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 2020 recap and upcoming projects. Please note our holiday closure below:
ZCG will be closed from 12/23/20 and we will re-open for business on 1/5/21.
Before we take a look back at highlights from 2020, here several exciting customer projects coming along at the shop:
We also upgraded the interior with leather Recaro seats and sound deadening. Stay tuned for a full report!
Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z returned for a Rebello 3.2L with triple-Mikuni carbs on a Harada intake and CD009a 6-speed transmission:
Dirk’s 1973 Datsun 240z is back for a 3.0L engine and tuning, we can’t wait to show you the dyno results!
This historically significant 1970 Datsun 240z was built by a team of Nissan employees to compete at Bonneville in the F/GT class. In 1976 their efforts resulted in a new land speed record of 166.037 mph, which stood unbroken until 1985. This Z resided in the Nissan Museum and is now in the care of Randy Jaffe. Lots of neat details the Z 432R seats and G-nose. More to come! Big thanks to Randy and Nissan for letting us bring this Z back to life.
One of many Z32s we are working on, Steve’s will get a full report soon:
Highlights from 2020
Even though 2020 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 2020 and Z you in the New Year!
Paul Ferrari has been in our life since 2002. Prior to launching Z Car Garage, as a young man Rob worked on Paul’s 1991 Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo. Paul is super enthusiastic and he is similar to Rob—there’s never enough power.
Our journey with Paul’s Z32TT spans almost two decades. It made plenty of power back in an era where it was uncommon; nowadays 500hp is easy to achieve with current performance parts. From a NA-TT setup to full disassembly and restoration with lessons and tricks learned along the way…Paul has been a devoted friend and customer. Folks like Paul contribute to the success of Z Car Garage and we love when customers see ZCG as “their own” garage. Let’s take a look at how Paul found his 300…
Z32 Destiny
Paul recalls how we acquired the Z in December 2002, after passing on a MkIV Supra:
“When I first saw the Z in the seller’s driveway…It was one of those moments that is burned into my memory! I was amazed! The look! The stance! Even the license plate, “500HP”! It had all the typical import performance parts of the era: JWT Sport 500 turbos and test pipes, Stillen intercoolers, Stillen “dual pop chargers”, RCE 550 injectors, JWT ECU, HKS EVC, Apex’I Super AVC-R, Greddy Turbo timer, and OZ 17 inch-5 spokes. There was no doubt in my mind; this was going to be my car. It was so sexy, sleek and fast!”
He reached out to Rob for a commensurate pre-purchase inspection and eventually purchased the Z:
“It only took a few phone calls to dealerships and other import shops to zero in on a guy named Rob Fuller at Scott Performance. I think Rob’s name was mentioned in 3 out of 4 calls. It was well known, even before Z Car Garage that if you needed someone to look at your performance Nissan that Rob was the guy you wanted looking at it.”
In 2004, Rob started his own performance shop, Z Car Garage. Paul Ferrari was one of many customers that followed and he certainly had the itch for more power. This led to the first high performance engine build, circa 2004:
We had Rebello build the VG30 with H-beam Rods, forged pistons, rebuilt the bottom end and heads, ordered JWT Sport 700 ball bearing turbos along with a set of big JWT cams, bigger intercoolers, bigger injectors and a laundry list of miscellaneous items. It was good for 570hp/483tq at the wheels. Paul enjoyed it but shortly after he had run it on high boost without race fuel causing engine failure…
“Proof of my escapade that day still hangs on the wall between the shop and the office at Z Car Garage in the form of a stout, but severely bent H beam Rod attached to a piston with broken ring lands. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think mine was the first installment ever on the Z Car Garage wall of shame. ”
The NATT is Born
Rob offered Paul a loaner motor out of a naturally aspirated Z32. Through some interesting twists and turns in Paul’s life, he was even a ZCG employee at the time. The crew discussed hanging his turbos on it, and to install the turbo cams since they were still at the shop. We all agreed, and it would be affectionately called the NATT (Naturally Aspirated Twin Turbo). It was surprisingly good, and still a fond memory for many of us.
Paul’s life changed and he moved out of the Bay Area. With his life in transition eventually the NATT was pulled, and the Z sat in storage from 2008 to 2012. In this period we had the engine refreshed by Rebello, and had the car sent off to Williams Autobody for paint and installation of a new Veilside EC-01 front bumper and Karuma rear spoiler.
