Rebuilding and Modifying a Nissan 350Z - Part 2

We begin our Nissan 350Z VQ35DE RevUp engine swap and show you how to remove the 350Z engine.
Proudly Presented By:
KoyoRad: www.koyoradraci...
Spec Clutch: www.specclutch....
Support us and buy parts from our new SA Shop: www.speedacade...
Join Our KZbin Community: goo.gl/n4m3Ez
Our Patreon page: / speedacademy
Our Merchandise page: speed-academy.m...
Favorite Tools:
Astro LED Work Light: amzn.to/2r70JUu
LED Bay Shop Light: amzn.to/2HHBw9D
Milwaukee Ratchet: goo.gl/2Cvuzm
Milwaukee Impact: goo.gl/kxnJTg
Miwaukee Sawzall: goo.gl/Sbw5FC
Fluid Transfer Pump: amzn.to/2ILVP9u
Uvex Face Shield: amzn.to/2jgZttO
Astro Rivnut Tool: amzn.to/2HAZN51
Rivnuts: amzn.to/2Fse0v8
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/2HAQ9PT
Canon Lens: amzn.to/2HD4Pd7
Rode Microphone: amzn.to/2FsGeGa

[@Blyatarina]

On the subject of grounding kits, I have had multiple issue across many Zs from bad grounds. I would suggest making a new batery:chassis and engine:battery ground, or reuse the purple octopus you have there. Coolant outlet and tstat hose flanges also corrode very commonly. Worth giving a look to make sure surfaces are oxide free. Keep up the good work guys! edit: there's also a big metal slug on the driver's side of the transmission that's used to reduce NVH. Weighs a couple pounds, surely worth getting rid of! @6:09 it can be seen in the video.

[@pFbSpecV]

If you need a grounding kit i do sell them for this chassis. Im hoping to get a kit to dp and pt.

[@Blyatarina]

pFbSpecV Thanks for the offer man, I may hit you up sometime in the future for customer cars. Do you offer them for the HR Z & 370/G37 as well?

[@pFbSpecV]

@@Blyatarina yes the same kit works on all those chassis. I had a few test fitted and all went well. But yes keep me in mind when your ready.

[@1pdigit]

What's NVH?

[@jonyrho]

@1pdigit NVH is noise, vibration and harshness

[@ChrisDrift]

I'm currently taking the engine out of my 350 drift car to make my own twin turbo setup for it, and I'm jealous of how quickly and easily you got yours out haha

[@alexrobidoux2062]

OMG, this brings back bad memories from when i replaced my clutch and flywheel on my 08 g35 sedan which share the same parts as the Z literally but we did it on a garage floor with jack stands and one jack in the middle of florida summer with no a/c in the garage. It was a nightmare!!! I wouldn't do it again.

[@ohAwaken]

Id have spent a Saturday night and about 5 plug in fans to do that shit in Florida lmao. Maybe a few ice chests under the fans too lol

[@mrthunderpuppy]

For years I had a starting problem on my bug eye Impreza. Tried so many different things to fix it & nothing worked. Then, I read about large grounding kits and gave it a try. It fixed all my problems! So on an 02 Impreza, large ground kits can def help if your having starting issues.

[@XxM3TALGUMxX]

Did this myself and it was pretty straight forward

[@taylorbozarth3722]

The grounding kit is a good idea, the president of the Z car club here in Nebraska recommends them for the VQ35 and they get about a 1HP gain. As far as names, Xena. As in Xena the warrior princess, except now it would be the drifting princess.

[@_chewwyy]

The grounding kit its mainly aesthetics as far as I know. I'm the guy in the silver 350z you fist bumped at the Deboss Garage meet. If you guys aren't using that grounding kit I'd be interested in taking it and a few other parts of f your hands.

[@draggonhedd]

Keep the aftermarket headers, but take a note from your header-build videos and put some anti-reversion chambers after each of the collectors to give that torque boost. Merge into a single exhaust with a helmholtz resonator (calculated to eliminate drone) and a not-straight-through muffler. Add an electric cutout before the muffler. That way you can use the muffler to keep the torque down low, but if you want that peak power you can flip the switch on the cutout to bypass it. I dunno seems like it should work well.

