dougie350

Yeh bit of a bummer dude! There we are, onwards and upwards! I'm not sure really dude, I kind of want to get back out asap and if I go down that route it'll be a lot longer than just putting another vq in! Undecided yet really

Ok, well at least we're maybe getting somewhere with diagnosis of the problem! No there isn't any stickers saying, I knew that it's better to put 98 in, but I didn't think it would be deadly putting in 95. I guess I know for next time now

Well.... this is interesting! I think I may have f****d up then! I actually thought they were ok to run on 95 fuel! But yes you are all right, that must have played a massive contributing part in it!

I'm hoping it's just the bearings that have gone as a set of acl bearings may help a great deal on my next engine! I will be taking a lot more precautions though next time as maybe I got a bit too comfortable thinking vqs were bomb proof, I've always tried to look after my engine as best I can, but fuel wise I would always go for normal fuel, and maybe I was using too thin a oil. Even though it states that 5-30 should be used, my car spends most its life being bashed on the limiter being a drift car. Also it might be worth looking into oil cooler, baffled sump and like I set a set of acl rod and main bearings. Opinions on this?

Thanks for all your input guys! Unfortunately an ls is just not an option, with trying to save for a house etc, I've been thinking though....... it's common knowledge vqs weak point is the bottom end, would upgrading to acl rod and main bearings maybe solve this problem? Has it been done before to an n/a 350?

Haha yeh a lot! And a lot to get it in and working! I do t really want any more power or anything, I just want something reliable and easier/cheaper to replace if it dies

yeh that's the thing, time wise a vq would be the viable option, this is why I'm favouring towards a 1uz or similar as you can pick them up a lot cheaper than a vq. So if the uz went I could put another in a lot cheaper. Yeh haha it's was pretty spectacular

Yeh I mean, so far as getting the engine in and mating with gearbox, that would be a problem, it would just be the general airing of it all and getting it running and working with everything.

Hi everyone. So.... long story short my 350z died yesterday. The bottom end went and has made a rather large hole in the block. Just deciding what I should do now. It's a known thing that the bottom ends are not great on vqs, recently I have known of quite a few that have blown up. Although mine is a drift car it did get looked after really well, oil and filters changed after every drift day, oil checked throw out the day etc. But it still went. Now I could get another vq and put that in easily but there seems to be a premium on them, thy are around the 2k mark. Now this would be the easiest option but who's to say this won't just happen again. Mine had only done 88k and most of the engines I've found for under 2k are all higher mileage than mine. My second thought is maybe go down a different route...... maybe v8, m62, 1uz as these are all around the same power and from what I've heard are reliable and strong engines. I know there would be a lot of fab and stuff making it work in the car, but you can pick up ( for example ) an ls400 for around 4-500 quid. Leaving a fair bit of money to get it working, it would probably work out more than buying another vq I know, but..... if I spent that money making a v8 work in a z, if I blew it up I could source another engine for 4-500 pounds. But if I put another vq in and it goes again (which is likely) I'd have to fork another 2k out for an engine. So in the long run what do you all think?? I havnt set any ideas in stone at all just thinking out loud. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance

We're you in a blue z ?

hi all, after some stock 350z front wings, mines a 2003. paintwork doesnt matter at all, cheaper the better cheers dougie

hi all, still need a passenger side headlight as my cracked lens one has stopped working all together now! dont really fancy paying ebay prices, i don mind if the lights are misted up or anything, as long as it works, mine are the 8 pin sort. many thanks doug

hi mate, sorry im not sure if they would fit or not, i know that youd be able to lower the car more and have a better ride, are you on "true coilover" set up or the normal inboard spring and damper?

cheers mate, ah never, i would have taken you out if id known! haha trusty front lip! still in one piece too aha!

cheers dude