It really makes our day to see a client still enjoying their Z years later after visiting Z Car Garage. Last weekend we saw Michael D’s 1972 Datsun 240Z at the 34th Annual Z Car Convention (ZCON) in Colorado Springs, and it reminded us how we’ve worked with him since 2007. Let’s take a closer look at this Nissan RB25DET-powered S30 featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, full suspension and Panasport C8 wheels.

Photo: Bryan Delohery

Go Green Inspiration

In 2005, Rob Fuller performed an RB25DET engine swap into his 1970 240Z, affectionately named Go Georgia Z (GO GA Z = Go Green Georgia Z). The RB is a turbocharged inline-6 engine from the Nissan Skyline (R33) GTS-T in Japan, requiring new drivetrain mounts and supporting modifications to work in the S30 chassis. Once completed, Rob drove his Z all over California, attending several long distance car shows like Motorsport Auto in SoCal and the All-Datsun Meet at Mt. Shasta.

Rob’s RB-swapped Go Green Z gained notoriety and around 2007 is where our relationship with Michael began. He wanted ZCG to do an RB25DET swap similar to Rob’s in to his super clean ’72 240Z:

Photo: Bryan Delohery

As we know it’s always been tough to keep up with demand at ZCG. Mike is a great guy and kept offering us his business but Rob wasn’t ready to take on the project. Instead, we focused on preparing his car to handle the RB swap. Driveline upgrades included a ZCG-prepped 4.38 R180 LSD (since replaced with R200 3.55 Quaife LSD), restored hydraulic/brake lines and our ZCG Big-Brakes and CV Axles.

After the RB swap was completed in 2013 at another shop, Michael returned to Z Car Garage to sort a few more items. We did not like how the fuel system wasso it was redone by us. We also sold him our custom ZCG (Z31) motor mounts and tunnel bracket reposition for the OEM RB25 OEM transmission.

A few specs on Michael’s current setup: RB25DET rebuilt with RB26/Neo/N1 parts, BorgWarner EFR 7670 turbo, GTR coil set, Bocsh 1000cc injectors, TIAL 50mm BOV, McKinney Pan and Radiator, Wiring Specialites Harness and a LINK Ngtr+ EMS. With 525whp/480ft-lbs, the suspension and brakes were upgraded. We installed a full Ground Control coil-over suspension (remember this was in 2008) and Michael reports great performance still:

“In regards to the performance of the suspension upgrades, coil-overs, Tokico struts/shocks I was considering T3 and Arizona Z control arm suspension replacements. My suspension performs so well with the stock A-frames etc that it didn’t make any sense to change them. I would add, without spoilers my 240z stays very grounded at 130 mph and I know what I am talking about after having owned a ’14 R35 GTR for 7 years.”

Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and CV Axles

To cope with the power of the RB25DET, Michael has our ZCG Big-Brake kit. Not to be confused with our current Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels), this Big-Brake kit was our initial setup from over a decade ago. This 328mm sized kit requires 17″ diameter wheels and the massive ST-42 calipers are finished in bright red. We actually did all the R&D in-house for this setup…using a 280ZX master cylinder and our own mounting brackets.

Since it was in its infancy we did not market or sell this BBK to the public, installing it only our clients vehicles. There are about 20 sets of these early, 328mm BBKs on client Z cars like James’ Turbocharged L-Series 240Z, Scott’s 260z, Gary’s Datsunworks-Powered 240Z and Lou’s RHD FairladyZ:

Panasport Wheels

Michael also got a set of our custom Panasport Racing C8 wheels. These 3 piece, 17×9 wheels allowed fitment of a 255/40/17 tire under stock fender flares.

When ZCG was starting to build a series of RB-powered S30s, Rob brought in a pallet of C8 wheels destined for the builds. Michael wanted a set so we hooked him up with a silver spoke finish. They look great on his Z:

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 130 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

 

We built Michael a set of CV Axles, shown below:

Interior

Michael is proud of the interior on the Z, keeping it aesthetically close to stock with updated materials and comfort in mind. A Restomod A/C unit keeps things cool. A very special thanks to Luis at Vargas Auto Upholstery:

“Sewed in centers of original seats, Auto Meter digital speedo and tach to modified to look original in original housings, the dash which is impossible was done with requirement to minimize stitches and never cross a stitch, stereo housing was built to match the faceplate of original, has remote electric windows and locks, power steering, hands free phone, android auto for maps, and seats that hold you in while providing comfort for 8+ hour drives.”

