Khang D is from Modesto and we first met him in 2012 when he visited ZCG with a green 1975 Datsun 280z. We serviced the car, fixed several items, made a cold-air intake and he enjoyed it for a few years before selling. Last September, Khang purchased this white 1973 240z from our customer Brent B, and returned to ZCG knowing our familiarity with the Z.

 

Khang came in for full suspension upgrades, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, new OEM mirrors, Panasport wheels and a complete tune+service.

Suspension

The Z received full coil-over suspension from Techno Toy Tuning including T/C rods and rear control arms. The entire front suspension was re-done with new bushings, rack bushings, steering coupler, etc.

 

Struts, OEM T/C rods replaced with coil-overs:

 

Roll center adjusters from T3:

 

Rear lower control arms replace OEM units:

   

ZCG Big-Brakes for small wheels

“WOW, what a difference. The feel, modulation, power, sharpness was amazing. Hands down the best brakes I had ever driven on a Z car” -Glenn

As Glenn C mentioned in his review, on top of braking performance, pedal feel is extremely important and our Big-Brakes deliver. This is a direct result of working with Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments, etc.

  

Khang’s S30 got the full 4-wheel brake kit:

 

We also installed the fully functioning parking brake that works with factory linkage/handle:

 

OEM Mirror Installation

Brent B put a z31 side mirror that MSA sells, and it bolts on to the window frame. Khang didn’t like them as it dates the car so we changed the moldings performed ZCG door treatment:

 OEM mirror were installed:

  

We think it looks much better now:

 

 

Panasport Wheels

We are an authorized Panasport dealer and lover. Khang’s meshies were replaced with 16×7 Panasports with 225/50/16  Yokohama S-drive tires. Finally, we performed a major service/tune-up including all fluids and remaining items that the PO didn’t get to.

  

As you can see from the smile on his face, Khang is very happy with the Big-Brakes and new suspension. We are discussing a possible 3.2L engine with Jenvey EFI after finishing  Scott W’s 260z and Tim N’s 1973 240 builds. Khang is excited to match a new driveline to his fantastic chassis/brakes upgrades. Long Live The Z!

 

You can see more ZCG customer cars running our Big-Brakes below:

ZCG Big-Brakes for small wheels

Erich C

  

Jose N

 
Glenn C

Sam C

  

 

Mike H is a Bay Area professional and car guy owning some very cool vintage rides. He has been a Z Car Garage customer since he purchased this 2004 350z and shortly after we met in 2008 it came in for a supercharger.

 

Mike’s Z is a Track model with Brembo brakes behind those slick forged Rays wheels. Over the years Mike had outgrown the brakes and waante to upgrade to the 13″ Stoptech Big-Brake kit. This is a popular, effective upgrade for Z33s that have more power over stock and/or see regular track duty.

 

Here is the 13″ Stoptech BBK with red calipers and slotted rotors:

 

Installation (front)

 

The rear, OEM Brembo calipers were treated to Stoptech Aero rotors, to replacing the heavy stock units:

 

The Stoptech kit fits perfectly behind the Rays wheels:

   

We see this Z once a year so we performed a few routine maintenance items like an oil change and general inspection. Mike’s Z has been running strong even after supercharging over 60k miles ago!

 

 

Rick B lives over the hill in Soquel, CA. He’s pined for a 350z and finally got a 2003 model waiting to be modified. Rick visited us to discuss taking the car to the next level and ZCG obliged. We set him up with the tried/true combo:  JWT pop charger, Motordyne 5/16 plenum spacer, Bassani cat-back exhaust and UPREV flash. He also opted for the ARC license, allowing Rick to have adjustable launch control, flat-foot shifting and left foot braking, if needed.

Motordyne plenum spacer:

 

We also installed our favorite Hotchkis sway bars front and rear:

  

Bassani exhaust:

 

OEM vs Bassaani:

  

Exhaust tip detail and JWT Pop Charger:

 

  

On the dyno the mods alone produced gains of 11hp/2tq to the wheels over baseline:

 

With UPREV tuning, further gains of 9hp/13tq were achieved:

 

From a baseline of 245hp/237tq to 267hp/252tq at the wheels there is a significant improvement in power throughout the entire rev range!

 

We also handled some maintenance items including: changing the transmission/diff fluids, and replacing A/C and fan belts. Rick was so stoked he sent us a wonderful e-mail.

