We are excited to offer the Z Car Garage Heat Shield for your triple-carb’d L-series Z car. This is a one-piece 304 stainless unit with laser-etched serial number. Proven on all of our L-series engine builds and dyno testing.
This heat shield will fit Mikuni, Weber, Dellorto and Jenvey induction with several intake manifolds like the Harada:
Contact the shop for pricing and ordering info!
ZCG CV Axles
Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. We have over 70 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback. We now have a new shipment in stock, order your set today!
</
Panasport wheels for your Z car
Treat your Z to a brand new set of Panasport wheels! We special order this offset to enable fitment of a 225/50/16 tire on the 1970 to 1978 S30s.
To order, contact Rob at the shop:
rob@zcargarage.com or call 408-452-0350
Shop Update 2/4
I stopped by the shop today and grabbed some quick shots of a few projects, enjoy! Felix’s 300zx Twin Turbo is back for power upgrades:
The 2019 Japanese Classic Car Show was held on September 21, in Long Beach, CA. This is the original vintage Japanese-car event in SoCal and in its 15th year, JCCS has grown incredibly. Over 10,000(!) spectators enjoyed 400+ cars covering the lawn of Marina Green Park. The vehicles themselves remained a fantastic blend of stock, modified and restored. This is the most important show for Japanese cars, and the Z Car Garage crew keeps coming back every year to soak up the sun, see old friends and drool over some spectacular vintage builds.
ZCG Delivers Mr. K’s Datsun 240z!
We had the joy and honor of delivering Mr. K’s 1972 Datsun 240z to owners Johnnie Gable and her son Kenny Ueda at JCCS. In true “Datsuns Are Driven” form, Rob drove Mr. K’s Z 400 miles from San Jose to Long Beach and it ran flawlessly.
Joining us were ZCG customers John B and James S in their Z’s. A few pics from the road trip South:
Showtime!
We unloaded early on Friday at Marina Green Park. This location is larger and more vendor-friendly than The Queen Mary of past shows. Our booth was situated in a great spot, at the mid-point of the show with our neighbors from JDM Car Parts.
We had lots of traffic at the ZCG booth. Mr. K’s Z definitely created a buzz, and enthusiasts checked out our Big-Brake kit for small wheels, CV Axles and picked up some free swag. Thanks to customers, fans and friends that stopped by! We met many great Datsun fans and enjoyed talking cars.
James’s 1972 S30 was displayed with fellow Z car owners in the show. At the heart of this beast is a turbocharged L-series managed by Haltech. Chassis upgrades include custom full-length subframe connectors, our ZCG CV Axles and Big-Brake Kit (328mm) behind RS-8 wheels restored by Love20bee.
A stack instrument cluster was integrated into the gauge pod, viewed from leather Recaro Pole Position seats. This Z has a very unique sound. We recently tuned it on E85, dyno results and videos coming soon. We are very happy for James as he won the award for 2nd place for Best Z!
Delivering Mr. K’s Z to a very happy Johnnie Gable and Kenny Ueda:
Expect a full report on our work performed to get this precious Z back on the road.
Highlights from JCCS
Enjoy this video I made highlighting the sights and sounds of JCCS 2019:
Why do we keep coming back to JCCS? Each year the bar is raised for the show cars, and this year was truly impressive. With over 400 cars and 80 vendors it was almost impossible to see it all in the 9am-3pm show time. Here are our favorites, starting with Nissan/Datsun.
Skylines
Here are few of my favorite Nissans and Datsuns, starting with that not-so forbidden fruit commonly known as the hakosuka Skyline. Roy De Guzman’s Hako sported a new look with the premier Pandem Rocketbunny flare kit and Cross Fever wheels:
Patrick S’ Kenmeri Skyline and Mikey C’s sedan both Rb26-powered and sitting on Watanabe Gotti wheels:
Mel’s R30 4-door on Watts, next to Jay’s DR30:
I didn’t expect to see a large gathering of R32 Skylines, even a 4-door!
Z Car Extravaganza
With the 50th Anniversary of the Z cars from all generations were in full force spanning the crested lawn of the Marina Green Park. I’m a big fan of subtle modified Z’s but I can also appreciate pristine, bone-stock examples and the occasional shakotan build.
Stock is good: beautifully restored ’72:
Todd Kaneko’s iconic, turbocharged L-series Z on Chevlon wheels:
So. Many. Z’s!
The winning Z:
1975 280Z 2+2 on Epsilons from Love20bee:
Shakotan !
Larry Chen’s freshly-painted S30!
Good old triple-carb’d L-series power!
RB25DET-powered:
S130!
You can find more S30s in our gallery!
Z31s were plentiful too, in both stock and modified examples:
The Nissan S12 chassis has been growing in popularity. Known as the “200sx” stateside there were some cool examples of both hatchback/coupe bodystyles.
