Gang - Well, I FINALLY pulled the trigger on my Vortech'ed AEBS motor!! Brought my G over to John Isbell today & spent the afternoon with him ( @ Hooters! ) discussing things ranging from the engine, boost levels, drivetrain issues, etc. John's a REALLY knowledgeable & cool guy & I feel quite confident that we'll hit our power goals ( & then some!! ) with total reliability.
We figure his machinist will have the motor ready in 2 weeks so John'll be doing the Quaife & DSS axle work while taking measurements on the front end ( to see if we have room for the 4" FMIC + tranny cooler + Koyo + Aquamist tank ). Whew!! It'll be crowded behind the Stillen fascia.
John promises to post pics of the install on his website ( www. rabbidperformance.com ) so ya'll can watch the progress as I do.
Wish us luck!!

Gene

 

Good luck Gene. I'm looking forward to monitoring your engine build and hearing all the details for your unique FI G35. Wish I could have been with all y'all at Hooters for the great company and eye candy.


DaveO

 

Why Vortech? Aren't you afraid of belt slipping problems that will prevent you from reach your power goal?

 

Dave - Yeah, John DOES have nice legs!!! U should be getting your/my radiator soon so knock yourself out with it!! Dave, I posted some of this stuff over on My350z.com ( http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176943 ) but thanks for all your advice & input on this project ( both to myself & John ). We're gonna address all of your thermal concerns as we go so expect more calls from us.
Lucid - John's installed more Vortech's than he cares to remember ( he ain't THAT old!! ) & he said that the only time that he's encountered belt slippage ( believe me, I asked specifically about that ) is when the boost is upped into double digits BUT forced through the base factory FMIC. I ( as well as Booger ( Bill )) have upgraded to an IceVex 4" thick FMIC good for 1200 cfm, I THINK. so we don't see the differential pressure increase as a problem. Bill & I also have both upgraded the blower to the T-trim version which will support 825 hp so the blower's certainly capable. John's got several "tricks" up his sleeve to increase the response time of the S/C to approach that of a turbo plus lower the usable rpm range by overdriving the blower. & get full boost sooner as well. I'll try this setup & if I'm not pleased then I'll be switching to the Greddy twins ( but John assures me that I'll be VERY happy with the Vortech )!!

Gene

 

Am I the only one that finds it a bit weird for someone drop their car off and then go have lunch together at Hooters? I usually drop my car off, talk to whoever's gonna work on my car a bit about my car, maybe bs about other cars their working on and leave...but lunch or dinner together at h00ters discussing what your going to do to your car seems odd to me...Maybe it's a louisiana thing? Also, why wouldn't you go with a TT for a built motor? You obviously want a lot of power....it can be done a little easier with the TT setup or even a single turbo setup? Why would you opt to go with a centrifugal sc with less tq. down low vs. TT? I'm not bashing you or what your doing but just trying to understand things.
Have fun with your setup!

 

congrats! Gene. When are we going to meet up and have lunch?

 

Ant - Maybe it IS a Southern hospitality thing but I've ALWAYS taken care of anyone who works on my ryde ( either by buying lunch or maybe a round of drinks). This extended to stereo installers as well as mechanics. John has his own shop so he can set his own hours plus he had to drive me to the airport. We'd never met face to face so what better way to "bond".
I don't want to reignite the turbo vs supercharger argument either. #1 was I've had the Vortech for over a year & got a really good deal from Brett ( tig488 ) on it. I originally had no plans to do a built motor but simply planned on bolting it to my stock motor & running it. Plans & finances changed over this time frame & when the opportunity to get Gurgen's AEBS block for a steal ( thanks, G!! ) came up I jumped at the chance. By then I'd upgraded to the T-trim & with John's Vortech ideas floating around my head I went forward. #2 is I'm consistently hearing about "no traction" from the twins advocates & going back to my 'Vette days of racing against Grand Nationals, I remember the turbo'ed GN's having similar traction issues coming out of the hole. I figure that the more gradual power curve of the Vortech will let my G get rollin' & at least have a chance to get some grip.
Like I said in my second post - if the Vortech doesn't do it for me then I WILL convert to Greddy twins. At least I'll have the solid motor to handle either F/I system.
Randy - Didn't forget about ya but I was pushed for time ( drove over that morning @ 10 AM then had to catch my 3 PM flight back ). When John calls me to pick up my baby ( probably 4-6 weeks from now ) I plan on spending at least 1 night in Dallas so I'll PM ya & make plans for us all to hookup somewhere in the area!! Looking forward to meeting U and anyone else who wants to make it - maybe it'll coincide with a car club meeting?

Gene