Engine Build

Starting in October '08, I embarked on the "Spec Version 4.0" project.

This build is going to be a built engine, with boost of 25-30+ psi, and around the 450-500whp range as a long term goal.

Part list:

• Walbro 255lph fuel pump with Sentra SE canister
• Precision SC61 turbo 69 trim .63 A/R
• Protech Fabrication 3" downpipe and midpipe
• 07 QR25DE headgasket
• ARP headstuds
• ARP main studs
• CP 8.5:1 pistons w/ Swain Tech Coatings GoldCoat & PC9
• Crower connecting rods
• Darton sleeves
• JWT S1 camshafts
• JWT valvesprings
• JWT fuel rail (SR20DET top feed)
• VRS 3" cat back exhaust
• Magnaflow stainless steel muffler
• Throttle body from a 5.0 Mustang
• Tri-metal rod bearings
• Forced Induction Racing ported and polished cylinder head
• Forced Induction Racing shifter cable bushings
• J&S Safeguard Individual Cylinder Knock Control System
• Toga High Performance Oil Pump

Alderman Machine is installing the sleeves, setting the ring gap, and doing the final boring/etc on the block, and my husband and I will be installing the rest in our home garage.

CP piston (before it was sent out for coatings) and Crower rod combination.

Darton sleeves.

January 14 2009 - I just picked up my block today from Alderman Machine in Delaware!  Now the rest of the building can commence!

Yes, a bit ugly!  It was painted black, as it came out of a show car, but chipping off after hot tanking.  I don't care, I'm leaving it that way, no one can see it anyway! 

Ported & Polished cylinder head from Forced Induction Racing.

The car out and about in Jan '09

March 9 -

March 10 -

March 28 -

Getting ready to go back in the car soon!

May 3 -

Car has been running for several weeks now, and I have put about 41 miles on the new motor.  Drove it for tuning and to Spring Nationals at Raceway Park for a meet.  Things are running smoothly, so now it's just more tuning!

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"Spec Version 3.0"
HQR -
Since my engine's original crank got taken out by a flywheel mishap, it was time to upgrade! 2007+ QR25DE cranks are fully counterbalanced, and are capable of holding up to a lot higher revs (my car redlines at 6250, the '07+ redlines at 7200rpm), so it was the natural choice to swap in a 07 crank. With a higher redline, more power can be made and utilized with the turbo, and it also eliminates the need to shift into 5th in the quarter mile (at least for awhile...).

engine out... dammit, i didn't rotate the picture :(

no engine!

'07 crank in the crank cradle

in comparison... this was my stock '02 crank...

new crank all snug in

On May 7th the engine was all buttoned up and waiting to go in.

new flywheel and clutch installed

back in its home after two months!!

After the crank was installed, the standalone project began, using a EMS Pro standalone. My import gained a little mullet with the addition of Chevrolet LS1 coilpacks and spark plug wires, which provided many entertaining moments for myself when I was tracking down parts.

As of May 21, 2008, the CAR IS RUNNING! *happy dance* The car started up on the very first try after about 3 seconds of cranking! There are so very poor quality videos on youtube if anybody needs proof that it's running.

My VQ35HR valve springs have arrived and are awaiting an install once the car is fully tuned. One step at a time... it is kind of silly to installed a bunch of stuff at once with something as complicated as this.

There's talk floating around the spec v "community" that my particular build is being "half-assed," which I find amusing. Oh well, I just wanna drive and race my car again, I'll build it as I see fit, and that did include ditching the piece of crap ECU that everyone seems to love so much. To each their own. I build and own my car for myself, and no one else. Internals will come soon enough.

June 6th - Awaiting my Sentra SE gas pedal to arrive... converted the car to drive by cable, using a KA24DE throttle body out of an Altima. My car brings new meaning to the word "hybrid" lol.

pic of the KA throttle body

And now the throttle body mounted... lined up very nicely!

June 14th - Car came out of the garage for the first time in 3 months! Gave her a good ol' bath.. I think there was an inch of WD40 coating the paint along with who knows what else. Throttle response is greatly approved with the cable throttle, so that is something to get use to, along with the new clutch of course. Got some gas in the car, but unfortunately the laptop died so we couldn't datalog for tuning.

My awesome moveable sticky redline :D

July 19th - Sorry for no updates. Car has been running fine now, and has driveability tuned very well. Drove the car 160 miles or so for a meet, and got 20mpg which is better than what my SE-R gets! It is not tuned well enough that I want to hit up the track, but that is alright as it's a warm time of the year anyway. Redline is currently 6700. Must say it's quite awesome to see the tach going higher!

August 22nd - The car has been driving and staying tuned just fine.  Hopefully this weekend/next week the timing will get fine tuned (currently running an SRT4 timing map, so things have to get adjusted a bit to suit my car a bit more) and then in the next few weeks hit up the track with 10psi and 7000 rpm redline.

Plan is to finish out the track season on 10-12psi and 7000 redline, and then over the winter drop in 07+ QR25DE rods, my blockguard, and perhaps custom ground turbo cams designed for high revving motors, along with upgraded valve springs.  Next spring I am aiming for 20+ psi and a 7500 redline.  Stay tuned!

October 2nd - This weekend I am scheduled to dyno.  I have an Precision SC61 69 trim .63 A/R turbo coming to me along with Protech Fab 3" downpipe and midpipe.  Just got ARP head studs in the mail today!

I made 297whp and 274 wtq on this set up, on an unknown amount of boost, and 6800 redline on a DynoJet.  I have since abandoned the HQR project for Spec Version 4.0, seen at the top of this page.

Page 1: General Information
Page 2: Exterior
Page 3: Interior
Page 4: Engine '05-'07 N/A version
Page 5: Audio
Page 6: Engine '07+ Turbo version
Page 7: Engine Build '08+ *HERE*
Page 8: Braking, Suspension, Wheels
Page 9: Track Journal
Page 10: 2006 Car Show Season
Page 11: 2007 Car Show Season
Page 12: Thanks & Shoutouts
Page 13: Under construction media page