At Z Car Garage we love keeping Z’s on the road. From concours-level restorations to light refurbishments, helping a client realize their vision is our passion. The Bartel family shipped their 1973 Datsun 240Z from Arizona for mechanical and cosmetic sorting, ZCG-style. Our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, chassis tuning and dyno tuned LS3 V8 engine transformed this Z into the dream car Jeff and son Ryan enjoy at rally events.

 

The Bartel’s Z Story

Before we dive in to the project let’s hear how the family got their Z car…

JEFF: My son and I began looking for a Datsun project car for pre-1975 Targa rally driving events in late 2018. We scoured the internet for resto-mod 510’s or S30’s that with modern drivetrains for reliability and maintenance. After a long and exhaustive search we came across a 1973 Datsun 240Z with an LS3 V8/T56 on one of those trendy online auto auction sites. On paper the car appeared to have just about all of the desirable upgrades, including larger brakes from an OEM, coilovers, a LSD diff, aluminum radiator, fender flares, 17” wheels, Vintage Air air conditioning, fuel cell, decent gauges, extensive body work and paint and nausea-inducing rear wing. We decided to  bid and won what seemed like Z at the right price…

 …Upon test driving the car and wearing the most rose colored glasses one could wear, we still found that there were a lot of issues. Soon after ownership we took the car to a couple of repair shops to get our list of issues addressed, but quickly found the level of service and Z Car knowledge to be lacking everywhere. After coming out of those suspect shops we entered our first CA Targa event early 2019, and couldn’t even complete the first day of the event. A combination of broken diff and clunking suspension cut our event short. We decided to give Rob and Z Car Garage a try after seeing so many of their successes online.

  

Mechanical Sorting at Z Car Garage

We agreed to inspect the car and during that process found many of the car’s important systems were in need of complete replacement.

ROB: It was very important to Jeff and Ryan for this Z to be enjoyable and up to the task of vintage rally events. We obliged to help them with that goal in several visits. I was Z car purist when I was younger, thinking one should always install Nissan engines into a Nissan… with time and wisdom it is hard to deny that LSx engines are pretty stellar with respect to power and packaging. It was time to make this Z a ZCG-style LS-powered S30.

 

JEFF: While tuning and driving the car Rob noticed that the existing fuel pump system was not providing sufficient fuel to the engine especially during spirited cornering (not to mention extremely noisy fuel pump and strong fuel smell in the cabin). Rob and his team replaced the underperforming fuel pump and delivery system, relocating the pump to a safer and quieter location, installed a Hydramat fuel pickup system in the fuel cell to avoid starvation during heavy cornering. A new dual exhaust system with X-pipe was also installed from headers back to the tips to improve flow and clearance.

   

Z Car Garage Big-Brakes

We are proud to have several of our ZCG products on Bartel’s 240z. We installed our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) which have the been standard on numerous ZCG builds. As fellow S30 owner/racer Glenn C mentioned in his review, on top of braking performance, pedal feel is extremely important and our Big-Brakes deliver. This is a direct result of working with engineers at Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments. All fitting behind a 15″ Watanabe or Panasport wheel (and some 14″ wheels) and retaining factory emergency brake lever.

  

ROB:  A staple of the ZCG upgrade package is a set of brakes. So we did the ZCG BBK, with new brake M/C and new booster. Factory handbrake functionality IS retained! Suspension was upgraded to T3 f/r coil-overs done in our signature black. Thanks Gabe for allowing to have our own color! We also did f/r wheel bearings and full alignment.

  

JEFF: The team at Z Car Garage began with replacing the poor performing brakes with the complete ZCG Big Brake Kit. With the car now stopping as it should, they next turned their attention to the suspension. A set of front and rear coil-overs were installed on the car along with adjustable T/C rods and camber plates arms and so on. The car was then height adjusted and corner balanced.

    

Cooling and Driveline Upgrades

On their first visit we changed the spring rates to improve handling and put some friction modifier in diff. At the very end of this visit unfortunately the car was making some strange noises. We suspect the previous builder had starved the engine of oil a few times leading to rod knock. so we send it to Rebello for a rebuild. In spring of 2021 we had made enough power and focused on cooling modifications with a new fabricated a fan-shroud setup.

