4+ months later, it's finally back!

[98intrigue]

I traded in my single turbo 40th Anniversary 370Z in April for a 2006 SRT-10 Coupe in April.

The first weekend I had the car, I installed a K&N intake. A day before what I'm about to say, I installed some KW V2 coilovers, changed the diff/transmission fluid for some Mobil 1 synthetic, and had the car aligned. In June (just 1,200 miles later), my motor spun 2 rod bearings. After a longgg wait, I was finally able to pick up the car last Friday! The motor was built by Nelson Competition. I just did an OEM rebuild, but with a few tweaks (their mod for extra lubrication to the crank, ARP head studs, Clevite main/rod bearings, cosmetic headgasket). With the money I saved over doing a full heads/cam build, I ended up buying some Modulare Forged wheels (19"/20") and Belanger headers during the build. I also upgraded to the Woodhouse motor/transmission mounts, new battery, new OEM clutch, had the flywheel resurfaced, and added some black Viper decals to the calipers.

I've put about 400 miles on it so far and have kept the RPMS under 3500. I'm going to put a couple hundred more miles on it before I decide to open it up.

The only problem I had during the install was having the Belanger headers installed. I bought the car with cat deletes, Mopar mufflers, but with the OEM rear crossover piping Whomever did the work did some welding, so the headers will not mate up to the exhaust. I'm taking it to my exhaust guy as soon as posisble to get the headers on and get rid of the OEM crossover piping. I'd like to tune the car afterwards and then finally enjoy it

Here are some pictures that were taken last weekend during the Reeves Motorsports meet in Tampa.

[forexx4]

Those wheels fit the car perfectly.

[Mister Bone]

Nice looking car.

If that is the Nelson Racing Engines I am thinking about, you will have a nice bullet in there.

[Disturbed 01]

Looks good. I think the wheels would have been better with a brushed finish on the lip. But other than that. Great looking car when your in Orlando look me up.

[bushido]

Very nice and congrats on the new motor..

[The Former PFR]

Originally Posted by Mister Bone

Nice looking car.

If that is the Nelson Racing Engines I am thinking about, you will have a nice bullet in there.

Nelson competition is in Florida. Nelson Racing is in Cali.

[Goehner]

Great looking car.

[MTGTS]

Nelsons is who does Lee's motors so I'm sure his motor will be fine

[98intrigue]

Thanks, everyone. I can't wait to hear how the car sounds with the headers.

Originally Posted by Disturbed 01

Looks good. I think the wheels would have been better with a brushed finish on the lip. But other than that. Great looking car when your in Orlando look me up.

I'll be up there for Festivals of Speed December 1-2.

Originally Posted by MTGTS

Nelsons is who does Lee's motors so I'm sure his motor will be fine

Sal's motor was there, too.

[98intrigue]

2 weeks and 600 miles later, the motor spun another rod bearing last night. All my aftermarket parts (KWs, wheels/tires, K&N intake, Belanger headers) will be up for sale soon if anyone is interested.

The last picutre (and only picture) I took of the car since I got it back...Friday night.

[CottonMouth]

Engine under warranty? Whats the max RPM's you're turning that motor? Condolences.

[plumcrazy]

how was it broken in ?

[98intrigue]

Originally Posted by CottonMouth

Engine under warranty? Whats the max RPM's you're turning that motor? Condolences.

They said no warranty, but I will be contacting them tomorrow. As big of a reputation Nelson Competition has, I surely hope they cover all the expenses.

Originally Posted by plumcrazy

how was it broken in ?

I put 600 miles on the motor with keeping the revs under 3000-3500 rpms. The shop used Valvoline 20w50 VR1 oil and said I could just use my drive home (60 miles) as a breakin. I didn't agree with that, so I put on another 500 miles to be safe.

Friday night, I changed the oil with Mobil 10w30 synthetic (shop recommendation). Went to Cars & Coffee yesterday and redlined the car for the first time. It saw a total of maybe 5 pulls to redline throughout the day yesterday. Driving the speed limit last night, the rear tires locked up for a split of a second. I had no idea what happened...then about 10 seconds later the noise that has haunted me since June happened again.

[1fast400]

That's a sick feeling, hope you can work it out with them.

[Dirtysocks]

Did you change the oil cooler and lines at the time of installation ?

[98intrigue]

Originally Posted by Dirtysocks

Did you change the oil cooler and lines at the time of installation ?

No. I've never had a problem with any lines leaking and my oil temps have always been safe. I've only put 1800 miles on the car since I got it in April and this is the 2nd time this has happened. I'm fixing the motor and selling the car...this is obviously not the car for me.

[Dirtysocks]

If.there are any filings in the lines or cooler from the first engine failure , odds are good that it can screw up another, via filings entering the oil system and grinding the shit out of the bearings.

[Disturbed 01]

Sounds like someone fucked up on the engine build. No warranty. No business. I don't care if the engine was built my Mr. Ed if done right 60,000mi would be fine.

[virginiavenom]

what a crock of shit. I'd be livid over that BS. they would be fixing it on them no questions asked and priority job since it was their problem obviously.

[coupe]

Beautiful car, but terrible luck. If it's the same bearing that went, I would chalk it up to a misaligned main or similar problem. No reason a naturally aspirated motor should spit two bearings like that, especially if they're on the same journal.

Wishing you the best to get the problem fixed!