“During the time my car was mothballed, innovations at Z Car Garage never ceased. And since my car was just sitting, Rob and I were able to add almost everything to my build sheet. Some of these innovations disappeared as fast as they came, some stayed. CZP 2.5 inch intercooler piping, larger throttle bodies, Bell intercoolers, a 4.08:1 Leaders gear set and KAAZ Limited slip diff; smaller exhaust housings and modified impellers on the turbos, Mike Smith high flow cast exhaust manifolds, a Selin dual MAF, ASHspec dual inlet piping, and several items from Specialty Z. ”
Final Form
In 2012, Rob had started using Haltech ECU’s to unlock the power of his builds and was getting amazing performance results across the board. He’d also been experimenting with Turbo exhaust housings, and modified impellers, cam profiles, and cam timing, along with a whole host of innovations for S30’s to Z34’s. We called up Paul and asked him to drive Rob’s newly-built Z32TT ( with tuning thanks to Seb of SpecialtyZ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0UT3lwlZw4
Paul recalls the experience
“So, he calls me one day and says, ‘Man you need to come down and drive my Z. You’ve got to experience the gains we’re getting with these Haltech’s.’ That car broke loose at 70 plus and went beyond 100 faster than anything I’d ever driven, and far faster than any Ferrari I’d ever ridden in, and for me, from that moment on, that’s all I could talk about and think about. During the era that my car was mothballed I had sold a house, changed careers, retired, moved to a different city, and had taken up off roading and traveling in a big way, so by the time I was able to house my Z, it was ready to be finished up and delivered. And along with all the innovations that had taken place I was now going to have My Monster.”
Drivetrain
We removed the NATT from his Z and began the epic build, applying all the tricks we learned starting starting with a fully built Rebello 3L. The list includes: Sport 500 cams, HD springs all new lifters, and lots of headwork…
…3″ downpipes, 3″ mid pipes, SZ 2.5″ cat-back exhaust, BB700 turbos, BDE engine mounts, Ashspec inlet piping, Tomei exhaust cam gears, BDE cam gears, Mike Smith manifolds with EGR, SZ big IC piping and massive intercoolers, brand new transmission from Nissan, SZ high-five clutch/flywheel and a Haltech plugin Platinum Pro ECU with boost solenoids and map-based tuning:
More build pics in the gallery below! Here is the fresh, hot-rodded VG30DETT installed:
Rob dyno tuned using Haltech, a Greddy boost controller and 100 octane yielding 630hp/539tq at the wheels:
Chassis
In addition to the full engine build, the entire car was restored from interior to exterior. The chassis was treated to Stoptech ST40 front and ST22 rear calipers, Volk SF Winning 18″ wheels with 245/275 Bridgestone RE-71R tires, new driveshaft assembly, Leader gears(4.08) with Quiafe LSD, Tein coil-overs with EDFC Active Pro controller, SPL tension rods and titanium HICAS eliminator and a full wiring harness.
The exterior restoration included all new mouldings, new front glass, all new cowl panel, and every weatherstrip piece that is available from Nissan. The interior is just as pristine as the exterior:
Paul was pleased with the Z, as delivered in 2017:
“When I took delivery, Rob wouldn’t tell me the horsepower I was making till well after I had had several months to drive the car. He eventually told me 630 HP, and 540Lb/Ft TQ on a relatively conservative tune at near Sea Level in San Jose. It’s strictly a VP110 car now. Here at home in Reno at 4500 feet above Sea level the tires easily break loose on the freeway going 70, at this elevation it is truly amazing!”
Enjoying The Ride
Paul is very serious about motorsports and he is into LS-powered sand rails and Haybusa-powered buggies etc. so he has a 55 gallon of 110 race fuel at his house. His Z is tuned for 110 octane and he regularly tracks the car at Thunderhill Raceway. We love to see him Enjoying The Ride! Track photos by Gorilla Tornado Photography
“I track the car on club days, and I run it around the mountain roads of Tahoe and Virginia City, and take it to Cars and Coffee events. I’ve gotten it up to 160mph, and maybe 170mph, and at the time of this writing the car is 29 years old, so I don’t think that’s too shabby! It doesn’t need to go any faster, and neither do I. It sits beautifully in the garage on a Battery Tender, along side a fuel jug full of VP110, waiting for its next rip. It gets washed even when it doesn’t need it just for good measure. It still rips and it still makes my heart race like nothing else. ”
Enjoy this short video of the z in action:
“I found a Z Car that would not only invigorate my life but would lead me to the doorstep of such a long quest as a customer, friend, and supporter of Z Car Garage! I am honored and privileged to have been a part of the history of Z Car Garage. I have a deep respect for Rob, the guys that started with Rob, and the guys who have cycled through in the shop, and I am privileged to have met so many great guys and gals that are passionate about performance Nissans.”
