Semtex's Monterey Blue 370Z

dlmartin81 · 03-11-2010, 10:05 AM

What the heck in our engines (or engines in general) is made of copper? Isn't copper a weak metal?

semtex · 03-11-2010, 10:24 AM

I just spoke to my mechanic. He said it might actually be brass you're seeing, not copper. So what's brass used for in engines? He said it's typically used in bearings and valve guides. I'd take this with a grain of salt though. I asked him what copper would be used for and he couldn't think of anything. But clearly, there's copper in engines because Blackstone tests for it. And the don't test for brass. So, I don't know how solid what he told me is.

dlmartin81 · 03-11-2010, 10:52 AM

Wow...thanks man! You went above and beyond by asking your mechanic.

You know what though, before I did the oil change, I noticed some valvetrain type of noise (buzz). I don't know how long that was going on because I usually drive with the radio on. But one day, had it off and noticed that noise. The noise was noticeable around 3-5 RMP. But it's been so long that I have driven with the radio off that I couldn't remember if that's what it always sounded like. Plus, the VQ37 has that bad rep for noise, so I didn't think much of it at the time. And after the oil change, the noise has gone away.

So maybe it's a valvetrain issue

ChrisSlicks · 03-11-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I just spoke to my mechanic. He said it might actually be brass you're seeing, not copper. So what's brass used for in engines? He said it's typically used in bearings and valve guides. I'd take this with a grain of salt though. I asked him what copper would be used for and he couldn't think of anything. But clearly, there's copper in engines because Blackstone tests for it. And the don't test for brass. So, I don't know how solid what he told me is.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It will be detected as 2 separate metals by the analysis.

370Zsteve · 03-11-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It will detected as 2 separate metals by the analysis.

Beat me to it, Chris. +1 rep

semtex · 03-11-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It will be detected as 2 separate metals by the analysis.

Ah...well then what he told me suddenly makes sense!

dlmartin81 · 03-11-2010, 05:18 PM

FYI, here's my comments on my trip to the dealer today regarding my oil situation. Basically, it's a waiting game till the next change.

Mike@Blackline · 04-06-2010, 05:57 PM

love the work so far!

semtex · 04-07-2010, 01:34 PM

Okay, in preparation for installing the Long-Tube Headers from F.I., I went and got a fresh baseline dyno done this morning at Forged Performance. Here are the results.

HP and TQ:

HP and AFR:

For reference, here are the charts from my last dyno in October, when I got my ECU tuned using UpRev.

HP and TQ:

HP and AFR:

So it looks like I somehow gained 4whp in between last October and now. And it's warmer today that it was back in October. Not sure how that works, but I'll take it. Actually, looking at the graphs more closely, it looks like for the one in October, Sharif lifted as soon as he hit 7500 rpm, and this morning he held it to just short of 7750. That alone might account for the slight 'gain' from last time. (I have my rev limit bumped up to 8k.)

Anyway, now I have a fresh baseline and after I get the LTHs installed, I'll take it back for another dyno (and re-tune if necessary). I'm thinking there's a real good chance I'll crack 330whp, which is a quite a feat considering the dyno that this is being done on.

vipor · 04-07-2010, 01:39 PM

WTB Torque...... Looks like 250 peak?

semtex · 04-07-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

WTB Torque...... Looks like 250 peak?

I'm not terribly surprised. That's why I'm getting rid of the Stillen shorty headers.

XwChriswX · 04-07-2010, 01:46 PM

Can you specify which number relates to what? Looks like you have the same HP as you have TQ and that can't be right.... right?

Looks like you need to update your sig!

semtex · 04-07-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XwChriswX

Can you specify which number relates to what? Looks like you have the same HP as you have TQ and that can't be right.... right?

Looks like you need to update your sig!

I'm not sure what you mean. HP scale is on the left, TQ scale is on the right.

