The 1990 to 1996 Nissan 300zx Twin-Turbo is the underdog of 90’s Japanese supercars. Sure the RX7, Supra and NSX get all the attention – but the Z32 (yes we are biased) represents the best balance of performance, reliability and comfort. From the intimate feeling of the power leather seats and gauge cluster to the addictive power that evokes a familiar Nissan commercial…
…the Z32 is magical. It is hard to describe how rad these cars are after ZCG has gone through one. Let’s take a look at our customer Chris V. and see of what our 20yrs+ of experience with this chassis can create.
Chris Finds a 300zx
We started working with Chris in 2014 and this is his Z car story:
“I was a huge 510 fan (I still am). In 1990 I was at Sunnyvale Nissan picking up some parts when I saw my first 300ZX. My jaw dropped at it’s gorgeous yet subtle shape. It was such a welcome departure from the angular late 80’s Z body styles. I sat in it, and marveled at the organic dash design. I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “What an awesome car, I’ll never be able to afford one of these.”
“Fast forward to 1996, my commute was a 100 mile round trip, and it was killing my beloved 510. I started looking around for a newer car that would make a good commuter. Well, the “commuter” I found was a ’92 300ZX TT, offered at a local BMW dealer. The price was right, and it came home with me. Dream come true. It had about 40k on it when I bought it, and was in great shape. It was my trusted commute car for years, and the miles piled on. I was diligent with maintenance, and never had any issues until about 165k miles, when one of my turbos died.”
In 2001 Chris was confronted with fuel injector replacement, a task that he wanted to tackle himself but work/life kept his project from moving. Eventually boxes and blankets covered the car while it sat on jackstands in the garage. It remained this way for 12 years.
He decided it was time to bring back his Z32 and came to us for a Z Car Garage-style resurrection in 2014. We collaborated on one of the coolest 300s to leave the shop. Our plan, on top of a restoration, was to build an “adult’s Hot Rod”…a Z with great power and handling that could still be driven daily and last for many thousands of miles worry-free.
Engine
Virtually everything was updated or replaced in the engine bay. The engine followed a similar recipe as Rob’s personal Z32TT: a Rebello Racing VG30 with all new internals including JE pistons, Eagle rods, all new bearings, Nissan headgasket and JWT sport 500 cams with HD valve springs. Everything was built to go to 800hp if necessary, for durability and reliability.
The entire engine room wiring harness (Wiring Specialties) was replaced for peace of mind. Shown below are BDE cam gears and exhaust gears so we could improve boost spool and make a wider powerband. BDE engine mounts are fantastic pieces that have become a staple on our Z32 builds:
Providing boost are JWT BB700s (GT2860RS turbos, known as Disco Potato) mounted to a set of killer Mike Smith exhaust manifolds with EGR( for smog compliance)
Impossibly trick and beautiful 5-bolt 3″ downpipes from SpecialtyZ…it’s shame they are not visible from the engine bay!
New turbos, exhaust manifolds and downpipes mounted:
From the downpipes the SpecialtyZ exhaust system continues with 3″ mid pipes, and their 2.5″ cat-back system w/resonated X-pipe:
Everything in the fuel system and induction was brand new. Fueling duties are handled by an Aeromotive 340lph pump and Nismo 740cc injectors with JWT adapter to allow late-style injectors in the early car. Brand new induction consist of Ashspec inlet piping and Massive intercoolers with 2.5″ piping:
Backing the new engine is a JWT lightweight aluminum flywheel and HD street clutch:
Drivetrain all buttoned up and ready for dyno tuning:
Dyno Tuning
Rob dyno tuned the Z using Nistune ECU board and Greddy Profec boost controller. On 91 octane it made 503hp/425tq at the wheels:
We can’t cover every detail that was handled in the engine bay so please check the photo gallery below! Every piece in this engine that is available from Nissan was replaced: new clutch hydraulics, O2 sensors, new fan clutch, new cooling fan, new power steering hoses, a Koyo race radiator and A/C charge/retrofit to R134A. All parts in front of the engine were replaced so this car won’t need anything for the next 30-60k miles.
Chassis
The stock brakes on the 300zx are a weak point of the car, especially with increased power levels. We were stoked that Chris picked the Stoptech Trophy kit featuring 332mm slotted rotors and that super sexy lightweight caliper. He’s really impressed:
“One of my favorite parts of the build was the aforementioned brake upgrade, we used StopTech Trophy billet four piston calipers up front on 320mm floating rotors, with rebuilt OEM rear calipers painted to match the color of the new fronts, on slotted OEM diameter StopTech rotors, with braided lines all around.”