Thank you Paul Ferrari for being a part of the Z Car Garage family. It has been, and continues to be a rewarding journey working with you. LONG LIVE THE (twin turbo) Z!
Z Car Garage wishes you a Happy 5/10 Day and Happy Mother’s Day! We enjoyed driving our 1971 Datsun 510s on a beautiful day in San Jose. Turbo6, our 80’s revival, is back on the road and running great with its turbocharged 6-cylinder L-series. Look for a full report soon:
Rob, Meghan and Tank were in the SR20DET-powered 510:
A few photo-ops in Downtown San Jose:
We got the Bay Area Datsun Dealers race 510 out too!
Enjoy The Boost in this video of the 510s in action. We hope you can Do It In A Datsun today too!
The 1990 to 1996 Nissan 300zx Twin-Turbo is the underdog of 90’s Japanese supercars. Sure the RX7, Supra and NSX get all the attention – but the Z32 (yes we are biased) represents the best balance of performance, reliability and comfort. From the intimate feeling of the power leather seats and gauge cluster to the addictive power that evokes a familiar Nissan commercial…
…the Z32 is magical. It is hard to describe how rad these cars are after ZCG has gone through one. Let’s take a look at our customer Chris V. and see of what our 20yrs+ of experience with this chassis can create.
Chris Finds a 300zx
We started working with Chris in 2014 and this is his Z car story:
“I was a huge 510 fan (I still am). In 1990 I was at Sunnyvale Nissan picking up some parts when I saw my first 300ZX. My jaw dropped at it’s gorgeous yet subtle shape. It was such a welcome departure from the angular late 80’s Z body styles. I sat in it, and marveled at the organic dash design. I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “What an awesome car, I’ll never be able to afford one of these.”
“Fast forward to 1996, my commute was a 100 mile round trip, and it was killing my beloved 510. I started looking around for a newer car that would make a good commuter. Well, the “commuter” I found was a ’92 300ZX TT, offered at a local BMW dealer. The price was right, and it came home with me. Dream come true. It had about 40k on it when I bought it, and was in great shape. It was my trusted commute car for years, and the miles piled on. I was diligent with maintenance, and never had any issues until about 165k miles, when one of my turbos died.”
In 2001 Chris was confronted with fuel injector replacement, a task that he wanted to tackle himself but work/life kept his project from moving. Eventually boxes and blankets covered the car while it sat on jackstands in the garage. It remained this way for 12 years.
He decided it was time to bring back his Z32 and came to us for a Z Car Garage-style resurrection in 2014. We collaborated on one of the coolest 300s to leave the shop. Our plan, on top of a restoration, was to build an “adult’s Hot Rod”…a Z with great power and handling that could still be driven daily and last for many thousands of miles worry-free.
Engine
Virtually everything was updated or replaced in the engine bay. The engine followed a similar recipe as Rob’s personal Z32TT: a Rebello Racing VG30 with all new internals including JE pistons, Eagle rods, all new bearings, Nissan headgasket and JWT sport 500 cams with HD valve springs. Everything was built to go to 800hp if necessary, for durability and reliability.
The entire engine room wiring harness (Wiring Specialties) was replaced for peace of mind. Shown below are BDE cam gears and exhaust gears so we could improve boost spool and make a wider powerband. BDE engine mounts are fantastic pieces that have become a staple on our Z32 builds:
Providing boost are JWT BB700s (GT2860RS turbos, known as Disco Potato) mounted to a set of killer Mike Smith exhaust manifolds with EGR( for smog compliance)
Impossibly trick and beautiful 5-bolt 3″ downpipes from SpecialtyZ…it’s shame they are not visible from the engine bay!
New turbos, exhaust manifolds and downpipes mounted:
From the downpipes the SpecialtyZ exhaust system continues with 3″ mid pipes, and their 2.5″ cat-back system w/resonated X-pipe:
Everything in the fuel system and induction was brand new. Fueling duties are handled by an Aeromotive 340lph pump and Nismo 740cc injectors with JWT adapter to allow late-style injectors in the early car. Brand new induction consist of Ashspec inlet piping and Massive intercoolers with 2.5″ piping:
Backing the new engine is a JWT lightweight aluminum flywheel and HD street clutch:
Drivetrain all buttoned up and ready for dyno tuning:
Dyno Tuning
Rob dyno tuned the Z using Nistune ECU board and Greddy Profec boost controller. On 91 octane it made 503hp/425tq at the wheels:
We can’t cover every detail that was handled in the engine bay so please check the photo gallery below! Every piece in this engine that is available from Nissan was replaced: new clutch hydraulics, O2 sensors, new fan clutch, new cooling fan, new power steering hoses, a Koyo race radiator and A/C charge/retrofit to R134A. All parts in front of the engine were replaced so this car won’t need anything for the next 30-60k miles.