[@BESIMXCARS]

I am so glad you got a 350Z to drift. They are great all arounders! They can take so much abuse, this last weekend I drifted for 14 hours for Nitro Circus here in Utah, packed up and drove home! Also since this Z is going to get beat why not call it Slea-Zee

[@samsonian]

It seems simple: the new car should be called Zed! Of course, Zed was previously dead; he has now been reborn with a new rockin’ ticker! What, no product placement for The Home Despot? Despotic retailers need love too...(J/K) Cheers and keep up the great content from the Pacific NW!

[@olivermorton9852]

Would not recommend using the intake manifold to hang the engine off. The lower part of the manifold is only held on with small bolts in the centre. So using that part isn't the best. Just use a rope and go around the bell housing next time

[@u107916]

+1 on the intake mounting... that's a bad idea. I've broken down and bought the Nissan slingers and they are great. But if you can't get them or don't want to pay for them just use a steel or iron bracket about a .25 inch thick. They will mount to the same twin 12mm bolts on the heads at the rear driver side and front passenger side.

[@doctorlobsteroctopus]

Love the build already. Actually hoping to get into a 350Z in the next few months, so I'm glad to get a preview of what I'm in for. I wanted a 350z and almost bought one about 8 years ago, but was a bit out of my range. Now that they're super low, I'm going to pick one up and do a time attack build with it. Can't wait to see this thing rip around the track.

[@The_True_]

Gooooood moooorning Speed Academy! What's that? The 350Z is dead? *We have the technology. We can rebuild him, make him faster, stronger, and for way less than a million dollars!* Lol, it's going to be great, keep up the great content guys!

[@Hossdelux]

I like my drift cars to sound the way I want them too vs having the maximum amount of usable power. I am never going to go pro in drifting, I enjoy drifting as a hobby and that's it so for me I would've 100% swapped headers since you had the engine out and were staring at them haha As for the grounding kits, its not about getting more power or responsiveness [transmission grounds are common on the nissan platforms]. Its more to have a reliable ground that will also make life easier to diagnose issues at the track or whenever a issue arises.

[@jacquesgold]

Swap the headers for later supercharge action on Zorro! Might be able to sort out the mid-range with a decent tune using an AEM unit. You would also need the unit for the supercharger. Just saying.. nudge nudge, wink wink!

[@elliot438bcfcVTEC]

I have a HKS Ground kit on my Integra Type R. I noticed better radio signal. I agree though most modern cars are adequately earthed but if it's a used car I would recommend going round cleaning all the mating surfaces of the earths

[@sr20vett]

Put the headers on! If tuned they will ADD tq and hp across the rev range. Also it helps having a plenum spacer with headers to give more air flow on VQs. Throw them in and get her tuned nice and you will be very happy!

[@XxM3TALGUMxX]

Put the headers on! IMO better to learn with these upgrades than taking baby steps! I put my Stiller headers on when I swapped my engine. Along with Z1 solid motor and trans mounts. White line bushings all around made a HUGE difference in overall feel. NO MORE WHEEL HOP!!

[@signlsirchir2156]

That's the first rad drain I've witnessed in use that didn't piss coolant EVERYWHERE!

[@omerduzyol8741]

ZORRO would be a nice name with some hints of a fighter spirit!

[@russ4AGE]

Put the headers on! also, Zora for the Z; it's my gamer tag when I make a female gaming with PUBG or ARK. You guys are awesome.

[@cajunspecial238]

I'm gonna keep posting this......Go back to NewFoundland. That series of videos was so awesome.

[@400Redsport]

Safest way is to use those huge bolts in the timing chain cover, then wrap a strap around the underside of the bellhousing like someone else mentioned. I just went through this, and was super shocked with how quick the front of the car came apart.

[@esp0135]

I used belt straps they worked flawlessly.

[@comet30265]

Good luck to guys. Have fun be safe and let’s race.

[@MyBridgestone24]

flow = HP. Do the headers! Matched intake, porting, cam mods along with the exhaust is going to net more HP. Besides they look baller and we all know that's the only thing that matters.

