GTM/Gamma Stage 2 NISMO Build Thread
 

I'm going forced induction! I've got a 2012 Nismo PW with about 48k miles on it right now. Its my second Z that I've bought off the forums. This particular one was previously had a Stillen Supercharger, so I have some mods on it already.

I've been debating going turbo for awhile. I've previously had a turbocharged car, Eclipse GSX. I don't remember the numbers exactly but I believe around 350awhp boosting around 10-12psi I think. I've also considered few different vehicles.

1. Lexus RCF - Too heavy even with the 500hp V8 powerplant
2. Nissan GTR - Z looks better imo, interior is blah for 100k car
3. Porsche Cayman GT4 - Finding this car is a challenge then at MSRP is another
4. BMW i8 - More interested in the second generation based on rumors and roadster edition

Anyways, I realized boosting my Z will be the best bang for my buck and I will happy with the power (At least for the next year or two. :rofl2: )

What I have

• GTM Stage 2 Twin Turbo Kit
• Z1 34 Row Oil Cooler with thermostatic sandwich plate
• DW 600cc Injectors (Planning on upgrading this later)
• Stage 2 Clutch (Previous owner said he left the performance clutch in from supercharger install)
• Uprev License and Cable

What I Need

• Exhaust Manifolds (This kit came with a cracked manifold)
• Boost Controller (Picking up a cheap manual until I figure what I wanna do)
• Boost Gauge

Round 2 of mods

• Fuel return system
• Bigger injectors
• Electronic Boost controller (I love the Greddy OLED Profec, but not sure where I'll put it in the Z that's clean)
• GTR Intake Manifold (I think there's two vendors that have this. Gamma and someone else. Not sure which one yet)

I'm planning the install for mid June/early July. I still have a few pieces to come in and who knows how long that will take. I'd like to shoot for 500rwhp, but I may need to wait till the second round of mods to get there. Excited about joining forced induction crew.

:happydance: :tiphat:

Images

Just some pictures of my Z

http://i68.tinypic.com/i77nyr.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/2a7bpsk.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/ir7r0j.jpg

8/11/16 "Prep Day"

http://i.imgur.com/RA2gUX7.jpg?1

Took off

• Hood
• Front Bumper

8/12/16 "Day One"

http://i.imgur.com/Yri7riR.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/rJQ9WmT.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/9U46pIm.jpg?1

Me and buddy attacked

• Headlights
• Fenders
• Sideskirts
• Exhaust

We also started removing plugs, clips, and hoses in the engine bay.

I also picked up a Fly1 CF top Amuse wing in New Jersey. Took 5 hours down there with traffic and about 4 back.

http://i.imgur.com/Iev8u0A.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/zWgYEqk.jpg?1


8/13/16 "Day Two"

http://i.imgur.com/VWriCqh.jpg?1

Got a lot done today. We removed the crash bar, driveshaft, steering rack, rotors, calipers, and got the suspension disconnected. We think everything has been disconnected from the engine. I'm intending to drop the subframe and engine on Tuesday. The lift table I ordered a week ago is still in transit. :crying:

Day Three and Four 8/13/16 & 8/14/16

Sort of a wash, we got to a point where we could start drop sub frame. My hydraulic lift table wasn't in yet so I had to hold off.

Mocked up the intercooler piping. Finally starting to make sense.

http://i.imgur.com/RqOiklC.jpg?1

Tried working on this fuel pump switch. Not sure how the hell the filter will fit back in the canister. Going call CJ later and figure it out.

Day Five 8/15/16

Probably went to 4 or 5 automotive stores looking for VHT Red Wrinkle Paint, and various NPT fittings for my oil distribution block. Finally found both. Started sanding and priming the visible intake tubes (right by throttle body)

You need a lot of paint for this to wrinkle.

Day Six "The Drop" 8/16/16

What a shitshow. I got my hydraulic lift table. The bolts that attach the handle to the table sheared right off and it wouldn't pump up. Tried bleeding and adding my fluid as per manual. Still couldn't get it up. Decided to call Harbor Freight to see if they had any in stock. (I should have bought it locally in the first place) Got the 1000 lbs model, but no one around me readily has a truck, so I rented one from Home Depot. Got the table, brought it home, put it together, then returned the truck.

