ZZP Z54 Turbo info
12-21-2017, 11:49 AM
#76
So I ended up finally getting the z54 on Black Friday. Took me awhile to get on it lol.
So as far as parts that don't come from zzp what do I need to order? Im assuming exhaust gaskets both manifold and dp side of the turbo. But what else?
So as far as parts that don't come from zzp what do I need to order? Im assuming exhaust gaskets both manifold and dp side of the turbo. But what else?
12-21-2017, 12:54 PM
#77
Senior Member
The only other thing I remember that stands out in my mind was modifying the support brace for the stock turbo to work with the Z54. Some support is better than none.
12-21-2017, 01:52 PM
#79
Senior Member
Nope lol. You're right, I remember now, I went on CED and ordered the banjo gaskets too. Been a while since I was in there.
I'll see if I can dig all the part numbers back up for you, make it easier.
I'll see if I can dig all the part numbers back up for you, make it easier.
12-21-2017, 09:10 PM
#81
Senior Member
Your numbers are good. The number for the o2 to dp is 12609878 as far as I can tell, but I picked them up from ZZP when I got the turbo.
You should also get 12589435, that's the gasket for the turbo to oil drain tube.
You should also get 12589435, that's the gasket for the turbo to oil drain tube.
01-17-2018, 01:40 AM
#85
No drilling was needed on anything for oil. I just completed the z54 install this past week. Also, if you are following the zfr install instructions, you don't have to cut the exhaust manifold. I did, however, cut down the top turbo heat shield to make it able to fit. In other words, I used it after trimming it smaller. Also, on my z54, the black vacuum tube (which ZZP states is supposed to stay vented) was sitting right against the firewall. For reference it is right next to the bpv. On the firewall there is a plastic rainwater drain ( gm part 15805739 for reference) that can be retrieved and accessed behind the firewall that perfectly blocked the z54 vacuum port. It was flush up against that drain. So I had to cut a corner of that drain to prevent blockage of this turbo port
Tips: purchase offset wrenches from harbor freight for the tight spaces.
Purchase heat shield protection for the oil line coming up to the top of the turbo from down below.
I relied a lot upon Deep socket:. 11, 15 and 18 mm; a 13 mm offset wrench; 14mm shorty wrench in addition to the normal tools I had lying around.
Test fit the intake tube on the turbo before you install. I had to shave away the inside of my intake tube as well as heat up on the stove in order for it to fit. Good to know ahead of time.
I have more tips but can't think of them right now.
Tips: purchase offset wrenches from harbor freight for the tight spaces.
Purchase heat shield protection for the oil line coming up to the top of the turbo from down below.
I relied a lot upon Deep socket:. 11, 15 and 18 mm; a 13 mm offset wrench; 14mm shorty wrench in addition to the normal tools I had lying around.
Test fit the intake tube on the turbo before you install. I had to shave away the inside of my intake tube as well as heat up on the stove in order for it to fit. Good to know ahead of time.
I have more tips but can't think of them right now.
Last edited by idrive66; 01-17-2018 at 08:07 AM.
01-17-2018, 01:53 AM
#86
Tip: I used temporary glue on the washer/ nut and glued it to that one very difficult almost impossible connection point between the turbo housing and O2 housing. You will see when you get there that one bolt is almost impossible to get it to connect. By gluing the washer and nut in place, it was a piece of cake to stick the bolt in and tighten.
01-17-2018, 09:33 AM
#87
I'm not sure what your referring to when you say " if you follow the zfr install instructions you don't have to cut the exhaust manifold"
I don't recall cutting of the exhaust manifold step.
Or are you referring to the early on casting defect the 6758 had with a tab that interfered?
I don't recall cutting of the exhaust manifold step.
Or are you referring to the early on casting defect the 6758 had with a tab that interfered?
07-27-2018, 11:38 PM
#89
Well the Z54 finally went on.
turned into a 1 month long job due to complications outside of the norm.
first issue I had was during disassembly turbo brace bolt would not come lose from the turbo. I literally double wrenched it and did chin ups. No give whatsoever. And only so much you can do laying on your back.
because of this dissasmbley turned into a two day job. Every single bolt was horribly seized and required 1/16 turn at a time with an open emded wrench.
I ended up using a saws all and cut as much of the brace off as I could. This at least allowed me to get the coolant and oil lines off.
Day 1 7 hours. Turbo still on...
day two
corinue fighting with the turbo mounting bolts. Ended up having to screw around with the heat shields and break every bolt off them to make enough room to get the 02 housing off. Once this was done it was just a struggle to get the manifold to turbo bolts off. Also siezed. 3/4 studs snapped. And the other one started turning out with the nut before finally breaking lose.
becaue of the studs I had to take the manifold off as well to get it repaired. A week later my new studs and nuts showed up. Took it to work to extract the studs.
1 came out.
the other three (even with heat) red hot. Started spinning I worked them back and forth. All three snapped half way into the threaded holes...
so gave it to my friend to weld extract the studs. He thought it would be easy. After a week he gave up on it and told me to order a new manifold.
So so at that point Im three weeks into it and quite frustrated.
new manifold shows up from Zzp. Three day shipping ftw. New gaskets and such as well. The website didnt mention this but the manifold came with turbo to manifold gasket and new nuts. Very good deal.
