Glenn Chiou is an avid Datsun enthusiast having owned and raced several cars. You might remember his VIPS 240z vintage race car from the The Mitty and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion events. He also races a Datsun 510 B-sedan and owns a Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R:

  

This 1972 Nissan 240Z-L however is “the list” car for Glenn that started his Datsun passion. Glenn has owned it for several years, enjoying it as a back-road burner on the street and rallye events.

 

Find out more about the story behind this right-hand-drive survivor over on Petrolicious and also watch this great video:

 

We’ve known Glenn for many years and we actually tuned his Fairlady back in 2012. The 3L stroker produced one of the highest dyno numbers we had seen!

 

Big Brakes for Glenn’s S30

The Z clearly had more than enough power, but braking was always something Glenn wanted to improve and once he heard about our latest Big-Brake Kit for small wheels he became a believer after test driving them. Rather than tell you how we feel about this product, let’s hear Glenn’s experience.

Throughout my years of Z car ownership, I have run a variety of brake setups. My Z cars have seen everything from restored OEM Sumitomos, Toyota 4×4’s, trick Wilwood setups, even frankenstein’d Baer calipers. There is no doubt that it has been one area that I have never been completely satisfied with. Over time, after many years and attempts to find the ‘perfect’ setup, I had given up and just settled for what I had.

The most important aspect to me when it comes to braking on a street driven car is feel. Yes, stopping power is extremely important, but also is not that difficult to achieve on an early Z car that is naturally light to begin with. Feel, however, is something that has always managed to escape me. On my vintage 240z race car, we use multiple master cylinders, swap them in and out, fiddle with our brake proportioning valves, fine tuning them to fit our driving style and preference. We are trying to find that “racer’s edge.” In all honesty, when it comes to a street car, I want nothing to do with all that.

 

Wheel sizing and style was also extremely important to me. I love old school wheels and the sizes they came in. I needed a brake caliper that would fit under my 15” Watanabe RS wheels without having to shave or drastically modify my setup. If it was not for being in love with these wheels, I would have opted for Z Car Garage’s larger big brake kit.

A few words about our latest big-brake kit solution. Our successful, larger ZCG BBK utilizes 328mm rotors and 4-piston calipers requiring a 16″ or 17″ wheel. This kit was made with our friends Tyler and Eric from Stoptech over ten years ago. Recently our customers asked us to make a BBK for smaller wheels so even a guy running 14″ vintage 5-slots slots could brake like a modern sports car. Typical big-brake kits use a 4-piston setup up front and a ZX in back; Proportioning is hard to get right, varying from car to car. We wanted a brake system that suited the car and totally bolted in, no M/C change, no proportioning valve, no booster change.

 

 

Working with Stoptech again, we developed this smaller BBK as a direct bolt-in solution for the 1970 to 1978 S30 Z cars. We’ve been with Stoptech since the beginning and love their products.  We aim to release this product to the masses once our local installs are completed.  Let’s get back to Glenn and hear his initial impressions of the big-brake kit:

Rob informed me he was working up a solution and he wanted me to be test the brake kit. Rob promised three things – they would brake amazing, they would fit under my 15” Watanabes, and they would feel as if they belonged on the car. Did I doubt it at first? Sure, a little. However, I also knew that the fit and finish of all products that came out of ZCG were top notch, and that Rob thoroughly tested all his products against his own standards. Which I’m sure everyone knows, are extremely high.

In preparation for the Monterey Historics last year, I had brought the Z race car to the shop for dyno time. Rob gave me the keys to his Butters Z and said “Go drive it.” Under 14″ wheels sat his brand new ZCG brake kit. I gladly accepted and took the car for a ride. 

 

 

WOW, what a difference. The feel, modulation, power, sharpness was amazing. Hands down the best brakes I had ever driven on a Z car, and these were on a car with stock suspension, tires and probably cruddy tires! I told Rob, “sign me up!”

Glenn wanted to run the brake kit on his Fairlady and we happily obliged. He had also been gearing up for a road rallye so the braking system would be throughly used. You can see his Z (top left) along with his buddy Erich C’s S30 (top right, also getting a ZCG BBK!):

 

Then came the day Rob called me up and said they were ready to rock and roll. Lucky for me, I was just about to head out on the 1000-mile Coastal Range Rally! The kit came with beautifully anodized front and rear calipers, hats, rotors, brakes lines, reversible brackets (for early and later Z offsets), and a factory ⅞” master cylinder. Read that again… Yes, a proportioning valve was left out from that list! The brakes were a straight bolt on and ZCG did all the math to get both the master cylinder size and piston sizes correct. We brought the car in for install and within a day the car was ready to rock.

