Nick P came to Z Car Garage to fix a blown head gasket on his 280zx.  We decided on a full cylinder head rebuild with a revised cam profile from Rebello, otherwise it was built close to factory spec. Teardown pictures below indicate obvious failure:

 

 

The rebuilt cylinder head:

 

We added a new 6-2-1 exhaust header from MSA and finished it off with the ZCG exhaust system:

 

The intake manifold and associated smog/efi plumbing were cleaned up:

 

With the engine freshened we put the Z on the rollers…141hp/142tq to the wheels is healthy!

 

Next we turned to the suspension. Nick wanted us to install his TechnoToyTuning (T3) coilovers, RCA’s and T/C rods:

 

Old struts out and coil-overs in!

 

T3 camber plates up front:

After an alignment and fender roll the Z sits perfectly without rubbing or scraping. We dig the RB-Rs on this!

 

 

 

Dwane has been customer since the opening of Z Car Garage in 2004. We installed one of Vortech’s earliest supercharger kits on his ultra low-mileage ’03 Brickyard 350z circa 2005 and he has been enjoying it ever since.  Almost a decade later forced-induction tuning and support has tremendously advanced and many boosted applications are abandoning the old Split-Second and FMU-based systems.

 

At ZCG we love the UPREV tuning platform and it allowed us to maximize gains from a new GT MAF, larger injectors and upgraded fuel pump.  We also installed ART pipes on the exhaust side and nice cosmetic addition of LED-based headlights:

 

 

On the dyno we picked up 9hp/13tq with smoother delivery throughout the rev range. Mid-to-high gains were significant:

Stay tuned for more power!

 

 

At Z Car Garage we love to help enthusiasts by installing customer-supplied parts. Eric R purchased these hot rod goodies online and came to us for installation on his 2014 370z:

 

Stillen Gen 3 Intakes are a proven way to increase mid to high-range power on the VQ37HR:

 

Install showing filter location:

 

 

The 370Z has been discovered to suffer from high oil temps when exposed to extended periods of spirited driving. Once oil temps reach a specific temperature, the vehicle’s ECU will put itself into a “Limp Mode” cutting the power to the engine.  The solution? An engine oil cooler, this one is a great unit from Z1 Motorsports:

 

Stainless steel braided brakes lines can also help with pedal feel compared to the stock, rubber lines:

 

The perfect balance to improved intakes is to upgrade the exhaust side. Eric chose the TDX cat-back system from Fast Intentions. Aside from the power gains this carbon fiber muffler option also saves weight:

 

And yes i does look great too!

 

UPREV tuning maximizes power gains from these bolt-ons. The Stillen intakes and FI exhaust pushed power past the 300whp mark to 307hp/258tq at the wheels:

 

With UPREV tuning we extracted 10hp more to the wheels for total of 317hp/258tq, noticeable improvements in mid to high range hp and torque:

How can we help you add power and performance through bolt-ons on your Z or G?

Last year we helped Ruben enjoy the merits of boost with a full Vortech supercharger install install on his LeMans Sunset 350z:

 

The high-flow catalytic convertors had failed so we replaced them ART pipes from Motordyne:

 

HFCs vs ART pipes:

We also re-tuned the Z and it picked up 18hp/6tq for a total of 385hp/330tq to the wheels:

 

Enjoy The Ride Ruben!

 

 

How do you start the New Year off on the right foot? Drive your Nissan/Datsun! Today I joined Rob and Lou for a nice drive through the South Bay foothills. Rob and shop dog Kane drove the 820hp ZCG 300zx Twin Turbo, Lou drove his 470hp R32 Skyline GT-R and I drove the 460hp Datsun 510.

 

Our route included stops at both Uvas and Calero Reservoirs with a nice mix of long sweeping curves and windy, single lane farmland roads with picturesque bridge crossings:

 

 

At Uvas Reservoir we met a nice gentelman and his tubbed ’66 Chevelle:

 

Before departing we made our final stop to admire just how “right” Lou’s R32 looks with the new VOLK TE37SL wheels. Amazing car!

 

 

We hope you can enjoy driving your car in 2015. Follow the blog and Facebook for upcoming fun runs!

Click after the jump for more pictures!
…[read more]