We have several exciting projects at the shop that will get full reports on zcarblog.com. This is only a brief sample, please tune into our Instagram story for more sights and sounds.

Return of the #46 BRE Datsun 240Z!

 

The BRE #46 Z is back from paint by our man William and it is finally getting the hand-painted livery applied at the shop as I write this. You may recall that the Z was flipped on to its roof with John Morton at the wheel racing at the 2019 Classic 24hr race at Daytona International Speedway

 

The Z will be re-assembled, dyno tuned and tested in a few weeks at Sonoma with our hero John Morton and Rob Fuller! Super amped to see #46 back in fighting form and very happy for owner Randy Jaffe. Check our IG story to see the livery being applied by hand, this is a lost art and incredible to watch.

 

1970 Salt Flat Racer Datsun 240z

This historically significant 1970 Datsun 240z was built by a team of Nissan employees to compete at Bonneville in the F/GT class. In 1976 their efforts resulted in a new land speed record of 166.037 mph, which stood unbroken until 1985. This Z resided in the Nissan Museum and is now in the care of Randy Jaffe. Lots of neat details the Z 432R seats and G-nose. More to come! Big thanks to Randy and Nissan for letting us bring this Z back to life. We just finished the exhaust and dyno tuning,

 One of many Z32s we are working on, Steve’s will get a full report soon as well as the Stillen SMZ:

 

Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z returned for a Rebello 3.2L with triple-Mikuni carbs on a Harada intake and CD009a 6-speed transmission:

     

Several S30 Z cars are getting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) like these two 280zs:

Ed B’s 240z and a pretty 280Z

 

Khang’s Z getting a 3.2L with Jenvey ITB EFI and our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) plus our Z Car Garage CV Axles.

 

The OMS Pace Car

This is a 1972 Official OMS Pace Car Duplicate. It is at present one of only two known survivors. Fifty were originally produced by Nissan Motors to commemorate the DATSUN 240Z being selected by the Ontario Motor Speedway to Pace the 1972 “U.S.A.C. California 500 Championship”. This one belongs to our long time customer and friend Linda. More to come!

B-Sedan Datsun 510s!

 

Larry Oka’s B-sedan is getting built and prepped with our Z Car Garage CV Axles. The Corky Bell 510 is also scheduled for a full restoration:

 

R32 Skylines!

 

Mike’s R32 GT-R is back for turbo, fueling and exhaust upgrades, full report soon! #TETUESDAY

 

We just got this really clean R32 GTS-T in:

Dyno Tuning your 350z/370z/Q/G

We have been dyno tuning your late model Nissan/Infiniti sports car daily. Bolt-ons, UPREV tuning, “popcorn” maps. Our customers leave happy with more performance. Call us to schedule an appointment! Here are just a few cars:

 

LONG LIVE THE Z! Check out our Instagram story for more updates!

 

We met Lehan in the summer of 2018 when he came to Z Car Garage with his newly acquired (KH2) 1991 Skyline GTR. After learning that these cars can be made smog compliant, he found this car locally (originally imported by our friend Sean and his team at Toprank International Vehicle Importers) and picked it up right away. We replaced the clutch and flywheel with an OS Giken TS2CD setup, replaced the rear main seal and fresh clutch hydraulics.

 

“I’ve changed the wheels and exhaust to more of my liking, replaced worn rubber parts and trim pieces, and added some Nismo bling. My goal with the car is to keep it looking mostly stock, but update the drivetrain to more modern tech, hence the Haltech ecu. In the future I may replace the 30 year old turbos but keep it to a modest hp gain, and replace the Attesa G-sensor with a digital unit. I will probably keep the HICAS system just because, and learn to drive with it on the track.”

 

Haltech ECU and Tuning

 

In March of 2019 we installed a Haltch Platium Pro Plug-in. It was set up to run MAP-based with the Haltech WB1 single channel wideband 02. We are huge fans of Haltech engine management. Rob performed street/dyno tuning tuned on 91 octane with baseline numbers of 260hp/253tq and with the Haltech making 337hp/280tq at the rear wheels:

 

Enjoy the dyno video!

Stoptech Big Brakes

All 90’s Nissan sports cars can benefit from larger brakes and Stoptech has got you covered. Another Norcal Skyline member Kurt W also had Stoptech brakes installed at ZCG, and he highly recommended them. Lehan’s R32 received ST40 calipers with 332mm rotors up front and ST22 caliper with 328mm rotors at the rear.

