Kyle B visited Z Car Garage in last summer when he purchased a Concept Z Performance Akebono big-brake kit from us. The kit included red calipers, Stoptech slotted rotors, Stainless lines and our favorite 309 pads:

 

We installed the brake kit on Kyle’s 2008 350z:

 

 

Stock vs Akebono:

  

Rear calipers, and they look fantastic behind the Enkei GTC01-RR wheels:

  

Since this is a base model Z33 it had an open diff. We installed a Quaife LSD assembly and while the diff was being prepped we installed Whiteline diff bushings, a common practice for ZCG:

  

After the summer Kyle said he would be back for more and his next visit was in January of this year. We had talked about doing KW V1 coil-overs, and eventually upgraded to V3s.  ZCG has performed many KW suspension installs and we really like how they work, using them exclusively on the 300zx(z32) and 350z models. Whenever we do a coil-over and lower the ride height we always use the SPC front and rear camber arms. This ensures that a customer gets the ride height, handling and tire wear:

 

It was time for a clutch upgrade and we installed the JWT HD/clutch and aluminum flywheel. We also replaced the clutch master cylinder, using the CMAK upgrade from ZSpeed to delete the internal slave cylinder:

  

Finally, we installed some ART pipes so tuning will be the next step for Kyle.

Enjoy The Ride!

 

 

 

 

 

Z Car Garage is proud to offer a CV axle conversion kit for your Datsun S30 and 510. 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!

 

S30 and 510s running the ZCG CV axles

 

Randy Jaffe’s #46 BRE Datsun 240z received the very first set of ZCG CV axles: Serial # S30-000240!

 

The Bluebird SSS Coupe and Hakosuka Skyline are both running ZCG CV axles on the race track:

   

Race car driver and restoration specialist Jim Froula of Racecraft is running ZCG axles in several of his cars:

Set #246 – installed May 2018 on the “Harry Stewart #52” Datsun 510:

  

Set #247 – installed April 2018 on the 260z

  

Set #248 – will be installed on Adam Carolla’s “Greg Sorrentino #90” Datsun 510. We are pleased to report that Jim will also be installing a set on his “George Alderman #32” 300ZX! The ZCG CV axles are also perfect for high hp street cars. The following customer cars are all running our CV axles now:

Frank B’s fuel-injected, 6-speed stroker L-series:

  

Gary’s 430whp LS3-powered 280z:

  

Scott W’s EFI stroker L-series:

  

James S’ L28ET:

  

Finally, Gary’s “Behemoth”  OS Giken TC24B1Z powered S30:

Technical Information:

The Z Car Garage axles were designed to help remove much of the backlash aka clunk seen in many older vehicles. Modern technology has given us the ability to create a set of axles to exacting standards. We started with a high quality set of CV joints that were found to be the most consistent in both major and minor spline diameters. We then began to design the axle itself to share the same tight tolerances. We are holding a +/- .01mm diametric tolerance on both the inner and outer spline diameters. This gives us the feeling of direct connection between differential and wheel. The axle shaft major diameter was increased to 28MM to give owners a bit of added comfort in knowing the main shafts are stout. Once the axles are splined they are then heat treated to obtain the desired harness. After heat treat the axles are then nickel plated to add corrosion resistance. The inner and outer flanges are made from 316 stainless steel and mate to the CV joints with tapered alignment surfaces to ensure concentricity is maintained throughout the axle thus reducing vibration. The inner flange attaches to the stock R series differential utilizing the Nissan factory hardware. The outer flange attaches to the driven stub with bolts specifically designed and manufactured for the Z Car Garage axle installation kit. These bolts are manufactured to grade 8. All ZCG axles are manufactured locally which helps us maintain the fitment and quality we require.

Materials

Axles : Hardened AISI/SAE 4340 Alloy Steel, 4340 is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel

Drive flanges: 316 stainless steel, Type 316 steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel

Outer Flange Bolts: Hardened 4140 Alloy Steel , AISI or SAE 4130 grade is a low-alloy steel containing chromium and molybdenum as strengthening agents

 

Maximus Y is from the valley and spent the day in San Jose with his wife while ZCG we tuned his 2014 370z. Max supplied the Power Package from Z1 Motorsports, consisting of test pipes, tubular exhaust headers and a modified upper intake manifold:

 

Since we had not installed these parts from Z1 before, we dyno tested them followed by UPREV tuning.

