I have gotten more time to work on the car!
I ended up taking the head off and taking it to the machine shop to get it decked, trying to cut corners to get the car running but it's not worth the possible hassle(s).
fresh from the machine shop:
Also got the control arm bushings in, to get the "tubes" out of the control arm itself we used a map torch to heat the bushing up then a large punch (or comparable tool that will fit around the inner tube) and a sledge to bang it through. Once the inner tube was out we used a reciprocating saw to cut out a piece of the larger casing and used a flat head screw driver to wedge between the case and the control arm, we pushed the screwdriver all the way through with a sledge and that bent the casing enough for it to come out. Installing the new ones were easy especially with the ES Bushing Lube
here is what the casing looked like when it came out:
If you have a vice and/or a press this would be a lot easier but is definitely doable without.
As for the bushings that go into the ends of the control arm, you drop this plate here:
excuse all the grease, that is all cleaned up now
The end links for the sway bar were bad so I ordered new ones from Rockauto to use with the ES bushings.
I ordered an N1 water pump from NissanRaceShop.com and got that installed while the motor was out.
Last night we started to prep the chassis for paint:
Can't wait for the engine bay to look better, the surface rust from where the battery sat looks terrible. The harness is out, we got the rack and pinion out (gonna get a reman'd one from rackdoctor) as well as the vacuum and coolant lines out, I also took the charcoal canister out, would there be any problems running the car without that? As far as I know the canister just stores gas vapors when the engine is off but I figured venting through PCV would be fine? We got about 50% of it sanded last night should be able to get the rest done later this week. Once the chassis is ready all I'll need are those two brake lines (which I believe I can get from Courtessy Parts) and a new clutch kit and I should be able to get everything else in! Getting pretty excited to be able to drive her!
I'm getting a gti-r manifold off my buddy whose switching to a log manifold and I also sourced a Garrett BB t28. Hoping the t28 will fit without issues. If all goes PERFECTLY well I can fit a low pressure line for A/C and have A/C (maybe) haha. I'm not sure If I'll throw the t28 on with the W10 ecu, not sure how it will run if it's tuned for the stock turbo... I'd like to be able to get some bigger injectors and Nismotronic asap but my main goal is getting the car up and running. I can't wait to do a MAF delete and play with boost by gear and antilag!
I'm hoping we can get it going by Mopars on the Strip, I'd like to be able to make a pass or two and do some auto x!
Still in the search for some secondhand S4's, I really don't want to spend $600 on cams but if I don't find anyone with some I may have to end up doing that :/