Topgunz Rotrex Kit Texas Build.
 

Hi Z guys! It’s been years since I’ve participated in a automotive forum much less had a “build” thread. I think the last one was with my rock crawler buggy on Pirate 4x4.com back in ‘08-‘10.

Anyways, I’ve had several Nissan/Infiniti cars since 2005, started with a 2006 G35 coupe then a 2011 G37 coupe, several sedans and now this ‘14 370Z I picked up in 2019 with 39k on the clock. Since I got it, my wife and I have used it for a 3rd car/weekend cruiser and had no real intentions to build it up at all. But after having the Z one week she declared it was too quiet and didn’t sound like a sports car. Both our Infiniti coupes were bone stock but had that little growl. So this build started from that statement and has continued since Dec ‘19 to now.

Current status:
-2014 370Z 7AT with 45k on the odometer. It’s a sport/touring so it’s got the big brakes and nav/heated seats/etc.
-Greddy Evolution GT dual exhaust with Motordyne ART Pipes.
-Z1 2.5” cold air intakes(will be removed soon)
-Z1 Aluminum Undershroud.
-Z1 25 row oil cooler
-Setrab 19 row trans cooler
-Z1 poly motor mounts-bitch of an install.
-Z1 poly trans mount
-Z1 rear subframe collars
-Eibach lowering springs and SPL camber arms
-20 mm wheel spacers front rear
-Hankook Ventus V12 Evo Tires 275 front/ 305 rear
-Stoptech brake pads and drilled/slotted rotors.
-Ecutek tune by Eugene.
-Fast Intentions Billet Flex plate
-Several cosmetic upgrades carbon door handle covers, black roof wrap, powder coated stock sport Rays, etc. nothing over the top.

Parts on hand to install:
-Stock GTR spark plugs
-CJM fuel return system with billet fuel rails
-CJM top hat on modified stock fuel basket.
-Walbro 485 fuel pump
-ID 1300 injectors
-Omni 4 bar map sensor
-Specialty Z Flex fuel sensor with E85 content digital readout.

On order expected to ship in next few days:
-Topgunz Rotrex supercharger kit.

Over the next month I’ll be putting all these parts on the Z. Planning to get tuned up by Eugene on 93 pump and after that’s running stable start working on E85. I’ll try and update here and my IG (@liquid.magma) with pics of progress.

Thanks for reading.
Frank

Excited to see results!

I just put my deposit down to do basically the same build. Can’t wait to see what yours does too!

Nice! So you’re gonna make a go of it with 7AT and upgraded flex plate - torque goals?

Initially yes. I’m aware I’ll need a transmission upgrade, hopefully I can get a year(3k miles) out of it.

You guys considering the Q50/Q60RS 7AT swap?

Because I ain't never heard no good things about Level Ten......

At the suggestion of Eugene Turkov I picked up a 6 socket fuse/relay block and a power distribution block. I’m using these to power up the Walbro 485 fuel pump and the Specialty Z flex fuel sensor.
I found a good spot to mount these under the rear deck adjacent to the factory Bose amp. Should provide easy access for service and close proximity to fuel pump.
I’ll finish getting these wired up this weekend and ready for fuel pump install.

IPT transmission?

Some of the G37 folks claim the torque converter (and potentially other components) are stronger in the Red Sports.

Shoot JCHammond a message about the trans and options.

The VR30's transmissions have a much larger torque converter and more clutches. To my knowledge, no one's done it on the 370Z, though a couple have on the G37.

It seems to shift a little faster as well, though if a DCT is a 10, a ZF8 is a 9, and the Jatco 7AT is a 6, it'd be more like a 7 on speed and responsiveness.

Best of luck for your continued journey! I'll be following closely.
I am a fellow Texan down in Houston, considering the Rotrex kit on my 6MT 2011.
I love the story on how your journey got kicked off!

Kit should ship out on Monday! Just need a little cool down in the garage to get started on install.

Sweated my *** off in the garage this afternoon. Solid progress. When it comes off jack stands it will be supercharged.
1. Got wiring through firewall for power to distribution block and power for E85 sensor and signal from sensor back to ECU. Mounting the E-85 brain near the battery going to put the E85 content display in glove box I think.
2. Mounted fuel filter and E-85 sensor along frame rail.
3. Stripped motor down and removed stock fuel injectors and rails, installed CJM billet rails and ID 1300 injectors.

After work this week I’ll swap plugs. What’s everyone gapping plugs to on boosted application? I’ll also get wiring for injectors cleaned up.

