BLUE's Copper ZXT

[BLUE]

I bought This 81' 280zx turbo. (Thankyou Arche)

Yes yes I know... another z-car ... I have a problem ... []

I wasn't going to post anything until I was a bit further along with it , but thought I might get the ball rolling !

-Z31 300zx Turbo set up (ECU & MAF)
-AiResearch T3/TO4E Turbo
-Steeda Short Shifter (Aftermarket Mustang shifter)
-Stock exhaust with 3" Megan muffler
-Aluminum Koyo radiator dual electric fans
-MSA front & rear sway bars
-HID lights
-Aftermarket headlights
-Headlight covers
-JVC stereo w/ Pioneer Speakers
-16" Ultra Wheels
-New NGK spark plugs
-New Spark plug wires
-New Cap & Rotor

Pictures from a bit ago after being washed up.










------------------------------------Plans & Goals------------------------------------------------

-Get it fixed up and back up to daily driver status (I'll elaborate more on that as things progress)

-finish paint touch up if possible

-paint and hopefully mount a spare nice condition bumper.

-go through and fix any small things etc etc.

-plans go from there !

As far as the car itself goes... It's very apparent the previous owners loved the car inside and out.. (good job Arche) [:thumbup:]

It's pretty neat to have a short throw shifter on the T5 transmission itself , and definetly a "different" feeling when shifting on this transmission !

Anyways thanks for tuning in and I hope to have some more significant posts than just pictures of my car here soon []

DTP

[RedBanner]

Bump. Lol

[BLUE]

Bump. Lol

that's ma boy !




L28ET copper inspection 2882 by 71240z, on Flickr

set at TDC and pushed timing chain wedge down snug.

L28ET copper inspection 2903 by 71240z, on Flickr


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zipped out the 19mm bolt ... remove gear ... and promptly screwed it back in to keep it in it's place.

L28ET copper inspection 2902 by 71240z, on Flickr

yanked turbo and manifolds as a unit .. since I can and gaskets are like 1yr old.

L28ET copper inspection 2896 by 71240z, on Flickr

Cylinders look pretty good.

L28ET copper inspection 2901 by 71240z, on Flickr


L28ET copper inspection 2895 by 71240z, on Flickr


I have the turbo separated off the manifold , but am away from my sanctuary , so will have to get pics another time.

[izzo]

omnomnomnom

[BLUE]

omnomnomnom

hahah Tim

[510freak]

Nice pics of progress man

[BLUE]

Nice pics of progress man

Thanks Lou

[BLUE]

Turbo Dis-assembly.

Started with something close to this , but had already pulled the cotter key and actuator off. ( as well as some bolts ).

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 110 by 71240z, on Flickr
Compressor housing is on the <--- left (aluminum) ... turbine housing is on the right ----> .... CHRA is in the center of it all

Split it all apart ... there were 2 broken bolts in the turbine housing already , and I slightly rounded one bolt head .. that was in a hard to reach place (only could get an open ended wrench in there...) after about 5-10 minutes or more I popped it loose .. was happy

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 109 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 108 by 71240z, on Flickr

CHRA

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 107 by 71240z, on Flickr

Compressor wheel + 7/16" nut.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 106 by 71240z, on Flickr

Turbine wheel.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 105 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 104 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 103 by 71240z, on Flickr

[510freak]

Hope you make a how to on this part of the project David.
Nice pics

[BLUE]

Exhaust down-pipe.. at the turbo-housing.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 101 by 71240z, on Flickr

Down-pipe ... exhaust pipe side (hookup below)

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 099 by 71240z, on Flickr

7/16" inch wrench/socket size on this puppy.

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Popped loose ... carefully

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 095 by 71240z, on Flickr

Actuator housing. Say's Nissan right on it. I don't know how well it does or doesn't work unfortunately .

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 097 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 096 by 71240z, on Flickr

This is the CHRA (less compressor wheel + thrust bearing + dynamic seal and compressor backing plate ? haha)
You can see the journal bearing in the center ( it is held in by a snap ring on each side to keep it in place.. oil floating [:)] ).
Remember you're looking at the compressor side (cool side).