So we go to double check all engine block one more time, and we realize there a **** ton of plugs that needed to be disconnected from the main harness. I don't know how we missed that. We finally get through that I start dropping the subframe and noticed the some wiring off the front got caught. I think its TPS wire but not sure but luckily we caught it before it was strained too much.

We dropped the subframe! Unfortuantely the AC lines were still attached. We unbolted one earlier and rebolted it on for some reason. Can't remember. So those got pinched and kinked. But otherwise its out!

http://i.imgur.com/CwDcxfx.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/8lfhlxD.jpg?1


Day Seven 8/17/16

Start unbolting cats, heat shield and exhaust manifolds. I go to bolt passenger side exhaust manifold from GTM/Gamma and it doesn't have the correct hole drilled! I guess version one required to drill and tap engine block and manifold. I said screw that, emailed Amin at Gamma and ordered a new V3 passenger side manifold.

Reserved

Porsche Killer Build
 

Is there a reason why u chose the gtm stg 2 tt kit vs aam or fast intentions?


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You also need lot of go fast suspension bits like coil overs and anti roll bars if you don't have it already. Also better brakes, excellent sticky tyres.

tyres

Would definitely do some suspension parts (sway bars etc)

Also for round two you have bigger injectors, do you not have the injectors that came with the GTM kit?

Seems like a lot of reports of the old GTM manifolds cracking.
You could probably move to the new GTM/Gamma manifolds / o2 housings. They flow significantly better (according to GTM) and are easier to install (compared to what I saw in the install manual for the older style kits).

One thing to note though... the flange positions from the o2 housings seem a little off to me. I can't confirm this because I also installed cheap ebay test pipes at the same time and my exhaust didn't fit quite right. I don't know for sure if it is the gamma o2 housings or the test pipes (or both) that are causing the issue for me... but I do know that GrooveStyle has Z1 test pipes (and the same Gamma V3 kit) and his exhaust also didn't fit quite right.

edit: I have some old GTM test pipes waiting to go in to see if the fit improves. If not, I will just have a custom exhaust shop cut/modify them to fit properly. Should be a relatively inexpensive job.

Not trying to troll you but... why call it a Porsche killer build? Sounds like you are trying to build a dragster to race a car that is in a completely different class. Porsches are known for handling, not speed. Hell, even as a 911 owner, I see those videos of the 1200hp 911 Turbo builds and can't figure out how they are still so damn slow! lol. Go find a Hellcat to beat up on. :tup:

Anyhow, good luck with your build and stay safe. :driving:

Chiming in with my 2 cents...I always wanted a P car GT3, but entry cost alone is quite prohibitive. So, I always dream of my car out sharp, our corner, out brake , out last a stock 996 GT3. Close enough HP, a fair target to reach with some bolt-on's. But I know, at the end of the day, engine won't sound the same, feel won't be the same, forward visibility won't be the same, etc.

So in some ways, I kinda know where squid is coming from, but I also understand what tigger is saying. it will always be Apple vs Orange, won't ever be the same.

Best of luck with the build :driving::driving:

Both great points! I hear that the Z is a poor man's Porsche, alot. I was just poking back. Nothing too serious, :tup:

YUP! :icon18::tup:

It is ridiculous how many people spend 10K on a build and are unable to put it to the ground because they cheaped out on tires. Theres a reason why the best tires cost upwards of $500 each.

Its like a girl getting a boob job then wearing sweaters to the bar. If you spend the $10K then put it to good use.

^ agree

But hey proper fitting sweaters aren't bad...I know I know, I know what you mean

Listen you can get replacement manifolds like I did but it was not easy. Understanding your already vested in gtm you may just want to scrap the kit (meaning sell it for what you can) and going FI. I wish I would have gone that route and I have done this 3 times now on my z.. pm me and I will give you a number for a possible replacement..

This manifold issue could be solved with some 20$ flex pipes.

How? I'm genuinely curious. GTM manifolds are a log style and they usually crack between cylinders. Where does the flex section go?

This

Don't think flex pipes would help anything.

Unless the NISMO Suspension is shot, this is not actually necessary. Additionally, the Sport brakes are just fine with better quality pads and fluids.

Now if he is planning to be a track junkie, he is going to have to spend some money in a lot of areas to address the strains of track performance, but that is a whole different animal in terms of engineering the build.

