We might be biased but we feel the Z32 is the best Japanese sports car of the 90’s. Keeping them on the road is our passion and even in 2019 there are still some real gems out there. Felix C brought his 1996 300zx Twin Turbo in to ZCG under dire circumstances and here is how we met him.

 

While we were at the Spring Classic event at Laguna Seca a customer was trying to buy a ’96 Z32TT from SoCal. Rob informed this customer to hold off buying the car until inspected by our friends at SpecialtyZ. When we got back to the shop at night to unload our cars from the race weekend…that ’96 Z32TT was sitting in front of Z Car Garage!

 

The following morning a gentlemen named Felix called to say he had purchased this car in SoCal and on the way home it broke down. With 96k miles the odometer, this Z32 from came to ZCG with a busted fan clutch. When the fan clutch failed it made a mess of the radiator and front end. The first visit for Felix was a full inspection with a plan to remedy all problems to get him back on the road. We installed a new Koyo race radiator, our one-step colder plugs and performed full timing belt services:

  

 

Power Upgrades

Felix returned after feeling the need for more power and we also knocked out a few more items from the initial inspection. Power upgrades included a SpecialtyZ 2.5″ exhaust with resonated x-pipe and dual tips, 740cc injectors, Ashspec massive intercoolers and Greddy boost controller:

 

On this visit we also got the A/C working with a new condenser and drier. A new fuel pump and all fuel hoses on top of the plenum were replaced:

 

The engine bay was cleaned up, including oil cooler lines:

 

More power upgrades: Selin translator dual MAF and BDE Performance motor mounts to allow for ASH-SPEC inlet piping. Massive IC from Ash shown below:

 

Dyno Tuning

We dyno tuned Felix’s Z with each power modification. It came in with a failed knock sensor, causing the low baseline power levels of 220hp/223tq. The knock sensor was fixed:

 

Great gains with the SZ exhaust system for 313hp/334tq to the wheels:

Ash-SPEC intercoolers:

 

Rob’s final tuning really woke the Z up, yielding 357hp/351tq to the wheels on 91 octane, dyno video below:

 

 

Interior

Felix wanted us to sort out the interior. During this visit we installed some weatherstrip, fixed an ABS sensor code and eliminated a few door panel rattles.

      

Felix added LED lighting:

 

The highlight of the cabin: we had the seats re-finished to OEM spec!

 

Big-Brakes and Chassis

 

As every Z32 owner knows, the stock brakes just aren’t up to the task. More power exacerbates the issue and you know how we feel at ZCG:  It’s Stoptech Or Don’t Stop At All.  Felix’s car had larger than factory wheels allowing us to install the 332mm Big-Brake Kit using red calipers and rotors.

 

Stock vs Stoptech

 

At the rear, stock Z32 calipers were paint-matched to the Stoptech red up front.  Sport kit slotted rotors with 309 pads and SS lines throughout:

  

In addition to their function, the Stoptechs look nice too!

 

Stillen sway bars front and rear and we replaced all of the power steering hoses:

 

The Z had outgrown its suspension and it was 40th Felix’s birthday. We delivered icing on the cake with KW V3 coil-over suspension:

 

Installed front and rear:

 

More birthday goodness: super sexy SSR GTX-01 wheels in 18×9.5 with Bridgestone S-04 tires:

 

Wheels/tires being mounted:

 

Notice the J-spec tail lights, one of our favorite aesthetic mods and it looks so good on the black Z32s. Of note is the license plate “AUDREYH”…Felix wanted to pay tribute to his Mom’s favorite actress, Audrey Hepburn:

“aka Fairlady Z since the designer named it after the classic movie My Fairlady. The actress in the movie is the beautiful Audrey Hepburn. Hence I chose AUDREYH.  I figured a classic lady should have a classic name with relevance.”

