89' Laurel

[Zacho]

I brought this in to Canada in the midst of winter this year and when it arrived I ripped it apart :D

It was originally a RB20DE auto car, now RB25 5 speed.

Mods list:

S1 Rb25
What is thought to be a 1.5 way rear end
Z32 30mm TT front brakes w/stainless lines
Z32 7/8 bmc
P45r 17x9.5+12 rear, 17x9+12 front
Bings RUCA's
Bings traction arms
Tien super drift coils
Cusco camber plates
Cusco strut bars
Touge factory solid steering bushing
Autobahn 88 I/m
Greddy t/b adapter
Megan (forget dimensions) intercooler
Greddy oil cooler sandwich plate, -10 AN lines to an earls cooler
Greddy profec b spec 2 ebc
A/C delete
Tien inner+outer tie rods
Recaro reclinable
Nardi deep corn
Autobahn 88 rad hoses
Z32 ff
R32 GTR rad
Power enterprise belts
Shorter ratio s13 steering rack
Project mu lugs
Fender harness tucked
Prosport gauges
HKS mushroom filter
some random JDM exhaust that sounds really good
Test pipe

some other stuff, forget all of it.

When I first got it:
http://photos-h-9.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2457/120/50/641342100/n641342100_1872287_4002.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00451.jpg

And how she sits now:

http://photos-b-3.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs194.snc1/6535_95705892100_641342100_2477617_3362643_n.jpg

http://photos-f-5.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs086.snc1/5048_91624622100_641342100_2408293_853201_n.jpg

http://photos-c-9.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs010.snc1/4185_77230037100_641342100_2196570_5505183_n.jpg

I know I really need better pictures, they are coming. The car has been fantastic to me since day 1.

[mcfly]

nice hood prop :p

[j-ran]

i want moar

and i want to see a closeup of your engine bay (i want to check out your tuck job)

Cool car man, ive never seen one in person, but yours looks awesome! glad it is turbocharged

[Zacho]

nice hood prop :p

the bamboo hood prop was a option from nissan despite the contrary :D

I will be shortening the harness alot more on the passenger side later this week. Once I'm done I'll snap some pics

[SRC]

Cool car man. Are those Bee R rims?

[Oakville]

I've never even heard of this car before, but wow, i's very nice. does it go like stink?

[Zacho]

Cool car man. Are those Bee R rims?


Unfortunately, no :p. Its hard for someone my age justify that expensive of wheels. They are rotas hahaha. But nobody knows, and they are nowhere near as heavy as I thought they would be so I'm happy with them.

And the car feels slow to me, but I guess I'm just used to it.

Heading to calgary to pick up a longblock to build this saturday :D

[mcfly]

How about an update?

[Zacho]

Thanks for the reminder -

I started my build a while ago just forgot to update. The just of it:

GT3076R .83
Deastchwerks 550's
Tomei FPR
Modified egay manifold
Tial 38mm
tomei oil restrictors 1.25, 1.5
ARP head studs
OS giken twin plate
nismo clutch pivot
goes on and on....

So I've mainly been waiting on parts to get here and just trying to get everything planned out for a "smooth" assembly. Currently transmission is bolted to engine with the OS twin sandwiched in there, and its awaiting the exhaust side to be bolted up and I can drop it in.

I've got some base maps made to start the car as well. But fuck, who knows what's going to happen.

Some pics- some are shite because when I go to work on my car I almost always forget my camera...

The joys of a 20 year old car...TPS wiring
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs017.snc3/12454_163398182100_641342100_3240937_3088401_n.jpg

Some clutch and turbo stuffs
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs037.snc3/12454_166828337100_641342100_3281836_4851186_n.jpg

Tomei FPR, new tie rod boots, innovate wideband kit DB gauge and sard rail adapter
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs092.snc3/15937_179109632100_641342100_3370888_5497102_n.jpg

Heres the tomei FPR with the FPR gauge, what a PITA. Everywhere lists the gauge thread as 1/8 NPT where as its really 1/8 BSPT. So I had to take it apart and re-tap it for NPT.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs092.snc3/15937_187191812100_641342100_3429519_5087148_n.jpg

Using prosport gauges...they have worked for me well. Not the top of the line but they do the job.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15937_187191822100_641342100_3429520_1538140_n.jpg

Now I know... its a SQV I KNOW I KNOW. But when you have a turbo that actually flows some air they don't sound half bad. And a good deal

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15937_187191827100_641342100_3429521_7787798_n.jpg

Here is the manifold...braced by Rob@Project Omega. Heat wrapped #1 runner as its close to PS lines.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15937_187191832100_641342100_3429522_5118943_n.jpg






Couple notes -

I AM rocking an egay manifold. Does seem a bit thin but I had it braced and any questionable welds have been gone over. I would have never bought a new one, because then I have a much greater chance of getting one that has major fitment issues. The one I got has none, WG flange needed some TLC but easily fixed.

