Join us for the 2025 Vintage Racing Season!

Z Car Garage is amped for vintage racing this year. View our race schedule listed below, and follow the CSRG website and zcarblog.com for more information. Do not miss the next exciting event: CSRG’s David Love Vintage Races at Sonoma Raceway, April 11-13. Check out last year’s David Love race report.

 

 

Z Car Garage Trackside Support Services

 

It is our pleasure to bring more enthusiasts into the world of vintage racing. Our trackside services include full race support and car-preparation to help make client’s race days seamless and worry-free so they can focus on driving. From arrive-and-drive service to on-track support and coaching…we love to help. Check out the Z Car Garage experience with our client Todd and his B-Sedan Datsun 510

 

One of our specialties is dyno tuning. Before a race weekend we confirm that your car is running well and make necessary adjustments while on the chassis dyno. Here is a video of the race cars we prepared this week with dyno passes and a walk around the shop. Enjoy!

 

Our friend and client Linda Williams’ 1972 Datsun 240Z is featured in Classic Motorsports Magazine. Only 50 of these Ontario Motor Speedway (OMS) “duplicates” were created and this is only 1 of 3 known survivors. View the article  HERE.

 

 

We love how in light of its rarity, Linda enjoys driving this Z everywhere. See how we got Linda’s OMS Tribute back on the road in the full zcarblog.com feature HERE and Long Love the Z!

 

 

 

***HAPPY NEW YEAR From Z Car Garage***

 

2024 marked the 20th Anniversary of Z Car Garage. From all of us at Z Car Garage we thank our friends, family and clients for another exciting and productive year! Enjoy our 2024 recap and preview of projects and features for 2025. Please note our holiday closure below:

ZCG will be closed for Dec 31th and New Year’s Day. Open for business on the 2^nd and the 3^rd (Thursday and Friday)

 

Client Updates for 2025

We had a busy year and many zcarblog features have yet to be published. Before we take a look back at highlights from 2024, here are several exciting projects coming along at the shop with full features in 2025:

 

David’s 1972 Datsun 240Z received a Rebello 3.0L, 240SX 5-speed transmission, 4.11 OS Giken LSD, our Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension and already has our V1 (328m) Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles,

  

Christopher’s Datsun 280Z. He installed our Z Car Garage CV Axles, (set #0457) himself. The Z also features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and ZCG KW coil-over suspension! Full story on this epic build with ITB EFI-fed L-Series, CD009 6-speed transmission and Watanabe wheels coming to zcarblog.com. Long Live The Z!

 

Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z (#1762) has our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, ZCG CV Axles, CD009a Six-speed transmission and Fujitsubo exhaust. The L28 now has Jenvey ITB EFI managed by a Haltech 750:

 

Photographer and car culture ambassador Larry Chen commissioned Z Car Garage to transform his beloved SR20DET-powered 1970 Datsun 240Z from an “ok driver” to a no-excuses, multi-dimensional sports car. Affectionately known as “Ole Orange Bang”, it features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, chassis preparation, dyno tuning and more. It is now receiving a full engine bay restoration.

 

Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z is now sporting a Rebello 3.2L with Jenvey ITB EFI, Recaro Specialist seats, CD009a 6-speed transmission, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles!

 

Rashid lives in Dubai and his Datsun 240Z is getting 3.2L L-Series with pH44 Mikuni induction and exhaust header, ZX 5-speed transmission, OS Giken 4.11 LSD, Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech) and 16″ Panasport wheels:

  

Alex’s Series 1 240Z with 16″ Panasport wheels and Z Car Garage Big-Brakes

 

It was great to see our client Yoni Enjoying the Ride in his 1972 Datsun 240Z. This Z recently got our Z Car Garage KW coil-overs in addition to the Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles.

  

Rick’s BRE-inspired Datsun 240Z track car is getting a CD009 6-speed transmission, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, coil-over suspension and track preparation.

  

Frank’s 240Z getting Z Car Garage Big-Brakes

 

Hiep’s Datsun 280Z (on lift) getting Z Car Garage Big-Brakes

Bob’s restored Z

 

Frank and Patty’s Datsun 280Z featuring Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles, Panasport wheels, Recaro seats, early chrome bumper conversion and mechanical restoration. Full story coming to zcarblog.com!

   

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

 

We have several Z32 NA and TT cars currently at the shop. Gary’s Twin Turbo (above) got a new set of BBS LM wheels. Full update on this car soon! Paul Ferrari returned to ZCG since we completed his Epic Z32 Build in 2017. He’s ready for ethanol, after running this car on race fuel for many years. We will be installing dual fuel pumps, BDE top fuel rail and all the fixings:

  

Cameron’s Z32 is here for maintenance work and downpipes, inlet piping, larger intercoolers all from Specialty Z. Cameron has been bringing his 300 to us for many years and we we are really glad to have him back.

  

William’s Z32TT is getting 740cc injectors, downpipes and more:

 

510s

 

Noah’s Bluebird racecar and Marcus’ Datsun 510 featuring a S14 SR20DE drivetrain

 

Dyno Tuning your 350z/370z/Q/G

We have been dyno tuning your late model Nissan/Infiniti sports car daily. Bolt-ons, UPREV tuning. Our customers leave happy with more performance. Call us to schedule an appointment! Here are just a few cars:

Kevin’s Nismo 370z

 

Aaron’s G37 with Stoptech brakes

 

Nissan Z (RZ34)

Dyno tuning, bolt-ons, suspension installs and general maintenance for the RZ34

 

Skylines, R35, R34 and R32 GT-R

Chris’ and James’ R35 GT-R

 

Jonathan’s R34 GT-R

 

Bayside Blue R34 in for maintenance and upgrades

 

Kurt’s R32 Skyline GT-R is got a fresh RB26 motor and turbo upgrade to complement the new KW coil-over suspension:

 

Hakosuka Skyline

 

Sebastian’s Skyline left the shop after a suspension refresh, engine work and adapting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech). We hope to offer this in the future for C10 clients.

