Jumbo Boost

[rookie]

That's exactly how I feel! Plenty of projects to do - a lot of projects I always meant to do with Big Red. The difference now is that I have so many extra parts, it makes starting those projects much easier. I can work them out on the bench, then just swap them into Silver when I'm ready. A few I have in the very beginning stages on my workbench. I'll have to take a shot of the bench - I'm usually very organized but with the volume of stuff I just had to keep... it's a little cluttered.

For Example - the HU screen move up to the headliner console. I now have extra wired connectors I can use to extend the OEM harness. Same wires down to the color coding. I also have Big Red's Sunglass/headliner console that I can mold into a custom enclosure.

I have Big Red's dual oil catch system laid out on the bench with a few of the hoses and fittings. I still love just looking at these cans. Heh.
More to come since it depends on the new setup.

The aftermarket gages on the driver's side pillar are on the bench. After uninstalling the PLX data modules, I plan a much cleaner install for Silver behind the glovebox. The haltech will go behind the passenger side kickplate and will have Big Red's setup; a USB cable extending through the glovebox for tuning access. I took a really good look at these areas when I was swapping out the interior. A couple custom brackets should really organize it well.

The list goes on... there are a few Miata projects on the bench too.


I've been getting into discussions with Powerfab about where we go after the motor swap. The existing piping is all tweaked and we would be cutting out any damaged areas and essentially refabricating both hot & cold sides on Silver. That's almost as much effort as just staring over, so I've been considering options. In increasing levels of cost... Jumbo's new boost options:

Option 1 - Leave Silver stock, sell Big Red's goodies, use money for new project.
Commentary: Whatever. I love a modified FX. Don't think Option 1 is going to make the cut.
$ - obviously the easiest to finance.

Option 2 - Recreate Silver exactly the way I had Big Red set up. We know everything about the system what work has to be done to get there.
Commentary: Seems to be a safe plan - I know what to expect and about what it will cost me.
$$$ - This ain't cheap and while it hurts to have to pay this again, I'm willing because I loved the product that much.

Option 3 - Recreate essentially what was in Big Red, but with a couple upgrades like an additional wastegate & composite driveshaft.
Commentary: Will pretty much be another development/new build project. Will get spendy and I'm not sure exactly what that means. This is probably my favorite Option for what I get out of it in the end.
$$$$ - If the project takes months (which it will) it is pretty easy to spread out the cost with scheduled payments. Doing it this way throws cost control out the window and I'm going to take a financial hit. Sacrifice for such a noble cause though... isn't that priceless? I feel like this is the most I can justify in terms of money. I hate saying that though because if there were EVER about the money, I wouldn't have modified the first FX.

Option 4 - New layout, turbo placement (single or twin), custom intercooler, an additional wastegate, custom forward facing manifolds, SFR built 5AT, Composite drive shaft. We would be cutting out any of Big Red's useable hot & cold side piping and essentailly use it for raw material. This is pretty much what Turbocad is doing with his FX - except with major differences as compared to my RWD 2003. I.e. we would be into a new development/build project.
Commentary: Well crap. This sounds really fun and I'm sure I'd get what I want. Hard to justify or rationalize but I'll try anyway.
$$$$$ - So we are saying if I spread out the payments I could possibly hide the final total from my wife. Because if she found out how much I spent over the course of this project and last... *shudder*

Option 5 - There's a chance... yes a chance... that I could purchase one of the only three existing front center feed plenums for the VQ35DE. The current owner of the GORGEOUS setup has had it for a while and thinking about something else. If I can land his setup, it's proven and has been maintained by Powerfab since it was built. That includes what began life as a Greddy TT kit, modified to what it is now.
Commentary: There would obviously have to be some fabrication to get it all integrated into Silver but talking about it much more is premature... not even sure what the guy is asking for his setup and if I really do have first dibs on it. The owner is the guy who build my FX so I'm hoping the unique nature of the whole thing will get him interested. After all - he'd be installing it on Silver.
$$$$$$ - Heaven help me if he comes to me with an offer I have to think about. I'll have to save for another year just to get it installed.

Option 6 - Buy my JWT TT. :tongue (2): GT30 turbos :wink (2):

 

[toy4x]

Oh oh..... Viet already hinted about re-doing his beast. Having his current setup would be sick.

 

[jumbosrule]

Option 6 - Buy my JWT TT. :tongue (2): GT30 turbos :wink (2):

That's pretty much Option 4, except already fabbed. I'm interested...

Spent a couple hours on the FX today. I dropped off the driver's seat back at an upholstery shop to get replacements for the panels damaged in the airbag deployment. I removed the good airbag module from the driver's seat of the silver FX and installed it on the frame of the driver's seat from Big Red, then installed that seat into the Silver FX. When I pick up the repaired seat back from the shop, this is the last piece of the interior swap.



