New build: GTM TT Stg II • '08 Infiniti G37 5-spd auto • The Shop CT
 

Hi guys,

Back in August I decided to switch cars. Going from a Subaru STI to the Infiniti G37 Sport with an auto trans.

Some history: I am 57 and have had a bit of drag experience with high-performance vehicles. In 1972 my '68 Camaro went 11's, by 1990 I had over 70 7-second passes on a multiple-record-holding dragbike, and last April we ran 10.8 on my daily driver STI, full weight, pump gas, street tires.

Like you, I like having some 'authority' in my vehicles. :tiphat:

I was drawn to the Infiniti because of the looks, powerplant, auto trans capability, and primarily.... because it has a back seat. Had a 370Z had one, that would have been my choice. (I have to justify my second car with practicality to my wife and eight-yr.-old.)

Anyway after doing the research, I've found my way here and have been lurking since I placed an order for GTM's Stage-I TT kit, a trans kit and cooler, and his 2.5" cat-back exhaust. It was ordered early in the Fall, and Sam has now sent me the tracking number. It's coming soon.

I wanted some custom items: Recirculated Synchronic BOV's (I had enormous success with this on my STI), and as quiet a performance exhaust as could be made. Also a trans mod that can handle this power. My goals are mid 400's whp and stealthy quiet. (This is not a drag vehicle, and the auto will limit it. But, it may see the track sometime.) As you know, Sam is very attentive and meticulous, and was able to fulfill my wishes. He will comment and offer insights I can't.

We will be doing the build up here in the Northeast at The Shop, in Norwalk Ct. The owner and his staff of tuners and techs have worked on every imaginable hi-perf project and he's looking forward to producing this project, with the advice and help from GTM.

I promise this thread to chronicle the build and to learn and share.

Here is a set of shots of my vehicle. I work as a photographer also, so these were fun to produce.

http://www.fototime.com/3092EDFB238D9BD/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/5028E7A51768E03/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/8941C4669CF852E/orig.jpg
(Canon S90 with a bunch of Photoshop work.)

Thanks for viewing. I'll update as we go.

Jim Cooper

Awesome man, grats. I'll be following your build.

Looking forward to another forced induction auto build. Thanks man...:tiphat:

Man has Sam sold a million dollars worth of VQ37 TT kits yet? If not he sure is getting close!
Welcome to the GTM TT club!:tiphat:

The shop does some great work, interested to see how she goes and your impressions against the scoob

Glad to see your G on here Coop.
Now show us the knives :yum:

I'll follow this also. I orderd the stage 2 last night. It's going to take a while to reach me :shakes head: I'm stationed in Guam for 1, 2 USPS wont do no more then 70LBS per package, 3 its going to take time for Sam and the crew to seperate everything and package it so it can be shipped.

I really need to get a hold of a 1.5diff and race compound tires to really make it shine at the track...we'll see. I leave Guam in about 5 months so I may have to wait.

Looking forward to the build and good luck!!:tup:

Already, even in STOCK form I'm in love with the G. It's me. Lovin' the auto, too. :D

Ahhh. You've been paying attention. :) Guys like kewl metal objects. So do I.

Thanks, guys. We're excited too.

Coop

One step closer. All the GTM parts arrived. Kit and full exhaust! :tup:

http://www.fototime.com/CB61D2C0B230E67/orig.jpg

The Shop was buzzing this afternoon: One of the guys ran a grill with kebob's and pork chops and sausages, all while they were blasting dyno runs on Evo's and readying two GTR's for upgrades. Never a dull moment.

We will look over the manuals and Jimmy will assign one of his better techs to the task. Soon.