So so his week me and my friend Dustin (blue lightning) started install. Put 5 hours into it the first night. Managed to get everything done underneath. And we finished the install yesterday evening. Tuning has begun!
so far so good. Very conservative tune at the moment only running about 16psi.
Initial thoughts.
turbo spools nice and smooth and is still responsive down low. Doesnt feel super laggy like some turbos. Doesnt hit low and hard like the k04 either. Which is a good thing.
what I love so far is the nice wide power band. Doesnt start falling on its face at 5k still pulling smooth and hard at 6800rpm redline. Cant wait for 25psi and some timing.
only thing I dont love is the turkey gobble bpv at low boost. Used to get it a bit with the stock turbo and the k&N intake when my fuel trims got out of whack. But this seems unrelated to that and I dont foresee it going away.
sorry for th essay.
turned into a 1 month long job due to complications outside of the norm.
first issue I had was during disassembly turbo brace bolt would not come lose from the turbo. I literally double wrenched it and did chin ups. No give whatsoever. And only so much you can do laying on your back.
because of this dissasmbley turned into a two day job. Every single bolt was horribly seized and required 1/16 turn at a time with an open emded wrench.
I ended up using a saws all and cut as much of the brace off as I could. This at least allowed me to get the coolant and oil lines off.
Day 1 7 hours. Turbo still on...
day two
corinue fighting with the turbo mounting bolts. Ended up having to screw around with the heat shields and break every bolt off them to make enough room to get the 02 housing off. Once this was done it was just a struggle to get the manifold to turbo bolts off. Also siezed. 3/4 studs snapped. And the other one started turning out with the nut before finally breaking lose.
becaue of the studs I had to take the manifold off as well to get it repaired. A week later my new studs and nuts showed up. Took it to work to extract the studs.
1 came out.
the other three (even with heat) red hot. Started spinning I worked them back and forth. All three snapped half way into the threaded holes...
so gave it to my friend to weld extract the studs. He thought it would be easy. After a week he gave up on it and told me to order a new manifold.
So so at that point Im three weeks into it and quite frustrated.
new manifold shows up from Zzp. Three day shipping ftw. New gaskets and such as well. The website didnt mention this but the manifold came with turbo to manifold gasket and new nuts. Very good deal.
So so his week me and my friend Dustin (blue lightning) started install. Put 5 hours into it the first night. Managed to get everything done underneath. And we finished the install yesterday evening. Tuning has begun!
so far so good. Very conservative tune at the moment only running about 16psi.
Initial thoughts.
turbo spools nice and smooth and is still responsive down low. Doesnt feel super laggy like some turbos. Doesnt hit low and hard like the k04 either. Which is a good thing.
what I love so far is the nice wide power band. Doesnt start falling on its face at 5k still pulling smooth and hard at 6800rpm redline. Cant wait for 25psi and some timing.
only thing I dont love is the turkey gobble bpv at low boost. Used to get it a bit with the stock turbo and the k&N intake when my fuel trims got out of whack. But this seems unrelated to that and I dont foresee it going away.
sorry for th essay.
07-28-2018, 01:54 PM
#92
Senior Member
Just an fyi, ZZP will refuse warranty if you tune to 25psi(ask me how I know).
That said, when I did mine a few bolts were seized. I managed with heat, but even then a few seemed iffy till they got moving. Glad you got it on, it is a fun turbo for the price
That said, when I did mine a few bolts were seized. I managed with heat, but even then a few seemed iffy till they got moving. Glad you got it on, it is a fun turbo for the price
Last edited by Tdubbs; 07-28-2018 at 02:02 PM.
07-28-2018, 09:47 PM
#93
Definitely good value. Can’t wait to make some actual power!
so they specified because you tuned for 25psi it wasn’t warranty so like 24 or less?
Or they weren’t that specific.
if so I’ll tune it for “24psi” and go race it in “Mexico”
so they specified because you tuned for 25psi it wasn’t warranty so like 24 or less?
Or they weren’t that specific.
if so I’ll tune it for “24psi” and go race it in “Mexico”
07-28-2018, 10:15 PM
#94
Senior Member
I like your thinking lol. Yeah, they basically told everyone they run it at "23" psi max. Then they advertise how it made 480whp(no way with their mod list, unless they push over 23 or their dyno is EXTREMELY happy). Either way, I'm still at 25psi, figured if the second one ***** the bed then a WR-3/4 from PWerks will happily take it's place.
Note, that's not a jab at the quality of the turbo(it is a "cheap" 6758), but just the way the entire fiasco went down and how many different stories people were told of why they failed when all the warranty claims came up leaves much to be desired.
Still though, it's definitely a fun addition. I didn't have a chance to stick it on a dyno when I retuned a few months back, but it hit 41lbs/m at the top of 3rd. That with some conservative timing on E30 and my tuner(Dave from PWerks) said it should be in the 400-415 whp range. Keyword there is should lol. Pulls like a freight train compared to the stocker so I'll take his word on it
Note, that's not a jab at the quality of the turbo(it is a "cheap" 6758), but just the way the entire fiasco went down and how many different stories people were told of why they failed when all the warranty claims came up leaves much to be desired.
Still though, it's definitely a fun addition. I didn't have a chance to stick it on a dyno when I retuned a few months back, but it hit 41lbs/m at the top of 3rd. That with some conservative timing on E30 and my tuner(Dave from PWerks) said it should be in the 400-415 whp range. Keyword there is should lol. Pulls like a freight train compared to the stocker so I'll take his word on it
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post