[Diz]

What: I want to make the best possible NA 350z. The equivalent of a Porsche GT3 for a 350z.

Why: I love the NA engine and drivetrain. It is why I bought the car. If I wanted turbos, I'd have bought an STI. I get that there's more bang for my buck with Turbos. I do not care- for the same reason people buy the Porsche GT3 when a GT2 is more powerful.

Car: 2006 350z Track, 200,000km

Constraints:
- Needs to remain neutral to drive - I like the balance of the 350z
- Uses 98 octane or e85 flex fuel
- Keep torquey mid range (a defining characteristic of the VQ35 range)
- Completely streetable
- Aussie parts where possible
- No pointless aero or styling changes. I like the look of a normal 305z.

Current Power: 190 rwKW, 306Nm (Dynoed at Tunehouse, April 2015)

Already done previously:
- MCA suspension (Made in Australia)
- Front control arm bushes replaces
- Air Filter
- Piggy Back ECU


Mechanics Selected:
RP Customs - Excellent quality of work. They specialize in Evos. My brother in law uses them. They do not compromise on quality.

Parts:
To deliver the objective the following parts have been selected. In order from Intake to Exhaust/Driveline

Intake
- Jenvey Individual Thottle Bodies

Engine
- Heads worked (valve seats bored etc) (sending to Canada)
- Cams and Valves TBD (Waiting on Jim Wolf)
- Bottom End Honed (Australia)
- ID 725 Injectors

ECU:
- Link ECU (Flex Fuel) (from New Zealand)

Exhaust
- Tomei Exhaust Manifold (ceramic coated)
- Exhaust (TBD - custom made in Australia)

Driveline
- Direct (Brand) Twin Plate clutch and flywheel (Made in Australia)
- Rebuild gear box (I like the gearbox as it is - it's fun)
- Quaife Mechanical LSD

Traction - do driveline first, test, then build traction package. Below is where my current thinking is at
- Keep MCA suspension (made in Australia)
- Replace control arms (TBD)
- RPF1 rims
- Wider rear and front track to manage the power

Brakes
- Keep as is. The brembos are strong.

Progress:
- Scoped project
- Detailled build plan (Excel)
- Rough Budget
- Driveline Out
- Ordered parts, sent gearbox to be built


I'll keep posting updates as we progress. I'm in no hurry.

 

[Diz]

Hi, so after much drama this build is back on the rails.

You can follow on Instagram here: Luthien Z (@luthienz) • Instagram photos and videos

RP sent the motor out to be rebuilt in about May 2019. But the quote came back at a staggering $24,000 Australian Dollars. My total budget for the build was $41,000. I had already spent $24,000 in parts.

So I cancelled the project and asked them to scrap the car. I've had my Z for 13 years. I was devastated, but simply had no other options.

After about 4 months they came back to me and asked me to give a guy names Ron a call. He's a retired engine builder in Queensland who builds rally motors.

We had a quick chat, and I decided to to send the motor to him to see what he could do. He clearly didn't need the work, but was interested in seeing if he could have a crack.

We had another chat after he looked at the engine. He was happy I bought good parts (Jim Wolf, Jenvey, Direct) and was interested in the challenge of building a VQ.

He estimated $14,000, but was clear that it could be a bit more or less depending on what he found when he stripped it. They are challenging engines to build well.

I signed up. Yes, it's still a fair bit of money. But I liked what Ron pitched. He understood right away why I didn't want Turbos. With an NA engine, its his skill that will get me power.

The engine was dissembled a few months ago. The Cylinder Heads were sent to be ported and polished.

Ron finished his backlog of Rally engines.

And how he's assembling my 8000 rpm VQ!

Yes, I know there are simpler routes I could have taken, but this is my car and my vision. I'm using quality parts and quality craftsmen.

It's been 2.5 years in a disassembled state. The A5 has kept me company. But I need that sports car feel back!

Budget has $3,000 left. I'm going to have to delay suspension, paint and bodywork until at least July 2021

 

[dkmura]

Nice build, but after competing with Porsche GT3s on the track at SCCA Majors events, there's little chance of getting close to their overall speed or lap times. I say this with all candor, but even with a full racecar build, it's difficult to get the power-to-weight ratio down to where even a Z33 can compete with a factory built racecar like the current-spec GT3.

 

[Diz]

Nice build, but after competing with Porsche GT3s on the track at SCCA Majors events, there's little chance of getting close to their overall speed or lap times. I say this with all candor, but even with a full racecar build, it's difficult to get the power-to-weight ratio down to where even a Z33 can compete with a factory built racecar like the current-spec GT3.

Hi,

Yes I agree. I should have been clearer. I’m referencing the GT3 road car, not the race car.

I know that I won’t be able to achieve the same figures as the Porsche, but I believe that I’m aiming at the concept, not the figures.

A GT3 is a Porsche 911 turned up to 11. I want a Z turned up to 11. But still roadworthy.