Coop

Very nice build, when your ready for some wheels let me know. We gotta put something wider on their then the stocks to handle what your about to get lol

Man thats awsome. I remeber the day I had all my stuff laid out in the garage and laying on my back and installing that stuff. Boy never again lol, never again lol. Was fun though and I learned so much between calling sam for help and how the whole kit works. I think if i was to do it again I could do it alot faster with zero hic ups. I am not sure if your doing this your self but if you are let me know I can show you how to make a socket to get to the 14n fittings that you have to install after the turbo is mounted. Looking greatmy friend and can't wait to hear of your progress. Let me know if you need anything I have all the taps and stuff and a 90 deg drill so you wouldn't have to buy one. Thats if you are installing your self.
Frank

Edit: Just looked at the post again and realized I am a idiot since you mentioned this was not a DIY

:excited:

can't wait till I get my stuff!!

Keep us posted on the build, lots of pics! :)

Bastards..... ;-) sob sob

Hi guys,

Frankly I would LOVE to be able to do it myself. I worked as a tech in the MC industry for 15 years, and have handled every manner of rebuild in this arena. I have a Snap-on box filled with tools...

But, my two current jobs are like two full time jobs, and they both need my time. I simply don't have a garage big enough, either. It's sub freezing around here now.

So, I trust the good guys and techs at The Shop. Lifts, tools, welders, dyno, parts, you-name-it.

Thanks for the tool offer. Nice gesture. I think we're good.

I've got to hold on the wheel offer for a while. Lol! The bankroll is slender now.... :)

Coop

Coop no rush, but Ill take care of you when ready. This car is gonna be nuts, dont make me hunt you down for updates lol.

We've been discussing the project, and after exploring solutions to the tuning, JimmyK has agreed that the smartest thing is for us is to work with Sam and GTM for the tune. He's done it a gazillion times, it's correct and I don't have the need to keep fussing with it (This would have been the benefitr of the Haltech).

Get it right once, and then just drive it like I stole it.... ;)

I've printed the lengthy and comprehensive manuals from GTM, and the tech (Hector) is as excited as I am to get going. He's good, and meticulous.

So far, so good.

Coop

Progress report
 

Hector has been working carefully on the TT install, and is making good progress. He is a careful tech and on something new, he will ponder rather than rush. I agree.

He's got the entire exhaust off, the new manifolds on, and the turbos fitted.

http://www.fototime.com/6A383C4F41F822E/orig.jpg

Here he's drilled and has fitted the crucial oil return line fittings:

http://www.fototime.com/FBA9BB29EB6EF28/orig.jpg

He's done even more stuff, but I was too busy myself over in the trans dept. to pay closer attention.

This week is a vacation week for me from my OTHER two jobs (Coach/maintenance in a rowing club, and a photographer) so I had time to ponder myself. Jimmy is ALWAYS busy as the shop owner, and lets me do whatever I need if I am capable.

In this regard, I decided to tackle the Trans-Go 5-speed shift kit on my own. I was a career mechanic for fifteen years as a M/C tech, so this actually looked like fun. :) I brought a table, my tools, some cardboard, and a LOT of patience.

Here's the trans on the stand.
http://www.fototime.com/86A590F522B998E/orig.jpg

Pan off, valve body exposed.
http://www.fototime.com/2900236516F04FF/orig.jpg

The provided instructions were VERY supportive and clear. But, you had to really pay attention to the order of the steps and NOT mix up all the bolts. An old trick I used to use was a simple piece of cardboard with the holes template punched in it with a screwdriver.

This keeps things in order and verifies the reassembly.
http://www.fototime.com/6EBCF5566FD3A01/orig.jpg

Here's the unit on the bench. There are a ton of little filters and balls and springs which can get away, if you move too fast.
http://www.fototime.com/6972D13EDAAA48B/orig.jpg

Once down, I replaced (3) plungers, and added (9) extra springs. Then they give you a selection of incremental drills with a diagram of which holes to enlarge on the valve body separator plate. Don't bungle this!
http://www.fototime.com/3034B99ED4650F2/orig.jpg

Here is what was left after the NEW parts were installed:
http://www.fototime.com/07A24A6EB999A35/orig.jpg

Reassembly was in reverse order, but paying even closer attention and careful placements.

