Happy Thanksgiving!

Filed under: 240z,510,Events,Skyline
by Alvin G @ 7:30 am on November 23, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Z Car Garage! We hope you can find time to Enjoy The Ride over the holidays. Please note we will be closed today and Friday 11/24.

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EVENTS: Built By Legends Gathering 8.13.23

Filed under: 240z,Events,Featured Cars and Projects,Skyline
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on August 18, 2023

We love to see our clients Enjoying The Ride and there were several at last Sunday’s pre-Monterey Car Week gathering with Built By Legends. The event was held at Range Energy in Mountain View, Ca. Above is Erich’s 1973 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and dyno tuned Rebello 3L.

Kurt’s 1973 Nissan Kenmeri Skyline is fresh from restoration and we will have a full feature on zcarblog.com. It was great to see Rick in his 1965 Nissan Silvia among the Skylines. Thanks to Matt Brown and NorCal Skylines for the photos!

Tags: 240Z, built by legends, R32, r33, Silvia, Skyline, StopTech, top rank importers

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SHOP UPDATE 8/2/23

Filed under: 240z,280Z,370z,510,g35,Nissan Z,Racing,S130,Skyline
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on August 2, 2023

SHOP UPDATE 8.2.23

The shop is busy dyno tuning Z, G, R35 sports cars. Kurt’s Kenmeri Skyline is in for sorting. Kevin’s Nismo 350Z got full KW V3 coil-overs and Recaro seats. The ITS 240Z race car will be up for sale soon with log books. Jim’s Series 1 is getting Jenvey EFI and new dash. Donny 370Z and Jeremy’s G35 are in for clutch services and maintenance. The Ratsun is getting exhaust work before heading to its new owner in Michigan. Finally, we help Dirk prepare his ’73 Datsun 240Z. Full reports coming to zcarblog.com, enjoy the photos!

We love seeing our clients Enjoying the Ride. Here is Matt showing off his Z Car Garage swag on his Z32TT in Edmonton, Canada.

Glenn’s FAR Performance/Bay Area Datsun Dealers 240Z is in for dyno tuning today. This is an exceptionally restored vintage race car!

We are stoked to see our #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240z currently on display at ZCON this week. It’s in great company next to our clients Linda Williams and her OMS Pace Car Tribute and Mike’s Fairlady Z432. Photos by Gary Savage.

Taylor’s 280Z featuring Z Car Garage CV Axles. See it at ZCON this week!

Enjoying a warm afternoon drive in GOGA510 with SR20DET power!

Our 2023 Nissan Z got a new Fast Intention TDX cat-back exhaust system. Full report with audio coming to zcarblog.com

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EVENT REPORT: ZONC Gathering 6/11/23

Filed under: 240z,280Z,280zx,350z,370z,510,Events,g35,Nissan Z,R35,S130,Skyline,Z31,z32
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on June 12, 2023

The Z Owners of Northern California (ZONC) is one of the oldest Z car clubs in the nation. In its prime they had over 600 members with close ties to Yutaka Katayama (“Mr. K”) and Nissan USA. We had a wonderful time attending their Meet and Greet event at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, Ca on June 11, 2023.

We left Z Car Garage in our 2023 Nissan Z, 1971 Datsun 510 Wagon and Randy’s 1972 Datsun 240Z (For Sale). Joining the caravan were Alex in his 1968 Datsun 510 Wagon and our friend Geoff in his BMW 2002. Despite some morning fog the turnout was impressive for a relaxed gathering. No judged car show or awards, just Z-Car fans catching up with old friends and meeting new enthusiasts.

Highlights from the show

Still to this day, 240Zs are the most represented model in the club. Expansion over time currently includes all recent Z models and the GT-R, but also reaches back in time to include the Datsun Roadsters and 510s. Both upper and lower parking areas were packed with cars and people having a great time.

The New Nissan Z!