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 040 by 71240z, on Flickr

Pulling off compressor wheel

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 094 by 71240z, on Flickr

[BLUE]

Another view of the down-pipe.
On the right is where it literally hooks to the exhaust pipe (if you weren't famaliar )
On the left is where is connects to the turbo housing

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 093 by 71240z, on Flickr

This is the thrust bearing .. and the dynamic seal is located inside the thrustbearing (cylinder looking thing)
NOTE: --- this not the only sole bearing if you arn't aware already

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 092 by 71240z, on Flickr

At the top is the oil "feed" (with the white tape wrapped around) I choose to take out the banjo fitting instead of the 2 12mm bolts.
At the bottom is the oil "return" port.
You are looking at the compressor side ... facing yourself ... where the thrust bearing/dynamic seal/compressor housing plate etc all assemble on.
In the center are a couple of snap rings holding the journal bearings.
There are (2) journal bearings on this model.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 090 by 71240z, on Flickr

After using snap-ring pliers to pull (1) snap-ring out of the compressor side.
The journal bearing slid right out.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 089 by 71240z, on Flickr

A closer look at the thrust bearing and the dynamic seal.
NOTE: The thrust bearing locates itself on (2) roll pins in the housing , and it has oiling grooves that are to pointed inwards <--- when assemblying

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 088 by 71240z, on Flickr

Oil inlet taped up.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 087 by 71240z, on Flickr

Another look at the housing.
Oil outlet is pictured.
Compressor side is facing ^^^ up.
Turbine side is facing down.
I'll be taking the oil flange bolts out when it's time for cleaning ...

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 086 by 71240z, on Flickr

Turbine side shield ? I'm not sure of the entire purpose at this moment , but will look later.
it goes on the turbine shaft over the seals it looks like.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 085 by 71240z, on Flickr

Turbine side journal bearing and snap-ring.
NOTE: journal bearings have oil holes drilled in them for lubrication (if you weren't already aware).

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 085 by 71240z, on Flickr

[BLUE]

Opps forgot to mention ... I marked the assemblys and what not the best I could before dis-assembly.
All I can do for this very moment.

turbine side journal bearing and snap-ring.
Yeah I think it needs to be replaced

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 084 by 71240z, on Flickr

The shaft.
Turbine wheel to the left.
The surfaces look pretty good really (although this is my first turbo ... lol)

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 083 by 71240z, on Flickr

One of the seals is obliterated ... lol ... look at the front seal (direction of the threaded shaft).

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 083 by 71240z, on Flickr

A closer look ... I know it's hard to see ... you're looking at seals that look like "small piston rings"
The rear seal (towards the turbine) looked "ok" , but that's just me looking at it. Yeah not a good test lol.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 082 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 081 by 71240z, on Flickr

You can see in this picture the "gold plated" looking rings around the bolts.
These rings are also split ... not one continous unit
Those keep everything clamped together(or from walking if you will to describe ?) as we all know.

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 080 by 71240z, on Flickr

Like so...

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 078 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 077 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 076 by 71240z, on Flickr

I kept spinning the turbines/shaft while taking it apart carefully to make it wasn't contact much if at all.
minimal , but did a touch on the inside myself ... *roll eyes*

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 075 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 074 by 71240z, on Flickr

[BLUE]

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 073 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 072 by 71240z, on Flickr


Copper Stuff 11 11 13 069 by 71240z, on Flickr

opps forgot this pic .. lol

Copper Stuff 11 11 13 112 by 71240z, on Flickr




I'll have to look to see if I missed any pics I wanted to post

[BLUE]

Hope you make a how to on this part of the project David.
Nice pics

Appreciate that Lou
I may or may not hahaha

[draker]

Are you rebuilding this yourself?

[BLUE]

Are you rebuilding this yourself?

