An unexpected rebuild!!!

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

04-08-2009, 04:38 PM

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

An unexpected rebuild!!!

OK so the Turbo and possibly my spirited driving may have taken it's toll on the engine as evident by the smoke trail which looked more like crop dusting!!! Soooooooooooo, the engine rebuild begins.

Rebuilding the entire valve body with new springs, valves, seals, retainers, gaskets etc. New ARAIS low compression pistions, rings, seals,

New Cometic head gaskets and all put back together with an ARP Head bolt kit. Also adding a new oil pressure switch and Gates Belts.

Newly added 5/18/2009: Brian Crower Pro Series Connecting Rods / Cosworth High Performance Rod Bearings

Special Thanks to Chris "WINTERFAUST" from 6thgenmaxima.org with getting me some of the key rebulid parts fast!!!

The Crown Royal makes it less painful!!!

Last edited by chernmax; 05-19-2009 at 05:44 AM.

04-08-2009, 04:53 PM

Sarara

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2006

Posts: 125

Ohh man....

04-08-2009, 04:58 PM

AllBlackMax

aka The Doom Ship

Join Date: May 2004

Location: DFW, TX

Posts: 1,788

Have you really driven the car hard? I know you've taken it to the track at least once.

Good luck with the rebuild. I guess low compression means you can turn up the boost.

It would be nice to see you tune with a e-manage or FCon but...

04-08-2009, 05:16 PM

Lanaue

Member

Join Date: Sep 2007

Location: Parkville MD.

Posts: 97

keep us up on it.

04-08-2009, 05:22 PM

SpooledVQ35

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2008

Location: NYC

Posts: 298

You need better tunning aka Utec.... Should have went that route right after the install.

Hope the project goals well though. How many miles were driven since the turbo install?

04-08-2009, 05:54 PM

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpooledVQ35

You need better tunning aka Utec.... Should have went that route right after the install.

Hope the project goals well though. How many miles were driven since the turbo install?

PTuning does a great job tuning my car on a Dyno Dynamic load bearing Dyno. With my current rebuild budget, Utec did not make the cut!!!

04-08-2009, 05:55 PM

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpooledVQ35

You need better tunning aka Utec.... Should have went that route right after the install.

Hope the project goals well though. How many miles were driven since the turbo install?

Almost 20K...

04-08-2009, 05:57 PM

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBlackMax

Have you really driven the car hard? I know you've taken it to the track at least once.

Good luck with the rebuild. I guess low compression means you can turn up the boost.

It would be nice to see you tune with a e-manage or FCon but...

I've taken it to the track at least 30+ times!!! (MIR/Capital) Including at least 10+ time hot lapping it!!!

04-08-2009, 06:08 PM

My-Body-Is-Ready

Senior Member

iTrader: (4)

Join Date: Feb 2006

Posts: 589

at least now u can beef up the engine. THIS is the PERFECT opportunity to throw on cams!!!!!!! im surprised i didnt see that in the pics =( also what are you being tuned on safc2? youll need something better than that. sold my utec alreay got a reflash from ts and now im just on the prowl at my350z.com for a fcon vpro! standalone>piggyback

04-08-2009, 06:16 PM

#10

Asav

Member

iTrader: (1)

Join Date: Feb 2009

Location: Delaware

Posts: 260

You dudes are speaking French as far I'm concerned.... I am a complete rookie to this stuff Chern good luck with the rebuild man!

04-08-2009, 06:59 PM

#11

eK9aT10pSi

Senior Member

iTrader: (1)

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,152

did you end up blowing a head gasket? i woulve thought the vq35 motor is pretty beast and can handle boost when tuned.

04-08-2009, 07:34 PM

#12

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by Look-at-my-MAX

The Super AFC-II was removed when the Turbo was installed. I have a Split Second Timing piggy back computer and a GReddy Profec B spec-II Electronic Boost Controller and AEM wide band monitor.

04-08-2009, 07:35 PM

#13

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by eK9aT10pSi

did you end up blowing a head gasket? i woulve thought the vq35 motor is pretty beast and can handle boost when tuned.

Me too till I started getting blue smoke out the exhaust!!!