[@jameannohere]

These motor comes out the bottom. With subframe and mounts. Just move the control arms that connect to the subframe. Super easy. And if you remove top and bottom shifter dust covers you can remove the shifter easily as well. 4 bolts hold it in. As for the headers. First of I would hit up Sasha and try and get his old headers. You know if he's willing. Or see if Motordyne has some longtubes. If not install those stillen ones. So much better sound.

[@AngelFloyd27]

Z&D, Cindy. There you have, a name. I'd put the headers and play a bit with the tire pressures to get it sideways boys.

[@Lmonkeyy7]

Definitely Do the headers alongside a tune, really helped me in drifting my Z. glad to see some Z action

[@tsr75th]

So glad you guys are finally working on the Zed! Name her Project Zulu!!

[@OregonGrown]

You'll want top end power + sound better. Install aftermarket headers is my vote. Cheers from Oregon

[@Zorbii]

Hey this looks familiar 😅 I just pulled the engine and trans out of mine. Now I’m completely gutting the car. RIP

[@RhysFjFrankland]

Swap the headers over, as you say - pain in the butt to change once the engine is in the car! I think you should call her Daisy (Day-Zee)

[@acecolby5545]

I had an earthing kit on my scion tc back in 2004. I had some other mods as well. Nothing crazy but I could beat civic si bois all day long.

[@bobbobbert4387]

I would go ahead and put the headers on, the VQ is pretty torquey. I would think you want that peak to chase down that m3 during tandems if Pete gets away from you

[@k23turbo80]

Extra grounds are always good, and I wonder if those headers wouldn't lose as much below peak with a different cam setup. You guys should test that 😁

[@ryanscanlan9875]

Absolutely. Those headers need cams, ported manifolds and injectors & intakes.

[@powergains6073]

Stock headers for sure. Not to often you will be up past 6000-6500 usually you will be feathering between 4-5500

[@AlexA-bx8jr]

stock header graph looks way healthier. drivability seems like it would be sacrificed with the aftermarket unit.

[@akilh340]

This

[@vincevegacustoms754]

If its untuned its normal...

[@mobilePCreviews]

do they care about driveability?

[@Blyatarina]

It looks healthier because the intake side is restricting power & probably not tuned (well). My stillen headers have a great mid range torque plateau compared to stock HR headers.

[@merkantelismo]

Yes they do. DP and PT are known for being real street-track guys.

[@capncrunch8774]

Gordon Ram-Z? Anyway, I saw you requested ideas for new vids recently. I'd like to see a r compound shootout including maxxis rc-1 using the frs or s2000, track test of the camaro zl1, and a brake compound shootout. Love what you do here. Keep up the good work!

[@tokuchaan4693]

Call her Eliza or Audrey. Because, you know that car gonna be your Fair lady.

[@ravenstylea2]

Stillen didn’t make a great header. Instead, go for a header that makes power throughout the powerband to get the best of both worlds.

[@martinlanza1236]

The other way to pull the engine is undo the shocks and subframe from the body, lift the body on the hoist leaving the running gear (front and rear) on the ground.

[@KevinParra27]

My .02 I’d put the headers on. They’re out they flow better and down the road you’d probably upgrade anyways

[@roberttrue8333]

Thank goodness that muffler didn't land on the shop floor and scar the finish!

[@merkantelismo]

I say go with the stock manifold for now for more reliability. Thicker material, less heat. Get rid of the stillen headers to raise funds for a proper Stage 2 upgrade next. Then have the vibrant guys make you a full exhaust so we can have more sexy exhaust fab videos to watch!

[@TheJec92]

you could've just dropped the subframe and raised the car since it was on the lift

[@sarammika]

easiest way to pull VQ from 350z is from underneath, with front subframe. Working on those day to day so probably know thing or two.

[@elmoz122]

If you guys are using the stock de manifold, my buddy really makes a quality ported manifold, maybe you guys to do some test with his manifold versus stock. Currently the fastest NA 370z in the world uses his manifold.

[@g-mane7497]

Loving the time lapse stuff guys. Keep it up.

[@patrickhall782]

You can call her Zelda. Lol

[@Xyrkul]

Good one!