 

Kurt’s 1973 Kenmeri Skyline

 

S130

Ben K’s fully restored 280ZX

Race Cars

The Corky Bell Trans Am 510

 

Famed engineer and race car driver Corky Bell ran this Datsun 510 in the early 70’s Trans Am series. Z Car Garage restored it back to its former glory with Trans Am livery and Corky drove it for the first time in 52 years at Velocity. It was a mad thrash to get the 510 prepared for the event and we will dedicate a separate blog post to the restoration and Corky’s story. Here are a few photos of the car during the revival:

   

Highlights from 2024

 

Even though 2024 was a busy year for all of us we still managed to have fun on and off the track. The shop made some really great progress as well. Enjoy these highlights from the year and Z you in 2025!

Click on each link or photo to see the full features!

 

Both Ryan and Beau’s Datsun 240Z cars left the shop in 2024. Ryan’s Z has LS3 V8 power while Beau’s 1976 280Z has an L28 with stock EFI. Both cars feature our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech), Z Car Garage CV Axles, Recaro Specialist seats, A/C and dyno tuning.

  

Jason Datsun 260Z featuring  Z Car Garage Big Brakes

 

Elmo’s 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles

 

Dirk’s 1973 Datsun 240Z

 

Sung Kang’s 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension,

Steven’s Hakosuka Skyline

 

 510

Anthony’s 2JZ-powered Datsun 510 wagon

 

350Z

Kevin’s Vortech-supercharged 2008 Nismo 350Z visited us from Georgia for suspension setup and maintenance.

 

Congratulations to our client Dan F on achieving his personal goal of sub 1:40s lap times at Laguna Seca in his Z Car Garage-prepared Nissan 350Z. See in-car video of his fastest lap and more photos on zcarblog:

R32

Mike’s 1991 R32 GT-R

Racing

We love racing! See our race reports below and 2025 schedule coming soon

RACE REPORT: Velocity Invitational 2024

RACE REPORT: 2024 Charity Challenge with CSRG at Sonoma

RACE REPORT: 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

RACE REPORT: Laps for Laguna 2024

RACING: The Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo at Z Car Garage!

Rallyes/Events

EVENT REPORT: The 2024 NISMO Z at Z Car Garage

 

Event Report: CSRG Cars and Coffee 2/24

EVENT REPORT: Tokyo Calling 4

 

EVENTS: Holiday Drive 12/28/24

Thanksgiving Day Drive

On Display: Greg’s 1977 Datsun 280Z

Happy Anniversary: Z Car Garage Celebrates 20 Years!

Media

MEDIA: Z Car Garage in Hagerty Auto Repair Feature

MEDIA: Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo in Hagerty

 

LONG LIVE THE Z! Check out our Instagram story for more updates!

 

On Saturday I took Mrs. Butters, our Series 1 shop 240z for a drive with fellow enthusiasts through some backroads to Carmel. It was a blast with fast roads, great cars and company. Enjoy our report with photo gallery below.

 

By 7:30am the South San Jose starting point was filled with cool cars. Our very own Cooper attended with his Datsun 260Z, now sporting a 3L L-series. More on his Overcrest Rally experience coming to zcarblog.com. The group was 13 deep with a nice mix Japanese, Euro and English marques…

The Cars

Photo by Alex Trang

Four Porsche 911s of different vintage and modification level: Koich’s 1975 911 Hot Rod, Tony’s Aubergine 911 (began life as a Targa!), Cam’s G-Body 911 with 17″ Fuch-style wheels, and Michael’s lowered G-Body 911 SC:

 

B-sedans representing with Matt’s 1973 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super with a 2.0L swap and Geoff’s Cortina:

 

Glenn and Rei’s NA Miatas:

 

Alex’s Midnight Blue 370Z

 

Bob’s Noble M400. This thing is wicked

 

We made a short stop in Hollister where Pascal joined us in his ND Miata. From here we took 25 to King City. Got some good rolling shots with smiling drivers:

 

The scenery and topography is wildly contrasting to the Bay Area through 25 with rolling hills and farmland. Some great curvy stretches of road here.

 

 

Pit stop in King City where we somehow managed to get all 13 cars parallel parked in one block:

 

 

King City to Carmel via Carmel Valley Rd was another change in scenery and weather.

 

This was a very twisty stretch with some rough sections and wet surfaces from earlier rains. Still fun! Mrs. Butters’  3.2L with triple-Mikuni induction, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, ZCG Heat Shield, 6-speed transmission and full KW suspension all worked in harmony. The 3.54 rear end makes a huge difference in power delivery and cruising…80mph at just under 3500rpm!

 

Lunch at Baja Cantina, good food and great conversations!

 

Cooper and I got home via HWY 1 and 17. It was a wonderful driving day.Thanks to Alex and Glenn for organizing. Saw some familiar faces and met new folks sharing the same passion!

…[read more]

 

Photographer and car culture ambassador Larry Chen recently featured Sung Kang’s Datsun 240Z on YouTube. In the video, Sung discusses his passion for cars and goes into modifying his personal Z car featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension, enjoy!

 

You might recall the previous form of this car, “DocZ” that was a metallic red with throwback S30 wheels:

 

Larry Chen was commissioned by GQ magazine to do a photoshoot Sung and and some cool cars, including the “78” car. See more shots from the photoshoot on Larry’s Instagram.