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!
Dan F is long time customer of Z Car Garage and we started working with him shortly after he acquired his Nissan 350z. Dan comes from a family of motorsports enthusiasts with his Dad (C6 Corvette) and brothers all enjoying track time together:
In 2012 we installed a Vortech Supercharger and for the next five years Dan regularly tracked this Z33. We fought with oil/water temperature and anything you can think of battling while at the track. Where there was an issue, a solution was devised so he could beat on this Z for 20-30minute sessions easily.
Better, Stronger and Faster
In 2017 with 53k miles on the odometer the factory engine failed in Turn 1 at Laguna Seca. We were at a crossroads: with all the developments we made so Dan’s Z could handle routine track duty should we push the envelope by adding even more power?
The answer, invariably was YES. At the heart of the new build was a Rebello VQ with HR top end and internals including forged pistons and rods, HR head gaskets and headbolts, race bearings, factory compression ratio, JWT C8 cams and JWT HD valve springs:
The major power added was a new Vortech Si wheel offering more hp per pound of boost. Supporting mods included DC sports carb legal headers, EV14 1000c injectors, GT MAF and upgraded fuel pump. Keeping things cool are new oil coolers and a revised ZCG cold-air intake:
The front-mount intercooler was upgraded to an ATP Garrett 900hp unit:
To monitor intercooler efficiency a gauge was installed in the factory cubicle displaying temperature before and after the IC:
A few more pics of Dan’s interior:
Dyno Tuning
With the engine bay all buttoned up Rob dyno tuned the Z using UPREV. The Z is now making 480hp/390tq at the wheels on a conservative track tune to keep heat low. The dyno plots show the previous 91 octane tune (368hp/333tq) and newest 91 octane tune (455hp/365tq):
More Track Mods
An off at Thunderhill gave Dan an opportunity re-engineered his aero pieces. He rebuilt the front splitter, added side blades, rear diffuser and front fender slats:
“For the brake ducts I repurposed old Roush Nascar ducts in dry carbon with standard ducting. The front splitter with spats I made to attach to the Stillen piece. The spats are tied in up the fender to prevent turbulence with the tire as it’s running a 295 front with -3.6 degrees camber.”
“The rear lower diffuser I made from aluminum and marine grade plastic. It has gold heat shielding to protect it from the exhaust, while the bumper diffuser is made by an engineering student down at Cal Poly.”
The front fender vents needed some work to fit:
“I know an engineer who did CAD and outsourced on a group buy. Problem is they are for a 370 and while the outer contour measures the same, the inner distance to the frame rail is less. I didn’t know that until we cut the first hole in the fender! So what was a piece with slats all the way through, I modified to make it shallower and then did the screen to close it off. They are dry carbon as well.”
Dan visited us for exhaust modifications to pass sound restrictions at Laguna Seca. The suspension was also checked and refreshed to keep up with the engine including new SPL lower front control arm bushings.
Stoptech, or Don’t Stop At All
After having an issue in Turn 2 with his AP Racing brakes we installed a Stoptech Trophy Kit utilizing ST60 calipers and 355x32mm rotors:
Enjoy The Track
After the last few years we are happy to report that Dan has happily accumulated 12k miles on the new build. In addition to being a good driver he is a great guy and we enjoyed being a part of his journey. Enjoy these comments below from Rob and Dan, respectively:
“It is special to me that relationships last long. Dan could easily go out and buy the latest fastest sports car, but he likes to do it for the build. It really has Dan F. written all over it. I love when he texts updates from the track. With 500hp+ and to run a session without a hitch is awesome.”
“Rob has been part of the heart and soul of this car as he has helped me build it over the last 10 years. It has been a guinea pig at times to try new methods but he has been a great partner and sponsor through all of it. It’s very fast and very fun being quite easy to handle at the limit. It is maintained for track duty at ZCG.”
