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.
We love to see owners installing our Z Car Garage CV Axles on their vintage Nissans and Datsuns. Steven added a set to his gorgeous 1972 Skyline GT-X that he performed a full restoration on in New Zealand.
Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. These are 100% bolt-in replacing your half-shafts and does not use aluminum adapters commonly found in aftermarket units. Over 250+ CV axle kits on client cars with unanimous positive feedback.
Steven shares his experience replacing the original half shafts with ZCG CV Axles on his Hakosuka Skyline…
“I decided to upgrade as my overall goal was to build one of the best Skylines in the world, having the old clunky axles wasn’t going to fit the bill. It helped to see photos on the website of Hako’s with them installed (see Ray and Julio’s Hako’s) however still nervous about how the quality would stand up to certification in New Zealand. After a lot of online research I chose on the ZCG CV Axles and rapt with the results.
Steven kindly shared installation photos (more in the gallery below) with us:
“As always when buying stuff from half way across the world I am very nervous however the website looked great and the buying/shipping process was simple. The Axles were extremely well made and packaged, we have very tough certification rules in New Zealand however the certifier had no issues with the axles. They were as simple as undoing 4 bolts on each end of the factory axles dropping it out and putting the CV Axles in place and doing up the bolts. Absolutely no modifications and nothing more than a 14mm spanner needed.”
Super stoked to hear Steven enjoying the axles, enjoy this video of his installation:
“The noticeable benefits were noise reduction, smoothness of rear suspension movements and they look great”
Skyline Dreams
The Hakosuka Skyline is undeniably a JDM icon. We asked Steven about his history with Japanese classics and his dream to own the original Skyline…
“Life time goal starting out in 2005 with a 1998 Nissan Skyline GT (4Door) in Grey, moving onto a 1998 Nissan Skyline GTT in 2007 (2 Door) in Red, to a 1999 Nissan Skyline GTR in 2020 in white I was well down the path of getting to the dream of trading my way to own a Hakosuka. The GTR market went crazy in 2022 so I made the most of the opportunity to sell and bank the money for when I finally manage to locate the right Hakosuka as I knew I would need every cent for the rebuild. Having never been to Japan and not speaking a word of Japanese I came across Scott Palmer from Nippon2u, he was an Aussie so we could have a good yarn and he happened to have the car (1972 Nissan Skyline GT-X KGC10 13,678kms, Grade 3.5, L20, 2HT, 5 Speed) but laughed when I said I was keen on purchasing it as the prices were crazy and the rebuild costs to have it clear certification in NZ were enormous given its 50 year old thin steel.”
“These cars are the pinnacle of Japan’s motorsport history, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy the auction was 11:56am on 7 th April 2023 and we set a price of 6,860,000 yen but that was soon passed to 6,905,000 yen and still didn’t meet the reserve. I just needed to take the leap and hope it was a solid car as with auction fees etc. it came to 8,120,000 yen…on par with the market and still cheaper than an R34 GTR in NZ. Finally on the 21 June it was on the ship with Dolphin shipping and arrived in Auckland on 6 th July, 4 months after auction. Walking into the PTS logistics office I had no idea if the car would even run or roll, the car luckily was exactly how I imaged it to be, original/solid but needing a good restoration.”
The Restoration
Steven’s goal for the restoration was to build the car utilizing best in the world components.
“Even before it arrived in New Zealand I had developed a project plan with what I deem the best of the best in their respective fields. I wanted to do as much as possible but also wanted to make sure we achieved the highest quality finish possible, and I think this is the high quality example of the Hakosuka in the world. I stripped the car down to a bare shell within days and started restoring everything whilst moving the body and drivetrain to the professionals. Spent hours building custom brake lines, stripping subframes, machining/pressing/customise mounts. Chris Calder of Waipukarau long term friend and in my opinion the best painter in the country. Full bare metal, rotisserie strip down and paint job which included the cutting and flaring of rear guards, complete replacement rear panel and unstitching a lot of the panels to treat. Smoothing of engine bay, removal of body holes for aerial and front bonnet centre trim. The car was also fully sealed underneath.”
“Engine was removed and sent to PPRE in Whanganui which they were keen to get their hands into as a change from their normal rotary engine building. Gareth was given a bit of a free licence to make the engine the best it can…”
– Haltech Nexus R3 and PD16 Computers
– Nissan r35 GTR Coils
– Ported and Polished Cylinder Head and Manifold
– Fully custom built stainless steel headers and exhaust
– Custom build in tank fuel system
– L20 2L Engine, 141hp at the wheels
– EFI Hardware full ITB kit, fuel injection system, inlet manifold with Billet distributor
and sensors and electronic accelerator.
