Pretty much

Makes me glad I didn't go down that road with AAM, then. I was attempting to work with them, but I gave up after weeks would go by and no updates, as promised. I went down that road once before with another company where a "3 weeks, no problem, we promise!" turned into week #9's "You have one week to get it back to me or I'll see you in court!" Sad.

I'm sorry about that Lou. Trust me when I say, we are working diligently on your car and engine, and it's coming right along! I have some new progress pics that I shot recently of the car coming together! Check these out:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/...b8a1a7dd_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/...8ea63ec3_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/...5842f58d_b.jpg





In regards to the time frame, I apologize for the slower process, but bear in mind these are custom Twin Turbo Kits that we hand build in house, on the car, and it does take a bit longer than an on the shelf kit that you can just purchase and install. Twin Turbocharging a factory naturally aspirated car is an incredibly intricate process, and we take all the necessary steps to ensure the install is done correctly the first time around.

And Hi-Tec, I'm not sure if we had your car here at some point, or if you were looking for a service estimate, but if there's anything I can do for you or any questions you have regarding this build or any of our others, send me a pm or email me and I'd be more than happy to help you out! :tup:

We're getting very close to completing Lou's vehicle. The motor should be back up into the vehicle in the next few days.

To reiterate what Jon stated above, the time frame for the custom TT builds has been long - much more than normal.

Along with the many many other shop and customer projects we have going on (From GT-Rs to scions and AAM's Own TT 370Z - just wait!) and our normal day to day CNC machining and parts production, we try our best balance into our schedule everything that goes into custom turbo builds like Lou's: The kit fabrication (manifolds, Intercooler, Intercooler Piping, Intake routing, brackets, w/gs etc), the in-house machining of the kit components (coolant plugs, block distribution, turbo install pieces, etc) and the actual installation of the kit itself.

Unfortunately, some custom fabrication/installations get drawn out longer than anyone could have anticipated. We certainly don't want this and we do what we can to hasten the process and accommodate our customers with sacrificing quality. The bottom line is: we strive to deliver a final product which exceeds both our customer's and our own expectations.

Rest assured, Lou's car will be alive soon!

I would like to chime in:
First off,
My post are not meant to be negative in any way. If anything just a little frustration.
I am completely happy I went with AAM, If I had to do this again I wouldn't pick another company. I know that in the end this car will be put together perfect and every part will have been planned out and installed to fit like a glove.

My biggest goal with this project was quality control, and I honestly don't think it gets any better then an in house build.

I understand that it takes time, I have built a custom home, and if anybody in here has too, knows that that the builder never finishes on time, never.

Communication has been great, Rob Son has given me updates just about every week, I am sure he is tired of hearing from me. It's tough being out of town, but this is the only way I know whats going on.

As for Hi-tech, I am not sure what happened, but I am sure AAM will do what it takes to help you out with your project.

Just my :twocents:

One more thing, has the DeFi gauges been installed yet and do you have any pics? I know Modshack would appreciate them too!

I would love to hear this on the streets!
Any video's?!

Go to page 1

Being that the exhaust manifolds are so close to the headers, do you see heat being an issue over time? (affecting boost)

New pictures! Well, not much different than the others, but it is the passenger side turbo oil and coolant lines routed and ready to go! This should be the final prep stage with the engine out of the car, and from here, the engine should be ready to go back into the car, at which point we can put the final touches on the car and get her ready to fire up!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/...3c354705_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/...2d1243c1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/...5057e2f4_b.jpg

Up close and personal:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/...d8d9d67e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/...a8f83b52_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/...e07b18d8_b.jpg

I know you guys build a lot of cars but I hope you still get that feeling like a little kid every time you fire one up like this.

The sad thing is, when you see the cars day in and day out getting worked on, you get sorta dull towards the cars, even the GT-Rs. But when they are finished, and they fire up and run on the dyno, you get that "first time" feeling all over again! :tup:

Ok, these are my last update pics for the day, I swear!

Motor is back in the car, and the Spec Clutch is on! Check it out:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/...3c48586b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/...1a401e2a_b.jpg



Getting pretty close now!! :tup:

Looking good!

:drool: :excited:

Thanks for the updated pics!

Lou, imma have to make the hour drive to one of your meets when you get this!!! ZOMGGGG

:iagree: :excited:

:iagree: I almost sent my car to them last spring to be the very first TT370z on the road! BUT, I encountered an issue with them over an exhaust system that I ultimately had to cancel after waiting 3 months of empty promises and no action. I don't want to get into it completely becasue thier intentions were good but I felt they were spread a little too thin and if I sent them my car then I might just now have it back! Maybe.

I still want FI but I am going a different approach. I truley feel they are the guys to do the job right but not at the expense of having them keep my car for 6 months. Plus they didnt offer me a deal to use my car as their lab rat. They could have at least offered to pay the transportation fees to get my car there and back and I might have done it if they did. It was full price for everything and cost kept getting higher and higher and I punted on the whole thing!

I walked and with no regrets. Sorry AAM but I am taking my money and my 370z elsewhere.