I still don't know what to do for knock detection. I won't lie, it is one thing I did overlook. Since I will be tuning my own car I'd rather get something that will do a good job here. Am debating water-meth now too.

I'm starting the car on STOCK fuel system minus the FPR as I want the least amount of things to have to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.

ON TO PICTURES OF PROGRESS:


Here is the wiring I started with, what a mess. Many un used and un necessary plugs.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs269.snc1/9622_127383622100_641342100_2945239_382033_n.jpg

Here is what I have nailed it down to so far...

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs269.snc1/9622_137236322100_641342100_3052254_452258_n.jpg

Yanked the engine out...

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs269.snc1/9622_142214257100_641342100_3091805_6404610_n.jpg

Got these parts...OS clutch was used hardly any at all. PP has almost no marks on it and disks measure just under new.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs269.snc1/9622_144148172100_641342100_3107684_1607721_n.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs249.snc1/9622_147021977100_641342100_3118268_5790203_n.jpg

The head then came off...

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs249.snc1/9622_149125142100_641342100_3131480_7956774_n.jpg

All back together...just for kicks.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs017.snc3/12454_162506472100_641342100_3234840_5662547_n.jpg

Here is how it sat before I took the turbo side off to get the manifold modified and before the transmission was attached.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15937_180544417100_641342100_3382761_7416904_n.jpg

[Zacho]

Oh,

I also ordered a brand new OEM hood prop with new grommets and the rest for it. No more bamboo stick! :D

[Zacho]

So something smacked some sense into me and I busted my ass the past few days. Anyway. Pics explain it all.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15937_194583812100_641342100_3473108_1874930_n.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15937_194781007100_641342100_3473742_1900474_n.jpg

[mcfly]

winter drive it

[rb-racer]

looking good, how long until it runs?

[Zacho]

t-minus 3 weeks. I'm pretty pumped.

[Zacho]

I pulled some 16 hour days, and this morning at 3am it breathed a sign of life. I still have plenty of work to do but hearing it run again and knowing I did something right has been a 1000lb weight off my shoulders. I can just leave it alone for a bit now while I focus on school.

[DrMango]

I love what you got started here. Its nice to see something different, in a good way ;)

Kyle

[Zacho]

Little update.

So I had my downpipe:
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs180.snc3/20731_214497957100_641342100_3546328_5479977_n.jpg

Andddd...exhaust shop said they "lost" it. Right. So I have to sort that out still.

Here is a screenshot of my base ignition map, though I have never really used any other ecu program extensively this is really easy to use.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/timing.jpg

[DrMango]

Did they replace it completely yet or what?

Kyle

[RABBIT]

im planing on driving to BC in the winter, im gonna stop off in AB and were gonna go out and play ok?

[mcfly]

zach move out to kamloops ;)

[Zacho]

zach move out to kamloops ;)

I wish haha. With steve married, you in loops, and everyone else getting on with life summer wont be as cool.

But in a few days I'll be back at work with the car. I only need a couple things, r33 gts clutch master cylinder, new rad and gas tank o-ring.

I hope to be ~around~ this power level. Similar setup here:

YouTube- rb25 dyno 422 rwhp@17psi

[rb-racer]

That's a very nice powerband, could use some more rpm

[Zacho]

Running car bump.

Recently installed a copper twin core rad. Still deciding on fuel pumps, lost a deal on a Supra Denso. Honestly, a walbro gss341 for <60-65 psi fuel pressure seems to be alright, I only need to feed 480cc injectors.

Running quite solid now. All I have left to do (for big stuff anyway) is tap the turbo compressor housing for a wastegate boost source, get my dump pipe and exhaust made. I drained the radiator and found some brown substance floating on top, just a bit. I freaked out. Then I remembered I didn't rinse the radiator after I flushed it with some CLR. So I had to flush the whole cooling system.