04-08-2009, 07:36 PM

#14

Playa_FL

Senior Member

iTrader: (1)

Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: Houston, TX

Posts: 207

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asav

You dudes are speaking French as far I'm concerned.... I am a complete rookie to this stuff Chern good luck with the rebuild man!

I cant wait to retire so I can go all out on a project! G/L with the rebuild!

04-08-2009, 08:05 PM

#15

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playa_FL

I cant wait to retire so I can go all out on a project! G/L with the rebuild!

I'm not retired!!!

I'm actually 5+ years into my second career although I did retire from the US Navy after 24 years but I was only 41 at the time...

Last edited by chernmax; 04-08-2009 at 08:07 PM.

04-08-2009, 08:20 PM

#16

2LEET4U

Senior Member

iTrader: (4)

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Posts: 1,641

Very nice man... GOOD LUCK man!!!! Hope everything goes well

Also, is WINTERFAUST still having that deal? Spend over $1,000.00 and get a free bottle of crown royal?

04-08-2009, 08:24 PM

#17

AllBlackMax

aka The Doom Ship

Join Date: May 2004

Location: DFW, TX

Posts: 1,788

Well if that's the case I will say your project was a success! It's just that you didn't post a whole lot about your time at the track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernmax

I've taken it to the track at least 30+ times!!! (MIR/Capital) Including at least 10+ time hot lapping it!!!

04-08-2009, 08:25 PM

#18

2LEET4U

Senior Member

iTrader: (4)

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Posts: 1,641

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernmax

I've taken it to the track at least 30+ times!!! (MIR/Capital) Including at least 10+ time hot lapping it!!!

oh man, and only 1 youtube video to show???? doooood!!!! we need some vids of your awesomess ride! Lets see you smoke Lambos!

04-08-2009, 08:25 PM

#19

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2LEET4U

Very nice man... GOOD LUCK man!!!! Hope everything goes well

Also, is WINTERFAUST still having that deal? Spend over $1,000.00 and get a free bottle of crown royal?

Actually WINTERFAUST got me all the Nissan Parts I needed with a sweet deal on price (Big thanks for his work), I purchased the rest at Horsepowerfreaks.com

04-08-2009, 08:28 PM

#20

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBlackMax

Well if that's the case I will say your project was a success! It's just that you didn't post a whole lot about your time at the track.

I don't post a whole lot of what I do unless of course you troll the DC forum which the bulk of my comments and post are on...

04-08-2009, 08:31 PM

#21

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2LEET4U

oh man, and only 1 youtube video to show???? doooood!!!! we need some vids of your awesomess ride! Lets see you smoke Lambos!

I have like 20 different VIDs on Youtube, most are of my ride. I guess once this project is finished I'll have to start filming more!!!

So where are the links to your VIDS???

04-08-2009, 09:06 PM

#22

maxboy325

Senior Member

iTrader: (35)

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: Maryland

Posts: 2,135

Good luck on the new build I would have thought you would get alittle more mileage before this though.

Crown Royal

04-08-2009, 09:16 PM

#23

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxboy325

Good luck on the new build I would have thought you would get alittle more mileage before this though.

Crown Royal

Me too but technically the only problem was the fried piston rings, I'm just bumping the rebuild up a notch since it's disassembled anyway...

Last edited by chernmax; 04-08-2009 at 10:48 PM.

04-08-2009, 09:49 PM

#24

BLACKNESS MONSTA

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2009

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Posts: 643

Goodluck with the rebuild
Its sad seeing one of the most well kept 6th gens go down but im sure u will take care of it

04-08-2009, 10:09 PM

#25

po8pimp

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2006

Location: Bremerton, WA

Posts: 2,460

Wow 20k huh. There is a kit out to bulletproof the VQ35, not sure how much it runs though. Give me a bit I will find the site for you. Anyways I have a question. Are those pistons the right size? Looks like they might be for the 37 not the 35. Anyways I am on the hunt for the kit.

Last edited by po8pimp; 04-08-2009 at 10:16 PM.

04-08-2009, 10:15 PM

#26

po8pimp

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2006

Location: Bremerton, WA

Posts: 2,460

http://www.aebsracing.com/products.p...ct=vq35stroker here it is. I would give them a call and price it out before you start your rebuild. Could be well worth your time and save you a couple thousand, not to mention would give you at least 400hp NA. Saw this kit in this months magazine of Nissanperformancemag. here is a writeup about it on vqpower.com http://www.vqpower.com/v2/news.php?readmore=98. Hope this helps. I honestly thought your transmission was going to $hit itself well before the engine would go. I hope whatever you do holds up. Good luck keep us posted.