Next up was swapping in Big Red's head unit & CD player, along with the black control panel. Surprisingly after completing the electronics swap, a speaker I thought was blown starting working again. So far Big Red's CD player works just fine - the swap worked perfectly.

Before Shot:


After:


I also popped in the black air conditioning vents with the brushed aluminum trim.


Gathered up all the wiring & aftermarket modules; for Silver I'm planning on figuring out a neat mounting solution rather than tucking things behind the glovebox - it was a rat's nest of wires. All of this is now boxed up and ready for the motor swap; Haltech PnP, harness, custom pillar mount, PLX OBDII 4 line/data display, PLX AFR gauge, sensor modules, UpRev Osiris interface & all the interconnects.

 

[tchuck]

I have my PLX module under the center console. Lots of room under there...

 

[jumbosrule]

I have my PLX module under the center console. Lots of room under there...

Not sure there's enough room for all four of those modules though (plus the Haltech). I was thinking about some kind of mounting board - maybe even in the wheel well next to the stereo gear. I like the idea of having easy access to it but would need to extend some wiring if I go that way.

 

[tchuck]

Not sure there's enough room for all four of those modules though (plus the Haltech). I was thinking about some kind of mounting board - maybe even in the wheel well next to the stereo gear. I like the idea of having easy access to it but would need to extend some wiring if I go that way.

Yeah, I don't know if you could fit all of that stuff. I just remember being surprised at how much space was under there when I installed mine.

 

[jumbosrule]

Things are moving forward if a bit slowly. Last week the Red FX chassis was finally hauled away to the salvage yard. She's gone for good. *sniffle

The Silver FX went into the dealership after I called up to check my VIN for any recalls. Turns out none of them were ever done - so the dealership is knocking those out. Most of them I dont care about but new headlights and tail lights was a sweet bonus. I asked them to let me keep the old lights - not sure if that will happen.

They pulled history and found a code for Cyl 3 misfire, but no evidence of any current problems. Honestly I dont even care since my built motor will be going in before the summer is over. Anyway, I got a G25 loaner that I've been driving around in today - a little weak sauce compared to the 3.5 motors but I guess that is to be expected.

I called to see if I could get my dash replaced - yes it is cracked and bubbling, but it is also the only willow color trim in the car. It would be so great if Infiniti consumer services allows an extension to the extended warranty on the dash. It officially expired in July of last year. It would be even cooler if I could change it to a black dash. They opened a case for me and said they would be contacting the dealership to see if there is anything they can do for me. Guess we will see. I'd consider changing my opinion about dealerships if I show up this evening and the dash is done. I wont hold my breath.

Nothing out of the ordinary for the brakes, suspension, audio and interior I have already swapped over - everything has been very cooperative so far.

The Miata is getting a new motor this week so the FX is back to being the daily driver as soon as I go pick her up.

 

[toy4x]

Brad, is this your radio bezel from big red?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/view...p;index=18&nav=SEARCH&nid=06448266436

Tapatalkin'

 

[pmanliu]

Brad, is this your radio bezel from big red?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/view...p;index=18&nav=SEARCH&nid=06448266436

Tapatalkin'

There was a red fx with red stockers, red trim, etc... spotted awhile back in Staten Island, NY. I posted a picture but can't seem to find it anymore. Wonder if thats his's

 

[jumbosrule]

Nope, not BR's bezel. Originally, Big Red's bezel was Black, but from the dealer it came with the brushed aluminum trim over the bezel.

I purchased a dash kit that turned out to be much more Orange than Red, so I didn't keep it after I wrecked Big Red. I removed the dash kit and swapped in all the black interior parts for the Silver FX's gray (willow) interior parts. The radio bezel is the only thing I left black (without the brushed aluminum trim) when I swapped in the parts, so I'm currently staring at Big Red's original black radio bezel in the Silver FX.

And of course I still have the Willow radio bezel I took out of the Silver FX.

 

[aiya]

There was a red fx with red stockers, red trim, etc... spotted awhile back in Staten Island, NY. I posted a picture but can't seem to find it anymore. Wonder if thats his's

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=477-**Official-FX-s-spotted**?p=125328#post125328

 

[AeroBFA]

Funny, I bought that guys chrome window trim on eBay for my 35 two summers ago. The same red FX that Patrick spotted. His eBay avatar is a pic of his car.

 

[mbarb15]

so, where does jumbo part 2 stand?

 

[jumbosrule]

so, where does jumbo part 2 stand?

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=17241-Jumbo-s-Silver-FX-2nd-custom-build