I must say - From plugging in my ViPEC to having it running solid took me all of about 20 minutes. Set base timing on ECU, adjust cas with a timing light and done.

and because I believe threads are better with pictures:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00716.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00720.jpg

[Rapier46]

love it man. clean garage. clean work

[Gaelen]

Looks great man! Cant wait to see some more pics!

[DrMango]

Im excited to see what she can do all complete. It looks like you have a nice garage space to work in there. Im jelous :D

Kyle

[Zacho]

Thanks guys. I'm rather young but learning as I go.

The garage is the nicest part, I can't even describe how nice it is to work in a garage with a heated floor and tons of room.

[Rapier46]

Heared floor? That's something I don't have

[mcfly]

When i build a house im doing geothermal heating with a heated spot for zach to work on my car

[DrMango]

HAHA. Im going to build a house with a cold spot for McFly to work on my car

Kyle

[Zacho]

mmm heated garage.

Finishing things up now...

Had to first straighten this out.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00733.jpg

Then made brackets, got it half mounted.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00734.jpg

Almost done. Just need to relocate P/S reservoir. I have some hose I think I'll move it to behind the headlight.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00735.jpg

[Devo]

lovin' the rims with the VIP status! so sick, any videos of her running would be great once shes ready for start-up!

[mcfly]

that red hose can't stay there next to the wheel

[DrMango]

LOL McFly catching the obscure things.
Looking really good. Is the oil cooler going to be poking through so you can see it from the front bumper? Going to look agressive when shes all done!

Kyle

[Zacho]

Good eye D-man. That is the idle air control hose, its long because its the only hose I had to use at the time and didn't want to cut it.

Yes the oil cooler brackets are attached to the bumper re-bar so it will hang out until the bumper goes back on.

Neighbors already hate me.

If you want to hear it come to life 2nd try (helps when you plug in injectors...:D) check it out.

YouTube- RB25 GT30R First Start with Vipec ECU

[Zacho]

Little update...

I cut up the piping and bends to make the new downpipe.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs465.ash1/25544_323191712100_641342100_3954207_1656926_n.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs465.snc3/25544_323191717100_641342100_3954208_6074101_n.jpg

I have a couple ends to tie up (wipers, wideband, fuel pump and top I/c bracket) but this is where it sits...

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs480.ash1/26285_324901847100_641342100_3957548_4346376_n.jpg

[DrMango]

starting to look like a car:eek:

Looks good. I like the FMIC setup

Kyle

[Rapier46]

boners dude. awesome


where did you get the piping for the downpipe? and flange

[Zacho]

Flange - ATPTurbo.com
Piping was a bit tricky. Everywhere locally tried to fuck me when I showed up, some shops asked for 120+ for one bend. I went to ABC muffler and hitch in Edmonton they gave me 4 bends for $25, they were scraps but all I needed really.

[Zacho]

tig welded the downpipe today. I will drive it with just this to project omega in edmonton and have them join it to my exhaust.

woo!

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs460.snc3/26285_326841082100_641342100_3964567_1325183_n.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs460.snc3/26285_326841092100_641342100_3964568_8132651_n.jpg

[mcfly]

I see some things there that i wouldn't personally want

[Zacho]

Feedback is always welcome. It was purged with argon

[Rapier46]

sick welds

[DrMango]

yeah I was thinkin nice welds man. I dont understand what McFly is getting at.. Care to fill us in?

Kyle

[inhumane]

this car is becoming sex on the beach of pandora

did you make the FMIC piping or did it come with it?

[Rapier46]

looks like most of it is custom i'd say.

[mcfly]

yeah I was thinkin nice welds man. I dont understand what McFly is getting at.. Care to fill us in?

Kyle

Because Mcfly is a ticketed welder and will criticize

[Zacho]

Because Mcfly is a ticketed welder and will criticize

I still welcome it :p I'm curious what you can pick out from it as I am mr.rook over here.

Yeah all the IC piping/brackets everything I had to make. Fuck all is available for this car anywhere, and usually stuff from other cars "sort of" fits and I have to modify everything.

[Zacho]

Been a bit slow lately...

Got all the stuff welded up that I needed to get done.