 

JEFF: With brakes, handling, fuel and exhaust systems addressed, we set out on our second CA Targa event in June 2021. This adventure took us through the CA desert and across the Sierra Nevada Mountains two times. If you live on the west coast you might remember the incredible heat wave with temperatures approaching 115 degrees F. This caused severe over heating problems with the existing cooling system, which made for many unplanned stops along the way. While we did have many great conversations waiting for the car to cool, some with our feet in a Sierra Nevada river, we knew this was unsustainable. Another issue that became noticeable during our second event was the wicked noises coming from the clutch, rear differential as well as the driveshaft. On the positive side of the coin, the car turned, stopped and handled incredibly well and we managed to complete the roughly 1,500 mile event under our own power. We were also able to establish that the car is extremely fast and with that the stock seats and belts were just not quite enough to hold us in place or to provide even the temporary illusion of safety. Woohoo!

 

Next up were the cooling, cold air intake, clutch, rear diff and driveshaft upgrades along with safety and comfort improvements. We installed a new aluminum radiator, rerouted the upper and lower hoses and changed the cold air intake system to reduce intake temperatures. The transmission got an upgraded flywheel. kevlar/ceramic, 11″ 26-spline clutch, new Tilton T/O bearing and aluminum driveshaft from South Bay driveline…the Z was now ready to drive anywhere.

 

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 200 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback. ZCG CV axles were installed and the rear differential was rebuilt with a new R180 OSG LSD unit, bearings/seals etc.

    

Dyno Tuning

 

Rob dyno tuned the LS via HPtuners software. It put down a stout 408hp/387tq to the wheels:

 

Enjoy this extended video of Ryan and Jeff’s Z including dyno runs, test drive with Rob and engine/exhaust sounds…volume up!

 

Wheels

 

Wheels make the car and a set of VOLK TE37V wheels from another client project ended up replacing the 17″ Rota wheels the Z came with. The TE’s transformed the car!

 

Details

 

After running a successful Targa event in 2022, the Bartel’s returned to ZCG in 2023 for a small list of improvements including rear hatch body work, installing a BRE type rear wing, minor improvements to the suspension, turn signal/high beam and seat rail repairs along with getting the AC system running more reliably. These are the details we excel at:

  

The previous owner left several holes in the firewall behind the evap box, so we removed all A/C components and made a new seal to isolate the cabin from exhaust and heat. In the back, we fixed the rear strut after locating a spacer placed in the coil-overs. With the A/C system sorted, we did hatch seals and pulley/belt on the compressor were all properly aligned.

 

If you are doing spirited driving or long road trips, the Recaro Specialist seat is the best for your Z car! More photos of the interior and roll bar in the galley below

JEFF: To improve safety and hold us in place ZCG installed an Auto Power roll bar with. custom removable harness bar. Rob convinced us upgrade the stock seats to Recaro Specialist seats and 5-point harness system, along with front and rear strut tower braces for increased rigidity. New Hella H4 headlights were also added to replace the original ones that barely worked. Ryan and I had Rob’s team add a 330mm  Momo steering wheel.

 

Exterior paint by our man William, modified rear spoiler some BRE side-view mirrors top the cosmetic changes:

 

Driving is Believing

 

Jeff lives in Central CA while Ryan lives in Arizona. They share this car Father and Son and we get reports from each of them sharing how much they love the car now.

JEFF: With cooling, driveline, safety and comfort addressed and plenty of test miles on the car, we set out for our third CA Targa event in May 2022. This event took place close to home in the Paso Robles wine country. The event was over 1,000 miles, covering many excellent canyon roads. Starting with a 390 mile bonsai run from Phoenix AZ to Los Angeles CA and continuing for up through the central coast of CA. During that time, we beat on the car mercilessly, and the car ran pretty darn flawlessly. Needless to say, third time was the charm, and the trip was a smashing success.

 

The Father/Son duo would go on to successfully complete the Targa California rallies in 2023 and 2024, followed by numerous driving events and gatherings. Each time they were super stoked with the Z…

RYAN: Targa ‘24 is a wrap. Over 2100 miles from AZ to Monterey and back. Some fantastic roads, 2 historic race tracks, endless good times and some of the best people around. That’s Jeff Bartel grinning in the drivers seat. Getting to run the rally’s with him has been a gift. Looking forward to the next one, and hopefully the Targa AZ works out. Gonna start pre running next week.

   

RYAN: The Japanese Corvette on the final day of the 2023 #targacalifornia. Over a thousand miles in a long weekend with some great humans, new roads and beautiful cars. The recipe for the car is at last perfect thanks to Rob and @zcargarage. All that and to top it off I get to do that whole thing with my father. Looking forward to the first Arizona Targa this fall.

Thank You!

 

We enjoyed working you Ryan and Jeff. Thanks for you support and keep making memories while Enjoying The Ride in your Z!