 

A few pictures of the brake installation:

 

The brakes look great behind the BBS wheels. During the brake upgrade we replaced all fluids: both diffs, tranny and transfer case.

 

Lehan took the R32 to a track day it performed admirably. He did experienced high oil temps, another common issue when tracking these cars. A new oil cooler will be installed next. Over all he’s please with the Skyline’s upgrades:

“Every visit to fix or update something just makes the car more awesome to drive. It feels much more lively and torquey after the tune. Best part is I can drive it as hard as I can knowing it’s been tuned safely and backed by modern engine management. It’s a similar feeling with the StopTech brakes on track – without it I would not have been able to push braking points. The steering feel and overall composure of the car is top notch, especially after the tune. I’m very happy with the car as is, but definitely looking forward to any future mods.”

 

***HAPPY HOLIDAYS From Z Car Garage***

 

One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the new year. From all of us at Z Car Garage we thank our friends, family and customers again for another exciting and productive year! Enjoy our 2020 recap and upcoming projects. Please note our holiday closure below:

 

ZCG will be closed from 12/23/20 and we will re-open for business on 1/5/21.

 

 

Before we take a look back at highlights from 2020, here several exciting customer projects coming along at the shop:

 

Richard’s Sunshine yellow (#919) 1971 Datsun 240z came to us in 2018 and received a total mechanical restoration with upgrades including a 3.1L with triple-mikuni ph44s, KA24 5-speed transmission, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels), Z Car Garage CV Axles and Z Car Garage Heat Sheild.

 

We also upgraded the interior with leather Recaro seats and sound deadening. Stay tuned for a full report!

 

Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z returned for a Rebello 3.2L with triple-Mikuni carbs on a Harada intake and CD009a 6-speed transmission:

    

Dirk’s 1973 Datsun 240z is back for a 3.0L engine and tuning, we can’t wait to show you the dyno results!

 

This historically significant 1970 Datsun 240z was built by a team of Nissan employees to compete at Bonneville in the F/GT class. In 1976 their efforts resulted in a new land speed record of 166.037 mph, which stood unbroken until 1985. This Z resided in the Nissan Museum and is now in the care of Randy Jaffe. Lots of neat details the Z 432R seats and G-nose. More to come! Big thanks to Randy and Nissan for letting us bring this Z back to life.

 

One of many Z32s we are working on, Steve’s will get a full report soon:

 

 

Highlights from 2020

 

Even though 2020 was crazy year  for all of us we still managed to have fun on and off the track. The shop made some really great progress as well.

Enjoy these highlights from 2020 and  Z you in the New Year!

 

240Z

Mrs. Butters Shop Series1

PROJECTZ: Jason’s 1971 Datsun 240z

Hard Habit to Break: Bruce’s Two 1970 Datsun 240z’s

PARTS: Z Car Garage Big-Brakes for Jaime’s 1972 Datsun 240z

KAMIKAZ: Randy’s 1970 Datsun 240z

AWESOME Z: Bill’s 1970 Datsun 240z

Yoni’s 1972 Datsun 240z

Greg’s 1973 Datsun 240z

Daisy’s 1972 Datsun 240z

Do It Yourself: Ken’s 1970 Datsun 240z

Dave’s 1972 Datsun 240z

280Z

Life is a Journey, Enjoy the Ride: Cece’s 1977 Datsun 280z

Greg’s 1977 Datsun 280Z

Long Live The Z: Ruth and Larry’s 1978 Datsun 280Z

Triple Six: David’s 1975 Datsun 280z

Rallye With Family: Geoff’s 1972 Datsun 240z

300zx

Love Thy Monster: Paul’s 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

Jay’s 1990 Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo

Worth the Wait: Chris’ 1992 Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo

 

Silvia, Bluebird, 510, DR30 and Fairlady Roadster

Rick’s 1965 Nissan Silvia

High School Sweetheart: Kevin’s Datsun Bluebird SSS

Mark’s 1972 Datsun 510

TUNING: Eric Straw’s SR20-Powered Datsun Roadster

 

350Z

For The Track: Dan’s Supercharged Nissan 350z

Josh’s Supercharged Nissan 350z

TUNING: UPREV and EcuTek Dyno Tuning For Your Z/G

 

370z

Big Brakes and More Boost for Max’s Stillen Supercharged 370z

 

R32

Mike’s 1991 Nissan Skyline GT-R

Racing

RACE REPORT: David Love Vintage Races with CSRG at Sonoma

RACE REPORT: Datsun 510s Rule at Laguna Seca!

