Shop Talk for
|
|||
 |
|
||
We are stoked to see our friend Eric Straw and his 1969 Datsun Roadster featured in Speedhunters. Check out the article HERE.
We loved tuning Eric’s RB26DETT powered DR30 Skyline, so look for a dyno report soon as we tune the Haltech ECU on this SR22VET powered beauty!
Z Car Garage is expanding to support our vintage, late model and motorsport work. We are seeking an experienced and skilled automotive technician to join our team. This is not an average automotive job. We work 4-10hr days and offer competitive pay/benefits.
Requirements: Automotive experience, your own set of tools, willingness to learn, and be part of a team.
Nissan/Datsun experience is NOT a requirement, you just need to have passion.
Interested or know someone who might be a good fit? Please contact rob@zcargarage.com or call us at (408)452-0350.
Photo by Simon Mercado
Congratulations to our customer James Stephens on his Best of Show win at Saturday’s Z Day in Atascadero, CA. James’ 1972 Turbocharged L-series S30 has a few more upgrades since being featured in Speedhunters, so expect a full report soon!
Here are few photos from the show, it looks like a great turnout. Long Live The Z!
The 2019 Solvang Datsun Roadster show took place on April 27. Now in its 32nd year, this event continues a tradition of uniting owners from all parts of the world in a little town just outside of Santa Barbara. There is something for everyone here: shopping, food, wine-tasting, outdoor activities, and in the last weekend of April an epic gathering of Datsuns!
This year I did not bring my roadster but I was able to experience it with my wife and three children (now all walking):
On to the cars! Here are some highlights from the day…starting with the “Holy Grail” of Datsun Roadsters: The 1967 2000! This year there were only a handful of these rare (less than a 1000) models. Some of these cars are considered the “cream of the crop” with full restorations or OEM levels of detail like Kurt’s Sora Blue #520:
Interestingly, all of the ’67 2000 models present possessed the fabeled “rivet in the C” on their valve covers. Different body colors as well! Gary Vigil’s SRL #126 was still in the process of being completed, looking brilliant in Beige Grey Metallic:
Arnold’s SRL 485:
The sole “Thunder Black” ’67 SRL:
Solvang showcases everything from pristine to highly modified examples of roadsters. These two examples are exemplary of the “high-windshield” models. John Baker’s ’69 2000: several years of intense restoration by John has resulted in one stunning, concours-level 2000. Finished in Spanish Red with plenty of engine bay details to drool over. Best part is that it is driven, even with the Bias-ply tires!
Mike Ramirez’s ’68 1600 was stored for 32 years before a full restoration in 2014…it is pristine:
There were several early 1600s with chrome-ringed gauges and classy red interiors. Alvin’s ’65 SPL was originally imported to the US by a Naval officer and he found it in a barn with 32k original miles. His goal is to take it back to Japan for a springtime tour!
Like the 510 and Z cars, the Datsun Roadster chassis can accept many engine swaps and this year the show-stopper was Eric Straw’s 1969 SRL.
We have known Eric for many years and he is a talented fabricator with a penchant for high-powered Datsuns. ZCG tuned his RB26-powered Nissan DR30 Skyline and plan on tuning this Haltech-managed SR22VET beast of a roadster.
Backing the SR22VET is a Nissan 350z 6-speed transmission, but there are so many details to be found at the surface like the factory OEM(!) Hardtop, 225 front/245 rear tires, Brembo calipers, Lotus Elise seats and more.
Eric’s fabrication skills are really displayed in this chassis with full coil-over suspension and a Watts-linkage. With guidance from Michael Spreadbury of Spriso Motorsports, the level of chassis development is mind-boggling:
More pictures in the gallery, but this masterpiece deserves its own feature!
Two cars that I really like have a special “JDM” feel to them. Greg’s ‘1968 2000 finished in Gray sitting on 14″ Watanabe wheels looked just right:
Mike’s 1967.5 SPL sports 15″ Watts, a full solex-equipped U20 drivetrain, roll bar, SRL gauges and rare EMPI steering wheel:
A few roadster owners proudly offered their own vintage wine creations alongside their cars. Al’s SPL graces the label of his wine:
This ’70 SRL not only had one of my favorite white/red color combos, the wheel/tire choice was spot on. Beefy sidewalls on the AR Libras and a nice stance looked great:
There were only 2, three-seater 1500 roadsters. Raymond Lim’s 1963 1500 was in amazing condition considering its age. This single-carb, three-seater was remarkably preserved. Best part was watching Ray’s son show off the roadster to everyone! This is why I love the Solvang Show.
Even older than the 1500s were the SPL212s owned by Jeff Silvey:
People. It’s what makes the Solvang Datsun Roadster Show so much fun. Datsun folks in general are cool people and they came from all parts of the world:
Corey’s ’66 SPL had a mighty stroked 1600 engine. Final displacement is 2.3L(!) courtesy of parts from Datsun-specialist Lou Mondello of Australia. We look forward to dyno-tuning this quad-motorcycle carb’d monster soon:
Don’t have a roadster but want to park and enjoy the show? The Solvang show also welcomes Japanese classics that are not roadsters. Lots of cool trucks, Z-cars and 510s joined in on the fun. Brian K drove and displayed his Nissan Patrol. He is also the man behind our Z Car Garage CV Axles. When he’s not enjoying Datsuns, Brian owns/operates KaD Models machine shop in Berkeley, CA making various parts for our cars as well.
The Solvang Show draws roadster owners from all over the US, and world! We can always count on Jim and Susan to make the trek from Mexico in their ’70 SRL with matching trailer:
Adrian Christian made the long journey from New York in his ’70 SRL:
This is the actual car from Nissan’s multi-million dollar Datsun Heritage advertising campaign in the late 90’s. Check it out in this Super Bowl Ad – “The Dream Garage”.
Ted Heaton drove his three roadsters down from Bellvue, Washington. He had help from his son and grandson!
We love this event and hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 2019 Solvang Datsun Roadster Show. Big thanks to the organizer Harlan Katz and SoCal crew for hosting! Please visit our picture gallery below:
…[read more]
We also knew after his initial visit to ZCG that he couldn’t stay NA for long. In 2017 we made a plan to install the Stillen supercharger kit on his car.
This is the satin kit with our usual supporting mods like GTR plugs, a Z1 25-row oil cooler and the Stillen AT transmission cooler:
It made good power with 365hp/295tq at the wheels, but Roy is a guy that likes to keep turning up the boost (pun intended). At the end of 2018, we installed an air to air intercooler from SOHO Motorsports. Ecutek software was also installed which allowed us to run at Speed Density instead of MAF:
The gains were impressive, picking up almost 100hp/50tq for 465hp/343tq to the wheels:
We actually had to dial it back down after running out of injector. A full fuel system upgrade is next on the list. For now the Z is making 410hp/328tq:
Now it was time to add suspension to the mix. We installed our favorite coil-over: the KW V3.
Stock Vs KW installed front:
Rear:
SPC upper arms up front and new links at the rear.
Hotchkis sway bar set:
We also installed Roy’s new set of wheels:
These were freshly released at the time: ADVAN AVS F50 in platinum black. Sized 20×10 F 20×12 R with 275/35/20F, 305 in rear. New TPMS were installed to retain factory tire pressure readings eliminating that annoying warning light.
Enjoy The Boost, Roy and see you soon!
