Block guard.......do or don't

R

raymond

Member
Location
Netherlands
Car
FX35 RWD
Ok still working on my Turbo set-up but getting closer.

I talked with a guy to do Darton Sleeves to make my block stronger but with my set-up it is kinda overkill and here in the netherlands quite expensive.

Now he told me about these Block Guards.

Found one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Supertech-Block-Guard-Blockguard-350z-VQ35-VQ35DE-VQ-/250602923638

Did some research about experiances and stumbled on to several stories.

My engine guy says he wants to put these in and thighten into the engine so they won't sink in too much. That is what some people say it fels down.
My main doubt is cooling issues........but then again that is what i hear from Darton Sleeves as well.

Anyone knows something about this....??
 
I've seen them work just fine on very high hp cars. The main worry isn't necessarily cooling, it's making sure they're installed properly. If done improperly, they can cause a ton of issues.
 
I'm also doing a custom turbo installation right now.

IMO, I don't think you need this block guard. It is not used often by the VQ world. Even with a turbo set-up, you have a 5AT, which will limit the power you can ask from your motor. Even built 5AT transmissions top out around 450whp (plenty of 5AT failures in the 350Z crowd). At that power level, the block guard won't do much good. I also agree that sleeving is overkill. Not necessary due to our FX drivetrain & 5AT limitations. On a manual transmission with goals closer to 650whp, then sleeving might make more sense, although plenty of people argue about using sleeves at all on a VQ.

If you are worried about cooling, I could suggest to you the "pathfinder cooling mod". The VQ engine is also used on the Nissan Pathfinder, which has cooling modifications to offset the increased engine load when towing.

http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model=350z&cat=engine&prodid=4531

I'm planning on using this cooling modification as well with my turbo setup.
 
jumbosrule said:
I'm also doing a custom turbo installation right now.

IMO, I don't think you need this block guard. It is not used often by the VQ world. Even with a turbo set-up, you have a 5AT, which will limit the power you can ask from your motor. Even built 5AT transmissions top out around 450whp (plenty of 5AT failures in the 350Z crowd). At that power level, the block guard won't do much good. I also agree that sleeving is overkill. Not necessary due to our FX drivetrain & 5AT limitations. On a manual transmission with goals closer to 650whp, then sleeving might make more sense, although plenty of people argue about using sleeves at all on a VQ.

If you are worried about cooling, I could suggest to you the "pathfinder cooling mod". The VQ engine is also used on the Nissan Pathfinder, which has cooling modifications to offset the increased engine load when towing.

http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model=350z&cat=engine&prodid=4531

I'm planning on using this cooling modification as well with my turbo setup.
Click to expand...

Thanks Guys,

My engine guy told me the same with automatic trans being less stressfull on the engine.
Never the less i rather have a little bit of overkill then none. Planning on running my GT35R at 0,8 bar but want to posibility to go too 1,0 bar without running against any borders.
And then for that amount of money these guards look interesting.
Thing is that when every body said no issues but one said gain something and another said gains nothing i could take the change.
But then people are saying things like it can cause issues, i'm alwyas a bit spooked then.
Like you says jumbo not that many have....why not is ask myself. When F/I that amount of investment is easaly done.

I see that your running a GT35R as well. With custom intercooled....?? What does that mean. Any topic on that...??
And what psi/bar are you planning to run...??
 
Custom intercooled just means I did not use a kit developed for the G or Z. All of my hot side pipes and cold side charge pipes are custom fabrication, specific to my engine bay and turbo system layout.

My build thread: ///9415

I have also gone with a fully built motor (that insurance you are talking about) so that I can increase boost as required by the tune. On stock internals, 8-10psi (.5 - .69 bar) is maximum boost. With a built motor, I could push it to 20psi (1.3 bar), though I have no plans to do that. Plan is to tune to 450whp. Anything above that will just steal life away from my transmission. Whatever boost it takes to get there is where I'll set the tune.
 
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Jumbo, so outter the question if it is overkill or not, for the amount of money would you advise it....??
I rather be a bit overkill in the engine so i can increase boost a bit when neccesary, especially for these low costs.
 
Ray - fact is, I've just never seen them used or read any testimonials so it would be tough for me to say - "yeah, do it". Not sure what insurance it might or might not give you. If you could find somebody that has these installed, then at least you could ask for opinions from them.

Here's another similar product - for high horsepower applications:


Engine block girdle

http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model=350z&cat=engine&prodid=2929
 
jumbosrule said:
Ray - fact is, I've just never seen them used or read any testimonials so it would be tough for me to say - "yeah, do it". Not sure what insurance it might or might not give you. If you could find somebody that has these installed, then at least you could ask for opinions from them.

Here's another similar product - for high horsepower applications:


Engine block girdle

http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model=350z&cat=engine&prodid=2929
Click to expand...


Found a topic on my350Z about the guard. More of somebody offering them as a GB and wanting to pole if there was any interest.
The reactions there were also not very clear. Only guys who seem to have much experiance with this mod is the Honda Scene. ANd there it is 50/50 some say it will give cooling issues like i mentioned before others say it will work as long as the are mounted and thightend right.

If the pathfinder mod will solve that cooling solution then it is clear. Will do that mod anyways.

The girdle i´ve talked about with my engine guy as well and he said it was overkill for the amount of Hp i will be running. Also he mounted extra heavy duty bolts in the oem girdle to strengthen it even more.
 
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