 

The 300 is now well-sorted and Felix is loving it. He did his first track day at Sears Point (Sonoma Raceway) and had a blast hustling the Z:

 

“Rob and the team is a high energy team that takes their work seriously while having fun.  I’m happy what they have done to the car and also ecstatic that they share equal appreciation of the Z32”

 

This Diamond Black Pearl Z32TT has been modified and maintained by Z Car Garage since 2015. With 67k miles, original paint and interior it is ready to be enjoyed.

  

Click for more pictures and details HERE on our For Sale page.

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!

 

Don T is the long time owner of this 1992 Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo finished in one of our favorite Z32 shades, Sapphire Blue:

 

Don felt the need to find a Z car enthusiast shop and last summer he visited Z Car Garage for routine maintenance on this 34k original-mile beauty. We offered our inspection services because he’s a new customer. During the inspection we fixed his coolant temp sensor, allowing the gauge to show correct coolant temperature.

 

We performed a full 60k service including timing belt replacement. Whenever we do the timing belt service, everything proximal to this is taken care of so you don’t need to come back for another 60k miles.

 

Timing belt service parts and front end coming off:

   

Old vs new timing belt:

  

The factory T/C rod is a sore spot on the Z32. Silicon gel that is inside the bushing leaks out after the T/C develop cracks.

 

To give the Z a precise steering feel we only use SPL T/C rods. We also replaced the rack bushings and performed a full alignment:

 

The one thing that totally sets this whole car off (besides the pristine status and Sapphire paint) is one of my favorite wheels of all time, those Manaray Sport MS-6s.

 

These wheels are 90’s rad with their 3-piece construction, 6 spokes and exposed hardware. They look so good rolling in 17×8/9 sizes. Let’s not forget those super intense locking center caps!

  

We might be biased but we feel the Z32 is the best Japanese sports car of the 90’s. Keeping them on the road is our passion and even in 2019 there are still some real gems out there. Thanks for bringing your 300 to us Don!

 

To our dear Zcarblog readers, our last few posts have been throwbacks as we catch up on customer projects. Please be patient we want to share your stories with our followers. We appreciate any/all feedback and suggestions, let Z Car Garage be your shop! Long Live The Z!

 

Martin B has owned this 1991 300zx Twin Turbo Z for a very long time. With 237,000 miles on the clock he visited Z Car Garage for the first time in 2013. The difference between a general repair shop, an independent repair shop and a Z car expert is a big deal on a Z32 because it is a car that you can get behind on quickly. If you are not well-versed in this chassis you will throw parts at it endlessly, often leading to more repairs.

 

After more than two decades of working with Nissans, the crew at ZCG have got it down. The 90-96 Z32s are some of the raddest Japanese sports cars of the era. We know what to do and what not to do. For Martin’s first visit we corrected the knock sensor and harness, replaced the clutch with a JWT HD unit, turned the existing flywheel, replaced center support bearing, clutch M/C, power steering hoses and corrected rack bushings:

 

 

JWT Clutch and flywheel

 

Heater core repair:

    

We installed a few suspension parts including new adjustable camber arms:

   

SpecialtyZ exhaust and downpipes:

 

The transmission had several leaks needing attention:

 

After 237k miles the driver’s seat had seen better days so we rebuilt it from frame to padding and sent Martin on his way…

  

 

Later that year, after enjoying the car with the ZCG touches he felt that it earned a place in his collection. With 240k miles on clock,  we removed his engine/transmission for a rebuild using a Rebello VG30DETT with JE pistons, Eagle rod and balanced with ACL bearings. Full engine bay harness service as well. Many more pictures of the build in the gallery below!

     

All hoses and parts in the engine bay that are relatively inexpensive were replaced while the engine was out:

  

The drivetrain is installed and buttoned up. A clean Z32TT engine bay is a treat to look at, despite the complexity:

  

On the dyno the freshened engine made 318hp/320tq to the wheels:

 

It has been since 2013 and Martin’s Z now has 255k mile on the clock. We touched up everything and added some Work Emotion wheels (not pictured).

Enjoy The Ride, Martin!

 

Please browse our picture gallery after the jump

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