Chassis
The stock brakes on the 300zx are a weak point of the car, especially with increased power levels. We were stoked that Chris picked the Stoptech Trophy kit featuring 332mm slotted rotors and that super sexy lightweight caliper. He’s really impressed:
“One of my favorite parts of the build was the aforementioned brake upgrade, we used StopTech Trophy billet four piston calipers up front on 320mm floating rotors, with rebuilt OEM rear calipers painted to match the color of the new fronts, on slotted OEM diameter StopTech rotors, with braided lines all around.”
OEM Z32 caliper and Stoptech Trophy setup:
Color matched rear calipers:
Suspension
The suspension was gone through completely with all new parts. KW V3s are our favorite coil-over setup. Stillen sway bars are also shown:
Stock vs KW V3s installed front:
Rear:
Every little nook and cranny of the suspension was handled. New SPL tension rods, upper front control arms, new rear wheel bearings and HICAS removal/eliminator:
T/C rods, Stillen sway bar:
Wheels
Wheel choice can really impact the look of any car. Thankfully Chris has excellent taste and with some perseverance we got our hands on a set of Work VSxx in Burning Silver with silver hardware. Sized 18x9F and 18x10R with our favorite summer tire, the Bridgestone S-04PP:
What a difference the new wheels make! Well done, Chris:
“I wanted wheels that would be appropriate for the age and design of the car, a lot of modern wheel designs would look out of place on a 28 year old car. I ended up with Work Wheels from Japan. Their 3 piece VS-XX wheel fit my idea perfectly. The wheels would have to be made to order, and the offset had to be perfect to get them to look right. Turned out that their forging die was worn out for the rear centers, and a new forging die had to be made, extending the time it took to get them. In the end, it was definitely worth the wait. I think they are a perfect match for the car. Racy, but subtle, and a great period look for my ZX.”
Body
With most of the mechanical bits sorted, it was time to also make the car look as good as it ran. We had our man William re-painted the car and fix all the flaws, erasing years of minor dings and dents. A new JDM MY 2000 front bumper and a new OE shape fiberglass rear spoiler were installed and William did an amazing job blending the spoiler into the trunk. It appears stock, but the blended shapes make for a unique look.
Chris decided to stick with the original OEM anthracite gray color with a subtle pearl on top:
A complete KarumaZ molding kit and OEM parts allow all those trim pieces to pop against that new paint:
Windshield trim detail:
The T-Tops got some love as well:
Boost Saves
From start to finish this was an outstanding project. Chris is a fellow enthusiast who races motorcycles and it was such a pleasure to work with another motorsports/gearhead. He’s since moved up to Roseville and still takes the Z out a few times a week, sending us e-mails telling it was worth the wait:
“Of course the project and the budget went through several revisions and expansions, but I loved the way it was going. The project had a slow pace, and that was fine by me. I wanted it done right, not quickly. Virtually everything was updated or replaced.”
We love hearing and seeing him Enjoy The Ride…
“I’m living in Roseville east of Sacramento now, so the long drive home from San Jose in my newly restored car was one of the best drives of my life. It had been 15 years since I had driven it. Loved every minute of the drive. I managed to be a law abiding citizen ALMOST all the way, until a deserted stretch of Hwy 99. We hit 145 pretty quick, and I was amazed at the acceleration from 500+ hp. The StopTech brakes are something else too, and absolutely necessary with that kind of power on tap.
In the nearly two years since it’s been back home, it gets driven once a week or so when the weather is nice, and I am more in love with the car than ever. Up here in the foothills there are miles of curvy, lightly traveled roads. It’s the perfect placer for my Z, riding that huge power curve and taking advantage of the upgraded suspension. It’s so neutral handling, and the larger and wider Bridgestones stick like glue. Rob continues to take great care of the car, and takes good care of me too, when I make the long drive down to have it serviced.”
This is a testament to an epic sports car Nissan built when ruling the 90’s. From country roads to the race track Nissan was it. We love preserving that legacy and keeping these legends alive.