OEM Z32 caliper and Stoptech Trophy setup:
Color matched rear calipers:
Suspension
The suspension was gone through completely with all new parts. KW V3s are our favorite coil-over setup. Stillen sway bars are also shown:
Stock vs KW V3s installed front:
Rear:
Every little nook and cranny of the suspension was handled. New SPL tension rods, upper front control arms, new rear wheel bearings and HICAS removal/eliminator:
T/C rods, Stillen sway bar:
Wheels
Wheel choice can really impact the look of any car. Thankfully Chris has excellent taste and with some perseverance we got our hands on a set of Work VSxx in Burning Silver with silver hardware. Sized 18x9F and 18x10R with our favorite summer tire, the Bridgestone S-04PP:
What a difference the new wheels make! Well done, Chris:
“I wanted wheels that would be appropriate for the age and design of the car, a lot of modern wheel designs would look out of place on a 28 year old car. I ended up with Work Wheels from Japan. Their 3 piece VS-XX wheel fit my idea perfectly. The wheels would have to be made to order, and the offset had to be perfect to get them to look right. Turned out that their forging die was worn out for the rear centers, and a new forging die had to be made, extending the time it took to get them. In the end, it was definitely worth the wait. I think they are a perfect match for the car. Racy, but subtle, and a great period look for my ZX.”
Body
With most of the mechanical bits sorted, it was time to also make the car look as good as it ran. We had our man William re-painted the car and fix all the flaws, erasing years of minor dings and dents. A new JDM MY 2000 front bumper and a new OE shape fiberglass rear spoiler were installed and William did an amazing job blending the spoiler into the trunk. It appears stock, but the blended shapes make for a unique look.
Chris decided to stick with the original OEM anthracite gray color with a subtle pearl on top:
A complete KarumaZ molding kit and OEM parts allow all those trim pieces to pop against that new paint:
Windshield trim detail:
The T-Tops got some love as well:
Boost Saves
From start to finish this was an outstanding project. Chris is a fellow enthusiast who races motorcycles and it was such a pleasure to work with another motorsports/gearhead. He’s since moved up to Roseville and still takes the Z out a few times a week, sending us e-mails telling it was worth the wait:
“Of course the project and the budget went through several revisions and expansions, but I loved the way it was going. The project had a slow pace, and that was fine by me. I wanted it done right, not quickly. Virtually everything was updated or replaced.”
We love hearing and seeing him Enjoy The Ride…
“I’m living in Roseville east of Sacramento now, so the long drive home from San Jose in my newly restored car was one of the best drives of my life. It had been 15 years since I had driven it. Loved every minute of the drive. I managed to be a law abiding citizen ALMOST all the way, until a deserted stretch of Hwy 99. We hit 145 pretty quick, and I was amazed at the acceleration from 500+ hp. The StopTech brakes are something else too, and absolutely necessary with that kind of power on tap.
In the nearly two years since it’s been back home, it gets driven once a week or so when the weather is nice, and I am more in love with the car than ever. Up here in the foothills there are miles of curvy, lightly traveled roads. It’s the perfect placer for my Z, riding that huge power curve and taking advantage of the upgraded suspension. It’s so neutral handling, and the larger and wider Bridgestones stick like glue. Rob continues to take great care of the car, and takes good care of me too, when I make the long drive down to have it serviced.”
This is a testament to an epic sports car Nissan built when ruling the 90’s. From country roads to the race track Nissan was it. We love preserving that legacy and keeping these legends alive.
It makes us smile to see Chris still having a good time in his dream car:
“My six year old daughter Maggie loves to ride in her Dad’s “race car” (as she calls it). One evening we had to drive to take dinner to my wife, who was working late unexpectedly. We pull up to a stop light, and there is a relatively new model Porsche Turbo in the lane next to us. I don’t really pay it any mind, after all, my (then) 4 year old is in the front seat. The light turns green, and the Porsche launches full throttle and goes blasting away. We get about halfway to the next light, and Maggie turns to me and says, “You’re not going to let him beat us, are you?” After a double take at her comment, I laugh. We pull up next to the Porsche, and I look down the road. It’s clear, no one is around. Okay, hell. The light changes, and we both launch. He gets the better of me off the line, then my boost comes in and we go past him like he’s standing still, my daughter laughing like a maniac the whole way. We get to the next light, and he arrives a few seconds later. Apparently waxing him was not enough for my daughter, as she rolls down her window, looks at him and waves, “Hi !!!!”
Like Rob says, Boost Saves…check out the photo gallery below and LONG LIVE THE Z!