[@aaronbryan5095]

Connie and Zelda 😂😂

[@Bartlbee01]

Phoenix since it's being reborn/resurrected and came out of AZ.

[@kevodean]

looks like the cooling system and trans fluid was looking brand new

[@BucketList22]

Put the headers on, seems like the point of drifting is to get the wheels spinning, which means high rpm.

[@Ztaal3]

Naming the 350, maybe something to honor it's past American life, Zeddy? Also you should look into the intake header spacing (MotoIQ has some articles about it), or going away from the Renault intake style and switching to a 08+ dual intake/throttle bodies, in eu spec the first 350z made like 275hp while the later dual intake engine made 300 and something...

[@ghettoflyer]

I've heard good things about grounding/ earthing kits on dyno with cars pickup 2-3 hp thru out the power range. At one point on the evo nine on the MR package one of the performance upgrade packages offered among other things an upgraded engine ground cable!?!? You say most modern cars don't need them. Apparently some manufactures felt it was a viable necessity to upgrade.

[@SilverStackers]

Change the headers now, your not gonna miss 20hp while learning, but u will want that top end later on.

[@waynenotrooney]

Swap the header, Sasha can tune and mitigate the lost at the mid-range

[@fredperras49]

go with stock vq37vhr headers, they flow really well without sacrificing mid range torque

[@vincevegacustoms754]

I allways go for gains up top.(allways beated people who told me i lost power down low,my car is never under 7grand on every gears) U can also adapt intake to regain losses( length and size).retune it as well to get gains where u want.i would use the headers,they flow more...

[@Blyatarina]

BTW Definitely keep the stillen headers! the car is most likely limited on the intake side, causing the power rob up top. Especially looking at that tiny filter on the end there.

[@jellofuel]

I installed a Stillen grouding kit on my cammed 03 350z, and figure it improved the electrical system's performance, but there's no real way to test that.

[@datarez]

Name it Ralph. I was thinking Red Barron at first but then I remembered you have gotten queasy in the past on track runs so wondering how you'll do drifting. The name might fit.

[@Wheemer]

I suspect not much was done to your cars intake to increase flow to support more flow on the exhaust side. Basing your decisions about this header on one dyno graph from one car is narrow minded. Put the header on if you intent on getting more air into the motor with supporting mods. Also if the vehicles stock grounds are in perfect shape then there is no way that grounding block will add horsepower. A dyno difference of a couple horsepower cannot be accurately attributed to any specific change, could be merely temperature that made that difference.

[@vincevegacustoms754]

Words of wisdom right there,i had the same experience allmost everytimes i put headers on loll Gota retune it and play with intake.short to long and size of it will help regain or adjust power where it was lossed...low end power only good uphill ;) Would also ditch the maf for a map conversion if u can do that on a nissan..(quick tip i run 3.5inch intake on everything i own) j35a7 08gd3 Fit,2010 fg2,98 prelude h23a..i make them from steel+ceramic coating in/out...heavier but stays alot cooler then aluminium and it sounds like no intakes on the market..the resonance from steel. I wish i see something related to what we said here on next coming videos

[@Lettered_Routes]

The Nissan FM platform cars have notorious grounding issues. Definitely recommend building a DIY grounding kit for like $15 if you have the time.

[@vaioskaliakoudas6388]

I suggest you: 1st, swap the factory headers of your new motor with the aftermarket titanium ones from the old one, and every other aftermarket performance part out of it, 2nd, paint the car blue, to name it "Devil Son's Z"

[@matthewf1979]

Yeah guys, 03 to 06 manuals burned oil so bad, Nissan gave free engines to out of warranty owners. I got mine replaced, then a guy parked his Dodge Stratus in my trunk at 70mph. I loved my Z.

[@MightandMagic88]

Drizzt. Drift + Z and also a badass fantasy warrior.

[@-CLASSIFIED-]

i love me some 350z action , first car i ever learned how to drive standard on was my dads 03 at midnight hahah :D. i think id call this the red devil idk why .

[@SuperSilvi1990]

If your going to add boost later I would keep the headers. If not the stock ones would benefit you more because of the lower rpm peak power, Especially with drifting.