 

Rallyes/Events

Breakfast Club

DWA Rally From home South

Z Car Garage Datsun 240Zs Enjoying The Ride!

Happy 510 Day!

PARTS: Z Car Garage Big-Brakes on Two Datsun 240Zs

EVENTS: Fuel Supply Co. Cars & Coffee 2/29

EVENTS: Cars and Coffee with Driving While Awesome!

 

Media

MEDIA: ZCG Shop Tour with Hoonigan Autofocus

MEDIA: James’ Z Featured on Hoonigan Autofocus!

MEDIA: ZCG-Built Datsun Roadster on Hoonigan Autofocus

 

 

 

Enjoy The Ride!

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Z Car Garage! We hope you can find time to Enjoy The Ride over the holidays. Please note our hours of operation below:

We will be closed today and Friday for Thanksgiving, re-opening Tuesday December 1. Thank you!

 

 

 

Andreas visited Z Car Garage to get his 1983 Nissan Skyline running correctly. We admire these 80’s gems, working on several DR30 Skylines and with a few tweaks plus dyno tuning Andreas was back on the road in proper form.

The Sixth Generation

 

Not familiar with this right-hand drive specimen? Most Americans are familiar with the classic 70’s Skylines and later GT-R series, but this 6th generation (R30) chassis is often overlooked, yet very special in its own right. Andreas’ model is a ’83 Nissan Skyline RS-X and it’s the first iteration of the distinctive “Iron Mask” front end. This generation also marked introduction of the FJ20 engine, though Andreas’ is an early, non-intercooled model:

 

In Japan the R30 sold well and had a great following with Nissan enlisting the famous actor/racer Paul Newman to appear in ad campaigns. The R30 also formed the basis for the insanely cool SuperSilhouette race car:

   

DR30 Ownership

 

With its angular styling, pillar-less windows, killer graphics and FJ20 power what’s not to like? Andreas had been wanting a DR30 for the past 10+ years and after driving Reid’s DR30, it motivated him to finally get one:

“With the help of The Import Guys, I purchased it from auction in June and picked it up in November in Washington and drove it straight home to Northern California. 2 days, almost 1000 miles and it did it perfectly. I have been fixing a few things here and there like a new front lip, interior trim, suspension, brakes and threw back on some OEM parts but my journey with the car is still young. I have auto-x’ed it already and do have my eyes on potential track days.” 

 

Andreas was having problems with the car not revving properly and recalled his discussion with Reid (thanks!) about his and getting work done at Z Car Garage:

“I reached out to Rob for help. Kind of funny, on the day of the appointment to get this issue checked out my car broke down a mile from the shop and he was nice enough to help me tow it there. I have pretty modest goals, I just want a good looking, fun to drive DR30. This one has its issues like most 35+ year old cars but the idea was to get myself a nice project (but a driver). No need for a beauty queen, and no real need for massive power. Give it a refresh, and then just drive the hell out of it.” 

Skyline Sorting at ZCG

 

Since purchasing, this R30 was not running correctly so we started troubleshooting the fuel system. We figured out some of the issues (bad fuel pump, running extremely lean, no fuel getting to motor) and we got Andreas running.

 

Despite new injectors, fuel filter, fuel pump we kept hitting these limiters. The factory ECU wouldn’t allow it to rev over 5krpm so we called our friends from JWT.  Clark Steppler is the master of all vintage ECUs and he worked his magic on the delicate, vintage unit. As you can see from the dyno plot we have full rev range power/tq.

 

Dyno Tuning

  

Rob dyno tuned the FJ20ET, now with full power available to redline it put down 178hp/158tq to the wheels. Impressive power for the time, with a hot-pipe. Nissan really was special in the 80’s!

 

Enjoy this video of the dyno run and Andreas enjoying the DR30:

 

While the Skyline was here we replaced the front control arm bushings with new Superpro bushings:

 

Andreas was driving the car when he felt a loss in power. We discovered a boost leak in the hot pipe and resolved it. In Andreas’ words “No issues now and car runs like a dream.”

 

Enjoying The Ride

 

With the engine sorted Andreas has been driving his Skyline everywhere, happily boosting. Ps…did we mention how good it looks on the Longchamp wheels?

 

He even made it out to the recent Norcal Skylines Matsuri 2020, an event we were lucky to attend last year:

 

“I want a car I can have fun with and drive hard), not something that I just take to cars and coffee. So I appreciate all the help he gave me to get my car back up and running and back to its former glory!”

 

Thanks for letting us work on your DR30 Andreas. We love the direction you are taking it!

More pictures in the gallery!
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