Start-finish it took me about 5 hours. I am sure I took at least two+ hours longer than a confident trans tech would have. I had no glitches in the process, and made sure everything was spotless and washed out. I'm proud of my work and can say with confidence it's done as they ask.

I saved them a bunch of time, and ME a bunch of money. Of course I am now liable. He he he!

Anyway, I promised a build thread and you're getting it.

Coop

You didn't pull the engine?

No. With lifts, you can work around this.

Coop

<-----anxiously asks for, Updates?!?!??!?

We've been busy since the last post, but had a long holiday weekend. These things take time, even with no snags. Hector has barely had any other project on his lift and he's about 80% done.

We ordered a set of colder plugs from Sam today and had him ship them next day. They are special plugs, as you know. It's possible that fire up will come tomorrow, but probably wed. He's got to put them in before final upper pipes.

We need to get some hose for the BOV recirc. tubes. (My request. Hushhhh quiet.)

I drove to the local Nissan dealership and picked up 14 qts. of 'Matic-S'. Sam recommended nothing but.

Jimmy asked me if I was excited and jumpy, as I'm stopping by often. :happydance:

Actually, no. I'm more concerned with correct assembly than going for the initial rides. I'll have years to savor that. I am doing what I can (as errand boy and P/T tech) to help this forward.

News as we do. :tiphat:

Coop

Still in-progress.

Plugs arrived from CA to CT by 10am. Auto trans is back in, and I provided some flex hose for the BOV recirc tubes.

Here's some shots:

Both oil and trans coolers installed behind the Intercooler. Nice and tidy.
http://www.fototime.com/333BD38E28E1429/orig.jpg

Here is a shot of the spacers provided for extra clearance for.... something. :confused:
http://www.fototime.com/F5FDE8F7F332D05/orig.jpg

Here's the oil junction block and relocated oil filter.
http://www.fototime.com/27E99895AD06269/orig.jpg

I ordered a set of the CAT 'test pipes'. Sam thought I already had them, and I thought they were in the package. A slight delay, but they will be here on friday. Thankfully GTM has them in stock! :)

Onward.

Coop

Looking good...

The spacers you have pictured work hand in hand with the spacers that space the whole steering rack down slight to achieve a better angle on the steering column for clearance on the drivers side turbine housing.

As far as the oil cooler placement, i'll have ask why you didn't mount them like GTM does or at least change out that bottom fitting with either a 45° or 90°? Just looks like that hose has a lot of stress right at the bottom port of the cooler because of angle of the fitting vs angle of the hose.

The other concern i have is the hoses running under that part of the sway bar. That sway bar is going to move down as you put weight on the suspension, and move even more as the suspension compresses over bumps and such.

Hector did not have any photos in the manual for the oil cooler placements. He asked Sam to send him some, but none arrived by the time he needed to get it done. (Next day).

Where are they?

Coop

I just tried to find some pics, but couldn't find anything for you regarding the oil lines running around the sway bar, but i'll try to describe the original idea of how they would run. The 90° fittings should face outward in the same direction as the oil filter. The sandwich adapter would rotated to put these fittings to the back of the engine against the cross member (they should have good clearance still however). This does two things: it allows you to secure the oil lines to the cross member and keep them above the sway bar, and allows easier oil changes than having those lines in the way. The lines can then route between the frame rails (with your intake) or below the bottom frame rail and secure to the bottom of it.

The cooler itself originally was suppose to sit similar to

http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/l...0HAMMOND/6.jpg

You obviously don't have the same cooler, nor the Nismo brace but you get the idea. Cooler mounting really isn't critical, it just looked like the mounting position put a bit of strain on that bottom fitting. The biggest concern i had when i saw that part of the install was the movement of the sway bar in regards to the oil lines.

Hopefully that helps a bit.

+1 FTS, thank you for putting that out there. I didnt notice the lines going under the sway bars until you said something and then made me worried also...nice save, keep on the build sharpbycoop!! :tup:

^^^ Thanks for this. I will print out the post and bring it to him for review. We may find a compromise, but I am appreciative of the concern.

