A dealership is great to support your new Nissan but here is an example of how independent shops like ZCG that specialize in the brand are critical to maintenance, longevity and performance of your vehicle.

Why Independent Shops are Important!

James bought his 2015 Nissan GT-R secondhand from a dealership and started to have some issues where the car would go into limp-mode. He took it to a Nissan dealership and they found some kind of issue underneath the timing cover that was resulting in a limp-mode approaching 3000rpm. A temporary “fix” resolved the behavior but again it was going into limp mode. Back it went to Nissan where they couldn’t get data off the OB-II connector.

 

Nissan tells James that the car might have an ECU tune so he should find someone in the Bay Area to diagnose/asses if it has an aftermarket ECU (ie Cobb Accessport, EcuTek flash, etc).  James visited ZCG and Rob flashed the GT-R with EcuTek software, enabling data logging. Rob noticed that the cylinder bank 1 intake cam was not advancing. Further investigation revealed that when the dealership installed the front cover and intake cam solenoids and o-ring failure was spotted. This o-ring eventually failed, not allowing sufficient oil pressure to advance the intake cam on bank 1, thus putting car into limp mode.

 

We installed a new o-ring and James was on his way. This is a great example of how independent/specialty shops have the expertise and attention to detail to keep your Nissan on the road!

Long Live The Passion!

 

 

We have several exciting projects at the shop that will have full reports coming soon to zcarblog.com. Enjoy!

 

Three ZCG Big-Brake Installs

Three S30s are in to get our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles!

 

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!

 

R35 in for brakes!

 

 

Enjoy the video of our shop update below and

LONG LIVE THE Z!

 

 

      

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? Please contact rob@zcargarage.com or call us at (408)452-0350.

 

  

 

 

We have been working with Carlos for several years to raise power levels on his 2015 Nissan GT-R while retaining the stock engine and transmission. On his last visit to ZCG we installed USDM turbos from SIR, bolt-ons and performed an ethanol tune.

 

This time Carlos was ready to hold that boost for a little bit longer. We reached out to Bill Guthrie of SIR and purchased his upgraded actuators matched to our turbos. Originally we had not installed the actuators, trying to keep the boost level down to minimize stress on the engine/tranny. As we all know, the boost fix can last only so long! Carlos came back to ZCG for additional upgrades including an HKS transmission cooler and larger, single FMIC from Boost Logic.

 

  

Acuators:

 

Transmission temps are the enemy of high power levels and track duty for the R35. We installed an HKS transmission cooler and we are really impressed with its quality and performance.

 

You can also see our installation of this HKS cooler on Dan J’s R35, and he reports zero trans temperature issues on the track!

   

The dual intercoolers from the factory were replaced with a single, larger unit from Boost Logic:

 

OEM vs single:

 

Installation of the FMIC:

  

On Carlos’ last visit the R35 put down 611hp/520tq on 91 octane and 703hp/621tq to the wheels on E85. With the new actuators and FMIC it now makes 661p/590tq on 91 octane and 774hp/653tq on Ethanol.

91 Octane:

 

Before tuning on E85, 759p/628tq:

 

After tuning on E85, 774hp/653tq:

 

Allowing the boost to be held to redline resulted in high-end gains in both hp/tq. We can make more power at these boost levels but we are being conservative until we can do a proper built engine/tranny. Enjoy The Boost Carlos!

 

 

One of the best parts about ZCG is the opportunity to perform multiple builds for a customer. We met Mike J in 2008 when he brought his G35 Coupe in for some modifications:

 

Mike added some tasteful HRE wheels (one of his signatures) and we did a full build on this car including a Vortech supecharger with ZCG supporting mods. He enjoyed the G for a few years and sold it to a friend. The friend brought in the G for service, mentioning that Mike had acquired a 2013 R35! Sure enough, Mike called us up and said it’s time to spend another chapter together.

 

From past zcarblog posts we know the R35 GTR is a wonderful sportscar that blends in despite its impressive performance out of the box. Mike wanted a boost in power so we started with a host of Alpha bolt-ons from AMS including their downpipes and Y-pipe w/muffler:

    

Stock vs AMS 90mm catted mid-pipe:

 

Finishing the exhaust upgrades with an Akrapovic titanium slip-on exhaust system:

  

Our plan for more power included a complete flex-fuel setup for E85 tuning. Shown below are 1300cc Injector Dynamics injectors, DW300 drop-in fuel pumps,  SpecialtyZ 3″ Intakes and SpecialtyZ Flex-Fuel kit:

  

Flex fuel installation:

 
Rob utilized Ecutek for tuning on both 91 octane and E85.

91 octane: 554hp/509tq

E85: 629hp/616tq

 

On E85, the dyno reveals huge gains from low rpm to redline. Mike we know you are Enjoying The Ride, thanks for bringing your GT-R to ZCG!