Here is a video of Dan autocrossing and running the Z at Laguna Seca, there is even a snip from Larry Chen’s Hoonigan Autofocus :):
Our shared excitement is seeing Dan making personal bests at the track. Dan is fast and here are a few notable times and achivements at his favorite tracks, we are proud of him!
“I’m still looking for time to break 1:40 at Laguna Seca, currently at….140.7 and 123.7 at Thunder Hill West. I’ve consistently run in the top 10 of 100 with Santa Clara Corvette Club AX’s”
We have even seen Dan on the street at the local 2018 ZONC Annual Car Show and cruising twisty Bay Area roads near Alice’s restaurant:
Thanks for supporting Z Car Garage and letting us build your track car Dan. We look forward to seeing you enjoy track events. Long Live The Z!
We love to install bolt-on parts that add power to your Z/G car. At Z Car Garage UPREV or EcuTek dyno tuning can maximize power gains from individual modifications like intake/exhaust upgrades. Today we bring you three cars that received dyno tuning to maximize performance gains from common bolt-on parts. Enjoy!
Salvador’s 370z
Salvador visited us for a dyno tune with EcuTek on his 2018 370z.
The dyno shows significant gains in power/tq making 314hp/264tq to the wheels:
James’ 350z
James visited ZCG for an UPREV tune on his 2003 350z.
The Z responded really well to the dyno tuning session, making 256hp/257tq at the wheels. We also re-located James’ steering-mounted controls to allow map switching.
Z Car Garage offers the ARC(Advanced Racing Controls) license. This add-on service to the existing UPREV Flash allows you to have adjustable launch control, burnout mode, and flat-foot shifting for $150. This is for cars with manual transmission, VDC/cruise control. Call Rob for more details!
Malcolm’s 350z
Malcolm’s Z came to us with a tune by another shop. It was E-tuned and Malcolm reported that it just didn’t feel right.
After UPREV tuning he picked up 13hp/10tq making 309hp/272tq to the wheels:
Enjoy this video showing all three Z’s on the dyno and contact us if you are interested in UPREV or ECUTEK tuning for you Nissan or Infiniti!
At Z Car Garage we live for anything Nissan/Datsun and that includes late model cars like the 350z. The Z33 has been part of our customer base since the beginning, spanning everything from NA and forced induction to full track-spec builds. Josh visited us last year to discuss supercharging his 2008 350z. He acquired it completely stock 3 years ago and slowly began the modification process.
Josh signed on for a Stillen supercharger kit (satin, CARB legal) and we installed it with our typical supporting mods like GTR plugs, and Concept Performance Z 25-row oil cooler (Setrab, T-stat controlled).
The front end needed work to accomodate Josh’s front crash bar. We shifted items around like the water-air exchanger to retain functionality:
Josh also requested installation of parts he had purchased previously like Tomei cams/valve springs for the HR engine. These units worked really well with the blower as seen in the dyno below. A few cam install pictures:
The transmission was crunchy in 3rd and 5th gear so we installed a brand new OEM CD009 transmission:
Backing the VQ is a Z Speed Performance South Bend stage 2 clutch with internal slave delete (CMAK upgrade):
For piece of mind we replaced all engine gaskets and seals:
The differential bushings were replaced with Whiteline parts:
Before/after the Stillen Supercharger installation:
On the dyno the Z made 286hp/252tq baseline. Rob UPREV tuned with the Stillen supercharger making 427hp/311tq at the wheels:
Enjoy the dyno video:
Finally, we had our man William install Josh’s supplied carbon fiber hood, fenders and hood pins.
Josh was really happy with the results and he’s been texting us often:
“I brought in my base model 350z to Rob to get it Supercharged, cammed, and a transmission swap. I was pleased with Rob and the teams work, they knew what was needed for the build. The tune is excellent, I haven’t had any issues with engine codes after excessive driving.”
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? Share this, spread the word and please contact rob@zcargarage.com or call us at (408)452-0350.