I can't be there all the time, and allow freedom of build to the tech. When I was a tech, I always found different ways of tackling the same job. As long as it doesn't eat into oil lines.... :eek: :icon14:

I left them alone yesterday. I'll drop in today to see whasssup.

Coop

I'm just glad you didn't take it the wrong way and hopefully Hector won't either. Not trying to set on any ones toes so to speak.

Back up from the vacation and pause...

The car is all together, ready for tuning. (GTM tune installation)

John Visconti, the tuner, could not get the ECU to be recognized by the laptop and UPREV software. It would read the BCM, so the cable is working, but the ECU will only show on the screen AFTER the ignition is turned off. (John said the ECU is the last one to power down?)

John was on the phone with Sam @ GTM for a long time. They even had a screen sharing program so Sam could see the complications. (Sam, please fill in what I am misinforming?)

Jimmy thinks it may be an immobilized lockout, and he's asked me if I had any concerns when working the connectors in the trans. No, I didn't, but I am open for any possibility.

So, to any tuners out there: has this ever occurred on your builds?

Jimmy may take it to the dealer, to plug in their computer.

We are all stumped, and paralyzed right now. That's the scoop.

Jim

I have Sam's "canned-tune" and it works perfectly fine for me......right now.....

^^^ ?? I'm certain I'll be pleased with his tune. It's getting it into the ECU that's stumping us.

Coop

Is the cable software up to date? We've had a couple of these random issues before due to older software versions.

BTW, did you flash the ECU before installation of the kit with the Uprev version of the stock map?

John had sent the cable and ECU to UPREV a few weeks ago, as he tried to do this, but could not get it to link even then.

UPREV claims it's all good and sent it back. I am certain he has the latest versions.

Sam knows more. He can help if he sees this.

Coop

UncleMeaty on this forum had issues with ihs uprev as well. His was because it was updated to the new version. He might be able to help you out with more details if you pm him.

He also has a thread about it in the tuning forum.

What ever your experiencing is very unusual, I left uprev couple messages yesterday to establish couple points with them to see what prompt them to ask for the ecu. usually the ecu never has to leave the car for any of this, also sense the dealer was unable to communicate with the ecu this will leaves with two possibilities, it is either the ecu is toast or there is something is not connected in the car.

I would recommend going over the car very very thoroughly and if the comeback empty handed i would resend the ecu back to uprev so the can flash back to stock . and see id the car will run after that .

Sorry about your trouble .

Sam

Thanks. As I write I only knew Jimmy was sending the car to the local dealer to pursue a possible immobilizer lockout. I've stood clear at this point. Everyone is confused and frustrated. Everyone.

Car drove in. ECU bad? Doubtful, but....

We'll see. Thanks for following through.

Coop

what is he using to flash the car, a laptop? also what operating system is it using if so

Has ur guy tried a different laptop or even re installing the loader? sorry if I missed this previously. Strange dealer can not connect, must admit, looks like some sort of lock out.. I wonder if during previous attempts it has changed the ECU i.d. in some way ??

Coop, you say they drove it in, was that on the stock rom?

Hope you get it nailed, have a feeling it will be something you will laugh about when you find it.

The tuner owns a Computer Repair business and is an IT expert. His second job is tuning. He's smart--if he can't figure it out it MUST be something.

That the dealer(s) can't get in shows something is amiss. Jimmy went to both Nissan and Infiniti, just to be sure.

Yes, I drove it in. Yes, it should have been done first thing. No I don't know now why. This area wasn't expected to cause such a problem.

there are fingers pointing at the ECU being a culprit, but not unless something happened while working on it. I dunno.

Although I was a diagnostic tech in a past life, I know enough here to say I DON'T know about this predicament, and the less involvement by me, the better. Too much input = too much confusion. I trust others to figure things out, despite MY better input. ;) (Ain't that human nature?)

I hope you are right; in the end it MAY be as simple as a disconnect.

Can a switch with another ECU be performed? Or are they married to the car?

Thanks.

Coop