JTran Motorsports basic shortblock details
 

Hearing all the chatter about built short blocks for the VQ37VHR, I wanted to start a thread concerning the JTran Motorsports complete basic short block.

Background: I am not an employee of JTran Motorsports, I am a close friend who has been around the company since the beginning. JTran does a majority of their business through customer references and word of mouth. They strive for customer service and treat every customer equally and as if they were part of our large family in the Houston area. JTran has built many motors for the VQ platform (including 3 VQ37VHR’s) from Texas to Canada, always satisfying the customer’s needs. JTran is not here to compete with other companies, but to actually work with them towards a common goal, satisfying the customers’ needs and desires for their particular car.

JTran Motorsports is a complete performance shop with an AWD Mustang Dyno and all the tools necessary to complete a project/race car. They specialize in the VQ platform, but work on everything from Audi to Jeeps.

Engine Builder: Ron Bergenholtz is a legend in the import world and has moved his family from California to Houston to settle down and get back to what he enjoys most, building motors. Seeing Ron work on a motor is truly amazing. His attention to detail and experience is second to none. I have personally labeled him the “Mad Scientist”. Ron goes over every single part of the motor measuring, calculating and measuring again.

Interviews and history:
• Autolifers interview 10-02-2013: INTERVIEW | John Tran & Ron Bergenholtz | AUTOlifers
• FabricationLife interview 02-10-2014: Fabricators Series: Ron Bergenholtz.. What is Fabrication? | FabricationLife
Ron’s Formula Drift & Drag racing experience:
• A Call From Ron Bergenholtz of Bergenholtz Racing
• Ron Bergenholtz Interview - Honda Tuning Magazine

Induction to the NHRA museum: Ron Bergenholtz – MotorMavens | Car Culture and Photography

As we all know there is many options when building a motor bearing sizes, compression, coatings, rods, etc… I am going to list the basic short block package JTran is offering, everything is flexible and will be built around the customers’ needs and power levels.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...pse96e992d.jpg

I will do my best to answer any questions on here, but please remember I am an Oil & Gas Landman and not an employee of JTran Motorsports. To get quicker service please contact them directly.

You can also follow the link in my signature to my completed VQ37VHR motor build and if you’re on FB you can like JTran Motorsports to keep up with their builds and news around the shop.

Very nice.

:iagree: and local :tup:

Too bad I don't have that kind of cash to throw at the Z. This would give me a good excuse to go FI :icon17:

Dude its a complete motor build. Gives you an excuse to FI, run ridiculous boost level, blow the motor and then swap this in.:rofl2:

Subd :tup:

Yeah, I know. I was hoping to get some reaction for suggesting that I might run a built motor N/A. But blowing the current motor with ridiculous boost could be kinda fun, too :icon17:

Very nice write up. I got all my stuff put on by Ron at JTran and he did an awesome job. I recommend anybody in the Houston area who is looking to put parts on their car, to go to JTran.

Thanks for the feed back, glad to hear another good review from a satisfied customer!

fo sho.....

Oh boy!!!!!

LMK when you want a quote for your motor!

I will definitely give you a call. A motor built by the Mad Scientist would be very sweet.

I'm thinking long block... unless you can give me some pointers for moving my stuff over to the short block.

Gimme a call when u have time and Ill go over everything with you! Pm me for number or check my FB info.

sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note

Just asking to clarify, is this a dropped in built motor excluding core exchange, or the total cost of rebuilding the existing block? JTran is the most convenient trip for my car, and I thought Baker was going to have them tune it by the time it was picked up a few years ago. :-/

No, this is just for assembly of the short block shipped to you. You would have to find a shop to install the heads and everything else into the car. If you shipped us your bare block it would be cheaper. This quote includes a brand new Nissan block.

Why the thicker head gasket recommendation? This will lower compression. Is this a FI build only? Or can the arias pistons be higher than OEM compression?

Arias pistons are custom made for whatever application you want. Thicker headgaskets for security and yes this will be a custom 70mm single turbo build. Those details will come later, hopefully in the next week or two. Basically shooting for 700 whp on high boost with lower boost levels for daily driving around the streets.

You can also go with the stock headgasketts, they have proven to hold the power as well. It's a shame HKS doesn't make the metal stoppers for our application. I had them on my built 350 and they're the best hands down!

:rock:

yeah if i build it will be NA and higher compression for more power. so stock or even thinner gaskets :). on my kawi 600 SS, kawi made i believe 4 thinner gaskets than the OEM one. i think i went second from the lowest and got a nice boost in mid range power.

Most people w/ VQ's build for boost, but doing a N/A build isn't out of the question. Just a matter of what you want! I don't know of anyone making a gasket set for N/A so your best bet would be to stick with the stock gasket set.

Ron checking clearance and look how SMOOTH she is! We don't Bullsh*t round here!

VIDEO:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...psaff574fc.jpg

You could also say we work on many VQ motors. One gets done and we start another. We don't try to build 9 at one time. Done right the first time. Our prices might not be the cheapest, but you have an expert building your motor correctly the first time!

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps52014927.jpg

Johnny is getting mine if I ever do a built

So what kind of cost are we looking at if we bring you a block rather than use a new one?

If we have your block w/ your crank you will get $500 credit. This will include dis-assembly of your block and inspection to make sure it's re-usable.

Wow. What does a new block from Nissan cost?

I'm not sure what the retail is for a customer, but I know it's over $1000.00. You have to remember it takes time to dis-assemble a short block, so I imagine if we get a bare block a larger credit can be offered, but that's to be determined.

When you get to that point Chuck just come by the shop. We aren't that far from you.

Yeah, that's still cheap. I was expecting them to cost more. For that cost I would rather have the fresh one.

JTran figured out how to work the antilag on UpRev, can't wait to do this in my ride!

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps4382d9a5.jpg

For those interested in a complete longblock build I have attached an estimate.

You will need to send your entire motor to us. If you supply a legit block you will have a $500 credit. Shipping will vary on your location.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps51533613.jpg

Sorry about the quality, $8,900 without your block, $8,400 with your block.

Motor will be ready to drop back in your car!

O&G - Just to clarify the cost is $8,900 for the entire longblock (i.e. new heads, etc) or it's $8,900 to assemble long block with your existing heads and stuff with just the short block being new? Reason I ask is because $500 credit for us supplying a complete longblock seams a little odd since that's the same credit for supplying block for short block build.

Agreed

No, your heads will be sent to the machine shop and pressure tested and decked if required. The credit is only for the block. Your heads will be reused, unless you want to be super badass and upgrade exhaust cams, oversized valves, etc..., which in that case you could still use your original heads.

Ok. Cool, I'll get some more details when I stop by on Saturday

See you then buddy!

Does anyone have a built head?

Not that I know of, but I'm sure there is somebody out there.

Im hoping im not crazy but i think the tax is wrong on the form. i get $732.85 for tax.....

I'll ask about the tax, this was for a customer out of state.