IAC tube hookup (-10an)+ IAT sensor bung
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00763.jpg

Dumptube done
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00760.jpg

Wideband bung welded up
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00764.jpg

After this weekend I hope the car is almost ready to drive back to the city. :)

[mcfly]

black on stainless is bad ;)

It is called carbide precipitation and corrosion will begin from there. On and exhaust bung not an issue though. Something holding weight and it's not what you want.

[Zacho]

Finally some feedback :p

Honestly I don't think I'd get it done much better by taking it to someone else, I couldn't find anybody who would tig stainless and aluminum at a reasonable price and show me their work. Let alone thin aluminum.

[mcfly]

If subbie josh is still in a shop with access to a tig he would do awesome work and for something that size likely free :p

The work looks good and will hold for what you need.

[Zacho]

So I haven't been posting as much lately...school had taken over my life. I have been spending what time I have on other peoples cars I often forget about mine.

Anyway, I have made good headway the past week. The car is on the road by friday. Got the car out today and did some tuning in 4th from 3300-5500 rpm. Having the car stored where there are completely dead roads is awesome...the officers around here didn't say anything about the noise/lack of bodyparts on my car either.

Anyway, here are a few pics.

I changed the oil cooler mounting:
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs450.snc3/25775_372890917100_641342100_4129923_4081340_n.jpg
Got the interior all back together, check the re wrapped dash trim.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs470.snc3/25775_372890922100_641342100_4129924_2217014_n.jpg

[RABBIT]

that interior is badass dude,

[mcfly]

way better in black

[Zacho]

^Agree

I did a compression test today, all cylinders +/- 2 of 148.

I saw small bubbles only showing up in my coolant reservoir, but not if I had the rad cap off. I couldn't get ANY bubbles with the rad cap off. So I bought a new cap and all is well :D

[Zacho]

I can haz finished car?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs470.snc3/25775_374347782100_641342100_4170143_331889_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs470.snc3/25775_374347777100_641342100_4170142_86492_n.jpg

[GT-R Glenn]

Dont know where cockrane is but I assume its on the other side of the world from here ...
Laurels are pretty common over here, at one stage they were one of "the" donor cars to make a drift trainer out of.
I assume its unusual to see right hand drive cars over there ??
A bit like left hand drive cars over here ..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categoryattributesearchresults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0001-0268-&sidebar=1&5=&14=Nissan&15=laurel&18=0%2C0&24=0%2C0&searchRegion=100&sidebarSearch_keypresses=0&sidebarSearch_suggested=0&sort_order=buynow_asc

[Zacho]

Dont know where cockrane is but I assume its on the other side of the world from here ...
Laurels are pretty common over here, at one stage they were one of "the" donor cars to make a drift trainer out of.
I assume its unusual to see right hand drive cars over there ??
A bit like left hand drive cars over here ..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categoryattributesearchresults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0001-0268-&sidebar=1&5=&14=Nissan&15=laurel&18=0%2C0&24=0%2C0&searchRegion=100&sidebarSearch_keypresses=0&sidebarSearch_suggested=0&sort_order=buynow_asc

Yes, this is true. I know of maybe 2 or 3 others here and that is it...most people have zero idea what it really is. From my undertstanding its long wheelbase makes it a desireable starting drift car.


Damn I wish there were some more here like on that site! I need parts haha

[GT-R Glenn]

Trademe is New Zealands equivilent of Ebay (which I guess is your main onsite auction site ??)
Yeah, very good drift cars, lots with rb25's and rb30's

[rb-racer]

I can haz finished car?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs470.snc3/25775_374347782100_641342100_4170143_331889_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs470.snc3/25775_374347777100_641342100_4170142_86492_n.jpg

that looks good. when is it going on a dyno?

[dirtysky]

very nice

[Rapier46]

lookin spiffy. i want more.

[Zacho]

I was just getting the tune somewhat done too..

YouTube- Blown Garrett GT3076r

CHRA has been sent out today, overnighted it and hoping for a return CHRA by friday. I hate fucking around with stuff like this so overnight shipping works wonders. $24 with a business account so not bad.

Had zero shaft play when I installed it.

Story:

This turbo died from oil starvation. I bought an oil line from company X, and they shipped it in a box of packing peanuts. A piece of one of the packing peanuts decided to get inside the oil line, and I installed it unknowingly. This lasted about 450km's before it made some real fucked up noises.