 

 

Glenn’s 240z now had 4-wheel disc brakes ready to tackle the street and rallye:

  

And of course, the brakes fit beautifully under the 15″ Watts. Kane approved, and Glenn was stoked:

 

I could hardly wait to jump in the seat of the car and take it for a spin. The brakes were now on a car with suspension, tire, power, and a proper alignment. It was everything I had remembered from driving the Butters Z and MORE. The brakes performed flawlessly on the Coastal Range Rally, taking abuse from California’s most challenging roads:

 

Attention to detail goes a long way. This is exactly what these brakes delivered, and what continues to be delivered by ZCG.

LONG LIVE THE Z!

 

We are happy to report that Glenn is still braking late and still braking deep all while Enjoy The Ride! You can find him carving through the Santa Cruz Mountains:

 

Big thanks to Glenn for letting us work on your Fairlady! We also thank Eric and Tyler from Stoptech for supporting us and our precious Z cars!

 

More pictures in the gallery below!
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Z Car Garage is proud to offer a CV axle conversion kit for your Datsun S30 and 510. 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!

 

S30 and 510s running the ZCG CV axles

 

Randy Jaffe’s #46 BRE Datsun 240z received the very first set of ZCG CV axles: Serial # S30-000240!

 

The Bluebird SSS Coupe and Hakosuka Skyline are both running ZCG CV axles on the race track:

   

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 – will be installed on Adam Carolla’s “Greg Sorrentino #90” Datsun 510. We are pleased to report that Jim will also be installing a set on his “George Alderman #32” 300ZX! The ZCG CV axles are also perfect for high hp street cars. The following customer cars are all running our CV axles now:

Frank B’s fuel-injected, 6-speed stroker L-series:

  

Gary’s 430whp LS3-powered 280z:

  

Scott W’s EFI stroker L-series:

  

James S’ L28ET:

  

Finally, Gary’s “Behemoth”  OS Giken TC24B1Z powered S30:

Technical Information:

The Z Car Garage axles were designed to help remove much of the backlash aka clunk seen in many older vehicles. Modern technology has given us the ability to create a set of axles to exacting standards. We started with a high quality set of CV joints that were found to be the most consistent in both major and minor spline diameters. We then began to design the axle itself to share the same tight tolerances. We are holding a +/- .01mm diametric tolerance on both the inner and outer spline diameters. This gives us the feeling of direct connection between differential and wheel. The axle shaft major diameter was increased to 28MM to give owners a bit of added comfort in knowing the main shafts are stout. Once the axles are splined they are then heat treated to obtain the desired harness. After heat treat the axles are then nickel plated to add corrosion resistance. The inner and outer flanges are made from 316 stainless steel and mate to the CV joints with tapered alignment surfaces to ensure concentricity is maintained throughout the axle thus reducing vibration. The inner flange attaches to the stock R series differential utilizing the Nissan factory hardware. The outer flange attaches to the driven stub with bolts specifically designed and manufactured for the Z Car Garage axle installation kit. These bolts are manufactured to grade 8. All ZCG axles are manufactured locally which helps us maintain the fitment and quality we require.

Materials

Axles : Hardened AISI/SAE 4340 Alloy Steel, 4340 is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel

Drive flanges: 316 stainless steel, Type 316 steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel

Outer Flange Bolts: Hardened 4140 Alloy Steel , AISI or SAE 4130 grade is a low-alloy steel containing chromium and molybdenum as strengthening agents

 

 

This 1973 Datsun 240z has been in owner Erich C’s family since new. He is also a good friend of fellow Z-car racer Glenn and both enjoy carving through the winding back roads of the Bay Area. Erich decided to finally restore his S30 and placed it in the capable hands of racer and Datsun guru Troy Ermish. Fresh from a restoration at his shop the Z had plenty of hot rod parts including a Rebello 3L with triple Mikuni carbs:

  

Erich came to Z Car Garage for inspection services and sorting before entering the car in the fabled Coastal Range Rally held on Feb. 22. His Z came to us at a great time with plenty of familiar company in the shop:

 

On the short list of items needing attention: clutch hydraulics, brake booster issue, wiring issues, speedometer not working, exhaust leaks, engine oil leak and transmission leak.