It makes us smile to see Chris still having a good time in his dream car:
“My six year old daughter Maggie loves to ride in her Dad’s “race car” (as she calls it). One evening we had to drive to take dinner to my wife, who was working late unexpectedly. We pull up to a stop light, and there is a relatively new model Porsche Turbo in the lane next to us. I don’t really pay it any mind, after all, my (then) 4 year old is in the front seat. The light turns green, and the Porsche launches full throttle and goes blasting away. We get about halfway to the next light, and Maggie turns to me and says, “You’re not going to let him beat us, are you?” After a double take at her comment, I laugh. We pull up next to the Porsche, and I look down the road. It’s clear, no one is around. Okay, hell. The light changes, and we both launch. He gets the better of me off the line, then my boost comes in and we go past him like he’s standing still, my daughter laughing like a maniac the whole way. We get to the next light, and he arrives a few seconds later. Apparently waxing him was not enough for my daughter, as she rolls down her window, looks at him and waves, “Hi !!!!”
Like Rob says, Boost Saves…check out the photo gallery below and LONG LIVE THE Z!
Jay H has been our customer since the beginning. He has a Datsun 240z, Mazda (FD) RX-7 and this 1990 Aztec Red 300ZX Twin Turbo that he’s owned for many years. Living in a rural, wooded area the Z’s wiring got chewed on by rodents. We fixed the wiring and got the car running again but more issues surfaced. Jay loves this Z so much and it had 122k miles so he decided it was time give it some serious attention.
Z Car Garage was happy to oblige as we think the Z32 is one of the best Japanese sports car of the 90’s.
Engine Bay and Drivetrain
The engine bay was in need of major cleaning and restoration. First, we performed a compression/leakdown test and the Z passed. With the engine out now we could focus on cleanup:
We installed a new engine room wiring harness. Every coolant hose, bypass hose, vacuum hose was replaced. A new underhood insulator with clips replaced the torn oem piece.
All p/s hoses were replaced and we modified the p/s steering pump to reduce clutter and eliminate the HICAS completely:
The engine was treated to full reseal and timing belt services, more pictures of the engine build in the gallery!
With a clean bill of health we installed several performance upgrades including JWT sport 500 turbos, BDE billet half moons/motor mounts, Ashpsec inlet piping, Selin dual-MAF with HR low-profiles filters/two Z32 MAFs and Nismo 740cc injectors:
No turbo upgrade is complete without the Mike Smith turbo manifolds with EGR ( to pass emissions). Unfortunately we will install the last set of these on Felix C’s 300, and that’s it!
BDE motor mounts:
Nismo 740cc injectors:
Ashspec inlet piping:
Selin dual-MAF with HR low-profile filters:
Before the engine went back in we installed a new JWT HD clutch and aluminum flywheel:
The drivetrain was re-installed with numerous items like a new fan and engine cover:
Exhaust upgrades included a full SpecialtyZ 3″ exhaust with 3″midpipes:
Finally, a GReddy Profec boost controller was installed in the super tidy interior:
Rob dyno tuned the Z, making 384hp/348tq to the wheels:
Exterior
With the engine bay and drivetrain sorted we turned to the body and and exterior trim. Jay wanted to do a full repaint on the car so we had it had it towed engine-out to our man William. Some before shots showing the faded paint and cracked/peeling tail light panel:
At William’s the body got some choice parts to make it look like 1990 again: Wings West Pre-’94 rear wing, JDM front fascia (with shaved license plate mount) and Jspec tail lights. With the freshly painted Z back at the shop we tackled re-assembly of new cowl panels, mouldings and various trim. All of these parts really make this Z pop:
Extensive moulding/trim replacement: T-top trim before/after shown below
Door and window trim:
Jspec rear and front looking sharp!
Icing on the cake are Jay’s super cool set of old WORK Equip 05 wheels. We re-finished and polished/painted them running Bridgestone S-04 tires.
Wheels make the car and this Z looks incredible standing still and on the road:
Suspension
The chassis received a few upgrades including Stillen sways and SPL titanium HICAS delete We also replaced ABS module the clutch and brake master cylinders
One Z Car…Coming Up!
Jay didn’t have a car for the duration of the revival and he was on foot running errands near his home. We handled all of the DMV fees foe him and Rob and Alvin delivered the Z to Jay at his residence.
It was a great experience to pull up in the 510 and Z to present it to Jay, he was all smiles:
Thank you Jay for bringing your 300zx to Z Car Garage. We admire your love for the Z and passion to keep it on the road in top form! Z32s ROCK! Enjoy the extensive photo gallery below:
