern about missing HP. I will literally turn the boost up another pound if I want more. The reality is... this engine will make WAY more power than the platform will handle. I talked to my engine builder buddy and he said something ridiculous about the components for my engine being able to handle 40lbs of boost and quoted 1500hp. That's bananas.

The car will live most of it's life on gate pressure, 3-6lbs. I'll turn it up for special events. to achieve my goals such as 200mph in the half mile. A boost controller is in my future. Also, I need to build the rear end of my car before I can do that. This brings me to my latest score. Oh... I already said I have a Winters Quick Change... well. I have a picture of it now... doing nothing. The Winters Quick Change can take the power AND allow me to set the gearing to hit the 200mph goal. FYI, I'll have a cage put in before that attempt. My wife wants me alive for some reason.

Man, the engine bay density has been why I've been sweating all the details. It's rewarding to see this FINALLY come together (close anyway).

JARblue

It's a fuckin monster!

For the record, IMO you choose one of the worst accent colors possible to start with. However, it is done so tastefully that I actually really like it. Which I didn't think could be possible. Superbly done

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Rusty

The big stuff is finishing up. Now the little stuff will keep you up at night thinking about it.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

gbrettin

Put the transmission in... most of the way. The engine needs to slide forward 1/4 inch. That should resolve most of the gapping issue on the intake once the engine is sitting in the proper place.

If it seems like I post a lot working on the car... I really do try getting out there a lot to get this thing done! If I don't do it, no one else will.

The 4L80e is a HEAVY transmission but the 7AT that was in there is nearly as heavy.

-Edit
I plan on using foil tape on the edges of the airbox and radiator. I have a v2 for both the crash bar and radiator... but I'm not going to worry about that until later down the road. I need to use what I have. That's the problem with learning curves, you always find better ways of doing things when you're done.

Ghostvette

It would be a whole lot easier to modify the trans mount. Slot the holes that mount to the trans, use star type lock washers under the bolt heads. That way you can mount the crossmember to the frame, then tighten up the trans to the xmember.

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2015 Magma Red 6MT Sport Tech/2012 Fairlady MB 6MT Base (RIP 08032018)https://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/370Z/Coupe/

gbrettin

Yes, but I need the angle of the engine to sit a specific way for the boost tubes. Otherwise... I'd be all over that. I mean... it shouldn't be too bad. All I need to do is loosen motor mounts and the pull it forward a bit.

If you are wondering why I didn't mark the mounts. I actually did... here comes the but...

BUT..

I mounted the engine mounts on backwards previously. AFTER I mounted it on incorrectly, I put on additional thicker black marks while mounted incorrectly.

This is all learning and fabrication pains. I'm learning tolerances are not necessarily a bad thing.

Ghostvette

You'll be an expert at LS swapping when this is done.

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2015 Magma Red 6MT Sport Tech/2012 Fairlady MB 6MT Base (RIP 08032018)https://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/370Z/Coupe/

gbrettin

IG@gbrettin

Transmission in and things have lined up significantly better. Still needs adjustment on the intake but we're doing great now!

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I used the biggest pry bar the shop had and slid the engine forward. lol. Thankfully it was only a 1/4 inch.

I ordered -8 lines for fuel, Few more fittings, PS reservoir cap power steering cooler and parts to make my own PS cross over line. I tried to pay a guy to make me a cross over line but he kept jerking me around. Basically got to the point where I said... thanks but I'll make my own now. It's cheaper if I do it anyway. His loss.

All the little stufff that doesn't get included in people's swap.... it's actually a lot. That's why I took the time to write down something simple as "PS reservoir cap". Speaking of that... I have a trick idea for the cap... I'll just show you guys when it's done though.

Not large strides here... but they are steps in the right direction.

A note here... The reason I update this log when ever I do work... Lots of stuff happens and If I don't stay on top of it I will get overwhelmed and simply not post here. That's just how I work.

gbrettin

gbrettin

I guess I slacked on posting over the few days. I have been getting out to the shop and doing a couple things.

I ordered a Lokar dipstick, and assumed plug and play. WRONG. The damn thing does not fit and now I am trying to figure out what I can do. Might pawn this one off to the engineer. I have "ideas" what to do at this time.

The cap I ordered was not the right cap. I fixed it. The dipstick was too long so I cut it.

I added the power steering cooler. It fit in perfect. Only draw back was that I cut the Sikky line to fit the correct length into the PS pump. When I pulled the line off it didn't have enough length to meet the PS cooler. Easy fix. I just added the left over hose to the PS cooler and bought a 2 dollar barb that will join the line. Actually, That may even be the better solution so that I can drain the fluid lower if ever needed.

The cross over line I ordered appears to be the correct length and the banjo bolts will likely work under the pan. This is a big issue for other swapped Z cars as well.

If you guys remember, I ground down a couple holes in my exhaust manifolds. Well! that has been fixed and 8 EGT bungs have been added.

My buddy is helping with the finalization of the hot and cold side. Some adjustments were done on the cold side upper but the lower side requires an additional pie on each side. He took the lowers to his shop to turn the aluminum smooth so that it doesn't look like a bag of azz holes.

The exhaust flanges are off to Independent Engineering (my buddy who is helping fab) so that vbands will be welded on. He has a really nice shop for welding... instead of the plastic crate I set up for him in the picture.

Jeff/Independent Engineering will swing out next weekend with revisions. I suspect he will need another week of additional time to get the waste gates welded, BOV welded (assuming they come this week) and other welding finalization items. Jeff will also be the man helping with an option for the oil dipstick (he just doesn't know it yet).

Last picture is the wheel on my car... I thought it was funny because of all the work that has been done to the car, I still have OE wheels. I don't intend on upgrading them this year either.

-Edit

I have a picture of a digital caliper... that is the surface of the top on the PS cap. A titanium company, Titanium Works, said that they want to put "seen" titanium objects on my car. I don't know if that means they want to sponsor me or not. *shrug* . Anyway. surface of the cap.. yeah. I checked in with them to see if they had a titanium caps for GM. They didn't., but he said that they could make a titanium plate with a thin two sided tape. I said they are welcome to make something up for that spot. Might look kinda cool with something there. I dunno. I figured it's an option for them. We'll see.

geeteezee

Slack away, take your time dude. Although, I have to say I miss when I check and there's no update, lol. Best thread on the site.

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