 

Enjoying the Ride

Michael contacted Rob in 2003, just after he purchased his 60k-orignal mile 1972 Z to get the upgrades started. He’s driven it since 2004. Here is what it looked like when he picked it up, and a current photo:

Michael’s goal for the build, aptly named “TRBUTEZ”…

“It is called TRBUTEZ.: A tribute (act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration) to the many under $3k  starving student Z’s I owned that carried me through life with unconditional loyalty, performance, and dependable reliability. This one is for you. Thank you!  My goal is to upgrade the build of the car for an even better personal experience while maintaining the respect this car deserves through preservation of every original detail possible.”

We were stoked to see Michael and his Z at the ZCON event on Colorado Springs. After all these years he’s still Enjoying The Ride!

When you think it couldn’t get better…he won (4) awards!

Thank you to ZCON organizer Christopher Karl and Meghan Fuller for the show photos! More in the gallery below.

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The ZONC Annual Car Show will be held Sunday September 12 in Brisbane, CA. This a fun event in a great location so bring out your Z, G, Datsun or GT-R! Pictures from previous shows can be seen HERE with more details below. Z you at the show!

We love to see our products being installed and used on client cars. Tobi is running our ZCG Heat Shield in his 280ZX!

Close-up of the ZCG Heat Shield, this piece is serial #00276:

 

Tobi is a relatively new S130 owner and started modifying it in no time!

“I got the car in the fall of 2020, it definitely needed some love, but it came with a N42 head so that was a big plus for me! While browsing through Instagram I saw a lot of guys in Japan would switch from EFI to a DCOE setup, while some told me it would be a bad idea, I loved the sound of a carb’d L28 too much. I got to work on the conversion during the winter months of 2020 and went with triple-Webers on a Canon intake manifold. While I had the car apart I added T3 front and rear suspension, MSA victory spoiler, and a set of MSA twice pipes. I was super excited when I fired it up for the first time.”

During the summer he  took it to car shows around town and enjoyed ripping it around, but he was having some clearance issues with the heat shield, so he purchased our Z Car Garage Heat Shield:

“I couldn’t have been happier. The build quality on the shield when I unboxed it was amazing and it went on my manifold like butter, it also fixed my clearance issues too. My future plans for the car are to save up for some  Z Car Garage CV Axles and a 240sx gearbox swap in hopes of taking the car to the track.”

ZCG Heat Shield

 

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:

The ZCG Heat Shield is available for purchase at $169.00 with product information below.  View this product and other ZCG parts on the new “products” page of our website HERE

Thank you for your support Tobi we are happy to see our product on your 280ZX!

On August 17 the new Nissan Z sports car was unveiled in Brooklyn, New York. Z Car Garage was invited to the private event that was live-streamed for global viewing. Rob Fuller experienced the unveiling party and midnight photo shoot with Larry Chen in Times Square, documenting it live via our Instagram and Facebook accounts. Here we’ve included all of our photos and video from the evening for you to enjoy. Long Live the Z!

Rob and Larry Chen at the unveiling in Brooklyn. Nissan had a display of heritage models to show off the new Z’s lineage.

Rob sat front row for the big reveal. We were surprised to see Cody Walker hop out of the 370Z to present the new Z. Very magical. The Z’s interior and exterior were (not surprisingly) similar to the Z Proto we spent time with back in May . VR30 twin-turbo displayed. Nissan really did deliver.

The blue paint was spectacular. Rob did a walk through:

From the unveiling Rob then joined Larry Chen and the Nissan Crew for a stunning midnight photoshoot in Times Square!

Video from the evening:

Huge thanks to Dan Passe and Jonathan Buhler of Nissan for making this happen. We had a blast hangin out with Larry and the Hoonigan crew. Super excited to have a shop Z and continue the Z Car passion!