 

We addressed the clutch hydraulics by replacing the clutch M/C and re-drilling the clutch slave cylinder mounting holes. The system was bled and we adjusted everything to ensure the clutch pedal worked beautifully. The brake booster was also adjusted to allow full travel and full pressure with pedal application:

   

Next, we diagnosed a leak at the bellhousing. First, we removed the transmission and confirmed that the clutch/flywheel surfaces were dry and unaffected:

   

The source of the leak was from the transmission’s front seal:

  

We separated the transmission to replace the seal:

  

Bellhousing cleaned and front cover assembled:

 

The reverse switch was not operable. On the KA24 transmission conversion the reverse gear switch is located about 22mm further back on the F4W71B than on the FS5W71B or C. While the transmission was out we relocated the reverse switch and it now functions:

   

Let’s take a brief pause for this beauty:

 

A few wiring issues were diagnosed like the the brake lights: we found a broken wire at the pedal switch, removed all the bolts cleaned up the connections and replaced the switch with a NOS Nissan part. Brake lights work now!

  

The speedometer was not functioning so we replaced the speedo cable assembly with some ZCG stock. We also traced wiring from the tachometer to engine bay and got it working. Tach and speedo now operable!

 

Moving towards the rear of the Z, look how ultra-clean it is!

 

What may not be apparent from the photo above is the exhaust was hitting the diff, so we clearanced it:

 

The differential “fill” bolt with was replaced with the correct square plug:

 

On high power Z’s like Erich’s the diff fluid can overflow out of the vent, so we add a little hose here:

  

There was an oil leak at the oil pump so this part was replaced, no more leaks:

  
Erich’s excellent choice of RS Watanabe wheels really complete the look for this car.

 

The combination of 15×8 wheels with 225/50/15 Toyo R888 tires was rubbing badly on the rear fender lips:

 

We rolled the lips and confirmed no rubbing:

    

Before tuning the car we identified and fixed exhaust leaks at the header flange and collectors:

 

Fresh spark plugs, an O2 sensor and we were ready for some dyno time.

  

After we corrected some jetting issues Erich’s S30 made a stout 261hp/234tq to the wheels!

 

Erich’s S30 left Z Car Garage just in time to participate in the Coast Range Rally and we are happy to report that he completed it!

 

We are proud of Troy and his restoration of this Z. It is also great to see Erich out Enjoying The Ride where these cars are meant to be. Thank you Erich and Troy for letting us work on this canyon carver. Stay tuned as Erich made another appointment with us to replace his Wilwood brakes with…our ZCG Big Brake Kit!

LONG LIVE THE Z!

Enjoy more pictures in the gallery below

 

 

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On Sunday we Enjoyed The Ride with several Datsuns on a local Fun Run organized by fresh Z car owner, Naveed Y. I drove my 1967.5 Datsun Roadster:

 

Rob drove his Datsun 510:

 

Lou drove his 1970 Series 1 240z:

 

Ty and Christine also joined us in their 991 Porsche:

 

Naveed has a cool collection of sports cars including an Nissan R32 Skyline and recently acquired this Fairlady Z:

He has been driving this S30 religiously and organized the day’s fun run, starting in Cupertino and heading up HWY 9. It was a gorgeous day to be driving Datsuns!

  

We stopped at a vista point just after the 9/35 junction and headed to Alice’s:

 

From Alice’s we drove down 84 and to the coast via Pescadero Rd. Though foggy it was quite warm and we had fun staging the cars for photos.

Naveed captured some great shots!

   

Naveed’s RHD S30 sported a triple-Mikuni carb’d L20A with a full Fujitsubo exhaust. Stay tuned as we report on the dyno performance of the Fujitsubo exhaust system on our shop S30:

 

Naveed’s Z sounded wonderful echoing off the forest-lined roads. Listen to the exhaust and watch a short sample of the fun run in the video below.

We had a blast, thanks for inviting us Naveed!

Enjoy more pictures from Naveed and us in the gallery below:

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This Cherry Red Pearl 1992 Z32 Twin-Turbo is owned by our customer Kevin B.  Z Car Garage has maintained and modified the Z since Kevin purchased it in 2006 from the original owner. It has an extensive list of exciting upgrades as well as total maintenance records. The Z passed smog, has a clear title and is ready to be enjoyed. More information, a video and pictures can be seen on our For Sale page HERE.