 

 

 

At Z Car Garage we love keeping Z’s on the road. From concours-level restorations to light refurbishments, helping a client realize their vision is our passion. CJ shipped his 1971 Datsun 240Z from Durango, Colorado for final mechanical sorting, ZCG-style. Our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles and Z Car Garage Heat Shield along with a new drivetrain make this the Z of CJ’s dreams.

 

CJ’s Z Story

Before we dive in to the project let’s hear how CJ got his Z car…

CJ: “When I was in my teens I was a huge WRC fan, and rally led to my passion for Japanese cars. Video games like Sega GT and Gran Turismo also helped. I think my first exposure to classic Z cars was when I was about 17 and it was probably in a bootleg Wangan Midnight VHS that my buddies and I found at a Japanese video rental place. I’ve loved the aesthetic of the S30 since that time. It’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve dreamed of an S30 with factory fender flares, an air dam, and a 432 style wing for over half my life, but I never had an opportunity to own one.”

 

In 2017 CJ acquired his best friend Travis’ 1971 project car that hadn’t run since the 1990s. Over the next four years, and with significant help from his wife, the duo restored or refurbished just about every part of the car.

   

CJ: “We fully refurbished the dash, redid the entire interior, and mechanically refreshed the brakes and drivetrain. The exterior received new factory matching paint, new gaskets, tail lights and corner lights I refurbished, RS Watanabe wheels, and flares from Marugen Shoukai. The car also got BC coilovers, Techno Toy Tuning arms and subframe components. The L24 was replaced with an L28 and triple Mikunis, assembled in my garage. There are so many good memories wrapped up in the restoration of this car and it was a blast to learn new skills throughout the process.”

 

In October 2020, with the engine he built with his Dad the car drove under its own power. CJ was proud, and the moment was satisfying and exhilarating, right up until it wasn’t. He had been building drift cars since the early 2000s but the first drive of this car made it clear that if he wanted a car that was sturdy, reliable, and confident to take on road trips, he’d need to get some help from a specialist…

 

CJ: “And that’s where Z Car Garage came in. I’d been an avid reader of the Z Car Blog throughout the restoration and had even spoken to Rob occasionally about various issues. There was never any question as to where I wanted to send the car for finishing school. So in Spring of 2021 I shipped the car from my small Colorado mountain town to San Jose. The initial plan was to have Rob and the crew bring it that extra 10% to completion. Thankfully Rob understood my vision and suggested additional work to ensure I actually wound up with the car I’d been dreaming of for so long.”

After discussions with CJ we took on his project and he signed on to get our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles and bring his Z to the finish line.

 

Drivetrain

 

After sorting the engine and installing brakes/suspension we were stoked to get CJ’s car running. Before hitting the dyno we always do a test drive on the street and we noticed low oil pressure on the dash gauge, despite lack of obvious noises or behavior. Low oil pressure unfortunately was confirmed with our own gauge, and so we were at a crossroads with this 2.8 engine that CJ assembled together with his Dad. A decision was made to send it to Rebello Racing for a 3.0L build and it really came alive. CJ already provided the ph44 Mikuni carbs and we installed what every triple-carbed L-series needs: a ZCG Heat Shield!

  

A Moroso competition baffled oil pan prevents oil starvation with high cornering loads:

 

Cj was having header fitment issues. We ensured clearance was no longer an issue with a Fujitsubo exhaust system from manifold to muffler. These newer units have better fitment, but every car is different. More photos of the exhaust system in the gallery below:

        The engine bay turned out great with general clean-up and sorting:

 

Driveline Upgrades

With the 3L engine in we focused on the transmission and rear axle. To handle the power from the 3L engine we replaced the stock 4-speed with a Nissan KA24 (FS5W71C) transmission. This was a common swap (before the CD009a came to market) performed by modifying a 280Z L-series bell housing. When we upgraded the transmission we also installed a JWT HD clutch with aluminum flywheel:

 Helping put the power down efficiently is an OS Giken LSD. The R180 houses a 4.11 R&P and the assembly is setup in-house (by Joshua Corwin):

   

As CJ mentioned, he is avid reader of our zcarblog and no stranger to the “Butters” phenomenon: clients desire a similar setup for their own S30s. Our 1971 shop demo Z Mrs. Butters proudly features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, ZCG Heat Shield, 6-speed transmission, full KW suspension (releasing soon) and 3.2L engine with triple-Mikuni induction. 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 200 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

  

We replaced the existing CV Axles (left) with ZCG units (Right). CJ received set #00395. Also visible are the T3 control arms:

 

Dyno Tuning

 

Rob dyno tuned the Rebello 3L engine with jetting, A/F and performance in mind as CJ would be driving this Z at 6,500ft above elevation. It put down a stout 261hp/220tq to the wheels:

 

Enjoy the L-series music in this extended video of CJ’s Z including dyno runs, test drive with Rob and engine/exhaust sounds…volume up!

 

ZCG Big-Brakes

We are proud to have several of our ZCG products on CJ’s 240z. We installed our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) which have the been standard on numerous ZCG builds. As fellow S30 owner/racer Glenn C mentioned in his review, on top of braking performance, pedal feel is extremely important and our Big-Brakes deliver. This is a direct result of working with engineers at Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments. All fitting behind a 15″ Watanabe or Panasport wheel (and some 14″ wheels) and retaining factory emergency brake lever.

  

We removed the stock brakes and installed our ZCG Big-Brake kit. Not only do they perform, they look great behind the 15×8 Watanabe wheels!

     At the rear, the factory drum brakes were replaced with our ZCG Big-Brakes. New OEM Nissan master cylinder and Factory handbrake functionality IS retained!

Details

 

Cj’s project involved more than installation of our ZCG performance upgrades and dyno tuning. We nut and bolted the entire car, installed T3 RCAs to fix suspension geometry up front, set the ride height, scaled and aligned it. The gas tank was removed and all fuel recovery hoses replaced along with a new fuel pump. The clutch pedal was removed to allow welding-up of the pivot hole that had wallowed-out. This ensures proper clutch travel to work with his new KA24 transmission/clutch combo. The master cylinder, slave and hose were replaced with all new Nissan OEM components.

 

Driving is Believing

  

CJ’s Z was shipped back to Colorado in November and we are happy to report he is Enjoying the Ride in his dream Z…

CJ:  “Like so many project cars, the goals of the build evolved and the car grew into something significantly more impressive than the onset of the build. Throughout the car’s time at ZCG Rob was great to work with and he always understood my vision and explained how to make it real. By the time the car came back to me in November of 2022 it may have still looked like the car I sent away, but the similarities were skin deep. From the brakes to the drivetrain the guts of the car were totally new and upgraded.”

   

CJ was impressed with the upgrades from Z Car Garage:

CJ:“The car is incredible now. It is an absolute animal when you give it full beans and the sounds and sensations it creates for me as a driver are like nothing I’ve ever experienced in a car. It is well mannered and drivable at low speeds and can cruise comfortably and quietly in 5^th on the highway, but the instant you open up the right pedal it will shove you back in your seat with a massive grin on your face. The best thing about the car to me is the way each piece is set up to work together. The new ZCG brakes and axles work with the new transmission, OS Giken diff, suspension set up, and stout Rebello 3L to deliver a driving experience that is both exciting and confidence inspiring.”

 

CJ: “One of the coolest things about these old Z cars is the variety of people who love them. When I am out for drives I am just as likely to encounter a 19 year old kid who loves the car as I am to encounter a 79 year old with the same enthusiasm.”

We enjoyed working with you CJ, thank you for your support! Enjoy the photo gallery below.

Rob: “We enjoyed working with CJ, not only does he have a bitchin’ Z car, he’s fun to work with, very responsive and we had great conversations. He did not hold back in communicating his needs and we were happy to deliver the goods like we always try to. Honored to have folks locally and globally that want to work with ZCG. Thank you so much CJ, Long Live The Z.”

…[read more]

We have the pleasure of continually developing Dirk’s 1973 Datsun 240z to help achieve his vision of a Z car that is adept on the street and track. Improving the driving experience are our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, Silvia 6-speed transmission and a host of chassis and driveline upgrades.

 

Dirk shares his experience working with us:

“Collaborating closely with Rob and ZCG has elevated the optimization process. Rob will frequently talk me out of a bad idea, or into a good one (like the OS Giken LSD). Sometimes I talk him into a bad idea and it turns out to work really well, like the S15 gearbox. The most fun is when we brainstorm stuff together like turning the catch can setup into an improvised simple PCV system, eliminating all hints of oil fumes from the car while running.”

Datsun 510, 620 and Z car love

Since our last iteration, Dirk as been back to Z Car Garage for a few major projects. Let’s take a look at his Datsun story first. Dirk bought his first Datsun in 2014, a 1970 510, to learn how to work on cars himself. After learning more about the history of Datsun, and the significance of both the 510 and the 240Z in establishing Japanese cars in the American market, he knew he had to own a Z as well.

  

A year later, the right Z showed up on eBay in Texas, a 1973 in silver gray. After pouring over the photos and talking to the seller, Dirk bought the car sight unseen. The idea was to have a nice Z to enjoy and drive, while continuing to work on the (sometimes not) rolling restoration of his 510. The car was lovingly restored by a dad and his children and in mostly stock condition. Dirk also has Datsun 620 work truck complete with dual-Mikuni’s:

  After many more tweaks, different induction setups, spring rate changes, rebuilt stock brakes, and 24K miles of driving including a few track days, Dirk’s Z was inching closer and closer to his vision.

 Photos: Dito Milian/Gotbluemilk.com 

“After installing a Datsun Spirit STR-3 engine with a set of Nismo Mikuni PHH44 carburetors, the biggest weak spots left were the rest of the drivetrain (especially the stock 4-speed transmission, but the Subaru diff had also developed some bearing issues), the stock brakes, and of course the loose nut behind the wheel – but sadly that last component typically takes too much money and time to modify thoroughly.”

  

After comparing the Z to his Subaru BRZ on the track, it was clear the Z was better at everything except for shifting gears. Since his engine made a healthy amount of torque, but not enough to warrant a CD009 (350z) transmission, Dirk kept looking for alternatives. He also wanted something with slightly closer gear ratios to better suit the engine’s power band. An S15 Silvia 6-speed seemed like the perfect fit and we installed it back in 2019.

S15 6-speed transmission

  

The first S15 box had some weak synchros, so Dirk sourced another one that was installed with OE trans fluid, as well as a set of fresh OE motor and trans mounts to help with shifter feel and reduce vibrations in the car.

“The S15 transmission fit surprisingly well. ZCG built a custom crossmember to locate it, and the shifter lined up almost perfectly. No transmission tunnel mods were necessary. The modern shifter looked out of place, so ZCG built a custom unit that would look stock, and work with the Datsun competition shift knob. A small 6-speed shift pattern sticker modeled after the one used in the Silvia is the only clue there’s something different going on under this car. And of course the driving experience.”

Making the S15 shifter look factory, we are happy with the result and Dirk’s subtle shift pattern sticker:

   

The Datsun Comp shift knob complements the steering wheel:

 

Chassis and Driveline Upgrades

First, there was work to upgrade the steering geometry and suspension. With the car being lowered quite a bit, despite having 1″ RCAs installed, it had a ton of bump steer. Rob installed DP racing adjustable tie rods, removed the front springs, and completely eliminated the bump steer on the alignment rack while moving the suspension through its full range of motion.

New DP Racing tie-rods and in-house alignment:

 

We also refurbished Dirk’s steering rack with fresh parts from our stash:

 

With the Z back in the shop for bodywork we took the opportunity to make more suspension changes. New Koni Race shocks from T3 were installed, which were a much better match for the 300# and 350# spring rates than the Koni Sport shocks they replaced (as Dirk initially ordered the coil overs with lower spring rates, he never replaced the shocks after adjusting the spring rates, and the car always felt underdamped, particularly on the not-adjustable compression stroke):

 

ZCG Big-Brakes and CV Axles

    Dirk visited ZCG and drove “Mrs. Butters”, our 1970 Series 1 240z shop demo car and he was sold on our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles! Butters has a way of doing this to our customers 🙂 As fellow S30 owner/racer Glenn C mentioned in his review, on top of braking performance, pedal feel is extremely important and our Big-Brakes deliver. This is a direct result of working with Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments. All fitting behind a 15″ Watanabe or Panasport wheel and retaining factory emergency brake lever! A few details below:

Calipers: Stoptech ST42 4-piston front & rear race calipers (Alum 6061 mil-spec Type III anodized)

Rotors: 280mm x 20.6 with Alum 7075 hats

Pads: Stoptech 309 sport street pads

Blog posts documenting all of our customers running the ZCG Big-Brakes can be found HERE.

A few closer detail shots of the calipers, rotors and hardware:

   

We removed Dirk’s stock brakes and installed our ZCG Big-Brake kit.

 ZCG Big-brakes replacing stock setup up front:

   

At the rear, the factory drum brakes were replaced with our ZCG Big-Brakes. Factory handbrake functionality retained!

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

  

Also visible on Dirk’s Z are the excellent adjustable lower control arms from Techno Toy Tuning.

  

3 Liter L-Series Power

Unfortunately, the Datsun Spirit engine developed rod knock which was the impetus for a big drivetrain upgrade. Several other parts of the car where refined as well.

 

The L28 engine was pulled, sent to Rebello, and built into a 3L powerhouse. Dave bored out the 44PHH venturis to a custom 38.5mm, to hit the perfect compromise between peak power and drivability. We also installed a fresh water pump, alternator, new fan blade, OEM fan clutch and fresh air filters. The beautiful DP Racing oil pan remained. More photos in the gallery below:

 A custom stainless 2.5″ mandrel-bent exhaust mates with a new set of coated Pacesetter headers and Z Story Street muffler (in a search for a reduction in volume while keeping a nice note). Dirk discusses the clutch/flywheel combo below:

 

“The STR-3 already was able to slip the Exedy clutch and we were never fans of the Chromoly steel flywheel. A Jim Wolf Technologies clutch and flywheel combo was installed after first trying a newly developed Kameari single plate street clutch kit, which we both found too loud and racy for this street car. While the JWT pressure plate yielded a different pedal feel that took some getting used too, it was not too heavy and perfectly comfortable to drive in traffic. More importantly, it never slipped under any kind of abuse.”

The clutch hydraulics were replaced to work with new alumimum flywheel/JWT HD clutch combo:

  

We installed a ZCG-built 4.11 OS Giken limited-slip differential in the R180 along with a custom aluminum driveshaft:

   

Dyno Tuning

 

The previous L28 made 202hp/194tq at the wheels with Rob’s tuning. Now with the fresh 3L it baselined at 245hp/226tq with more area under the curve:

 

Rob tuned the car further on the chassis dyno, setting it up with a very lean idle at Dirk’s request (to minimize gasoline fumes at idle). With A/F optimized and Nismo Mikuni carbs massaged, Rob unlocked another 20hp yielding a stout 265hp/232tq to the wheels:

  

With gains of 62hp/37tq at the wheels over the L28, Dirk is very happy with the new 3L:

“While the Datsun Spirit engine had a very peppy mid-range and made more delicious induction noises, there’s no argument that the more powerful Rebello engine elevated the car to the next level of performance and fun. The entire setup worked incredibly well together, and we hit an impressive 265hp at the rear wheels, or 60hp more than the engine made in its previous iteration, putting it in the 100hp/liter ballpark at the crank. Not bad for a dinosaur engine on California pump gas!”

Enjoy the dyno video and L-series music!

 

Sorting

The little things are what we excel at and Dirk had a list for us to knock out. While at ZCG, we replaced the heavily sandblasted OE windshield, and did some rust remediation in the cowl area, as Dirk had started noticing water making it into the interior fan assembly after washing the car. More photos in the gallery below:

  

The heater and blower motor assembly was refurbished with new ducting seals and lubed linkage:

 

The headlight switch had also developed some issues where sometimes the lights would turn off completely when switching between low and high beam, and was replaced with a good used example from the ZCG parts stash.

“The headlights now worked reliably, the new engine didn’t consume any significant amount of oil, and the whole drivetrain worked together even better than before with the new clutch and flywheel combo.”

 

Unfortunately, 7 months and many miles later, Dirk was back after a minor nighttime crash that took out the left fender, front bumper and valance, and dented the hood. After bodywork and paint from our man William from William’s Auto Body, we installed a euro front bumper, used turn signal assembly, cleaned up electrical wiring from alternator through firewall and sorted his Speedhut GPS speedo box.

  

To improve safety, comfort, and avoid future crashes, Dirk upgraded his headlights to a new set of Holley Retrobrights, and GTR Carbide 2.0 turn signal bulbs front and rear from Headlight Revolution.

“The headlights are a world ahead of the old Maxxima LED units, which themselves outperformed the Sylvania Halogen sealed beams, while staying very under the radar, with their sealed beam-inspired looks. And the turn signals are now highly noticeable, even in the brightest daylight.”

 

Enjoying the Ride

Dirk’s been driving his Z-car pretty much every day since the latest upgrades, and it’s been working phenomenally well:

“The drivetrain + brakes make it as happy to accelerate as it is to stop, and with the quick, closely spaced shifts and eager engine, it’s fun to do a casual grocery run, and to drive quickly. With the electrical systems and all fumes well under control, it’s truly a car you can do anything with, and probably more reliable than my BMW.”

 

We loved to see Dirk driving his Z on rallies and fun runs this year. Most recently we joined fellow Japanese vintage car owners on the Tokyo Calling event hosted by Breakfast Club Rally:

 

Dirk also joined us for a New Year’s Day drive through our favorite Bay Area Backroads:

 

We enjoyed working with you Dirk and it was rewarding to help improve your Z.

“Some say good is the enemy of great, but that’s true if you think you’re done. I don’t see my Z car less as a “build” that’s done. I’m always developing it, just like continually developing a race car (e.g. my Lemons car, http://instagram.com/bittersc243) to stay competitive. In this case the competition is merely for making the Z into the most fun driving experience I can imagine, and the journey of continuous refinement and improvement is a big part of the fun for me.”

 

While Dirk works through a few interior projects (new carpets, stereo upgrade) on his own, we’re getting ready to further revise the front suspension/steering, and wider wheel + tire options. Enjoy more photo documentation of our work in the gallery below. Thanks for your support Dirk and LONG LIVE THE Z!

 

 

We love to see owners installing our Z Car Garage CV Axles on their vintage Nissans and Datsuns. Julio added this 1972 Skyline to his collection and had the team at KaiserKars replace the old CVs with our ZCG CV Axles. You may have seen the Hakosuka at at events in the SoCal area and we are proud to be part of it!

 

We met Julio last year at the Japanese Classic Car Show where his Skyline was on display in the Hagerty booth. He pleasantly informed us that he was running ZCG CV Axles and we are happy to report that the team at KaiserKars installed them with ease at their facility in Los Alamitos, Ca:

“Our in-house technician said the installation process was very straightforward and simple, basically just a bolt on/bolt off slid right in and bolted each axle to the differential and it was finished. It went as smooth as it could go.”

 

The team at KaiserKars sent us a few installation pictures of the ZCG CV Axles replacing the old CVs. They shared their experience:

“We were recommended the upgraded CV Axles by a friend of ours that pointed us to Rob. The Skyline came with some rear differential knocking/popping issues, the upgrade fixed the problem. We eventually got in contact with Rob himself and he asked us a few things in regards to what was currently on the car. We think they were a kit by the previous owner but they were completely shot and beyond rebuilding.”

  

Skyline Dreams

 

The Hakosuka Skyline is undeniably a JDM icon. We asked Julio about his history with Japanese classics:

“I have been a car geek all my life, but as all guys my age, Fast and Furious, Gone in 60 Seconds, Motorweek and the Saturday/Sunday cable shows were the culprits for my love of all cars. But once I watched Hot Version/Option, and Initial D anime I was smitten by JDM cars and culture, I longed to ride in a GTR, drift an AE86 and own all the unicorn cars I grew to idolize. So far the hunt is on and I seem to be collecting them like others collect Hotwheels. The Hakosuka has been a love affair for me as I regret selling my last one in a bad deal but this one makes up for that bad memory and I could not be happier with its stance, power and aura.”

The Hako features some of our favorite parts like the Rebello 3.2L with Jenvey ITB induction:

 

In addition to the upgraded ZCG CV Axles the Hako also has an R200 LSD diff, 5-speed transmission, 16″ Watanabe R-Type wheels (8.5/9.5), Rubber Soul stainless exhaust system and T3 suspension. Outside, the body is VW Limestone Grey Metallic with carbon fiber flares, GT-Kai badging and re-finished bumpers in eggshell black. More pictures in the gallery below!

 

Thank you for your support Julio, it was great meeting you at JCCS! Also, thank you to KaiserKars we look forward to working with you! Please read below for more information on our ZCG CV Axles:

ZCG CV Axles

Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. These are 100% bolt-in replacing your half-shafts and does not use aluminum adapters commonly found in aftermarket units. We have over 150+ CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

   

For years we have used aftermarket CV axles that utilize an aluminum adapter prone to loosening up over time. Despite efforts to keep things tight (Loctite, hardware changes) we had to keep an eye on them. We developed a better solution that eliminates the need for aluminum adapters and remains 100% bolt-in like a factory half-shaft.

  

Designed and manufactured locally with KAD Models, the ZCG CV axle kit works in both R180 and R200 configurations.

  

These are the beefiest CV axles on the market. They have been tested on the track by our vintage racing customers and also in high hp* street cars (powershifting, clutch dumps, etc.). Each axle has a serial # for peace of mind:

 

The CV axle kit is available now from ZCG for 1595.00 + freight and they come with everything you need to install on your car. Contact us at 408-452-0350 or send Rob an e-mail rob@zcargarage.com to purchase. Installation is just like doing a half-shaft: there is even a marking that shows you where to line up bolts and special hardware:

 

The ZCG CV Axles in action

The video below demonstrates the “looseness” associated with aftermarket CV axles that use adapters compared to the ZCG axles without adapters. Several customer race/street cars running our CV axles are also shown. Enjoy!

 

Enjoy this video made by our client Hazel. She installed our ZCG CV Axles on her Hazel’s 1970 Datsun 240Z

 

Over 150 sets of our ZCG CV Axles are installed in client’s cars all over the world:

Supermachine in Tokyo, Japan is running our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles in their Series Datsun 240Z:

 

Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou is running our ZCG CV Axles in this IMSA GTU 260z race car!

  

Racer Brad H is running ZCG CV Axles in his IMSA GTU race car:

  

Race car driver and restoration specialist Jim Froula of Racecraft is running ZCG axles in several of his cars:

Set #246 – installed May 2018 on the “Harry Stewart #52” Datsun 510:

  

Set #247 – installed April 2018 on the 260z

  

Set #248 – installed on Adam Carolla’s “Greg Sorrentino #90” Datsun 510.

  …[read more]

Vince S called Z Car Garage after he scored this 1973 Datsun 240Z from our friends at Bring a Trailer. After we got the Z up here from SoCal we found that it needed some work for Vince to really Enjoy The Ride. Our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles along with a full suspension refresh and engine tuning make it just right.

 

Z Destiny

Before we explore the upgrades, let’s take a look at how Vince found his Z car…

“I’m incredibly lucky to own my Z. It was sold new in Decatur, IL on August 10, 1973. The car was supposedly purchased from the 2nd owner who reportedly had it for over 30 years in 2018 by a dealer in Oakland who then sold it to the collector I bought it from. I first saw the car in 2019 parked in my neighbor’s driveway. At the time, I was looking for a 240Z to buy. In high school I had a 1978 280Z that I took to college but it was prone to overheating and I blew a head gasket and didn’t have the money to fix it. I sold it in 1990 and regretted it ever since. So, when I saw a 1973 240Z sitting in that driveway, I knocked on my neighbor’s door and asked if he wanted to sell it.”

“Turns out the Z didn’t belong to him. He was transporting it from Oakland to Carmel and then on to L.A. for a friend who was a collector. The friend already owned two 240Zs (he has one of the 37 Zs that were part of Nissan’s Vintage Restoration Program) and he wanted my Z for it’s a/c components and other bits to complete one of his cars (he later decided it was too good of a car to use for parts). Although I couldn’t buy my Z that day, my neighbor let me go for a quick drive around the block. Fast forward to April 2020 and that very same Z is being auctioned on Bring a Trailer.”

 

  

Chassis and Suspension Upgrades

 

With Vince’s Z finally at the shop we proceeded with upgrades to make it a fantastic, reliable driver. For our clients that are cruising with occasional “spirited” driving we installed our “Stage 1/light street” suspension.  New parts from Techno Toy Tuning included adjustable T/C rods and rear lower control arms. We really appreciate Gabriel and his staff at T3. They make some of the best suspension parts out there for Z cars.

A full front suspension rebuild included new rack bushings, front control arm bushings, ball-joints, tie-rods, new wheel bearings front and rear (OEM genuine Nissan seals/parts), KYB strut inserts, Eibach lowering springs trimmed Macpherson bumps stops for full travel and a ST sway bar set.

   

ZCG Big-Brakes and CV Axles

Brakes: every vintage Z car that we build here gets the ultimate setup: our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes for small wheels.  Everyone that drives our 1971 Series 1 240z shop demo car is sold on our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes  and Z Car Garage CV Axles! Butters has a way of doing this to our customers 🙂 Read below for a brief description of these parts:

     

As fellow S30 owner/racer Glenn C mentioned in his review, on top of braking performance, pedal feel is extremely important and our Big-Brakes deliver. This is a direct result of working with engineers at Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments. All fitting behind a 15″ Watanabe or Panasport wheel (and some 14″ wheels) and retaining factory emergency brake lever! A few details below: Calipers: Stoptech ST42 4-piston front & rear race calipers (Alum 6061 mil-spec Type III anodized) Rotors: 280mm x 20.6 with Alum 7075 hats Pads: Stoptech 309 sport street pads Blog posts documenting all of our customers running the ZCG Big-Brakes can be found HERE. A few closer detail shots of the calipers, rotors and hardware:

  

We removed Vince’s brakes and installed our ZCG Big-Brake kit with a new brake master cylinder from Nissan, rebuilt brake booster and parking brake assembly.

 

New brake master cylinder from Nissan and stock vs Big-Brakes:

  At the rear, the factory drum brakes were replaced with our ZCG Big-Brakes. Factory handbrake functionality IS retained!

 

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

  

Vince has CV Axle set #341. Stock half shafts (L) and ZCG units:

   

ZCG CV axles installed:

 

Panasport Wheels

Complementing the new springs and shocks on Vince’s Z are Panasport wheels! We replaced the stock steel wheels (kept for shows) with 16×7 Panasports and Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires in 225/50/16.