Kit should be shipping hopefully tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

A lot of progress over long weekend.
-Finished fuel system, set regulator pressure and tested for leaks running pump through Ecutek App. Very handy tool.
- Rerouted cooling lines and mounted new overflow catch can.
- Installed supercharger in car and clearanced core support for intake tube to supercharger. That was a bitch with a fair amount of curse words thrown at it.
- Installed oiling system for supercharger.
- Test fit intercooler. Have to remove again today to add some washers on hardware.
- Remounted transmission cooler since supercharger oil cooler now occupies the trans cooler previous location.
- Changed out hoses on power steering cooler. Have to pick up some longer hoses for the PS cooler since it’s now on drivers side. Trans cooler now in previous ps cooler location on passenger side. Very tight fit behind intercooler.

Main items remaining.
-Install all the piping.
-Install one bracket and idler that should show up this week.
-Install belt.
-Install MAC solenoid and boost reference line to BOV.
-Fill/bleed radiator.
-Fill PS fluid.

Hoping to start up next weekend and get some initial drive time.

Overall Topgunz instructions are pretty through. They could expand a little more on the extent of clearancing needed at core support for intake pipe. That was the most time consuming part for me so far, followed by figuring out my transmission cooler mounting. Overall great instructions though.

Frank

Looking good Frank! Yes, the intake to the SC is a bit of work but its better than the other options. Look at my ACE kit thread and the issues guys are having to deal with in order to run a filter, or worse, not run a filter.

Got some cooler temps in Texas and lower humidity this week so I'm making a final push. Planning on first startup this weekend with Eugene. Last night I worked on getting the cold side piping installed and the MAF sensors. Expecting the final 2 parts from Topgunz to deliver tomorrow and I can install the serpentine belt and Mac Solenoid.

Couple Pics of progress below.

Can't wait to see the final results.

99% ready to run. First start tomorrow afternoon. Got a couple small things still to take care of in morning.

Lookin good! Best of luck today!

Up and running. Eugene got the Z going around 1 yesterday. Made a short run to gas station since I was on E. Today I’m going to upload a tune revision, put front bumper/undertray back on and get some miles/data log. Current tune is for 10psi on 93. Will go to 15psi/E85 in coming weeks.

I see it made 692 at 15 psi

He must be referring to a different car. No Dyno yet or anything. Just barely up and running yesterday.

Saw the video on your IG just now of your car idling. Clean idle, and clean car. Nice work! Stealthy!

That makes sense. Now that you mention it, I think there was a g37 if I remember right that made that power. I've been following your build and I didn't see you post any numbers yet

Next drive Eugene wants 4th gear 3k to 6k WOT. Will see how car likes that then full pull after that.
Noticed oil temps up about 15-20 degrees with supercharger compared to NA. 25 row oil cooler might not be enough now?

Pat, that was birdies car.

Hey Aaron. Was that the G37?

Is your oil cooler sandwiched between the IC and radiator?

That is correct. I’m kind of out of room up there. Doesn’t seem ideal. Oil temps around 200 now instead of 180 on a 90 degree Texas day. Still better than 220 I was seeing prior to oil cooler.

I installed a smaller windshield washer reservoir, moved it over a little bit and installed my oil cooler in front of the passenger wheel. I vented the fender liner. It brought my oil temps way down

Got any pics of that? May be something I look at doing in the future.

I don't but I have a video from the shop that did my build. You can skip to the 11:00 minute mark.

Thanks. No pics of the finished product? I'm guessing some custom bracketry was fabbed up to mount that cooler up in there.

No, I don't have any finished pics but yes, he had to fabricate brackets but that was a simple process

Been running the Z for a little over a week now with the kit, about 200 miles on car since startup. Last night I uploaded Eugene's Flex Fuel tune and headed over to Kroger for some E-85. Seems odd that the grocery store gas station is known around here for the best E-85. When I hit the pump I was one dot on the gauge below 1/4 tank with 93. I added 10 gallons of E-85 to see how things went. Right at startup the content registered at E-67 per the photo and about 5-10 minutes later it settled out at E-58. Drove home the 8 miles uneventful with no crazy pulls or anything. Right off I can tell the exhaust will not be near as offensive of a smell as with 93 so that's a win! Looking forward to getting the content closer to E-85 as I burn off this mixture and upping the boost to my goal of 15 psi.

Other upcoming slight changes include adding a catch can setup and PCV delete so we can change the tune up from Speed Density to Mass Air Flow. Should have the parts to make that change in next couple days. Also I'm going to experiment with routing the BOV discharge out of the radiator area and under the car. Hopefully that will help with the temps that have creeped up.

Trying to get on a dyno later in October after I'm satisfied that everything is stable and running good.

Great to see your progress here! Once I'm able to pick up this kit, hopefully I can start getting to some meets in the DFW area and see you out there!

For sure! Hardly any Z cars at meets I go to. This kit is impressive. I’m running 15psi map currently and car performs great.
Hit me up if you have any questions.

I know what you mean about no Z cars at meets. No Z cars at this show. Almost all supercars. This is when my car was still supercharged. My car got more attention than the supercars :rofl2:

Yes! And when the Z cars show up they are 200k mile **** boxes with no mufflers and salvage titles.