Nick P came to Z Car Garage to fix a blown head gasket on his 280zx.  We decided on a full cylinder head rebuild with a revised cam profile from Rebello, otherwise it was built close to factory spec. Teardown pictures below indicate obvious failure:

 

 

The rebuilt cylinder head:

 

We added a new 6-2-1 exhaust header from MSA and finished it off with the ZCG exhaust system:

 

The intake manifold and associated smog/efi plumbing were cleaned up:

 

With the engine freshened we put the Z on the rollers…141hp/142tq to the wheels is healthy!

 

Next we turned to the suspension. Nick wanted us to install his TechnoToyTuning (T3) coilovers, RCA’s and T/C rods:

 

Old struts out and coil-overs in!

 

T3 camber plates up front:

After an alignment and fender roll the Z sits perfectly without rubbing or scraping. We dig the RB-Rs on this!

 

 

 

Hemming’s Motor News features a Buyer’s Guide for Datsun Z cars in their current May 2015 issue. Aimed specifically at the 280z spanning 1975 to 1978, it provides a detailed overview with great pictures. You can preview the article online HERE or purchase a hardcopy at your local Barnes and Noble bookstore.

 

It’s great to see some love given to these later model S30’s and positive exposure for the marque. Icing on the cake of course is that Rob and Z Car Garage are mentioned in the article!

So brace yourselves…higher Z-car values are coming!

 

On April 11, SoCal Z hosted the Z-Day car show in Pismo Beach. Here is a report from Ann Devor of ZONC:

SoCalZ presented the first Z-Day in Pismo Beach on Saturday, April 11.  Zs from all over California attended from as far north as Sacramento and south as San Diego. The show combined everything we love – a car show with prizes, hot modified Zs parked everywhere, Z owners on road trips driving to a perfect beach town – and throw in a DJ and a couple of models and it was a Z party on the streets!

 

ZCG customer Jack Atkinson taking Best of Show and First Place for his “new” black second generation 300ZX Twin Turbo with only 13,400 miles on it. This stunning ZX was one of the last Z32s to roll off the line and Jack’s work highlighted the car’s body lines, while leaving the ‘looks-new’ interior in full view through the windows and t-top. Also taking Second Place honors was another ZCG customer, Curtis Lewis for his outrageous 370Z with a complete package of performance modifications.

 

Advertised only via Facebook and the internet, clubs from all over California volunteered their support for this unique gathering of an estimated 270 Zs, their owners and crowds of spectators. Randy Rodriguez, Nissan’s designer of the 370Z marveled that he had never seen so many 370Zs gathered together in one place. And on a personal basis, we had never seen so many Z32s all at the same time. Sadly, early Zs were in scarce supply although well represented by Michael Dalpoggetto and his beautiful silver 240Z. There were no Z30s or Z31s at all with the trophies left for the taking. Our 350Z was one of many other 350Zs, among which the first place winner was painted “cement with blue pearl”.

Curtis led a group of 11 Zs from Sacramento including Kevin and June Myose in their white 370Z and Nick Fisher in his modified 280Z. Many other friends were there: Charlene and Jeff Braskamp, Central Valley Z owners Stuart and Sandy Gates, and Lee Woolfolk to name a few. All in all, it was a spectacular day and judging by the success of SocalZ’s first Z-Day, you won’t want to miss the next one!

 

 

 

This 1967 Datsun 2000 (#485) had a total frame-off restoration completed last September. We love the attention to detail on this one and it is ready to drive.

 

For more details please visit our For Sale page below:

1967 Datsun 2000 Roadster

 Z Car Garage is excited to see this 1972 Datsun 240z go to auction with our friends over at Bring A Trailer.  We found this Z in 2012 for a customer and purchased it from the original owner. This is our first listing with BaT and we anxiously await the final winning bid on this time capsule S30. Follow the auction HERE and watch the final minutes as bidding ends in 6 days!