04-08-2009, 10:32 PM

#27

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by eK9aT10pSi

did you end up blowing a head gasket? i woulve thought the vq35 motor is pretty beast and can handle boost when tuned.

No head gaskets were fine, I just decided that since it's apart and a potential future failure item to replace them with some quality ones now.
My car failed leak down testing and we found 2 possible 3 fried piston rings...

04-08-2009, 10:37 PM

#28

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by po8pimp

No their the correct size and look and picture number 4 above, it states VQ35. They are 95.5mm but have a lower compression ratio 8.5.

I picked them up at horsepowerfreaks.com they have 2 piston kits availble for the Max. The 95.5mm and 96mm

04-08-2009, 11:00 PM

#29

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by po8pimp

That looks great but probably outside the budget I have set. My engine is already removed and ready for reassembly. Everything we found inside the engine was in excellent shape and is holding up well with the exception of the pistions and rings. I just decided to go with new valves, springs, seals, retainers, etc and a master gasket rebuild kit (all under $300) and beef up the pistons, rings, head gaskets and tighten it all down with a race quality ARP head stud kit. Not looking to build a race car, just a great balance of show, go, handling, braking, and the nice feel of a Maxima interior. My main goal is a fun daily driver...

04-09-2009, 12:15 PM

#30

mightymax5

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: Mchenry IL 60051

Posts: 139

HI-PERF CAMS

I would like to see how well your Max would breath and run with bigger cams also!

04-09-2009, 01:18 PM

#31

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightymax5

I would like to see how well your Max would breath and run with bigger cams also!

Me too, but not in the budget!!

04-09-2009, 11:30 PM

#32

SmokinMaxSE

SmokinMaxSE

iTrader: (1)

Join Date: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,129

You are one of a kind Chern. Wish I could do some real performance modifications. Most people don't test my Maxima these days and thats good enough for me.

04-10-2009, 08:02 AM

#33

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokinMaxSE

You are one of a kind Chern. Wish I could do some real performance modifications. Most people don't test my Maxima these days and thats good enough for me.

I'd like to think I'm doing something good but it's really a pain in the a$$ and was unexpected!!!

04-10-2009, 10:21 AM

#34

SpooledVQ35

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2008

Location: NYC

Posts: 298

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernmax

The Super AFC-II was removed when the Turbo was installed. I have a Split Second Timing piggy back computer and a GReddy Profec B spec-II Electronic Boost Controller and AEM wide band monitor.

Thats not very good engine management. Look into something more serious like a standalone...

04-10-2009, 10:39 AM

#35

NoNOoNe

Member

iTrader: (1)

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 77

Awesome, but I find that Crown Royale is the most important part in that rebuild.. and that bottle doesn't look big enough ;-)

04-10-2009, 11:16 AM

#36

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpooledVQ35

Thats not very good engine management. Look into something more serious like a standalone...

It's what comes with the Speed Force Racing Stage II kit and works for me. Everybody always has something better or a better idea after the fact!!!

04-10-2009, 11:18 AM

#37

chernmax

Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo

Thread Starter

iTrader: (15)

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD

Posts: 10,202

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoNOoNe

Awesome, but I find that Crown Royale is the most important part in that rebuild.. and that bottle doesn't look big enough ;-)

LOL, I got backup...

04-10-2009, 11:23 AM

#38

xoomer.com

I Donate! Why Don't You?

iTrader: (19)

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: NY

Posts: 2,718

Good luck Chris, Put those shiny parts on and let her rip again.

04-10-2009, 12:13 PM

#39

Apollos2

Supporting Maxima.org Member

iTrader: (16)

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: Denver, Colorado

Posts: 2,761

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernmax

......(all under $300) ..... Not looking to build a race car, just a great balance of show, go, handling, braking, and the nice feel of a Maxima interior. My main goal is a fun daily driver...

Well said. That's my goal as well. Bummer on the engine issues but sounds like you are making the most out of it for the least amount of $$. My kind of thinking. Good luck