Z31 running with AEM EMS. Vid on page 2.

[SATAN]

Ok first off, my name is John Martin. I own a extremely modified 1985 300zx. I am currently running an Electromotive TEC2 but decided to ditch that for an AEM. I know I have a lot of reading to do, especially as I have not even recieved my EMS yet. I am just trying to get a jump on the game here. I am using the EMS for the z32.

The z32 uses the optical CAS obviously. I have read many posts on the CAS but none of them seem to answer my question. My question is this.  What is the slot or hole that the CAS uses to determine TDC in the z32 CAS. The Z31 CAS is very similar and I am just wondering if it can be used stock or if it needs to be modified to read TDC as the Z32 sensor does.

This is the OEM z31 CAS disk here.


I believe this is the z32 disk here with the different width slots, along with an additional slot/hole for some other EMS.


Does this mean I need to figure out a way to run the z32 sensor and disk on my z31 distributor? But again, which one of those different width slots tells what is TDC?

[Jared]

you would be probably better off using the aem cas disc since it works better with the ems, but I don't know that I would use the z32 box, the connectors are not similar and its hard to get connectors for it. I can't recall how the z31 ecm connector looks, but I would guess that none of the current aem offerings will plug into it so you will probably be better off using the 1050 box since connectors and pins are so readily available.

[SATAN]

Well, I have already purchased the z32 AEM box and an OEM harness to go along with it. I am just going to build my own engine harness from the OEM Maxima harness. Hell, I don't even have the OEM harness in my Z31 anymore LOL! My main concern is finding out the TDC on the sensors is all.

[Jared]

if you can use the aem cas disc that most other nissan guys are using, you could just use the wizard for the nissan aem cas.

[SATAN]

Awesome, then I will search for that AEM CAS disk for the nissans, and see what I need to do, to mount that up in my z31 dizzy.

I was also wondering... Say I went and got the universal AEM and wanted to put it on my z31. Wouldn't that have an option to select what type of crank trigger I wanted to run? Meaning I could in theory make that work for the stock z31 disk. If that is indeed the case, does the z32 EMS have that same option, or is it hardwired (I guess you would say) into the EMS, that you have to use the z32 disk?

EDIT: Hmm, did a little searching and looked at the product list for the z32, but could not find this disk that everyone is talking about. I did notice one guy talking about pulling his OEM 360 disk and replacing it with the 24 tooth disk. Is that the same thing? Would someone be able to shoot me a link to it or something along those lines?

[Jared]

yes, the 24tooth disc is the aem disc.

[SATAN]

yes, the 24tooth disc is the aem disc.

Cool, thank you. I called tech support on the side of the ECU and now have the 24 tooth on the way free of charge.

[SATAN]

Ok, I got my AEM CAS disk. Here are some things I have questions about. I don't know if the answers can be found here, but this is just one more place I am trying.

The z32 CAS wheel is smaller than the z31 CAS wheel. Therefore, I cannot simply drop the AEM z32 wheel into the z31 dizzy. I MAY be able to take the whole z32 CAS and bolt it into the z31 dizzy. The three screws holding everything together look very similar in pattern. I would have to modify the distributor a little for plugs to fit and what not, but the main thing is if the CAS bolt hole patterns are the same between the two units. If they are, I can make it work.

If they are not...

Is there a way to take my AEM z32 wheel to a "machine shop" and have them duplicate the wheel but to the larger diameter of the z31 wheel? Is this something AEM could do? Somebody has to make these things, but where do I go to get my own made? Any help on that?

[Jared]

Maybe you could use the 24 tooth disc from one of the 4 cylinder apps, what is the OD of the z31 factory disc? And if that doesn't work, I think you could have one made to your specs by the guys at http://www.triggerdisc.com

[smithmotorworks]

Jared

 I'm in Panama City and would like to talk to you about having some tuning done. However your email is hidden. Can you contact me , Dave@smithmotorworks.com
Thanks

[SATAN]

Ok guys, My good friend Thomas at Zion tuning in Denver CO got the AEM for the z32 all hooked up and custom wired for me in my z31. He did a phenomenal job on the wiring.  Currently it does not start, but that is because of the CAS disk, just as I thought would be the problem from the get go. We will have to do some more tinkering to figure it out. It does read something, but not engine RPM...  We did the z32 ecu with the AEM peak and hold driver. Also did an MSD ignition with Suzuki Hayabusa coil packs for the coil on plug app. Again, this all had to be custom wired as there is no AEM EMS for the z31. Here are some pics...




Obviously here you can see my z32/z31 CAS hybrid. We know it is not that the CAS is bad cause another z32 mitsubishi unit KNOWN to work is giving us the same problem.

[Jared]

Do you know if a late model VG33 distributor will go into your engine? I suspect that it will since the VG heads remained pretty much unchanged. If so, I think the VG33 distributor uses the other diameter cas wheel, so the aem would be a drop in to that.

[SATAN]

Do you know if a late model VG33 distributor will go into your engine? I suspect that it will since the VG heads remained pretty much unchanged. If so, I think the VG33 distributor uses the other diameter cas wheel, so the aem would be a drop in to that.

Whoa! I do know that the VG33E distributor will drop into the VG30E head. I had no idea that the CAS wheel would be the smaller style though. That is interesting. I will have to ask some guys on the z31 forums to see if they can measure one for me.

[SATAN]

Well, the dizzy from a 96 pathfinder (VG33E) DOES have the smaller CAS wheel. It also looks just like the z31 wheel I posted earlier in this thread.

I would use this distributor however, there is no way it is going to fit next to my intake manifold.

On a side note, can anyone tell me which slot on the 24 tooth wheel needs to be under the sensor at TDC? Just trying to figure out how to align the sensor with TDC on the engine, and I don't know which slot represents TDC on the wheel.

Jared, you mentioned the tuning wizard before however, I don't think that is going to help me just yet. I can plug in the dizzy many different ways so... I'm pretty sure I have to get TDC close on the sensor first.

[Jared]

TDC should be near the single tooth out by itself.