***HAPPY HOLIDAYS From Z Car Garage***

 

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:

 

CJ’s 1971 Datsun 240Z features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, and ZCG Heat Shield! We also installed triple-Mikuni induction and dyno tuned the Rebello 3L engine backed by a 240SX 5-speed transmission.

 

Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z is now sporting a Rebello 3.2L with triple-Mikuni carbs on a Harada intake, Recaro Specialist seats, CD009a 6-speed transmission, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles!

   

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:

 

Garret and Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z cars both received our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles!

 

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!

 

EVENTS: The 2023 Nissan Z Kicks Off Monterey Car Week at Motorlux!

Dyno Testing the 2023 Nissan Z (9-speed Auto)!

The 2023 Nissan Z on the Z Car Garage Dyno!

Return of the 1970 BRE Datsun 240Z

 

Vincent’s 1973 Datsun 240Z

 

Khang’s 1973 Datsun 240Z

 

Richard’s 1970 Datsun 240Z

 

David’s 1972 Datsun 240Z

 

Glenn’s 1972 Fairlady 240Z-L

 

David’s 1972 Datsun 240Z

 

Supermachine’s Datsun 240Z

 

Dirk’s 1972 Datsun 240z

 

Matt’s 1972 Datsun 240Z

 

Linda’s OMS Pace Car

 

Vince M’s 1972 Datsun 240Z

 

Jay’s 1972 Datsun 240Z

 

Mike’s 1970 Datsun 240Z

 

Mark’s 1970 Datsun 240Z

 

Vince S’ 1973 Datsun 240Z

 

Griot’s Garage 1972 Datsun 240Z

 

280Z

 

Where Are They Now: Greg’s 1977 Datsun 280Z

Skyline

Ray’s 1971 Skyline 2000GT-X

 

Julio’s 1971 Skyline

  

Z31

300zx

 

 510 and Fairlady Roadster

 

350Z

 

370z

 

Q60

R32

Updates on Mike and Kurt’s R32 Skylines!

R35

Racing

  

RACE REPORT: David Love Memorial with CSRG 4/1

RACE REPORT: Back to Back vintage racing events with SVRA

RACE REPORT: Laps For Laguna

RACE REPORT: Datsuns and Racing Legends at the 2022 Velocity Invitational

Z Car Garage Trackside Support Services: Todd’s Datsun 510 B-Sedan

 

Rallyes/Events

 

EVENTS: Tokyo Calling with Breakfast Club Rally

EVENTS: DWA Morning Motors Cars & Coffee 7/31

Happy Anniversary: Z Car Garage Celebrates 18 Years!

IN MEMORY: James Glenn Babb 2001-2022

IN MEMORY: RIP Jack Atkinson 1954-2022

The Sung Kang FUGUZ Steering Wheel

EVENTS: ZONC’s 50th Birthday Celebration!

EVENTS: The 2022 Japanese Classic Car Show

EVENTS: Z Car Garage at the Rolex Monterey Reunion and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

EVENT REPORT: Tokyo Calling 2

EVENTS: New Year’s Day Drive 2022

Media

Gary’s Datsunworks-powered Datsun 240Z featured on Marqued!

 

LONG LIVE THE Z! Check out our Instagram story for more updates!

 

 

  

The Stillen supercharger kit for the Z34/G37  is an install we are intimately familiar with here at Z Car Garage. Here are two customer cars that got supercharged and tuned for nice power gains while maintaining CARB-legal status.

 

Vince’s 2012 G37

 

Vince hails from SSF and heard about us from friends with Z’s and G’s. He wanted us to install the Stillen supercharger kit and we added our favorite upgrades like the the Concept Z performance 25-row oil cooler.

  

Vice had upgraded clutch/flywheel that was really hard to drive on the street. We fitted him with a JWT clutch/flywheel and the troublesome internal slave cylinder was switched to an external unit using the CMAK upgrade from Z-speed.

  

With the supercharger installed we started the tuning process.

 

A relatively new approach, we move away from the stock MAF system and use ECutek tuning with a MAP-based system. Final numbers were 407hp//321tq to the wheels:

 

Thanks Vince, Enjoy The Boost!

John’s 2011 370z

 

John has been a ZCG customer for 10 years and we used to work on his S30. He came in for a Stillen supercharger install on his 370z and added the Concept Z 25-row oil cooler and Automatic transmission cooler.

 

After Rob’s tuning session on the dyno John’s Z made 407hp/300tq to the wheels:

 

Being a base model, an LSD is next on John’s list. Enjoy the Boost!

 

 

Brad M is a new customer with a 2009 G37 Sedan that visited ZCG for suspension work. Front tire wear issues resulted from riding around on Eibach sport springs without adjustable front control arms. In back, running aggressive offset Volk SF Challenge wheels with larger tires he was unable to control camber and have the lower ride height desired. We met a few weeks ago and came up with a plan:

 

 

We installed KW V3 coil-overs, SPC front control arms and Hotchkis sway bars. Those sweet Volks were wrapped in new Bridgestone S-04 tires, and he got an oil change/filter.

 

Stock vs the new front coil-overs and control arms:

 

Stock vs new rear springs/shocks and we also corrected a bad previous install of rear control arms:

 

Camber in check, car looks great now with an even ride height:

 

Installation of the front and rear Hotchkis sway bars with endlink detail:

 

Stock vs Hotchkis rear sway bar:

 

We noticed Brad was missing the hubcentric rings for mounting the Volks and installed a new set to ensure vibration-free driving. He was very happy and we know he’ll be back!

 

 

Stillen supercharger month continues at Z Car Garage! Our last reports included Daly’s G37 sedan,
David G’s G37 S coupe and today we bring you 2009 David S’ G37 Convertible. The trifecta of supercharged Infiniti G-cars is complete!

 

As with previous builds, the Stillen supercharger kit installation is straightforward. A Stillen oil cooler and colder plugs were added:

 

From NA to boost!

 

Out of the box with the Stillen-supplied CAN tune the ‘vert made 408hp/325tq to the wheels. This is a great improvement of 122hp/75tq over stock but at Z Car Garage we can do better!

 

Rob’s tuning yielded +12hp peak with smoother delivery all the way to 7500rpm:

 

With 420whp we also thought it would be prudent to start David off with some fresh tires 🙂
This concludes our Stillen supercharger month at the shop…can we help you boost your Nissan/Infiniti?