Alex's Nissan 350Z (High Compression) Engine Build!! By HMS

[Anthony R]

nice build/write up.

[Empire]

love these kinds of build threads.
you can see it happening step by step.
makes you really appreciate the work to go from beginning to end.

[Epstein]

I didn't know that Engine Lab could line hone the cam journals. There you go, SR20 people who F-up the cam cap order.


I've built a couple motors and I understand the what and why of clearances and strengths. My question is, why does everyone use ARP head studs, mains, and rod bolts on NA builds when they're only ever going to achieve a 20% increase in power and likely a lot less of an increase in peak cylinder pressures? On an NA VQ, I don't think I've ever heard of rod bolt failures, lifting the head, or whatever the failure mode is for mains. It seems like a big "check out my laundry list of parts" ego thing, and I'm not trying to call anyone out for it if that's the case. Nissan sells stock fasteners for dirt cheap and they don't seem to fail, so why bother?

Nice build, though! This makes me want to extend my (economically) unhealthy modding habit from the SR20 days and work on my Rev Up. And oil consumption spares are cheap, too! I'd definitely go Wiseco again.

[Empire]

I always assumed it was a combo of "Cool parts list" and it being about the same cost as the OEM ones.
Seems like have the time you can find aftermarket parts that perform as well, or better than OEM for the same price or less.

[bikeimports]

I didn't know that Engine Lab could line hone the cam journals. There you go, SR20 people who F-up the cam cap order.


I've built a couple motors and I understand the what and why of clearances and strengths. My question is, why does everyone use ARP head studs, mains, and rod bolts on NA builds when they're only ever going to achieve a 20% increase in power and likely a lot less of an increase in peak cylinder pressures? On an NA VQ, I don't think I've ever heard of rod bolt failures, lifting the head, or whatever the failure mode is for mains. It seems like a big "check out my laundry list of parts" ego thing, and I'm not trying to call anyone out for it if that's the case. Nissan sells stock fasteners for dirt cheap and they don't seem to fail, so why bother?

Nice build, though! This makes me want to extend my (economically) unhealthy modding habit from the SR20 days and work on my Rev Up. And oil consumption spares are cheap, too! I'd definitely go Wiseco again.

No ego involved all the parts are necessary anyone who knows Alex & knows what hes been through with this Engine(s) knows he wants to do it right while he's in there, Paired with the fact that the studs are minimally more expensive like Empire stated the real question would be why not?

In addition to that he'll be prepared incase he gets bored and decide nitrous on top of that. High compression + Nitrous = Very high cylinder pressures.

[Empire]

*insert homer simpson voice* mmmmm... nitrous....


my daily driver NA 300zx will have a go baby go button once I get it rebuilt later this year.

[Hybrid Motorsports]

Well moving along, I've decide not to elaborate on the mistakes made by engine lab, everyone makes mistakes including us , How you deal with the mistake after the mistake is made, We think is more important than the mistake itself, This is what they fail to realize. At this point it doesn't matter I think it's safe to say for the most part the end user ( our customer) is happy, And that's what's important to us.

Timing done:







Alex decide to ceramic coat the headers:







New Spec clutch:





Time to drop in:







All done:





I'd Like to thank Alex for the oppurtunity to gain some valuable experience with the vq engine and for being patient throughout this whole ordeal things never seemed to go right but we remained focus and got the job done, I think we both learned alot with this build. Enjoy!!

[Empire]

final numbers?

final cost?

without "pointing fingers" what kinds of mistakes and/or lessons learned were there through the build?

[bikeimports]

He's currently running a flash tune based on his setup for break-in, Then will get it fine tuned on the dyno around the 1000 mile mark, So final number not in yet, We'll keep you guy's updated.

Cost= not in a position to comment on.

Lessons learned = basically the fundamentals, Always do your research, Don't expect just because a shop has a big name and plenty of references they can't make a mistake, always double check / triple check your work etc. etc.

[Turbo Mat]

I have a Kouki as my background and it has the same exact rims as those. Saw the car at QSNL, good work Justin.

[RobRobking18]

This needs a vid of a dyno run. I love hi-comp VQs. Great work and good taste.

[bikeimports]

Thanks Mat... yeah will post vid