[Rapier46]

no way dude your turbo is toasted now?

shiiit

[Zacho]

*was

overnighted a new CHRA. I hate waiting. Sent april 13. Here april 15.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00796.jpg

Had it all apart

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00790.jpg

I have spent the past while tuning...so far so good. I ran out of injector at base fuel pressure though. Need to order some new ones ASAP.
note: 95% inj d/c at 6500. base fuel pressure has been upped to make it safe.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/looool.jpg

[DrMango]

Looks really good Zacho. Im assuming there wasnt any issues getting the turbo back together yourself? I cant wait to see some numbers and videos ;)

Kyle

[Zacho]

Quick update

Car is now my daily. I have been making small adjustments constantly. Dyno time is booked for July 27th.

I fixed my exhaust, awesome clearance now.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs336.ash1/28937_385717317100_641342100_4455711_771716_n.jpg

I made a new clutch hardline to accomodate a 240sx clutch master cylinder on my car. Probably the best thing I have done since I put in the OS twin. A new 240 CMC is $80 OEM, the skyline one is 160...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00800.jpg

Injectors came.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Draconis9/For%20sale/IMG_7828.jpg

Still needs lots of cleaning...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs307.snc3/28937_385717312100_641342100_4455710_1912_n.jpg

I miss my front lip..
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00639.jpg

More to come...stay tuned for an in-car video.

[ColinR33]

Lookin good! I hear you burble by pretty regular.

[support@feastauto]

Awesome car Zacho. Actually trying to find a Medalist right now for a customer in NZ. Taking a very long time to find one near original with a genuine 5F box in it.

[Zacho]

Lookin good! I hear you burble by pretty regular.

Thanks, I try to keep it quiet in the neighborhood. Its currently my daily so I'm driving it quite a bit now. No troubles so far, fingers crossed.


Feastauto - Thanks, I tried looking for genuine 5F DET one as well so I know your pain. No luck aside from RB20E's!

[wellhung]

i want one... fok now im starting to care how the gtst looks lol

[Zacho]

Update!

So for the past while I have been doing little things here and there. Added an intake tube 4'', made a new coil harness myself, and did some minor work to the fuel system.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00866.jpg

Its headed to the dyno this thursday. I'm hoping for 415-425 on pump(17psi) and 450+ on ms109(20psi, maybe more :D).

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs285.snc4/40580_409862247100_641342100_5119940_6723263_n.jpg
:D:D:D

Realistically I want to tune for the greatest area under the curve on pump. And leave some room in both the afr and timing department for shitty gas. Then race gas I will tune it for a power number, or until I feel uncomfortable with my capabilities as I am tuning it myself.

[Paradis]

cheers to this car. would to love to see a nice laurel in person. i've seen enough banged up ones.

[Zacho]

Sooo dyno results. Tuned it myself

430whp @ 17.8psi

464whp@ 19.7 psi and a 40/60 mix of ms109 and pump. I wanted to crank the boost to 21 psi and run a 70/30 mix but time didn't allow. I'm satisfied. However the shop I dealt with was...half-ass I guess you could say. Great guys but they wasted at least 3/4 hour of my time talking on the phone which I paid for.

Video tonight

[mcfly]

very fun to ride in. got the chance tonight!

[ColinR33]

Nice work!

[Zacho]

Vid!

You can hear the wastegate open about 3 psi too early. It sucks but I think the open loop boost control settings I'm using suck ass. I spent a lot of my time learning ignition/fuel/dwell and other settings but forgot that open loop boost control isn't as easy to get a steady curve. Anyway. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI0bgyzQszo

[HIGHFIV5]

This things a beauty! I seen it parked at DMCC round 3!
Actually have pictures of this car on my Facebook album from
that weekend.
Very well done man looks great, and killer numbers!
Nothing like a clean, 400+whp Laurel :)

[Rapier46]

damn thats awesome.

[mcfly]

I hated this car when i first saw it.

But then i fell in love with it haha.

[Zacho]

Small update:

Car is in pieces once again.

Plans for winter:
+35mm rear over fenders
Solid subframe bushings (collars fucked the oem's super fast)
HKS low mount manifold
Precision 46mm wastegate
New coils, fronts at minimum as they are bent now from a pothole
New tires, bought some star specs but sold them not sure what to get now. decided not to stretch anymore.