People
At the JCCS it is always great to see old friends and meet new enthusiasts! Thanks to everyone that visited the ZCG booth!
The Datsun Roadsters came out in full force this year, running 6 cars strong!
Raymond Lim’s 1963 1500 was the oldest car present. This 3-seater SPL310 model was driven, not trailered to the show!
Ed’s sharp 1970 SPL sporting Enkei Compe wheels:
It was also great to see Michael Anderson’s “Rock Vest” race car. This historically-significant roadster is currently being raced by Mike!
The Desirello’s also displayed their SR20-powered beauties:
More roadster pics in our gallery!
Datsun 510s
Datsun 510s dominated the field as the most represented model again this year. From sedans to wagons and a single Bluebird Coupe!
Andrew’s RHD tribute 510 won Best of Show!
TSR-built 510:
Brian Holloway’s Coupe with Recaro seats…and the coolest socks
Wagons!
Our friend Troy’s customer won Best 510!
13B and CA18DET:
Dogs Love Trucks!
Kenny’s NL320 pickup:
Toyota
Toyota always has a huge corporate involvement with an assortment of race cars. They even had the new Supra on display and a 2000GT!
AE86, Cressida, Celica’s and Corolla’s!
Great showing of RA29 (Liftback) Celicas!
Trucks:
3nd and 4th gen Celicas:
Speed Star Racing Air Stage on Tommy D’s Starlet:
Wheels For Fantasy
I personally love going to JCCS because I get to see very rare Japanese/tuner wheels and parts. Preservation of authentic wheels and appreciation of the time and effort spent to find certain specimens that most folks have never heard of in this generation is what I admire most.
Variations on the mesh wheel from BBS, Epsilon, SSR, Volk, Bahn and more. You can’t go wrong!
It is difficult to run a car show and keep up the quality and interest levels but the folks at JCCS have managed to do exactly that for 15 years! No other show gives you the chance to see obscure, pristine, modified Japanese classics…and we look forward to next year’s entrants. Koji and Terry the new venue is great, almost overwhelming with the number of cars! We hope you have enjoyed our coverage and please visit our mega-gallery for more pictures.
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.
Kurt W is a Nissan enthusiast having owned a 350z that we worked on back in 2008. Last year he acquired this (KH2) R32 Skyline GT-R from our friend Sean Morris and his team at Toprank International Vehicle Importers. It goes without saying, if you are in the market for a vintage Skyline (or any JDM car) IVI is the place to go.
Kurt visited Z Car Garage for minor sorting and a series of upgrades we will document in a future blog post. Recently he came in for installation of 17″ VOLK TE37V wheels with Bridgestone RE-71R tires:
The wheels frame the Stoptech Big-Brake kit( 332mm front and 328mm rear) nicely. Love the dish on these!
Electric Avenue
Kurt also called us about lowering his Tesla Model 3 and for the first time an electric vehicle came to ZCG for modifications. A full KW coil-over suspension setup from MountainPass Performance was installed:
The Model 3 received a full alignment. Note the weight/distribution!
Kurt’s R32 will be back at the shop for some exciting power upgrades stay tuned for a full report!
Jim H has a great story behind this Series 1 S30. We know the previous owner through Datsun Roadsters from over a decade ago. Jim’s kids actually found this Z for him! Full story soon. The Z received an upgraded cooling system, ZCG Big-Brakes an CV axles and 16″ Panasport wheels with Bridgestone S007a tires. He will return in the fall for a new engine and much more restoration work. Tomorrow (Saturday) Jim will take this Z to visit friends and his kids!
Greg M brought his 240z from Reno, NV. He and his wife drove the Z here for carb work, Big-Brakes and CV axle install. We handled a few other items before he takes it back home for Hot August Nights. He will return in the fall for another big project.
Triple Mikuni carbs and 16″ Panasports!
Watch the video below to hear this Z run!
Greg H’s 280z came in for engine bay restoration and it turned into a full-blown build with ZCG Big-Brakes/CV Axles, full suspension, Panasports and tuning:
ZCG Big-Brakes and CV Axles:
Robert C’s G35 Coupe. He purchased all of Erik M’s parts when he sold his G. It’s getting the entire E85 setup, KW V3s and upgraded LSD. This G will be mainly for tracking with a gutted interior and race seats.
Eric K has an Ethanol-powered Z32TT with a stock engine on stock turbos. Now he is getting a built engine identical to Rob and Gary’s, now using BB700 turbos making 650-700whp:
Race Car Tuning!
We are stoked to be preparing and supporting this DeKon Monza for the upcoming Monterey Rolex Motorsports Reunion. This is chassis #2 and it is an amazing car. You can hear it in the video below. More to come watch for updates on our Instagram and Facebook pages!
Panasports For Your Z!
We only have a few sets left before our next shipment. Contact the shop to order yours!
</