[@666shredordie]

Call it Dave and use the race headers. You're gonna want that top end.

[@pFbSpecV]

I do sell grounding kits for this chassis and would love to send you guys one! But heres some info! Any electrical component requires power and ground to function properly. If you have a stereo system, HIDS, Fogs, Interior lights and have a bad ground, you will get poor performance from your system. The same is true for any part of the electrical system of any car. If the electrical system has a bad ground, or a barely adequate ground, you can get lower gas mileage, inefficient spark, slower window motors and dim lights. When you add a Grounding Kit, you add more grounding points to your car to allow your electrical system to function at full capacity, which can make every electrical component operate more efficiently, often increasing horsepower, delivering better gas mileage, crisper stereo systems and less likely to have voltage drops when you turn on your ac or turn on your high beams.

[@bandwagon240]

Call it Zed as when you guys got it, it was dead, baby.

[@sup3rd]

Zena: Drift Princess

[@DanVillarreal1988]

ZEUS! The god of drift!

[@ShaunRGardner]

Call it Scarlett And keep the stock headers on and sell the stillen ones for more parts. Like a new exhaust lol

[@trapu]

Ziggy would be a nice name !!!

[@turbos4fc3s]

Call it the tree-fiddy-zee loch Ness monster Also just put the headers on. You know you are going to do it later anyways.

[@awfull_art_on]

You could call it the 994 (millilitres) meteric conversion from 35oz (imperial Fluid ounces)

[@03threefiftyz]

PPE are the headers you want unless Sasha has an old set of his sitting around. Tomei V2's are the only shorties worth anything...

[@ShopEightyFive]

Can't go wrong with Carl.

[@evilspoons]

You should call it "Zed" ... like a Canadian :P

[@davidandersson3828]

Damn. Beat me to it!

[@mxqisit]

Zed's dead baby.

[@cameronyoung2004]

Ed the Zed!

[@ahoyhoy8981]

Zed... from Police Academy (Bobcat Goldthwait) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqSlppqIbsmjmrc appropriate for a drift pig!

[@kyceranano]

i didnt use a grounding kit, but had to replace a ground wire(from engine to chassis)because it chalked up and kept blowing my coil packs. id assume a grounding kit prob would stop that from happening.

[@livibenzo]

I'd go with the aftermarket headers - but with titanium exhaust wrap :)

[@upgradeNEVER]

Mazda RX8s also came with a Carbon Fibre drive/prop shaft.

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

They have a hard enough time turning the wheels, didn't need a big heavy driveshaft to rotate too :D

[@upgradeNEVER]

@@ImBarryScottCSS haha. Probably helps them put their power down easier. Also cos they have bugger all torque, so it's not that stressed.

[@suppjoe]

Call it Derrick

[@BradOnCars]

Another cool series! Thanks dudes!

[@hotdognr12323]

Zebra? It sure would fit awesome with a striped livery

[@The_True_]

The stock headers should work fine! A good name is difficult. A quirky name like SkidZ or SlideZ is my style, but everyone's different so I'm not too sure.

[@clapped_r3219]

Swap the headers. You can get mid-range back with other mods 👌🏽

[@justinelliott293]

I am very excited for this series :)

[@mapwheel00]

Clearly she needs to be called Audrey [Hepburn] in honor of her being your Fair Lady. We gotta stay consistent with the theme of movie starlets (even though life with DP and PT is about as unglamourous as it gets).

[@The300ZXGuru]

dude that motor would have been real easy to take out on a table that's how they do it at Nissan

[@markproper9791]

I would personally stick with the OEM headers, the aftermarktet ones have less restriction up top, but seem to ruin scavenging up to almost 6000 rpm.

[@thunderbirdizations]

You should name this gem Rubiiooo 😁😁😁

[@siraznallot]

you can never have too many grounding points!

[@hoysh1912]

Finally! Dp and pt in a three z

[@EchoSierraRacing]

Call her the Drift50 Z!

[@samerfox3732]

Good choice bro i have 350z transmission so I want to know about cdoo9 and different old and new. All so 370z and 350z are the same clutch

[@cbass756]

ya its easy now can you do this without the lift in the same time

[@craig84downunder]

Call it Zena!