—–Original Message—–
From: —– [mailto:——]
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 11:01 PM
To: rob@zcargarage.com
Subject: Thanks again!

Hey Rob, I just wanted to thank you and your team once again for all the work you did on my 350z over the last month or so. The experience I’ve had as a new customer of yours has been extremely fun!  I’m absolutely amazed at how much better the car feels and sounds. I feel exactly the same way I felt after I first bought the car, I’m in love all over again. As far as I’m concerned you’ve gained a new customer for life. I don’t ever plan on selling this car, if anything, I just plan on making it better and better and your the guy I’m gonna take it to you from now on. Anyway I know your a very busy dude so I’ll let you go but expect to see me again soon and thanks again!
-Rick 

 

It was a pleasure working  on your Z and we look forward to your next mods Rick!

 

 

 

When Lehan brought his 1991 R32 GT-R to Z Car Garage it was barely moving under its own power…the clutch failed.  We installed an OS Giken TS2CD clutch and flywheel along with an OS Giken T/O bearing.

 

   

The OS Giken clutch/flywheel combo weighed 32.8lbs compared to the old setup at 39.6lbs:

 

Clutch removal/installation:

   

We also replaced the rear main oil seal while we in there with an OEM seal. The R32 was treated to new clutch hydraulics including master and slave cylinders + hose.  It is prudent to replace these units if they haven’t been done in the last 3-5 years.

   

With a new clutch and hydraulics sorted Lee was back on the road.  He was really surprised that we could do a 2-day turn-around clutch replacement on on his 25-year old Japanese classic supercar.  Enjoy the Ride Lee and thanks for your support!

 

Frank B has been a Z Car Garage customer for many years. His stable includes an ultra low-vin Series 1 S30 (report soon) and this 1972 Datsun 240z that he acquired in 2005:

 

Affectionately named “Fuelie Z” this hot rod sports a fuel-injected Rebello 3L running Borla TWM induction.  The old-school setup utilized RC injectors, a composite intake plenum and Electromotive Tec3 engine management.

 

With powerful L-series motivation Frank wanted to improve braking and we installed one of our very first sets of Z Car Garage Big Brakes roughly 8 years ago. These large, 328mm units at all 4-corners performed admirably and fit nicely behind his vintage 17″ Chevlon Racing Mesh wheels:

 

  

Frank has enjoyed the Z for several years, attending local ZONC events and fun runs. Below left: The ZONC Blackhawk Museum Show in 2008!

 

After a recent meeting with Frank we agreed it was time to update this Z car and make it as smooth as we could. He was our first customer to run the new Z Car Garage CV axles. This upgrade really inspired him to continue improving the car:

  

Next on the update list, we were really excited to install a Nissan 350z 6-speed manual transmission behind the L-series in Frank’s Z. You read that right! S30 owners can now bolt-in this robust, 6-speed manual behind their L-series engine!  You might remember our first application of Austin Hoke’s custom 6-speed adapter kit on the OS Giken TC24B1Z-powered 240z:

  

Using the 6-speed conversion kit from Hoke Performance we installed a new CD009a transmission from the 2003 -2008 Z33 in Frank’s Z:

 

The kit necessitated exhaust header changes and after testing a variety of headers we found the Pacesetter 6-2-1 unit provided enough clearance:

 

We changed the exhaust and updated the driveshaft to an aluminum one. The old Spec clutch mated to the L-series transmission was removed and a JWT aluminum flywheel and HD clutch installed for work with the 350z transmission:

  

The 6-speed bolted in, more pictures of the install in gallery below:

 

The ZCG CV axles and 6-speed transmission transformed Frank’s Z. You can see the shifter location/operation in this video below. Enjoy!

 

Frank also asked why not update the engine management system and Rob said, “I’m in!”. Replacing the Tec3 unit we installed an Elite 750 from Haltech.  This is a wonderful stand alone ECU company with very user-friendly products we love to use on our S30 builds.

  

With dyno tuning we improved the drivability of Z in addition to significant power gains. Final numbers were 231hp/210tq to the wheels:

 

We received great feedback from Frank after 100 miles of mountain roads. His wife could even notice the difference: super smooth, seamless operation with fantastic throttle response and more power.  The Fuelie Z has been thoroughly updated, mission accomplished!  We love that Frank is Enjoying The Ride in his Z stay tuned for a full report on his Series 1 240z!

 

LONG LIVE THE Z!
More pictures in the gallery below!
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