I am going lowmount because I have decided if I ever get a proper topmount manifold it will be an equal length split pulse manifold. I won't half ass a manifold ever again. Yeah, I loose some cool factor but reliability is through the roof.

Being in school I am quite time and money limited. But hopefully have something I can take to the track next year and have fun a few times.

Car currently sits with no rear subframe. I'm moving the battery to the trunk now because I got tired of having a small battery that died easy.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs076.ash2/37156_428393187100_641342100_5570504_5673200_n.jpg

[support@feastauto]

Zacho, I have spare coils i dont need. Just measure the center diameter on either end and ill see if they match up. Free of course.

[Zacho]

So quick update:

HKS cast manifold I bought just *barely* doesn't clear. I may make room if I can't find another manifold for a decent price. Or it doesn't sell

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs398.ash2/67624_436681662100_641342100_5723630_1237057_n.jpg

I got these today...needs a few modifications but nothing too bad.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/743914c8.jpg

[mcfly]

why not make clearance for the hks one to fit.

[support@feastauto]

^ Agreed. That casting is so tough compared to so many cheap options out there.

[Zacho]

I've been away for some time now. Time to update.

School has been keeping me very busy. I got extremely sick before my final exams and it has been an adventure.

So I have decided to do all of my own fabrication this year, except aluminum(my alum skills are not so great, and I bought a DC only unit for now). I was going to get a miller diversion machine but what you get for $1800 kind of sucks.

I wired up 240v in my garage last weekend, and my new welding machine arrived this friday. I bought a 120cf argon tank, thor tungstens, some 308L and er70s-2 filler to get me started for now. I bought a DC only machine because the amount of aluminum I will do just doesn't justify the price right now.

Anyway, some recent progress:

finally got around to pressing in the solid subframe bushings. this was a much bigger job than I expected.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs817.snc4/69722_464353832100_641342100_6119913_4098596_n.jpg
new tial MV-R wastegate(has water cooling option-cool!)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1238.snc4/157065_458876657100_641342100_6034094_3728406_n.jp g
oem timing kit from PHR
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs026.snc6/165652_464353847100_641342100_6119914_3207130_n.jp g

Some ideas/plans:

-I was going to make my own manifold for this season but I just don't have the time. I will be taking a cheaper manifold and adapting the MV-R gate. The dump will be exiting somewhere badass.
-I will be fabricating a coolant res that will sit next to the radiator.
-I still plan to add fender flares and get rid of stretch/camber.
-I will be relocating the battery to the trunk this year.
-This summer my car probably won't look as good on the exterior due to being time/money constrained but I really just want to get some seat time on the track and have fun.

I hope I can bring you guys some good pics of some work I have done after next weekend!

[mcfly]

If you are welding stainless use a stainless filler rod and an uncontaminated tungsten :p
So get some ER308L

Those bushings look terrible to install, I'm glad i never made it that far.

[Zacho]

So a bit of an update. I got some time recently to start building stuff. I tucked up my exhaust more, started on the manifold modifications, battery tie down and new wastegate dump.

Did some cutting and re-aligning to tuck the exhaust about an inch higher.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/6f7456a6.jpg

LOOOOOVE having a bandsaw. Cuts exhaust so easily and straight. Fitup is great every time.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/9c902f4b.jpg

Going to run a slight downturn tip this year. might add a small 5-10 degree bit on top of this

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/1341410c.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/68212978.jpg

I hope to add more come the end of the week. I don't have the time to build a proper manifold so I'm going to make the kind of awful one I have now work.

[DJ]

Nice work so far! How hard was it to remove the old subframe bushings?Did you burn them out?

[Zacho]

Nice work so far! How hard was it to remove the old subframe bushings?Did you burn them out?

Yeah burnt them out. I wheeled the subframe on to the road and lit it up with a blowtorch. Had to let some starter fluid soak into the rubber to get a steady burn going. Then to remove the sleeves I just used a hacksaw with a fresh blade. It was actually really easy to remove. Installing was a bitch.

So I did a bit of work today.

