Surfdog's 09 journal

SurfDog

I did not really track the costs (probably because it hurt to look too carefully lol), but lets say with install about 16k all in??

Having no "cores" for rebuild hurt (as they were destroyed)

I know I could have bought a used NISMO for about the same cost, but my ride is pretty dialed in and, what can I say, she's worth rebuilding (to me at least)

ipp heads $3200 (with core charge)
z1 short block $5200 (with core charge)
various replacement of contaminated and destroyed parts $1,000 ish
steering rack repair $450
2 hour re-tune (because JWT cams and new internals) $500
labor $3-4,000 ish
accusump and line fabrication $500
Z1 clutch $600

I considered an LS swap, but I'm pretty happy with the stock-ish setup and this is now primarily a DD so going huge didn't seem like a good fit. I'm building for reliability this time and this guy will be a sporty mountain cruiser now. (the added JWT torque should make her just about right I'd say), also I was worried about too much power overwhelming my drive line and causing headaches down the road.

I'm keeping her heavy with heated sport seats and creature comforts and stock (high) ride height for all season use.

I also considered scrapping her and just buying a Cayman GT4 but I guess I'm just not a Porsche guy at heart (I felt a little douchy driving it around for a day on loan from a hopeful dealer. No offense to Porsche guys, just personal preference). Its a great car no doubt but a little too much "look at me" factor for a DD (recall I'm building a full on track car, so do not need another track toy)

Anyhow, it was a tough call, but ultimately I just decided... what the hell, I love this thing, lets just build it up a little bit cooler maybe a hair faster, and keep on running it till I find something I really like better.

BTW before committing to a rebuild, as options, I drove a lot of alternatives at dealerships and on the track (friends cars):
1. Cayman S and GT4: awesome, but super expensive and DD overkill. (also too much "look at me factor")
2. Corvrtte Z07. Cool car. A bit too much tech for a DD, plus as a former naval aviator made me feel like "Captain Midlife" (which I probably am but don't
want to advertise)
3. WRX... Nope.
4. several Hot hatches. not for me, besides, I already have a SUV for snow days
5. GT-350. nice car but heavy and a bit slow compared to z06 and z07 Vette. You have to really be a "mustang guy" for this to be your first choice i think.
6. Viper ACR. Awesome, super fun and very dialed in, but way too flashy for me and slow compared to my track car. (Maybe "slow" is not quite the right word, but still, whats the point, its definitely not a DD option for me)
7. used 911 turbo S: expensive to maintain, and overkill for DD. Cool track beast but I'm a RWD purest and a manual tranny guy
8. GTR. no manual, no way. (for me at least)

The Cayman S, GT4 and Z07 were by far the most tempting, but in my final analysis 16 k into a rebuild was the right fit, and my fairly "non stock" Z is close enough to both those guys at the track to keep my self respect and still has good DD characteristics. (and is a bit of a sleeper which is fun)

Lastly, and probably the main decider, my first car was a '77 280z and I guess I just have a passion for Z cars, What can I say...

edit: dealer would have dropped in an OEM motor for 12,500 labor included. (I preferred a 'built' motor... at about same cost, with better cams oil pump etc)

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

Rusty

I know where you are coming from. Where did you find a Cayman GT4? Last I read. They was sold out. The ACR, I drove one a couple of years ago that was built some what. All I can say is OMFG!!!!!!!!!

Everyone is different, but I think you made the right choice.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

Hotrodz

I agree with the SurfDog's assesment. Since adding a big *** wing to Nismo I don't drive it on the street that much as I feel uncomfortable because the look at me factor. I only take it out when I feel need to feel some speed or to hang out with my go fast buddies. A little attention goes a long way with me. Hell my wife catches crap because she drives an Audi S5 lol!

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Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel|3GsCustoms|Z1|Wavetrac|Hotchkis|Whiteline |Blitz|Fortune Auto 500|Fujimura|SPL|H&R|TK|TWM|RPM Rollbar|Sparco|Next Level Performance|TrackSpec|AeroFlow Dynamics|Pioneer|

SurfDog

Track day buddy. We have a great group that runs a few days a summer sponsored by a local speed shop.

Here's a few shots from the recent one where I blew my motor. Ug!








Edit. I'm the silver 370 hiding behind the 918 and the kid( my son) in the American eagle T-shirt.

The 918 is my old friend Dave's. (My best high school friends dad). Now THAT is a fast car. (He doesn't let anybody drive it which is a bummer but I guess understandable)

His wife just bought her 3rd 911 turbo S. (all gold lol that she saw at some uber car show ...maybe pebble beach?? lol.) she doesn't track it.

Anyhow it's a great chance to run laps in some super cool cars.
Gt-40
Lambos
Porches
Austin martins
Lots of mustangs and vettes and Miatas and all the usual track suspects
Cobra coupes and convertibles
Etc etc etc.

Best part is they are all pretty decent and low key track guys. I'm running a day with them next week so am under the gun to get the 370 up and running. (Finding a good spot for the accusump is my only stumbling block to getting her done)

Dyno run set for Tuesday.

And yes they all think I'm a poor ricer kid. (I guess if the shoe fits). Honesty I like being the low key guy with the surprisingly fast car... that I can park at the airport without worry when I'm traveling for work lol.

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

Rusty

There is over a million dollars worth of cars there. What track do you run at? Next time I'm in Co. I have to look you up. Have in son in Greeley, and another in Erie.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

SurfDog

We run At High Plains Raceway. Very well run track east of Denver.

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

Rusty

Ok, I know where it's at.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

ban25

Did you get the Stage 2 exhaust cams?

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2017 Corvette Z06 7MT | 1LE | Stage 3 | DSCSport

cigarclifford

Outstanding engine build Sir

Best collection of sports car photo's here on the forum in a long time

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-Clifford

SurfDog

according to ipp, yes

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

SurfDog

yes

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix