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We have several exciting projects at the shop that will have full reports coming soon to zcarblog. From Z32 Twin Turbo builds…

 
 

…To S30 Z’s getting our ZCG CV Axles and Big-Brake Kits:

 

Z34 on new Yokohama AVS F50 wheels:

 

Just a few S30s from resto-mods to OEM-level restorations:

 

Race car tuning! More to come watch for updates on our Instagram and Facebook pages!




90’s Monday at Z Car Garage

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 10:47 pm on March 11, 2019

 

It’s 90’s Monday at Z Car Garage! We had two R32 Skylines in from our friend Sean at IVI. The (AH3) Pearl Red Metallic GTR came in for stainless brake lines, timing adjustment and alignment. Kurt’s (KH2) Grey GTR will be getting wheels(though we dig the R33 setup!), Stoptech BBK, Haltech and more ZCG R32-specific upgrades.

 

The shop 300zx, representing our favorite 90’s-era Japanese sports car also got a set of Volk GT-C wheels:

 

 

 

 

 

 




Matt’s R32 Skyline GT-R

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Performance,r32
by Alvin G @ 2:16 pm on March 6, 2019

Photo: Patrick Lauder

 

Matt O is the lucky owner of this 1991 Skyline GTR finished in (TH1) Midnight Blue Pearl.  When we first met he wanted to bring the car in to ZCG for a quick checkup. We looked over it, ran a compression check and also made a plan for his next visit.

 

Matt acquired this California-legal R32 from our friend Sean and his team at Toprank International Vehicle Importers. It goes without saying, if you are in the market for a vintage Skyline (or any JDM car) IVI is the place to go.

  
 

In March of last year Matt came in for a Haltech Platinum Pro. We have installed many of these and it’s a great foundation for adding power to the R32.

 

We performed all the prep work and ran a the boost sensor to install the Haltech.  Whenever we take on these cars we always run a smoke test to ensure there are no intake leaks present.

 
 

On the dyno, results for the baseline run (left) followed by Haltech on 91 octane. Despite having a healthy engine/turbos the power levels were fairly low on this car. The culprit: weak actuators not allowing the car to hold boost. Matt will visit us again for new turbos and acuators so it will get a big jump in power. We are big fans of Haltech and now he’s prepared with the right engine management system.

 
 

Next, we installed a few suspension upgrades supplied by Matt followed by a full alignment:

 

Cusco T/C rods, rack bushings and toe-link/rear control arm setup:

   
 

T/C rods

 
 
 

The R32 had a set of SSR SP1 wheels and Matt wanted to change the look with a fresh set of new wheels: 18″ Volk TE37 finished in bronze.

 
 

We mounted/balanced his RE071R tires and the Skyline looks sweet:

Photo: Telstarlogistics

Matt has been Enjoying The Ride in the R32. Here he is at Laguna Seca:

 
 

We even caught Matt out on a local drive! Here he is parked next to Naveed’s R32 (story coming soon):

 

Thanks for bringing your Skyline to us Matt. We look forward to more boost! Catch more of Matt’s Th1 R32 on his Instagram




Great Drives: Mt. Umunhum to Alice’s Restaurant

Filed under: Events,Great Drives,Performance
by Alvin G @ 1:09 pm on October 26, 2018

 

“Great Drives” is a Zcarblog series highlighting scenic routes and destinations we have enjoyed from the past and present. Whether it is a nice cruise or thrilling adventure, we hope to inspire Bay Area vintage car owners to Enjoy The Ride! Have a great drive of your own that you want to share? Feel free to contact us on Facebook, Instagram or by e-mail.

 

Mt. Umunhum to Alice’s Restaurant, October 2018

There are several fun routes reaching Alice’s from San Jose. This drive was organized by Lotus 7 owner Geoff W and we all met in Almaden to begin:

 

The 11-car group was diverse with both vintage and modern sports cars with great Nissan/Datsun representation!

The cars:

Daniel’s Nissan 240s (S13) with an RB25DET swap. He is the man behind the lens of BayRoadsAP. Naveed Yousufzai’s R32 Skyline GT-R:

 
 

Lane Skelton of DrivingWhileAwesome in his Porsche 944. Eric in the 911 Targa

 
 

TWO Z cars! Michael’s Series 1 240z (with patina) and Andrew’s Series 1 Fairlady Z (RHD!)

 
 

Geoff (organizer) in his Lotus 7, featured on Petrolicious! Mike in his 993 Porsche:

 
 

Matt in his Subaru BRZ Performance Pack, Brendan and Drew in their Chevy SS sedans, and myself in the Datsun Roadster.

The route:

 
 

Driving through Almaden to Mt. Umunhum:

 

The climb up to the peak is filled with freshly paved road and switchbacks. At the top:

 

In the lower lot we had a few minutes to chat and check out the cars

 

I really dig Michael’s S30, it has a warmed-over triple-carb’d L-series:

 

We left Mt. Umunhum towards 17 and exited on Bear Creek Rd. for lunch in Boulder Creek. This was a fun stretch I haven’t been on.

 

Heading up 9 to 35. It was fun chasing Michael in the Z:

 

 

We had a little scare when his oil pressure gauge started reading low….it checked it ok and we were off again:

 

The route changed a bit and we took Alpine Rd. (lots of loose gravel) to Pescadero Creek Rd, then Stage Rd. After re-grouping we hopped on HWY 1N:

 

From 1 we turned right onto 84. This stretch was amazing. SO much fun connecting the turns and chasing Geoff in the Lotus. This is a road that made me love my roadster even more. Thanks Geoff for an exhilarating drive!

 

All of the Roadsters at Alice’s Restaurant. An “Aero Cycle” joined:

 

We also got a closer look at Geoff’s go-kart. One look at the driver’s seat tells all: this is a wild ride!

 

After drinks we departed. Alice’s never disappoints.

 

Here’s video I snapped showing the action, enjoy!

 

After drinks we split up for home, and i took 35 back down 9. I was treated to some great coastal and bay arae views:

 

 

Big thanks to Geoff for organizing the drive. It was a fantastic run with great company! More pictures in the gallery below.




Lehan’s Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Maintenance,Performance
by Alvin G @ 5:04 pm on July 3, 2018

 

When Lehan brought his 1991 R32 GT-R to Z Car Garage it was barely moving under its own power…the clutch failed.  We installed an OS Giken TS2CD clutch and flywheel along with an OS Giken T/O bearing.

 

 
 

The OS Giken clutch/flywheel combo weighed 32.8lbs compared to the old setup at 39.6lbs:

 

Clutch removal/installation:

 
 
 

We also replaced the rear main oil seal while we in there with an OEM seal. The R32 was treated to new clutch hydraulics including master and slave cylinders + hose.  It is prudent to replace these units if they haven’t been done in the last 3-5 years.

 
 

With a new clutch and hydraulics sorted Lee was back on the road.  He was really surprised that we could do a 2-day turn-around clutch replacement on on his 25-year old Japanese classic supercar.  Enjoy the Ride Lee and thanks for your support!




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