The Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo is one the best Japanese sports cars of the 90’s. Keeping them on the road is our passion and we love to see our clients like Peter H Enjoying the Ride after some Z Car Garage power, chassis and aesthetic upgades.
Let’s take a look at how we made the already-fantastic 300ZX a well-rounded sports car, starting with Peter’s Z-story.
It’Z Never Too Late to Z
Peter was not always a Z-car enthusiast, but as we all know it there is no time like the present to own one and he acquired his Z32 from a prior Z Car Garage client:
“My experience with ZCG started back in end of 2016 when I acquired the Z from one of their former customers. To be honest, I had a very limited knowledge on Nissan Z cars before 2016 as I had a heart on rotary engine (Mazda FD RX-7) until I connected to the Z and its timeless design. I first brought my Z in to ZCG for power steering leak as the car was exclusively maintenance by ZCG and I want to keep it that way and I was impressed with the quality work of ZCG and their knowledge. Istarted to chat with Rob about the car and learned a lot from Rob about Z cars.”
Over the last 5 years we helped Peter with regular maintenance along with performance upgrades. Peter really wanted to give this car the attention it deserves while enjoying the occasional open track day.
Power Upgrades
Prior to power upgrades a few items were addressed. The 1990-1994 Z32TT’s have fuel injector problems because Nissan used a wet coil design. This left the injector coil wire prone to oxidation over time and eventual shorting. The solution? Convert to later style injectors using the early fuel rail. For Peter’s Z we wanted to run 740cc injectors which is only available in the new style:
More engine work including full timing belt services along with valve cover removal/refinishing:
Driveline was upgraded with a JWT HD clutch and flywheel. Keen observers may note that the exhaust has changed too!
Larger downpipes greatly improve flow over the stock manifolds. The best downpipes for your Z32TT can be found at SpecialtyZ. These are 3″ units:
The Z was treated to a chassis steam clean, making a clean grime-free backdrop for the new exhaust system. Downpipes were mated to 3-2.5″ SPZ mid-pipes and Greddy SP1 Exhaust:
We installed more parts from our friends at SpecialtyZ like their Selin dual MAF. To improve breathing we also installed larger Stillen intercoolers and charge plumbing from Ash-spec. Managing boost is a Greddy Profec E Boost Controller:
Finally, low-profile engine mounts from BDE offer more turbo inlet clearance and oil temps kept in check with a Concept Z Performance full Flow Oil Cooler Kit:
Recent work at Z Car Garage included a repaired turbo actuator, oil plan replacement, repaired heater core, new OEM wiring harness and minor electrical sorting from a 3rd party gauge installation.
Dyno Tuning
We dyno tuned Peter’s Z picking up 25hp/32tq for a total of 36hp/341tq at the wheels:
Enjoy this video below showing the dyno run, a walk-around, take-off and brief track footage:
Big-Brakes and Chassis
As every Z32 owner knows, the stock brakes just aren’t up to the task for track duty or even spirited driving. More power exacerbates the issue and you know how we feel at ZCG: It’s Stoptech Or Don’t Stop At All. Peter eventually experienced the difference:
“The Z was cranking out 355wHP but with stock brakes and heavy wheels. The acceleration was great but it had a big problem on stopping. I first upgraded with bigger rotors but it did not feel enough stopping power when going downhill. I brought my concern to Rob and Rob made it clearly to me Stoptech BBK is the only solution on Z32s.”
We installed the 332mm Big-Brake Kit using red calipers and rotors. Stock vs Stoptech:
At the rear, stock Z32 calipers were paint-matched to the Stoptech red up front. Sport kit slotted rotors with 309 pads and SS lines throughout:
In addition to their function, the Stoptech’s look nice too!
A few chassis upgrades included Powertrix Front Strut Tower, Stillen Front Rear Sway Bars, SPL Titanium Tension Rods, full Tein Flex Z Coilovers and new steering rack boots/bushings:
Interior
Peter wanted us to sort out his aftermarket gauges (Prosport Boost Gauge, Oil Temperature, Water Temperature Gauge), install a new steering wheel and upgrade lighting:
The dim stock displays benefitted from new LED sources. Check out the difference:
Even the climate control display is improved:
More LED upgrades throughout the cabin:
Peter’s interior touches include a Custom Alcantara on factory steering wheel with thumb rest:
Recaro Speed Racing Seats with Bride Seat rail/bracket, Nismo Clutch and Brake Pedal, Cusco accelerator pedal, and custom carbon fiber interior door sill with a logo “Fairlady” :
Aesthetics
We did Peter’s choice of exterior design items including a Stillen Type III lower bumper lip, TwinZ Design side skirts, TwinZ Design Rear diffuser, TwinZ Design Rear Spoiler Lip, and rare Veilside Polyurethane Exterior Mirrors:
“For almost two decades William has taken the factory aluminum hood and created a functional vent. All of th h igh hp cars have this hood mod and it looks OEM. Peter got lucky, we want our clients to enjoy their cars but please be safe out there. They are not making these epic sports cars anymore like the 90-96 Z32.”
Wheels Make the car
Peter obsessed on a set of proper wheels and tires for the Z, choosing the 18″ Advan Racing TC4:
“I had 3 brands in mind, SSR GT V01, Advan Racing TC4, Volk Racings TE37 Time Attack Saga. As Z32 is an older car, finding modern wheels with the right offset is challenging. After 3 months of back and forth communication/verification with Rob, we finally came to a conclusion with Advan Racking TC4 with 18×8.5” (offset 31) and 18×10” (offset 35) as I want to reserve some room to go with wider tires in case the car runs more HP in the future. There was a 10 months wait time on these wheels.”
We mounted the wheels with Bridgestone RE71R tires and they do look fantastic, framing the Stoptech calipers well, more photos in the gallery below!
Enjoying The Ride
Peter has been driving his Z on the street and on the track:
“Rob was trying to talk me out of the track, saying the Z32 is not a good track car but to me, I have made the car this far, I am not out there to compete with anyone, just to have fun and proved a well maintained Z32 can be enjoyed on the race track.”
Indeed, Peter took the Z to an open track day at Thunderhill Raceway and had a blast:
