Paul K is a local enthusiast out of Campbell, Ca and he visited Z Car Garage for basic performance upgrades on his 2011 Nismo 370z:
“I had always wanted a V1 Nismo and in 2018 searching online I found one at a dealer in Sunnyvale. One owner with 26k miles and garage kept. Rob has helped install Stillen dual intakes, Fast Intentions dual exhaust, and Ecutek tune. Other mods mods include Tein S Sport lowering springs and Stillen crossed drilled and slotted rotors. Many more mods planned with Rob!”
Dyno tuning and Stillen intakes are a great way to start the modding process and Z Car Garage is here to help! We intalled the Stillen Gen3 intakes which are CARB-legal and work wonderfully on the HR engines:
Before/After
To maximize gains from bolt-on modifications we dyno tuned the Z with Ecutek software making 315hp/260tq to the wheels:
We also installed a Fast Intentions cat-back dual exhaust system:
Enjoying The Ride
Photo by Henning Tretau
Paul can be seen all over the Bay Area Enjoying the Ride in his Z34:
“I’ve noticed a gain in performance and enjoyment in driving the car. Feels much more aggressive and responsive. Every time I’m at ZCG, it’s always an enthusiastic experience dealing with Rob and his passion for Z’s.”
You can see more of his Z on his Instagram. Paul was referred to us in 2019 by long-time customer Chris R, owner of this soon-to-be featured 240Z formerly known as “Skittles”:
The Z Owners of Northern California (ZONC) is one of the oldest Z car clubs in the nation. In its prime they had over 600 members with close ties to Yutaka Katayama (“Mr. K”) and Nissan USA. We had a wonderful time attending their Meet and Greet event at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, Ca on June 11, 2023.
We left Z Car Garage in our 2023 Nissan Z, 1971 Datsun 510 Wagon and Randy’s 1972 Datsun 240Z (For Sale). Joining the caravan were Alex in his 1968 Datsun 510 Wagon and our friend Geoff in his BMW 2002. Despite some morning fog the turnout was impressive for a relaxed gathering. No judged car show or awards, just Z-Car fans catching up with old friends and meeting new enthusiasts.
Highlights from the show
Still to this day, 240Zs are the most represented model in the club. Expansion over time currently includes all recent Z models and the GT-R, but also reaches back in time to include the Datsun Roadsters and 510s. Both upper and lower parking areas were packed with cars and people having a great time.
The New Nissan Z!
Linda Williams’ proudly displayed her 1 of 240Z special edition Nissan Z “Proto Spec” in the upper Museum area. Our RZ34 was in the lower lot and we will have a full report on the recently installed Fast Intentions exhaust system!
Z’s, 510s, Roadsters and More!
Here are a few of my favorite S30 Z cars from the gathering, starting with this flared beauty on custom 17″ early S30 hubcap-inspired wheels. This is the creation of Hoover Chan from Turbohoses R&D and it sports an L28ET. Rob and Hoover go way back many years!
We were pleasantly surprised to see many Z Car Garage clients so let’s take a look at what they drove. Garrett drove his 1972 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles combined with a suspension rebuild improved the chassis. Power comes from a Rebello 3L with our Z Car Garage Heat Shield and in-house dyno tuning to make it sing. His latest addition are new Recaro leather seats!
It was great to see Steve and Kevin’s Nismo Z33s. Full reports on both coming to zcarblog.com!
Here is a video from the event, enjoy!
Blow-thru Fantasy
We met Francisco and his S30 had a really neat HKS blow-through turbo system. Rob was impressed with his enthusiasm and love for the Z!
Twice the Beauty
Joey Bautista drove two of his immaculate Z cars. The engine bay on this blue car looks factory right? A closer inspection reveals a bespoke factory-style triple carb air cleaner, complete with OEM-style emissions stickers! The B-speed “LY” vintage valve cover was a nice touch as well. Really love d the aesthetic.
The silver S30 also sported triple carbs with a vintage SK air box and “triple” emissions stickers:
Z32
The Z32 300ZX was out in full force with both NA and TT examples. We enjoyed seeing familiar faces like Kevin Neely’s TT with fresh TE37 wheels and Joe’s show-winning red Z32:
Z33 and Z34
Strong showing of Z34s including V1 and V2 Nismo models:
510s
We love to see Datsun 510s and there were many examples of both stock and modified. Andy’s SR20DET-powered 510 was my favorite with Gotti wheels and rear-mounted A/C system. This was another creation from Hoover at Turbohoses!
SSS Bluebird was the only RHD 510 model at the show:
Jay’s 510 Wagon on Longchamp XR-4 wheels. Jay also has a 510 2-door featuring our Z Car Garage CV Axles.
Alex’s 1968 Datsun 510 Wagon is a total sleeper with an LS3 V8 drivetrain!
Roadsters
The lone Datsun Roadster was John Baker’s ’69 2000. This is a Concours-level restoration with lots of rare, NOS Nissan Competition parts like passenger foot rest and oil cooler.
Rare Everwing fog lights and day/night mirror:
R32 Row
R32 Skyline GT-Rs in a variety of colors! Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou displayed his recently acquired Crystal White R32 on BBS LeMans wheels:
A familiar R34 GT-R also showed up!
R35
A handful of R35 GT-Rs
People
It’s why we keep coming back to ZONC events. Thank you to everyone that took the time to say hello!
Thank You ZONC!
We had a great time spending the day at the ZONC Meet and Greet. It reminded us to (in the words of the late Mr.K), ” Love cars. Love people. Love Life.” This is a club that keep the Z community together year-round and we are excited for their next events. Don’t forget to check out our picture gallery below!
Happy New Year from Z Car Garage! We are excited for 2023 and have many projects to share with you. Enjoy these photos from the shop today, Friday 6 with full reports coming to zcarblog.
Rick’s BRE 240Z tribute track car
Rick’s BRE-inspired Datsun 240Z track car just received our first set of Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension from our latest batch. Clients that have already placed an order: kits will ship soon pending an instruction manual first. We also finalized the CD009 6-speed transmission swap on Rick’s Z that also features our (Race) Z Car Garage Big-Brakes.
Cameron’s Z32
Cameron’s Z32 is here for maintenance work and downpipes, inlet piping, larger intercoolers all from Specialty Z. Cameron has been bringing his 300 to us for many years and we we are really glad to have him back.
Nissan/Infiniti
We continue to maintain and upgrade late-model Nissan/Infiniti sports cars. Sean’s 370Z is in for an engine replacement and Mark’s 350Z got an alignment and UPREV dyno tune today.
Outside in the parking lot we’ve got more S30 goodness. Mike’s yellow V8-powered Datsun 280Z sports a real G-nose and Tremec 5-speed. We just removed the transmission and replaced the clutch to prepare this Z for its new owner. Beau’s orange Datsun is 280Z coming together. Fresh from paint featuring Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, T3 suspension and more. This 280 has many 240Z parts retrofitted and it will be cool hot rod.
Ken’s green Series 1 Datsun 240Z (#1762) is getting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, KA24 5-speed transmission and Fujitsubo exhaust. The L28 now has Jenvey ITB EFI managed by a Haltech 750. With a cam, dyno tuning and exhaust Rob gained 40hp! Shown on the lift next to Beau’s Z is Eric’s Infiniti FX35 sporting upgraded suspension and R35 GT-R wheels in today for routine maintenance.
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 2022 recap and upcoming projects. Please note our holiday closure below:
ZCG will be closed from 12/26 through 12/30 for our Annual Holiday Break and we will re-open for business on 1/3/23
Client Updates for 2023
We had a busy year and though the shop will be closed, we won’t leave you hanging for the holidays. Many zcarblog features have yet to be published like our belated race report from the CSRG Charity Challenge and Finale in addition to client stories. Before we take a look back at highlights from 2022, here are several exciting projects coming along at the shop:
Jeff and Ryan B’s LS3-powered Z came to us for mechanical sorting. It’s now sporting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles. Ryan successfully ran the Targa California Rallye in blistering summer heat. He recently got a new set of VOLK TE37V wheels full report soon!
At Z Car Garage we enjoy both modifying Z cars and restoring them back to factory spec. Mike’s 1970 Datsun 240Z came to us from North Carolina and we delivered it in July. This ’69 production VIN#193 is a beautiful driving example of how wonderful these cars were from the factory.
James’s Turbocharged L-series powered S30 will be back after some cosmetic upgrades. We enjoyed making some great power and music:
Rick’s BRE-inspired Datsun 240Z track car is getting a CD009 6-speed transmission, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, coil-over suspension and track preparation.
Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z (#1762) is getting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, ZCG CV Axles, KA24 5-speed transmission and Fujitsubo exhaust. The L28 is now receiving Jenvey ITB EFI managed by a Haltech 750:
Beau’s Datsun 280Z coming together. Fresh from paint featuring Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, T3 suspension and more.
Taking care of clients!
Z Car Garage takes pride in our ability to handle client’s needs, with same-day service possible. Our parts room with over 1,000 parts on hand allows us to get you in and back on the road. Client Vince S had a clutch hydraulic failure and limped his way in to the shop. We sorted his hydraulics and he was off in 4hrs:
Stan K (VIN #511) and Tony H’s Series Datsun 240Z cars came in for mechanical sorting, interior work and Z Car Garage CV Axles
Datsunworks
Z Car Garage is excited to collaborate with Datsunworks and develop their brilliant KN20 dual-overhead cam (DOHC) cylinder head designed for the Nissan inline-6 L-Series engine. You can read all about it HERE. We continue to extract more power and run longevity testing with owner Gary’s Datsun 240Z, who has the pleasure of living daily with this beast affectionately named the “Behemoth”.
Khang’s 1973 Datsun 240Z was completed in October and he returned with 1,000 miles on the 3.2L L-Series. We adjusted the valves and double-checked power levels.
Happy to see both builds healthy and confirm power output. Enjoy the music from the both L-Series engines, sporting Jenvey ITB EFI managed by Haltech 750 Elite ECUs backed by the CD009a Six-Speed transmission.
Dyno Tuning your 350z/370z/Q/G
We have been dyno tuning your late model Nissan/Infiniti sports car daily. Bolt-ons, UPREV tuning. Our customers leave happy with more performance. Call us to schedule an appointment! Here are just a few cars:
Eric’s Q50:
R35 and R32 GT-R
R35s in for service and upgrades. Mike and Kurt’s R32 GT-Rs got power and chassis upgrades deserving their own blog features:
Z32
Mike’s 1991 Stillen GTZ. This rare, twin-turbo Z32 300ZX is #6 of 6 cars created by Steve Millen. It featured special 17” billet wheels, Brembo brakes, aero and performance upgrades. Excited to share its story and other client Z32 projects!
Race Cars
Several race cars to report on including the Transcendental Racing Datsun 240Z, Glenn Chiou’s Ex-Finn/Harris U2.5L Trans-Am ’68 510 (sporting ZCG CV Axles), the Corky Bell Trans-Am 510 and more!
Highlights from 2022
Even though 2022 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 the year and Z you in 2023!
Click on each link or photo to see the full features!
The New Nissan Z
Huge thanks to Nissan for giving us the opportunity to experience the 2023 Nissan Z. We really can’t wait to get our new Z!
Z Car Garage has been supporting the Nissan/Infiniti Z and G-series sports cars since 2004. At just about any time during the day at our shop you can spot a 350Z, 370Z or G37 undergoing routine maintenance or performance upgrades. Many of our late-model Z car clients are referrals and we are happy to oblige when scheduling allows. We met Frank M in 2020 when he had us perform clutch work on his 370Z. The install went super smooth, and Frank and Rob began their relationship.
“I first heard about The Z car garage through another Z car enthusiast, he had nothing but great things to say about the service he had received working with the crew there. I reached out the Rob to have my 370Z’s clutch replaced with the Z-Speed CMAK clutch kit. That was the first job you all did for me.”
A common issue on the 370Z is the internal slave failing due to heat. Thankfully Z Speed Performance makes a kit to convert the internal slave to external (CMAK Upgrade). We installed their Stage 1 Clutch kit on Frank’s Z:
On his next visit to ZCG, Frank had us perform an alignment after suspension work including Eibach Pro-kit lowering springs (KW-V3 coil-overs next) and Hotchkis front and rear sway bars and SPC rear adjustable camber arms. We also replaced the rear diff bushings with new Whiteline parts.
Frank is a handy guy and he’s done much of the work on his Z himself. For something that is beyond the scope of a simple weekend project he brings it to ZCG. In summer 2022, with 77k miles Frank installed an oil pressure gauge (VLS) and didn’t like the levels it was reading. There is a very common issue on the VQ37HR where oil gallery gaskets fail, resulting in low-oil pressure to front of the engine.
CPZ makes updated gallery gasket with really nice hardware. At the same time to help with oil cooling we installed the CPZ 25-row oil cooler with a thermostatically-controlled Setrab unit:
Wheels Make the Car
Mark has great taste in wheels, choosing a set of Work Racing CR2Pwith Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires 265/35 and 305/30 rears:
We spent time with the 2023 Nissan Z back in June and Frank was kind enough to lend us his WORK wheels to test fit on the RZ34:
Frank purchased his 370Z bone stock, being the second owner and has added the following mods:
Drive train
Fast Intentions stainless steel CBE exhaust
Stop Tech front and rear vented drilled and slotted zinc coated rotors
Stop Tech carbon ceramic pads front and rear
Stillen CARB legal cold air intakes
VLS oil pressure gauge
Aesthetics
Custom retrofitted headlights by me honey comb projector lens. Blue demon eye. Black and gunmetal paint job plus new Morimoto clear lenses.
Evo-R carbon fang cover,carbon type three front lip, carbon upper bumper cover, pearl white base carbon top high wing and CF door handles
Fujimura rear lower diffuser
Enjoying The Ride
You can catch Frank carving up the Bay Area backroads like HWY 9 runs up to Skyline and Alice’s:
Frank is stoked with his Z car:
“The performance gains from the work Z Car Garage performed was great. The clutch feel is much improved and does not slip it also seems to shift smoother. The oil pressure is up 15 pounds at idle from the oil gallery gaskets and the car runs much cooler after the oil cooler install. I think the cooler temps help the car not heat soak on hot days while pushing it on back roads. The best thing about the Z car Garage is when I leave my car there for service, I never worry about it being there. I know the car is taken care of as if Rob owned it himself. I have nothing but good thing to say about you all. I do a lot of work on the car myself but Z Car Garage is the only shop I will use if I need the help.”
Thanks for your support Frank it was pleasure working with you and seeing enjoy your Z. See more photos in the gallery below, and contact us to schedule an appointment for dyno tuning, maintenance or upgrades on your 370Z or Infiniti sports car!
