Shop Talk for
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Things are progressing with the build as we speak and I was able to grab a few shots of the suspension while it was being mocked up for the final time before being sent out for powder coating. Hopefully I will have the finished suspension shots for you shortly. These are just a teaser. RB power for life!!
240Zs rule. They are lightweight, handle amazingly well, and are easy to work on; but what do you do when the reliable L-series engine runs out of breath? Simple, bring it to Z Car Garage and install a set of 44mm Mikuni carburetors, new header, and a slightly larger exhaust system…. and hold on!!
The amazing change in the dyno numbers only tell half the story. The fun factor of this car is now light years ahead of where is was when the car first came to us. The torque now stays strong through the entire rev-range and the increased breathing capacity now allows the engine to spin freely to six grand if you so desire. There is an increase of FORTY horsepower and the same in torque through the last 1,500rpm. This is a life changing difference.
One of the reasons this looks so drastic is the inefficiency of the semi-odd dual carb setup that this car came to us with, but the results prove that that this is one huge step in the right direction to making this car about as much fun that the owner can handle. The car is now using three individual ITG filters to make sure that the newly found airflow is clean enough for government work so please don’t think that we sent this car on it’s way with no filtration. Sorry that I don’t have any pictures.
On the horizon for this car is a possible camshaft change to get the last bit of power out of this engine so expect a post in the future if this comes to fruition. The smile on the owner’s face hasn’t left since we gave the car back and it seems we have lit the fire under another early Z enthusiast, we are happy to help. ZCG
There are a few more photos after the ‘read more.’
What a busy day here at ZCG. We went to William’s Autobody around lunch today and took a few photos of the first exterior paintwork to be done to the RB28 240z. The paint looks amazing and there are still more coats to go with tons of color sanding in between to make sure the finish is perfect. I’ll have more photos soon!
Rob and I were also out driving the ZCG 370z and a white 240z that is here to get triple Mikunis (see above photo) and we decided to stop by the scales and weigh the newly acquired 370z. The car tipped the scales at 3,320 lbs with no passengers and almost a full tank of gas. Not too shabby. (For reference the ZCG G35 Twin Turbo came in at 3,600 lbs.)
More to come tomorrow. Long Live the Z
Z Car Garage is once again in the spotlight with a beautifully restored 240z. In the November issue of Sport Compact Car there is an article titled “Zip Code” featuring Kurt Ikerd’s Z. Throughout the five page spread is a well done write up and some amazing photos taken by the infamous E. John Thawley III. This issue is worth buying for this article alone.
Within the last week this car is beginning a new phase in it’s life. The wheels have been changed and the entire drive train has been removed. Kurt and the entire Z Car Garage crew has huge plans for this car in the near future so stay tuned right here as I will be documenting the entire rebuild. All I have to say is wow.
Note: These photos are just a few that I have taken this year, THEY ARE NOT FROM THE ARTICLE. John Thawley’s are much nicer. ENJOY
The first track test of Z Car Garage’s own big brake kit took place last week at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, CA. The brake kit was designed entirely in house and has gone through various stages of testing over the past few months since its creation. This initial kit was installed on a freshly restored 240z to ensure that the car would be able to handle it’s new braking capabilities.
After the owner of the car had a few sessions under his belt with the kit it was time to test the brakes under tougher race-like conditions. To do this the ZCG crew enlisted the help of professional racecar driver David Ray. David has won a San Francisco Regional championship (1994) in an ITS prepared 240z and again (2004) in a T2 class 350z.
With the Z Car team in the hot pits, Ray took to the track with instructions to make two hot laps to gauge initial feel and then return to the pits for inspection. He returned to the pits with a smile and a satisfactory report. The ZCG pit crew took temperature measurements and did a quick visiual inspection before sending Ray back onto the track. This time he was asked to stay out for the entire session or until he felt any change in the braking feel. He stayed out for the rest of the half hour session with no issues. Every other lap or so he would give a thumbs up to the crew as he went down the front straight.
When the session ended he pulled into the pits and the crew took their final “hot lap” readings. After all the data was logged Ray jumped out of the 240z with a huge grin on his face. The first words out of his mouth were, “These are the best brakes I have ever felt on a 240z, including my race cars.” He continued on, “These brakes are much better than the Brembos on my championship winning T2 350z, I even had to pump them (the Brembos) after a few hot laps.”
Now on to the specs. The rotors are 12.9 inches in diameter with custom machined billet brackets. The rotor hats were also designed from scratch in house at Z Car Garage. Other parts included with the ZCG brake kit are an upgraded master cylinder, brake booster, and braided lines. The caliper specs are under lock and key for now but rest assured that the braking bias is spot on with amazing pedal feel.
Due to the size of the rotor and caliper, wheel choice is very critical. Z Car Garage has worked extensively to get the brakes to fit under the current 16″ Panasport casting with a custom Z Car Garage offset.
More updates will be posted here as they happen. ENJOY!!
Additional information can be had by contacting Rob@zcargarage.com