“Rear CV axles we sourced and imported from Rob Fuller @zcargarage in the San Jos California and fitted perfectly. Front adjustable suspension was built by Evan @ Speedfactor in Tauranga, they were able to build a coil over system which bolted in directly along with all of the necessary reports for certification.”
“Bede Stevenson at bspeed engineering custom built the engine rocker cover Along the way I had a few great mates that helped with guidance as they are at the top of their field especially Isaac Probert and the team at Manawatu Auto Electrical. They completely re wired the car from scratch which involved some technical programming of the two Haltech computers as well as an incredible attention to detail. This included me having the opportunity to build the front wiring loom alongside Isaac and learn a few new skills along the way. Then a massive list of parts were sourced through FNLHVN.com in Japan, the owner Jamel is awesome. This was one of Chris Pocock’s final jobs as the owner of Classic Custom Motor Trimmers, he has spent decades building custom upholstery and he was determine to take on this complete re trim. I took it upon myself to build the centre console from scratch to better modernise the driving experience.”
“Aidan at Pine Engineering in Wakefield (South Island) was able to customise a set of genuine Watanabe 3-piece wheels to my specifications to get as much rubber on the road as possible. This was a great option for difficult wheel sizes and offsets The tyres and rims were a massive challenge however Jared Parker from Zestino Tyres in Wellington was keen to get involved and supplied the 195/50/15 and 245/45/15 ZS01’s. Every nut, bolt and bracket on the car has been either replaced with new or I have stripped down and had it powder coated by Glen @ Elite Powder coaters in Palmerston North, also any bare metal fittings we gold anodised in Palmerston North by Graham @ electroplating Manawatu.”
After a 14-month long journey, Steven has some final thoughts on the restoration:
“I have been very fortunate to have had the ability to build American, British/Aussie and now Japanese cars and I can say hands down the Japanese definitely made life a lot easier with their design and materials. This included everything fitting perfectly, metric!!!!, having the foresight for electric windows, air conditioning and even adding threaded mounts for 3 point seatbelts from and rear even though they only came with lap belts. Weight is only 840kgs, independent rear end, HANDbrake, and perfectly fitting straight 6 motor. This car has been built to drive so once it has done the car show scene it will be seen out on the road and around the odd track cruze event. I have recently managed to blow up my challengers motor so that’s the next project.”
Steven has been Enjoying the Ride in his dream car Hakosuka Skyline. What’s next? He’s got a mint set of Recaro seats to match his interior and he’s trying to source a complete replacement set of window glass for the car and store the factory glass. We are confident he’ll score a set of make his own 🙂
Back in October the Hako was featured in New Zealand Classic Car magazine and he’s been driving everywhere, as it should be! You can follow his adventures on Instagram
Thank you for your support Steven, your Skyline is amazing! Please read below for more information on our ZCG CV Axles:
ZCG CV Axles
Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. These are 100% bolt-in replacing your half-shafts and does not use aluminum adapters commonly found in aftermarket units. We have over 250+ CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.
For years we have used aftermarket CV axles that utilize an aluminum adapter prone to loosening up over time. Despite efforts to keep things tight (Loctite, hardware changes) we had to keep an eye on them. We developed a better solution that eliminates the need for aluminum adapters and remains 100% bolt-in like a factory half-shaft.
Designed and manufactured locally with KAD Models, the ZCG CV axle kit works in both R180 and R200 configurations.
These are the beefiest CV axles on the market. They have been tested on the track by our vintage racing customers and also in high hp* street cars (powershifting, clutch dumps, etc.). Each axle has a serial # for peace of mind:
The CV axle kit is available now from ZCG for 1595.00 + freight and they come with everything you need to install on your car. Contact us at 408-452-0350 or send Rob an e-mail rob@zcargarage.com to purchase. Installation is just like doing a half-shaft: there is even a marking that shows you where to line up bolts and special hardware:
The ZCG CV Axles in action
The video below demonstrates the “looseness” associated with aftermarket CV axles that use adapters compared to the ZCG axles without adapters. Several customer race/street cars running our CV axles are also shown. Enjoy!
Enjoy this video made by our client Hazel. She installed our ZCG CV Axles on her Hazel’s 1970 Datsun 240Z
Over 200 sets of our ZCG CV Axles are installed in client’s cars all over the world:
We are excited to offer the Z Car Garage Heat Shield for your triple-carb’d L-series Z car. This is a one-piece 304 stainless unit with laser-etched serial number. Proven on all of our L-series engine builds and dyno testing.
This heat shield will fit Mikuni, Weber, Dellorto and Jenvey induction with several intake manifolds like the Harada. Also available for 4-cylinder L-series applications as well! Utilized on both race cars and street cars. Shown below are ZCG clients running the heat shield on their cars, starting with JDM Legends’ epic S30 build:
We love to see our products being installed and used on customer cars. Race car driver and restoration specialist Jim Froula of Racecraft is running our ZCG Heat Shield in this vintage 260z race car! Volume up and enjoy!