THIS!

they crack from the engine moving back and forth, when they're extremely hot, there only weaker.

my friend has a stage 2, gtm, his manifolds cracked 3 years ago.

We placed a flex pipe about 3" before the test pipe flange that bolts up to the manifold.

He was actually in 3 days ago, we changed his oil and etc...

His manifolds are still going strong 50,000 kms later.

Ive seen them crack in a few different places, but I truly believe that there isn't enough flex in there, Everytime you give your car throttle, the engine moves back and forth, the manifold is the weakest point, And when there red hot, there super weak.

So the flex goes between the turbo and test pipe?

test pipe, flex pipe, test pipe flange, turbo, manifold

So you cut into the downpipe and add the flex post-turbo. Ok, that makes more sense. After your initial post, I was racking my brain trying to figure out where you put the flex between the manifold and turbo.

That sounds interesting. I am curious as to why other manufacturer's do not have similar issues with regard to cracking. The GTM manifolds are cast iron or something else?

They're cast iron. It's probably just a shitty casting process. OEMs have used cast manifolds for decades without major issues. Also, there's no support for the turbos on the GTM kit. The manifold holds all the weight.

Exactly, by adding that flex pipe you reduce a lot of stress on that manifold.

the flex pipe takes all that stress.

Seemed to work for my friend.

I forgot to mention this, we made 2 brackets out of flat bar steel for the turbos, these brackets where bolted to the block.

Now the block, manifold and turbo all move as one when the engine sways.

The flex pipe takes the stress now.

I can get you some pics if you want Charles.

That would be great. I'll bet the turbo supports made a big difference.

Their metallurgy is most likely different and the design/ production method is different too.

Roger that. The 20Gs are supported by the Greddy manifolds as well. We worked a couple brackets to support some of the weight as well, but I never had an issue with cracking and I put roughly 40k miles on that setup (when it was in my 09 NISMO).

MaxJax lift comes in Tuesday. First step to this install will be installing a lift. Then turbo install starting in August.

Oh and I ended up purchasing V3 exhaust manifold.

Lift has arrived!

http://i.imgur.com/K0fDUJY.jpg?1

That's awesome. Now get to work, sparky.

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Let me know how you like the lift,ive been looking at these for some time now

Done

http://i.imgur.com/fUJXTLs.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/iSvam9N.jpg?1

Install guide could have been better. Had to search when I got stumped a few times. But the product itself is awesome. Perfect for my low ceiling garage. (7.5 feet) Would recommend.

Getting closer to install time!

Few updates.

Sent out an email to Gamma Motors regarding getting a canned tune, so I could at least drive the car to Kaizen Tuning. Amin said they don't usually give canned tune to people who buy the kit used, but would make an exception. Which would have been really cool of him if he followed through. Hasn't replied to my emails in 3 weeks. I haven't tried calling since he was extremely responsive via email when I was inquiring about purchasing turbo manifold (which I ended up buying and he shipped promptly). Maybe something came up, who knows.

Emailed Kaizen Tuning on Friday to get information on pricing for dyno tune, how far advance to schedule, base tune. No reply, so I called them up. (What's with people not answering emails these days?) Anyways dyno tune will be $550, plus hour of labor to check my car out since I'll be doing the install myself. Not bad. Base remote tuning or they can come pick up my car with a truck or trailer.

Lastly, I received my Aeromotive 340 lph fuel pump, wiring kit, and adapter for 370z or whatever it is.

It goes up and down with Gamma as far as responsiveness... At times I have gotten email replies promptly, and others I will email for many days without response.. Calling them gets much more consistent results. I will say this about Amin, he has fulfilled every promise he's made to me.

I am drooling over your mini-lift. I did my install at my sister's... my brother-in-law has a full sized lift and I could stand under the car with plenty of headroom to work on the car. Right now I am fixing little things and installing a few things and have been working on jack stands again... It's really hard to go back after having a lift.

Hey! I know you said I should have called him but I figure something is going on. My backup plan was Kaizen providing something so it looks like I'm in luck.

I debated for weeks on whether I should get the lift or just do the install on jacks. I decided with the lift since its definitely something I will keep using for my cars and my friends. So far really happy with it.

Any advice/guides/pic heavy threads on dropping the subframe?

Update 2nd post with progress! Things are moving real smoothly!

Brings back memories man! Let me know if you need anything

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