First, we installed the Z1 upper intake manifold:

 

Baseline before installation of the Power Package was 297hp/248tq at the wheels. The Z1 intake added ~5hp/6tq:

 

Next, the exhaust parts were installed. OEM vs Z1 exhaust headers:

  

OEM vs Z1 test pipes:

 

From the Z1 intake to headers/test pipes we saw gains of 20hp/13tq to the wheels. The dyno reveals significant mid to high rpm improvement:

 

Finally, Rob UPREV tuned for even more gains of 10hp making a total of 322hp/256tq to the wheels. An improvement over baseline of 30hp/14tq at the wheels:

 

We chatted with Max and with 27k miles on the odometer he will be visiting ZCG again to supercharge his Z! Stay tuned!

 

This 1973 Datsun 240z has been in owner Erich C’s family since new. He is also a good friend of fellow Z-car racer Glenn and both enjoy carving through the winding back roads of the Bay Area. Erich decided to finally restore his S30 and placed it in the capable hands of racer and Datsun guru Troy Ermish. Fresh from a restoration at his shop the Z had plenty of hot rod parts including a Rebello 3L with triple Mikuni carbs:

  

Erich came to Z Car Garage for inspection services and sorting before entering the car in the fabled Coastal Range Rally held on Feb. 22. His Z came to us at a great time with plenty of familiar company in the shop:

 

On the short list of items needing attention: clutch hydraulics, brake booster issue, wiring issues, speedometer not working, exhaust leaks, engine oil leak and transmission leak.

 

We addressed the clutch hydraulics by replacing the clutch M/C and re-drilling the clutch slave cylinder mounting holes. The system was bled and we adjusted everything to ensure the clutch pedal worked beautifully. The brake booster was also adjusted to allow full travel and full pressure with pedal application:

   

Next, we diagnosed a leak at the bellhousing. First, we removed the transmission and confirmed that the clutch/flywheel surfaces were dry and unaffected:

   

The source of the leak was from the transmission’s front seal:

  

We separated the transmission to replace the seal:

  

Bellhousing cleaned and front cover assembled:

 

The reverse switch was not operable. On the KA24 transmission conversion the reverse gear switch is located about 22mm further back on the F4W71B than on the FS5W71B or C. While the transmission was out we relocated the reverse switch and it now functions:

   

Let’s take a brief pause for this beauty:

 

A few wiring issues were diagnosed like the the brake lights: we found a broken wire at the pedal switch, removed all the bolts cleaned up the connections and replaced the switch with a NOS Nissan part. Brake lights work now!

  

The speedometer was not functioning so we replaced the speedo cable assembly with some ZCG stock. We also traced wiring from the tachometer to engine bay and got it working. Tach and speedo now operable!

 

Moving towards the rear of the Z, look how ultra-clean it is!

 

What may not be apparent from the photo above is the exhaust was hitting the diff, so we clearanced it:

 

The differential “fill” bolt with was replaced with the correct square plug:

 

On high power Z’s like Erich’s the diff fluid can overflow out of the vent, so we add a little hose here:

  

There was an oil leak at the oil pump so this part was replaced, no more leaks:

  
Erich’s excellent choice of RS Watanabe wheels really complete the look for this car.

 

The combination of 15×8 wheels with 225/50/15 Toyo R888 tires was rubbing badly on the rear fender lips:

 

We rolled the lips and confirmed no rubbing:

    

Before tuning the car we identified and fixed exhaust leaks at the header flange and collectors:

 

Fresh spark plugs, an O2 sensor and we were ready for some dyno time.

  

After we corrected some jetting issues Erich’s S30 made a stout 261hp/234tq to the wheels!

 

Erich’s S30 left Z Car Garage just in time to participate in the Coast Range Rally and we are happy to report that he completed it!

 

We are proud of Troy and his restoration of this Z. It is also great to see Erich out Enjoying The Ride where these cars are meant to be. Thank you Erich and Troy for letting us work on this canyon carver. Stay tuned as Erich made another appointment with us to replace his Wilwood brakes with…our ZCG Big Brake Kit!

LONG LIVE THE Z!

Enjoy more pictures in the gallery below

 

 

…[read more]

 

Raymond L purchased a few bolt-ons and he needed them installed correctly on his Infiniti Q50 Hybrid. This is the first Q50 Hybrid we have worked on so we were excited. We installed a new front sway bar and cat-back exhaust, both from Stillen.

OEM vs Stillen sway bar:

 

OEM vs Stillen exhaust system:

 

A few more detail shots of the exhaust:

    

The front sway bar and Stillen exhaust made welcome improvements!