MyAsianNotSoNormalHotRodThread

[scratchedup]

I'm well over 50 but new to Modifying Cars, Metal working and welding...but I'm having the time of my life working with this stuff.

Car- 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe AT very molested....mid-life crises I guess. Spent a ton of money paying others to modify the car with many promises. Well I get the car back and all the work is crap.....

After driving the car gently for a year I had had it and put it in my garage and basically tore stuff out to do it myself correctly and reliably using industry standard protocols.

That was 5+ years ago. I now have a decent shop, tools, 5000 pictures for re-assembly help and years of research.

I still need lots of help. The welding part will probably have to wait but I would like to be able to at least tac stuff up to take to the pros.

Almost finished AfterMarket Modified exhaust-

[H80N]

Neat...

looking forward to further installments as your work progresses...

as you go alomg... you may find that there are quite a few automotive fabricator and builder types to draw upon here for advice... suppliers.. etc etc...

right here on this board.. we have a pretty fair cross section...

[scratchedup]

A little further back two custom hangers-

[H80N]

You had mentioned that you were interested in doing some stainless steel fab and welding...

taking into account this project... one might surmise it to be exhaust work....

these guys have good quality supplies...

AND.... you might find these 6 videos helpful...

http://www.stainlessheaders.com/headerfabrication

[scratchedup]

yes yes

They are great. They have the best V - Band clamps.

Usually talk to Chris.

[H80N]

It is a nice looking car...

what is your intent for final result..??

drivetrain..??

handling..??

[scratchedup]

Thanks....

I did not really have a plan. When I purchased it in 2006 new I just wanted a little more power and growl. I did the usual NA stuff. The shop that did the install had a twin turbo kit come available for half price so I bit.

Turns out the shop was new and this was only the 2nd kit they ever installed and my car was an automatic.

After a bunch of pain and suffering I get the car back and it was just not right and I know it is beyond the shops ability to make it right. Eventually I shop the car to Texas to an performance A/T specialist....spend a bunch more money but in the end same story...crappy work, unfulfilled promises.

I drive back from Texas to Georgia and can tell there are a lot of issues.

That brings me up to my 1st post....drove the car gently for a year then de-constructed it.

Mistake # 1. I do take responsibility for this but I had others do the work who made huge promises and then had untrained "kids" do the "work".

Since the car is modified it is really not worth anything but I'm ok with that. It has provided me the opportunity to build a metal shop, a lift in my garage and hours/years of fabrication enjoyment and mind therapy.

My goal with the car to have a very reliable 410 WHP fun machine that I modified and fixed. In many ways it is not a very practical car...more like a weekend driver.

[H80N]

What matters is the level of enjoyment you get out of building, driving and owning it....,,,,

so are you still turboed??.. or have you undone the less than satisfactory install??

did they try too remap your ecu..?? or install another like megasquirt..??

[H80N]

isn't that VQ35DE the same basic engine that Nissan puts in the 350Z....???

should be some solid reliable performance info out there for it by now...

would hope... anyhow..

Any of this real..?? or is it vaporware..??

http://www.injectedperformance.com/blog/tag/vq35de/

[scratchedup]

What matters is the level of enjoyment you get out of building, driving and owning it....,,,,

so are you still turboed??.. or have you undone the less than satisfactory install??

did they try too remap your ecu..?? or install another like megasquirt..??

Yes and it has been one of the coolist things I have been involved in.

Still turbo'd...GT2552's but I have re-clocked both compressors, port matched all outlets, fabricated new cats and totally cleaned up and re-did the HKS exhaust.

Nissan ECU's are tough...Haltech has finally come out with a full stand alone replacement but its not compatible with my A/T. I have the Haltech Platinum piggyback.

I have a megasquirt in a box for my NA Miata....but thats after this is finished + me learn more how to weld.....

[scratchedup]

isn't that VQ35DE the same basic engine that Nissan puts in the 350Z....???

should be some solid reliable performance info out there for it by now...

would hope... anyhow..

Any of this real..?? or is it vaporware..??

http://www.injectedperformance.com/blog/tag/vq35de/

Yes...same and I hesitate to say but I am now (in my mind) an expert on the whole Z/G modify engine working process.

It turned into a "built engine" in Houston TX....but at my power levels prob not necessary but its done.

Its real I think.

I've been all over the country visiting shops in my travels and the ONLY place I trust is Dynasty....

http://www.dynosty.com

[scratchedup]

Check this out-
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...21477&page=120

page 120 post# 2396.

This guy is the private personal for the Jesse James Chopper shop.

[H80N]

as far as learning TIG...

there are plenty of good online resources like this..

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ur-skills/tig/

not to mention youtube and weldingtipsandtricks

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig-welding.html

do some studying..

get some clean material to practice on.. prep it..

setup your machine and practice... you will get a feel for it... not overnight but you will get it..

put some Dire Straits,,, Clapton or other with a good beat on the shop stereo.. and have at it.. it will help develop your rythm...

dip,,, move...dip... move...etc...

[scratchedup]

as far as learning TIG...

there are plenty of good online resources like this..

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ur-skills/tig/

not to mention youtube and weldingtipsandtricks

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig-welding.html

do some studying..

get some clean material to practice on.. prep it..

setup your machine and practice... you will get a feel for it... not overnight but you will get it..

put some Dire Straits,,, Clapton or other with a good beat on the shop stereo.. and have at it.. it will help develop your rythm...

dip,,, move...dip... move...etc...

Yes thanks-

Me attempting to tac a few months ago.

[H80N]

It's kinda like "Wax on... Wax off".........

if you remember that movie...

might seem repetative and pointless... bit it will get you there in time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PycZtfns_U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg21M2zwG9Q