Attempting to , and we'll see if she spins free once I'm done lol.
I like doing some of this stuff even if I end up at a dead end

I called 3 shops here local and they all wanted basically ... whatever they wanted to charge for the work.
I can't remember the "exact" prices , but the ones below are close.
I had quote for $600 base if internals were good ... $900 base if internals were good ... and a guy that wanted $780 but that's the start.
Of the 3-shops ... 1 shop claims they balanced these (or had them balanced perhaps ?) the other 2 avoided the questions and re-phrased things in a manner that I wasn't comfortable with accepting.


I should have a pro-shop do this stuff , but I get the feeling it will be expensive or irreplaceable parts (then I have to pay for their time on top).
Expensive , but worth it no doubt if they're capable.
I can't go expensive at the moment lol.
G-popshop.com didn't have a clue what seal or set I needed ... and said to take it apart to find out or send it in to them (I believe?).
A couple of other shops I emailed (out of state) said they weren't sure , but I had the feeling they knew something without saying it.
I can respect that though really.

The last time I checked = turbo-city lifted their warranty on the 280zx OEM re-built turbos ... " to save you money " ....
Around $360 ? or $330 ? I can't remember exact. Will try to see if they still sell them.

All and All I'll just get a working turbo if this process goes bad or a cheapo new journal bearings one.
I've been watching the GARRETS on and off on Ebay (when I had some money mostly lol).
I've also been watching the New generic $130-$180 ebay turbo's out of curiousity like the next cat.

(just spin the compressor inlet around and bam ! done... well if it clears the steering box that is ... hahah )

[draker]

Where are you going to get the rebuild kit? Can you get it from the manufacture?

[BLUE]

Where are you going to get the rebuild kit? Can you get it from the manufacture?

Good question draker !
I've been looking at all the after-market suppliers today and last night.

Apparently Ai-Research stopped it's division of vehicle turbo's around 10-years ago along with the parts ? (last I checked , but I can't confirm).
It became Garret or something along the way. (If I remember all that the correctly.. I am tired today )
Skib said it was a Ray-Jay turbo of some sort which is long gone I think ? (probably with the parts).

I have a feeling I'll probably end up with a G-pop kit like this (or somewhere similiar)
"Complete T3 Kit"
http://gpopshop.com/garrett-t3-t4-t3t4-kits-2/

Ebay has this to "from hong kong"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Turbo-Repai ... 1b&vxp=mtr

I haven't looked much further yet

I'll see if they're OEM or kits from a manufacturer that got taken over.

[draker]

I can appreciate your experiment. We've chatted about this before, I think?

I would hesitate to spend too much on a rebuilt kit. The prices on that g-pop shop site look decent. Just keep in mind the price of new CHRA's when you get deep.

I would rather light my money on fire than buy that china rebuild kit. But honestly.. sometimes most of the fun is just experimenting.

Anyway, I am loving the pictures and anyway it turns out... i'm sure you'll enjoy the process.

[BLUE]

I can appreciate your experiment. We've chatted about this before, I think?

I would hesitate to spend too much on a rebuilt kit. The prices on that g-pop shop site look decent. Just keep in mind the price of new CHRA's when you get deep.

I would rather light my money on fire than buy that china rebuild kit. But honestly.. sometimes most of the fun is just experimenting.

Anyway, I am loving the pictures and anyway it turns out... i'm sure you'll enjoy the process.

Oh yeah we have chatted about this before for sure
I took/take what you said to heart , and always kept that in the back of my mind when tearing into this one
Yeah the g-pop stuff does look decent all around for value , but I'm not sure they aren't using the same kits as ebay/china
They look more competent at all levels though.

I believe you're correct .... burn the money first ..... efff em.

Oh yeah !!! exactly ... just getting another CHRA assembly makes SOOOOO much sense to me now.
I understand completely why that is now on many levels for sure... thanks for the tips buddy

Hey I appreciate that Thankya

right on enjoying the process at any rate

On another note.
I actually have another turbo I'd like to rebuild/re-seal ? (in the car still) that isn't smoking ... spools up ... etc...
Stock 280zx OEM turbo I believe .. well fairly sure it is.
So whether this current repair/rebuild works will determine the fate of that one.
I'll get quotes to rebuild the other one first though as it could be a different rate since OEM stuff ? (IDK).