370Zsteve · 04-07-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I'm not sure what you mean. HP scale is on the left, TQ scale is on the right.

Chris is dyslexic.

ChrisSlicks · 04-07-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Actually, looking at the graphs more closely, it looks like for the one in October, Sharif lifted as soon as he hit 7500 rpm, and this morning he held it to just short of 7750. That alone might account for the slight 'gain' from last time. (I have my rev limit bumped up to 8k.)

It looks like that is the case if you eyeball where both plots are at 7500 they are pretty even. If he gave you the run files you can overlay them on the same chart to compare.

03-11-2010, 10:24 AM	#137 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	I just spoke to my mechanic. He said it might actually be brass you're seeing, not copper. So what's brass used for in engines? He said it's typically used in bearings and valve guides. I'd take this with a grain of salt though. I asked him what copper would be used for and he couldn't think of anything. But clearly, there's copper in engines because Blackstone tests for it. And the don't test for brass. So, I don't know how solid what he told me is. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

03-11-2010, 10:52 AM	#138 (permalink)
dlmartin81 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chalfont, PA Age: 43 Posts: 923 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 607	Wow...thanks man! You went above and beyond by asking your mechanic. You know what though, before I did the oil change, I noticed some valvetrain type of noise (buzz). I don't know how long that was going on because I usually drive with the radio on. But one day, had it off and noticed that noise. The noise was noticeable around 3-5 RMP. But it's been so long that I have driven with the radio off that I couldn't remember if that's what it always sounded like. Plus, the VQ37 has that bad rep for noise, so I didn't think much of it at the time. And after the oil change, the noise has gone away. So maybe it's a valvetrain issue Last edited by dlmartin81; 03-11-2010 at 11:14 AM.

04-06-2010, 05:57 PM	#143 (permalink)
Mike@Blackline Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Posts: 390 Drives: Z Rep Power: 296	love the work so far! __________________ Current Alliance BBK Sale, FREE PC Option, 370Z DiscountCLICK HERE for info!

04-07-2010, 01:34 PM	#144 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Fresh baseline dyno numbers Okay, in preparation for installing the Long-Tube Headers from F.I., I went and got a fresh baseline dyno done this morning at Forged Performance. Here are the results. HP and TQ: HP and AFR: For reference, here are the charts from my last dyno in October, when I got my ECU tuned using UpRev. HP and TQ: HP and AFR: So it looks like I somehow gained 4whp in between last October and now. And it's warmer today that it was back in October. Not sure how that works, but I'll take it. Actually, looking at the graphs more closely, it looks like for the one in October, Sharif lifted as soon as he hit 7500 rpm, and this morning he held it to just short of 7750. That alone might account for the slight 'gain' from last time. (I have my rev limit bumped up to 8k.) Anyway, now I have a fresh baseline and after I get the LTHs installed, I'll take it back for another dyno (and re-tune if necessary). I'm thinking there's a real good chance I'll crack 330whp, which is a quite a feat considering the dyno that this is being done on. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

04-07-2010, 01:39 PM	#145 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	WTB Torque...... Looks like 250 peak? __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-11-2010, 10:05 AM	#136 (permalink)
dlmartin81 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chalfont, PA Age: 43 Posts: 923 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 607	What the heck in our engines (or engines in general) is made of copper? Isn't copper a weak metal?

03-11-2010, 05:18 PM	#142 (permalink)
dlmartin81 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chalfont, PA Age: 43 Posts: 923 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 607	FYI, here's my comments on my trip to the dealer today regarding my oil situation. Basically, it's a waiting game till the next change.

04-07-2010, 01:46 PM	#147 (permalink)
XwChriswX WFLYIDNNE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In The Fastlane Posts: 50,648 Drives: 02 GDB WRX Rep Power: 452	Can you specify which number relates to what? Looks like you have the same HP as you have TQ and that can't be right.... right? Looks like you need to update your sig! __________________ Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall! R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

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