Richard’s 1971 Datsun 240Z:
Khang’s EFI L-Series with Jenvey ITB and Z Car Garage Heat Shield:
Vincent’s 1973 Datsun 240Z:
More Z cars running the ZCG Heat Shield:
The ZCG Heat Shield is available for purchase for $169.00 with product information below. View this product and other ZCG parts on the new “products” page of our website HERE
Our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles continue to win over Z-car enthusiasts locally and globally. Elmo P recently purchased a set of both for his 1972 Datsun 240Z and had them installed himself in SoCal. Before we go into the installation details let’s take a look at how Elmo got into Z cars…
ELMO: In 2005, I decided to sell my first 240z, a 1973 which I owned for almost 17 years, and the car on which I learned almost everything I know to this day about wrenching. I felt I had outgrown the Z and it no longer fit in my life. However, immediately after the sale, I felt sick to my stomach for weeks and never really got over its sale. Over the next 13 years, I would periodically search for a replacement 240z, only to find out prices had skyrocketed and I could no longer afford one. Fast forward to 2019, I was now ready to resume my search. I found a 1972 240z that had been meticulously cared for by its 2nd owner of almost 47 years. The car was mostly stock, minus the addition of an L-28, and Panasport wheels.
My goal was to modify the car tastefully, with modern components where needed to increase driving pleasure, yet leave the classic body-line largely unmolested to not disturb or detract from the design’s natural beauty. Over the past 4 1/2 years, I’ve made modifications to every area of the car and I can finally say that I’m at about 95% of attaining my vision. As mentioned previously, Elmo wanted the body to remain mostly unchanged. The only additions have been a front grill and spoiler from Star Road in Japan, front bumper delete plates from Skillard, one-piece rear bumper, and Euro tail lights and front turn signals. Wheels are Volk TE37V, 16×8 +0, and 16×8.5 +10 with Toyo R888R tires in 245/45/16.
Interior
ELMO: The interior received many upgrades including Recaro seats, Speed Hut gauges, re-upholstered door panels, tranny tunnel, and rear shock towers, billet pedals, new dash cover and a Sparco steering wheel. However, one of my favorite modifications is that of cleaning up the rear shock towers by removing the old vinyl covering and plastic caps, and smoothing off and painting the tops of the towers, along with the addition of aluminum cover plates and new covering on the towers.
Drivetrain
ELMO: When I bought the car, I knew the drivetrain and suspension would be my main focus area and hence, the area where I would divert most of my modification funds. All suspension component upgrades are from Techno Toy Tuning., including adjustable coilovers, control arms and diff mustache bar. Gear shifts are handled via a rebuilt close-ratio 5-speed from a ZX which transmits power to a 3.9 OS Giken LSD. Although the L-28 that was in the car when I purchased it was recently rebuilt, my goal was to replace it with a larger displacement street/race engine to increase the fun-factor. After months of searching for a reputable L-Series builder, I came across a renowned Datsun engine builder by the name of Jeff Winter at Rallye Sport in Westminster, CO.
For my mostly street driving application, we decided on an L-28 bored .080 over, forged rods and flat top pistons, and one of his special cam grinds on my car’s original E88 head with a mild street port, all resulting in just under a 3.0L. Induction is handled by triple 44 PHH Mikuni carbs rebuilt by Taka from Kyusha House.
The exhaust is scavenged via a custom-made header from a small shop in Japan, fabricated bu Humble Engineering with a 2.5” straight pipe terminating into a 3-chamber Flowmaster. Below, also visible are T3 coil-overs, LCAs, diff brace and Z Car Garage CV Axles:
Z Car Garage Big-Brakes
ELMO:Although my new engine makes more power than the original L-24, and the stock brake system and half- shafts likely within their operating limits to support the increased power, I felt now was the time to make those upgrades to mitigate any future performance or drivability issues. Enter Z Car Garage. I had been following ZCG for a few years and knew that Rob was very well respected in the Datsun community, and offered many products to enhance the performance of the S30. I wanted to upgrade to rear disks, not just for better overall braking, but also for aesthetic reasons.
As fellow S30 owner/racer 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. All fitting behind a 15″ Watanabe or Panasport wheel and retaining factory emergency brake lever! A few details below:
Calipers: Stoptech ST42 4-piston front & rear race calipers (Alum 6061 mil-spec Type III anodized)
Rotors: 280mm x 20.6 with Alum 7075 hats
Pads: Stoptech 309 sport street pads
ELMO:In other words, the look of drum brakes sitting behind my new wheels just wasn’t cutting it, at least not in 2023. There is no shortage of aftermarket (AM) brake kits for the S30; however, after speaking with many owners who installed AM kits, they all shared one thing in common: No one seemed to be fully pleased with their performance. Most kits are sort of a “Frankenstein” collection of parts which often required different brake boosters, proportioning valves and other mods just to make them work somewhat effectively. In addition, most AM brake kits either did not come with a parking brake, and if they did, functioned poorly.