Linda Williams’ proudly displayed her 1 of 240Z special edition Nissan Z “Proto Spec” in the upper Museum area. Our RZ34 was in the lower lot and we will have a full report on the recently installed Fast Intentions exhaust system!

Z’s, 510s, Roadsters and More!

Here are a few of my favorite S30 Z cars from the gathering, starting with this flared beauty on custom 17″ early S30 hubcap-inspired wheels. This is the creation of Hoover Chan from Turbohoses R&D and it sports an L28ET. Rob and Hoover go way back many years!

We were pleasantly surprised to see many Z Car Garage clients so let’s take a look at what they drove. Garrett drove his 1972 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles combined with a suspension rebuild improved the chassis. Power comes from a Rebello 3L with our Z Car Garage Heat Shield and in-house dyno tuning to make it sing. His latest addition are new Recaro leather seats!

Ken’s 1970 Datsun 240Z also has our Z Car Garage CV Axles:

Stoked to see Hazel’s 1970 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles. Looks like Hazel just added a mint set of Watanabe R-Type wheels to her Z!

It was great to see Steve and Kevin’s Nismo Z33s. Full reports on both coming to zcarblog.com!

Here is a video from the event, enjoy!

Blow-thru Fantasy

We met Francisco and his S30 had a really neat HKS blow-through turbo system. Rob was impressed with his enthusiasm and love for the Z!

Twice the Beauty

Joey Bautista drove two of his immaculate Z cars. The engine bay on this blue car looks factory right? A closer inspection reveals a bespoke factory-style triple carb air cleaner, complete with OEM-style emissions stickers! The B-speed “LY” vintage valve cover was a nice touch as well. Really love d the aesthetic.

The silver S30 also sported triple carbs with a vintage SK air box and “triple” emissions stickers:

Z32

The Z32 300ZX was out in full force with both NA and TT examples. We enjoyed seeing familiar faces like Kevin Neely’s TT with fresh TE37 wheels and Joe’s show-winning red Z32:

Z33 and Z34

Strong showing of Z34s including V1 and V2 Nismo models:

510s

We love to see Datsun 510s and there were many examples of both stock and modified. Andy’s SR20DET-powered 510 was my favorite with Gotti wheels and rear-mounted A/C system. This was another creation from Hoover at Turbohoses!

SSS Bluebird was the only RHD 510 model at the show:

Jay’s 510 Wagon on Longchamp XR-4 wheels. Jay also has a 510 2-door featuring our Z Car Garage CV Axles.

Matt’s 510 with turbocharged KA24DE:

Alex’s 1968 Datsun 510 Wagon is a total sleeper with an LS3 V8 drivetrain!

Roadsters

The lone Datsun Roadster was John Baker’s ’69 2000. This is a Concours-level restoration with lots of rare, NOS Nissan Competition parts like passenger foot rest and oil cooler.

Rare Everwing fog lights and day/night mirror:

R32 Row

R32 Skyline GT-Rs in a variety of colors! Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou displayed his recently acquired Crystal White R32 on BBS LeMans wheels:

A familiar R34 GT-R also showed up!

R35

A handful of R35 GT-Rs

People

It’s why we keep coming back to ZONC events. Thank you to everyone that took the time to say hello!

Thank You ZONC!

We had a great time spending the day at the ZONC Meet and Greet. It reminded us to (in the words of the late Mr.K), ” Love cars. Love people. Love Life.” This is a club that keep the Z community together year-round and we are excited for their next events. Don’t forget to check out our picture gallery below!

…[read more]

Tags: 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 280zx, 300zx, 350Z, 370z, 510, 620, Datsun, maxima, nissan, Nissan Z, R32, r34, R35, RB26DETT, Roadster, Skyline, Z Car Garage, ZONC

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Happy Holidays from Z Car Garage!

