Andreas visited Z Car Garage to get his 1983 Nissan Skyline running correctly. We admire these 80’s gems, working on several DR30 Skylines and with a few tweaks plus dyno tuning Andreas was back on the road in proper form.

The Sixth Generation

 

Not familiar with this right-hand drive specimen? Most Americans are familiar with the classic 70’s Skylines and later GT-R series, but this 6th generation (R30) chassis is often overlooked, yet very special in its own right. Andreas’ model is a ’83 Nissan Skyline RS-X and it’s the first iteration of the distinctive “Iron Mask” front end. This generation also marked introduction of the FJ20 engine, though Andreas’ is an early, non-intercooled model:

 

In Japan the R30 sold well and had a great following with Nissan enlisting the famous actor/racer Paul Newman to appear in ad campaigns. The R30 also formed the basis for the insanely cool SuperSilhouette race car:

   

DR30 Ownership

 

With its angular styling, pillar-less windows, killer graphics and FJ20 power what’s not to like? Andreas had been wanting a DR30 for the past 10+ years and after driving Reid’s DR30, it motivated him to finally get one:

“With the help of The Import Guys, I purchased it from auction in June and picked it up in November in Washington and drove it straight home to Northern California. 2 days, almost 1000 miles and it did it perfectly. I have been fixing a few things here and there like a new front lip, interior trim, suspension, brakes and threw back on some OEM parts but my journey with the car is still young. I have auto-x’ed it already and do have my eyes on potential track days.” 

 

Andreas was having problems with the car not revving properly and recalled his discussion with Reid (thanks!) about his and getting work done at Z Car Garage:

“I reached out to Rob for help. Kind of funny, on the day of the appointment to get this issue checked out my car broke down a mile from the shop and he was nice enough to help me tow it there. I have pretty modest goals, I just want a good looking, fun to drive DR30. This one has its issues like most 35+ year old cars but the idea was to get myself a nice project (but a driver). No need for a beauty queen, and no real need for massive power. Give it a refresh, and then just drive the hell out of it.” 

Skyline Sorting at ZCG

 

Since purchasing, this R30 was not running correctly so we started troubleshooting the fuel system. We figured out some of the issues (bad fuel pump, running extremely lean, no fuel getting to motor) and we got Andreas running.

 

Despite new injectors, fuel filter, fuel pump we kept hitting these limiters. The factory ECU wouldn’t allow it to rev over 5krpm so we called our friends from JWT.  Clark Steppler is the master of all vintage ECUs and he worked his magic on the delicate, vintage unit. As you can see from the dyno plot we have full rev range power/tq.

 

Dyno Tuning

  

Rob dyno tuned the FJ20ET, now with full power available to redline it put down 178hp/158tq to the wheels. Impressive power for the time, with a hot-pipe. Nissan really was special in the 80’s!

 

Enjoy this video of the dyno run and Andreas enjoying the DR30:

 

While the Skyline was here we replaced the front control arm bushings with new Superpro bushings:

 

Andreas was driving the car when he felt a loss in power. We discovered a boost leak in the hot pipe and resolved it. In Andreas’ words “No issues now and car runs like a dream.”

 

Enjoying The Ride

 

With the engine sorted Andreas has been driving his Skyline everywhere, happily boosting. Ps…did we mention how good it looks on the Longchamp wheels?

 

He even made it out to the recent Norcal Skylines Matsuri 2020, an event we were lucky to attend last year:

 

“I want a car I can have fun with and drive hard), not something that I just take to cars and coffee. So I appreciate all the help he gave me to get my car back up and running and back to its former glory!”

 

Thanks for letting us work on your DR30 Andreas. We love the direction you are taking it!

More pictures in the gallery!
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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.”

 

“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!

More pictures in the gallery below!

 

 

 

Not everything we do at Z Car Garage is a ground-up restoration or a hardcore twin turbo build.  In fact most of our customers come to us just looking for just a little more of what they already love about their cars.  In this case we will be taking a daily-driven G35 and adding a little bit of sport to it’s luxury coupe status.  Nothing too crazy, just improving on an already astounding car.

One of the many great things about the VQ35 engine series is it distinct exhaust note.  I can be in my house, out of sight of the road, and be 100% certain when one goes by, be it in a G35, 350z, FX35… whatever.  After searching long and hard for an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system to compliment the factory sound without too much rasp we came to Bassani.  We have been using the Bassani systems for quite some time now and have been more than happy.  They improve upon the already sporty exhaust note and they seem to be one of the top performing kits on the market today.  This was a must for this car.

Not wanting to leave the intake side of the engine jealous, we opted for a simple but effective Jim Wolf Technologies (JWT) POP charger setup.  This air filter is much more free flowing than the factory panel filter set-up and it allows for your ears to enjoy just enough of that beautiful intake sounds that we all love.  JWT is a great operation and their parts are top notch which makes this part another must.

Now on to the handling side of the equation.  A simple and proven set of Eibach springs will do the trick here by giving us the stance we want and a higher spring rate for the cornering that we deserve.  The other part of the equation here is the set of red Hotchkis swaybars which are meant to keep body roll in check during any high G events.  Simplicity at is finest.

From the chart below you can see that there are certainly a few more horsepower in the mix after the intake and exhaust modifications, but with this being an automatic transmission car the gains tend to be a bit masked by the slush box.  Another upgraded daily driver in the hands of a satisfied customer, job well done.  Until next time…

There is a full gallery of photos after the “read more” below.  They are in order from when the car came in to the shop until the time it was delivered.  A few of the before/after shots are almost shocking.  New parts rule.  ENJOY

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