I'd assume that with each Z they complete the process is refined and becomes more efficient cutting down on completion time

:iagree:
even with a Greddy kit you going to be looking at a few weeks for install and thats with all the parts ready to go!

No need for you to to apologize. We simply didn't deliver the exhaust in a timely manner. As you mentioned, we were spread to thin and took on too many fabrication projects on last spring. We just couldn't get it fabricated in time.

Regardless, I am glad to see you are moving on with your 370Z goals. Good luck with your future Z endeavors!

Twin Turbocharging a naturally aspirated vehicle which has not been TT'd before (at least not in mass) always presents unexpected challenges. You can always go hacking into a car to get around issues - cut away the front impact beam for better IC fitment, bend this or bend that for clearance, grind the engine mount etc. But we look at unexpected challenges as an opportunity for us to take a step back and re-focus so that we can ultimately create a TT Kit which seamlessly integrates with the vehicle - both in terms of fitment and performance.

By late spring we aim to be at the point where we will have a true shelf item - we'll be able to install a kit within a few weeks (or less if only the kit is being installed). Everything we make for the 370ZTT that is pure fabwork - Intercooler, Piping, Oil/Coolant Lines, Manifolds etc- is double and triple checked for fitment. And then set aside for reference/jigging. And we have refined most of our jigs and are beginning to build stock of the major components.

Being able to install a TT kit from a box which has been proven to fit and perform versus having to literally design and create every component from scratch (which includes a lot of second and third variations) makes the all difference in time.

And we are greatly appreciative of those, like Fusz Nissan, who are willing to be the first. That's one reason we have a shop 370Z - so that the products which end up on Lou's car fit and perform up to expectation. LOL, and so we can shoot for the limits of the stock block on the AAM 370Z later this winter!

Lou imma drive out to St Louey just to hear this thing in person!

Not easy being the guinea pig, my friend...but well worth the wait, these guys are craftsmen from the look of the build.

:tiphat:

So it's been many months since you punted....what build did you go with and how is it working out? :stirthepot:

The direction I am going isnt available yet but honestly I am not in a hurry as I have spent the summer doing a really nice car audio install. I really wanted to have my Z this summer to drive and play with and I just didnt want to be in the waiting mode all summer.

Another thing I struggled with was the distance between AAM and where live. If any problems arose AAM is a long way away from me and that may be a big problem. I dont want to be in a position where I am dependant on them if something goes wrong.

I really want to install my own FI system so I can fix and troubleshoot it all myself. I am most likely going to go with a Stillen Supercharger after they get it out there for a while. I dont want to be the first and have to fight with any initial release issues.

I have relatively modest power goals for my Z and I feel the supercharger will more than fill my needs. I just know too many people who have gone the TT route and ended up falling into a deep money pit. I am not a racer, just an enthusiast. I may even again change my mind and leave the car as it is.

All I ask is that you wear a rain hat .:icon17:

Any Interior shots yet?

Installing the Defi gauges as we speak; I'll have some shots for you before you know it! :tup:




-jon

Defi , nice - any preffered 12V switched / perm source on the Z, which defis? there is one at 24psi in my sig lol

BF 60mm Whites??

Thanks Jon, you the man!

60 mil REDS, to match the factory ones. :) The Defis will be monitoring boost, exhaust gas temp(EGT), and Oil Temperature. They will be powered from a 12V power source wired directly from the factory fuse box. We didn't want to cut into any factory power sources, so will be setting up our own independent wiring system and feeding it from the factory battery/fuse box.

Example of the Defi Gauges:

http://www.defi-shop.com/product/bf/.../ignon-red.gif


No prob Lou, I try to keep you updated as much as possible. As soon as everything is wired up and ready to go, I'll get you some pictures; maybe even a video of the Defi Gauge start-up procedure, that never gets old! :tup:

:excited:

Where are you mounting the set of gauges?
My own choice of three preffered to monitor btw, EGT is so important and mostly over looked especially from a tuning stand point, any ideas on your tap point for the EGT probe, I take it just one probe but interested to see where on this set up.

Cheers

They will be mounted in the factory 3 gauge cluster on the center dash. Trying to make it look factory with the DeFi gauges

that will look sick - very nice - make sure when you drive it you are not fixated ... ;-)

I think I will be white knuckled and eyes on the road.

yeah - probably correcting the rear wheel slide

Hopefully 305's in the rear will help

Nice - but bet you can 'make' them let go....

Yes, Turbo Boost Pressure, EGT, and Oil Pressure are, in our opinion, three of the most critical engine monitoring devices you can install on a twin turbo charged vehicle. With the EGT setup, I believe we will be tapping the probe directly in the manifold, just after the exhaust runners from the head merge to the collector, and just before the flange for the hot side of the turbo. This should give us a fairly accurate reading of the heat coming from the cylinders.


Oh yeah, keep those eyes on the road btw, lol. Or keep them on your review as you watch the M3 headlights shrink and fade away. :tup:

Same ones I had in my Subaru. Awesome!