I'm making this current manifold work. Forward mounted wastegate. I've got everything cut/drilled/notched for final welding. But I'm really nervous to weld the pie cut gate elbow to the manifold. I've got one shot so no mistakes.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/49d9e154.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/926a4a92.jpg

[Rapier46]

nice fabrication skills

[Zacho]

Operation make shitty manifold less shitty is going pretty good.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/e39188dc.jpg?t=1301260602
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/922f6850.jpg?t=1301260602
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/49207642.jpg?t=1301260602

[Rapier46]

Looks great zach, how do you plan on having the exhaust gases exit the wastegate? Is it gonna be externally vented or back into the exhaust?

[ColinR33]

Looking good!

[Zacho]

Picked these up from a gentleman in Calgary. 255/40/17 Toyo R888. I paid very little for them. They have from what I measured about 65% tread on all tires. I realize this will put me in a higher class at the track but I can't afford expensive new tires right now.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/801b361d.jpg

I also began the battery relocation.

3/8's hardware to be NHRA legal. 1/8 hold down bar.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/0dbbd904.jpg

My trunk had a grommet that was almost made for this!
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/65bda405.jpg

Progress will hold off on the car until about April 24. When my exams are done and I have solid summer work figured out (fingers crossed) I will be doing some near all-nighters to get the car ready.

[Zacho]

Looks great zach, how do you plan on having the exhaust gases exit the wastegate? Is it gonna be externally vented or back into the exhaust?

Probably externally vented due to time constraints and the length it now would have to go. I personally would rather run it back into the exhaust but I can live with it.

[mcfly]

I'm curious, why not just buy an elbow to weld rather then make one?

[Zacho]

Solely because tracking down 1.875'' mandrels is not so easy. They weren't in stock where I ordered everything else. I didn't want to pay $38 elsewhere + shipping.

[Zacho]

So I worked nearly 55 hours straight to "finish" my car. It still needs a bumper, fender flares, exhaust hangars (my neighbors HATE me and my car i am sure) and other nit picky little things. I drove it back home this weekend. It seems to be running OK. New tank of gas made a world of a difference.

I ordered some ZG flares almost a month ago. They have been sitting at customs for 3 1/2 weeks. What a load of bs.

Some pics:

Car is 4x4 due to no fender flares :(

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/08d79a76.jpg

NHRA legal :D

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/58a0f45f.jpg

Instead of getting raped for a car audio fuse/car designated fuse for the relocation I bought an Bussman AMG fuse holder and 125A fuse. This was maybe $28 cost, a much better alternative.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/ee011461.jpg

In its current, dirty, and not 100% finished state

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/ba0e51bd.jpg

[ColinR33]

Looking good Zacho, can't wait to see what it looks like with the flares!

[Zacho]

^ Me too, if they ever get out of customs

I made some proper exhaust brackets today and got the exhaust on. I hit boost for the first time today since almost 8 months ago. I must say this tial gate offers MUCH MUCH better boost control than the smaller tial I had before. The car drives much different and much more responsive with the new wastegate location. However with the solid subframe bushings I can hear my 2-way diff so much more now. It almost sounds like it is broken every time I go around a corner.

This picture it isn't totally done, I made it into an "F" when completed.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/0c4d4516.jpg

[Rapier46]

nice job buddy.

no fender flares please.

[Zacho]

I have mixed feelings too, but realistically I can barely fit the 17x9 +12(2-4mm clearance to the coil) and it pokes a ton with a proper camber setting front and rear.

These cars somewhat inspired me although I won't have a full kit I intend to run my aggressive front lip.

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/speedhunters.com/Images/Mike%20Garrett/1Nissan/driftsedan/drift4.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/11.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/kumakubo-2011-03-28T10-28-51-1.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/noriyarocarmodifywonder-1.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/P11.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/c33maaazn.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/IMG_8925r-1.jpg

[Zacho]

No turning back now. I think they look alright. The rears are very tricky.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/6f4737c6.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/0a66d87c.jpg

[Scott]

Just read the whole thread :)

Always had a soft spot for Laurels. Very few of them over here :(

Love the work your putting in!

[Zacho]

Some more pics and small update. Car has been on the road for 39 days and i've driven it just over 260km :(

But yesterday evening I had a good chance to stretch its legs a bit.

Anyway some pics:

PS rerouting was needed so I made this:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/d5724a66.jpg

Dump tube is all done
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/466b7891.jpg

Engine bay now
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/test2.jpg

Others

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00307.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/thecordillera/DSC00413.jpg

[ColinR33]

Sweetness! Very nice work you have done.