It really makes our day to see a client still enjoying their Z years later after visiting Z Car Garage. Last weekend we saw Michael D’s 1972 Datsun 240Z at the 34th Annual Z Car Convention (ZCON) in Colorado Springs, and it reminded us how we’ve worked with him since 2007. Let’s take a closer look at this Nissan RB25DET-powered S30 featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, full suspension and Panasport C8 wheels.

Photo: Bryan Delohery

Go Green Inspiration

In 2005, Rob Fuller performed an RB25DET engine swap into his 1970 240Z, affectionately named Go Georgia Z (GO GA Z = Go Green Georgia Z). The RB is a turbocharged inline-6 engine from the Nissan Skyline (R33) GTS-T in Japan, requiring new drivetrain mounts and supporting modifications to work in the S30 chassis. Once completed, Rob drove his Z all over California, attending several long distance car shows like Motorsport Auto in SoCal and the All-Datsun Meet at Mt. Shasta.

Rob’s RB-swapped Go Green Z gained notoriety and around 2007 is where our relationship with Michael began. He wanted ZCG to do an RB25DET swap similar to Rob’s in to his super clean ’72 240Z:

Photo: Bryan Delohery

As we know it’s always been tough to keep up with demand at ZCG. Mike is a great guy and kept offering us his business but Rob wasn’t ready to take on the project. Instead, we focused on preparing his car to handle the RB swap. Driveline upgrades included a ZCG-prepped 4.38 R180 LSD (since replaced with R200 3.55 Quaife LSD), restored hydraulic/brake lines and our ZCG Big-Brakes and CV Axles.

After the RB swap was completed in 2013 at another shop, Michael returned to Z Car Garage to sort a few more items. We did not like how the fuel system wasso it was redone by us. We also sold him our custom ZCG (Z31) motor mounts and tunnel bracket reposition for the OEM RB25 OEM transmission.

A few specs on Michael’s current setup: RB25DET rebuilt with RB26/Neo/N1 parts, BorgWarner EFR 7670 turbo, GTR coil set, Bocsh 1000cc injectors, TIAL 50mm BOV, McKinney Pan and Radiator, Wiring Specialites Harness and a LINK Ngtr+ EMS. With 525whp/480ft-lbs, the suspension and brakes were upgraded. We installed a full Ground Control coil-over suspension (remember this was in 2008) and Michael reports great performance still:

“In regards to the performance of the suspension upgrades, coil-overs, Tokico struts/shocks I was considering T3 and Arizona Z control arm suspension replacements. My suspension performs so well with the stock A-frames etc that it didn’t make any sense to change them. I would add, without spoilers my 240z stays very grounded at 130 mph and I know what I am talking about after having owned a ’14 R35 GTR for 7 years.”

Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and CV Axles

To cope with the power of the RB25DET, Michael has our ZCG Big-Brake kit. Not to be confused with our current Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels), this Big-Brake kit was our initial setup from over a decade ago. This 328mm sized kit requires 17″ diameter wheels and the massive ST-42 calipers are finished in bright red. We actually did all the R&D in-house for this setup…using a 280ZX master cylinder and our own mounting brackets.

Since it was in its infancy we did not market or sell this BBK to the public, installing it only our clients vehicles. There are about 20 sets of these early, 328mm BBKs on client Z cars like James’ Turbocharged L-Series 240Z, Scott’s 260z, Gary’s Datsunworks-Powered 240Z and Lou’s RHD FairladyZ:

Panasport Wheels

Michael also got a set of our custom Panasport Racing C8 wheels. These 3 piece, 17×9 wheels allowed fitment of a 255/40/17 tire under stock fender flares.

When ZCG was starting to build a series of RB-powered S30s, Rob brought in a pallet of C8 wheels destined for the builds. Michael wanted a set so we hooked him up with a silver spoke finish. They look great on his Z:

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 130 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

 

We built Michael a set of CV Axles, shown below:

Interior

Michael is proud of the interior on the Z, keeping it aesthetically close to stock with updated materials and comfort in mind. A Restomod A/C unit keeps things cool. A very special thanks to Luis at Vargas Auto Upholstery:

“Sewed in centers of original seats, Auto Meter digital speedo and tach to modified to look original in original housings, the dash which is impossible was done with requirement to minimize stitches and never cross a stitch, stereo housing was built to match the faceplate of original, has remote electric windows and locks, power steering, hands free phone, android auto for maps, and seats that hold you in while providing comfort for 8+ hour drives.”

 

Enjoying the Ride

Michael contacted Rob in 2003, just after he purchased his 60k-orignal mile 1972 Z to get the upgrades started. He’s driven it since 2004. Here is what it looked like when he picked it up, and a current photo:

Michael’s goal for the build, aptly named “TRBUTEZ”…

“It is called TRBUTEZ.: A tribute (act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration) to the many under $3k  starving student Z’s I owned that carried me through life with unconditional loyalty, performance, and dependable reliability. This one is for you. Thank you!  My goal is to upgrade the build of the car for an even better personal experience while maintaining the respect this car deserves through preservation of every original detail possible.”

We were stoked to see Michael and his Z at the ZCON event on Colorado Springs. After all these years he’s still Enjoying The Ride!

When you think it couldn’t get better…he won (4) awards!

Thank you to ZCON organizer Christopher Karl and Meghan Fuller for the show photos! More in the gallery below.

…[read more]

Road & Track magazine just published an article about the Datsunworks KN20 cylinder head! You can view it HERE. It is a great read with interviews from founder Datsunworks founder Derek Minetti and Z Car Garage owner Rob Fuller:

The article provides origins of KN20 as we as technical information. Z Car Garage is excited to collaborate with Datsunworks as we build and test more KN20-powered Z cars. To see and hear the KN20 in action visit our previous post HERE

 

The ZONC Annual Car Show will be held Sunday September 12 in Brisbane, CA. This a fun event in a great location so bring out your Z, G, Datsun or GT-R! Pictures from previous shows can be seen HERE with more details below. Z you at the show!

We had a blast at the 34th Annual Z Car Convention (ZCON) hosted by ZCCA in Colorado Springs. This is the largest Z-car event in the US and we were stoked to be a sponsor. Coming from the 8/17 New 2023 Z Reveal in New York, Rob and Meghan attended the the 8/21 People’s Choice Show at ZCON. Enjoy photos these from the event!

 

Congratulations to our client Bob Russell on his 1st place award for Stock 240Z! We will have a full report on Bill’s S30 on zcarblog.com soon

Both of our clients Jack and Linda made it to ZCON with their recently finished Z’s and had a great time:

Jack won 3rd place for Ultra-Modified Z32 with his LS3-swapped, Primadonna Z:

The largest Z show!

ZCON was a Z car lover’s fantasy… with every generation represented. There were even non-Z cars welcomed!

S30

S130

 

Mike Rogers 12-mile 1980 ZX. Here is a great video and walk through on this time capsule!

Z31

Z32

350z

370z

Nissan/Datsun Gems

ZCON welcomed all members of the family and there were some great cars on display:

Roadster, 620 and S13

Best of the 90’s!

Midnight Purple R33, Z32 and R32 all at gas station just outside of ZCON!

People

The legendary Pete Brock, Hiroshi Tamura and Larry Chen were just a few of the big names at ZCON:

Christopher Karl and Mark Lambert both received Lifetime Achievement Awards, congrats gentlemen!

Thank You!

ZCON was a success. Big thanks to Christopher Karl of ZCCA for an incredible week of friends and Z cars. Z you next year!

…[read more]