Big-Brake Kits Available For DIY Install!
Z Car Garage is proud to offer our Big-Brake Kit to Z-Car owners that want to perform the installation themselves. We can ship worldwide and each kit contains everything needed with a comprehensive (40-page) installation guide. Blog posts documenting all of our customers running the ZCG Big-Brakes can be found HERE. Elmo’s beautiful S30 and his ZCG Big-Brake installation:
Our ZCG Big-Brake kit ships with everything needed to install and retains the factory parking brake function. Elmo successfully installed the BBK on his Z with and they look great behind the Volk TE37 wheels. Beyond ease of installation and quality components, our Big-Brakes perform by offering superb pedal feel…everyone that drives our demo Z confirms! 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. Elmo shares his feedback after replacing his existing brakes with the ZCG BBK:
ELMO: I contacted Rob to secure a set of his brakes but he advised me they were on backorder but that they’d be worth the wait, so I committed. Due to Covid supply chain issues, the wait was almost a year long, but as the saying goes, “some things are worth the wait”. I finally received my brakes and can confirm that aside from looking great, they meet or beat my performance expectations. Braking is effective, predictable, and confidence-inspiring. However, the best part is that there are no tricky performance issues that you have to figure out as they were designed from the ground-up for the S30, while still utilizing the stock brake booster and other components. All you simply have to do is install them as directed and you’re good to go. Oh, did I mention the parking brake works great!
Z Car Garage CV Axles
Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. We have over 200 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.
ELMO:Now that the brake department was taken care of, all that was left to replace is the Achilles’ heel of any S30 with a much more powerful engine, the half-shafts. I had issues with them and their U-Joints on my first 240z which had a 3.0 and I felt that my current Z would benefit from an upgrade. Again, multiple AM options to choose from but given the research and quality of the ZCG brake kit, I felt the CV axles that Rob offered were the logical choice. The axles are beautifully machined and more than robust enough to handle my new engine’s power. I installed the axles myself and have noticed less clunking and vibration, and an overall smoother drive.
Elmo’s ZCG CV Axle set, #0446 installed:
What’s in store for Elmo’s Z?
ELMO: So, what’s left? Well, there’s a few odds and ends but nothing major, at least not until Rob introduces the next upgrade. I’m a firm believer that most of us never truly finish modifying our cars because they are like an ever-evolving canvas of ourselves.
Thanks for your support Elmo we love that you are Enjoying The Ride and Long Live The Z! More photos in the gallery below
The Last Stop in Braking for your Z
Z Car Garage Big Brakes are one of the best systems available for your S30 Z Car with over 200 kits sold worldwide and unanimous positive feedback. See our ZCG Big-Brakes on client cars HERE and enjoy the photos below:
Filed under: 240z,510,Parts
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on June 13, 2024
Panasport wheels for your Z car
Treat your Z to a brand new set of Panasport wheels! Z Car Garage is an authorized Panasport dealer with limited sets available for fitment on your S30 Z car. We special order this 16×7 +11 offset to enable fitment of a 225/50/16 tire on the 1970 to 1978 S30s and even S130s.
Price is $330 each or $1320 for a set of 4 wheels + freight. Includes center caps
*We have only 8 sets left. Get yours before the price increases!*
Contact us to order: rob@zcargarage.com or call 408-452-0350.
Wondering how a set of Panasports would look on your Z car? They are timeless just like your Z. Please enjoy pictures below of ZCG customer cars in jus about every color imaginable with Panasport wheels:
Z Car Garage is proud to offer 13×7 Panasport racing wheels for your Datsun 510. These are +3 offset and perfect fitment for your B-Sedan/TransAm series Datsun 510 running vintage-class spec 205/60/13 Hoosier R7 (and other) tires. Price is $250 per wheel.
Shown above: Rob Fuller and Masayoshi Kobayashi, President of Panasport/Mag Formula Inc at Laguna Seca with the 13×7 Panasport wheels we run on our Bay Area Datsun Dealers 510. Here are the 13×7 Panasport wheels featured on a few client 510 race cars:
Kelvin’s Ex-Ted Gruner TransAm 510
Gabe’s B-Sedan:
Todd’s Far Performance 510
Ed’s 510
More photos of the wheels can be seen in the gallery below
Contact us: rob@zcargarage.com or call 408-452-0350 to order your set!
