***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!

 

Today I took our shop Z, Mrs. Butters for a Thanksgiving Day drive with fellow enthusiasts. It was a chilly 40 degrees meeting in downtown Saratoga, but the sky was clear and the company was great. Leading the drive was Alex in his Midnight Blue 370Z:

 

We rolled up HWY 9 with seven cars and stopped at the skidpad to hang, then drove down to Santa Cruz:

 

Standouts of the group included Koich’s 1975 Porsche 911 hot rod:

 

Glenn’s Civic Type-R and Kelvin’s C5 Z06:

 

Thanks for the drive Alex!

…[read more]

 

Nissan Motorsports will be coming to Northern California for the Pirelli GT4 America season opener on April 5-7 at Sonoma Raceway. Before they hit the track, they will be hosting an informal tech talk for SAE MidCal at Z Car Garage in San Jose on April 3 at 6pm.

 

This is an informal gathering with Greg Nelson (Nissan Motorsports Manager) and a couple of Nissan/NISMO engineers from Japan for an hands-on introduction to the NISMO Z. Recently appointed Nissan Motorsports Press Officer Dean Case will also be joining the discussion.

Event Details

Location: Z Car Garage at 140 Archer St. in San Jose CA
Time: 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday April 3
Please confirm your attendance by clicking this link HERE

**PARKING DETAILS FOR THE EVENT**

Our shop has limited street parking. Please refer to the map below for FREE PARKING on Wednesday, April 3. We have secured a section of the Bay 101 Casino parking lot right off N 4th St., highlighted by the red square on the map. From this lot it is just a short walk to Z Car Garage located on 140 Archer St. Please be courteous and do not loiter or park outside of the designated area Bay 101 Casino has provided us. We look forward to seeing you and share in the excitement of the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo. Long Live The Z!

 

 

 

The shop is busy dyno tuning, servicing and upgrading Z cars. Enjoy this brief update from Friday, December 15th.

S30 Z Cars

 

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:

 

David’s 1972 Datsun 240Z is getting a Rebello 3.0L, 240SX 5-speed transmission and 4.11 OS Giken LS. It is also getting our Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension and already has our V1 (328m) Z Car Garage Big-Brakes. Both cars will feature the T3 steering rack that we are big fans of:

 Both Ryan and Beau’s Datsun 240Z cars left the shop recently. 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. Full features on both coming to zcarblog.com!

 

Lou’s Datsun 240Z came in for mechanical sorting. Excited to share his story on zcarblog as Larry also races with us:

 

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

 

We have several Z32 NA and TT cars currently at the shop. Gary’s Twin Turbo (above) just 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:

Kevin’s Slicktop Z32 is in for a driver’s side window replacement and some touch-up. Love this Z with WORK wheels and Stoptech Big-Brakes:

 

Hakosuka Skyline

 

Sebastian’s Skyline is at the shop and we are doing a suspension refresh, engine work adapting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech) to this Hako. We hope to offer this in the future for C10 clients. We hope you enjoyed this shop update, stay tuned for more on zcarblog.com and LONG LIVE THE Z!