Filed under: 240z,280Z,280zx,350z,370z,510,Datsunworks,g35,Nissan Z,Performance,r32,R35,Skyline,Z31,z32
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on December 23, 2022

HAPPY HOLIDAYS From Z Car Garage

One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the new year. From all of us at Z Car Garage we thank our friends, family and customers again for another exciting and productive year! Enjoy our 2022 recap and upcoming projects. Please note our holiday closure below:

ZCG will be closed from 12/26 through 12/30 for our Annual Holiday Break and we will re-open for business on 1/3/23

Client Updates for 2023

We had a busy year and though the shop will be closed, we won’t leave you hanging for the holidays. Many zcarblog features have yet to be published like our belated race report from the CSRG Charity Challenge and Finale in addition to client stories. Before we take a look back at highlights from 2022, here are several exciting projects coming along at the shop:

CJ’s 1971 Datsun 240Z features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, and ZCG Heat Shield! We also installed triple-Mikuni induction and dyno tuned the Rebello 3L engine backed by a 240SX 5-speed transmission.

Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z is now sporting a Rebello 3.2L with triple-Mikuni carbs on a Harada intake, Recaro Specialist seats, CD009a 6-speed transmission, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles!

Jeff and Ryan B’s LS3-powered Z came to us for mechanical sorting. It’s now sporting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles. Ryan successfully ran the Targa California Rallye in blistering summer heat. He recently got a new set of VOLK TE37V wheels full report soon!

At Z Car Garage we enjoy both modifying Z cars and restoring them back to factory spec. Mike’s 1970 Datsun 240Z came to us from North Carolina and we delivered it in July. This ’69 production VIN#193 is a beautiful driving example of how wonderful these cars were from the factory.

James’s Turbocharged L-series powered S30 will be back after some cosmetic upgrades. We enjoyed making some great power and music:

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.

Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z (#1762) is getting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, ZCG CV Axles, KA24 5-speed transmission and Fujitsubo exhaust. The L28 is now receiving Jenvey ITB EFI managed by a Haltech 750:

Beau’s Datsun 280Z coming together. Fresh from paint featuring Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, T3 suspension and more.

Taking care of clients!

Z Car Garage takes pride in our ability to handle client’s needs, with same-day service possible. Our parts room with over 1,000 parts on hand allows us to get you in and back on the road. Client Vince S had a clutch hydraulic failure and limped his way in to the shop. We sorted his hydraulics and he was off in 4hrs:

Garret and Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z cars both received our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles!

Stan K (VIN #511) and Tony H’s Series Datsun 240Z cars came in for mechanical sorting, interior work and Z Car Garage CV Axles

Datsunworks

Z Car Garage is excited to collaborate with Datsunworks and develop their brilliant KN20 dual-overhead cam (DOHC) cylinder head designed for the Nissan inline-6 L-Series engine. You can read all about it HERE. We continue to extract more power and run longevity testing with owner Gary’s Datsun 240Z, who has the pleasure of living daily with this beast affectionately named the “Behemoth”.

Khang’s 1973 Datsun 240Z was completed in October and he returned with 1,000 miles on the 3.2L L-Series. We adjusted the valves and double-checked power levels.

Happy to see both builds healthy and confirm power output. Enjoy the music from the both L-Series engines, sporting Jenvey ITB EFI managed by Haltech 750 Elite ECUs backed by the CD009a Six-Speed transmission.

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:

Eric’s Q50:

R35 and R32 GT-R

R35s in for service and upgrades. Mike and Kurt’s R32 GT-Rs got power and chassis upgrades deserving their own blog features:

Z32

Mike’s 1991 Stillen GTZ. This rare, twin-turbo Z32 300ZX is #6 of 6 cars created by Steve Millen. It featured special 17” billet wheels, Brembo brakes, aero and performance upgrades. Excited to share its story and other client Z32 projects!

Race Cars

Several race cars to report on including the Transcendental Racing Datsun 240Z, Glenn Chiou’s Ex-Finn/Harris U2.5L Trans-Am ’68 510 (sporting ZCG CV Axles), the Corky Bell Trans-Am 510 and more!

Highlights from 2022

Even though 2022 was crazy 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 2023!

Click on each link or photo to see the full features!