Filed under: Performance,Q50,Q60
by Alvin G @ 8:50 pm on November 6, 2023
John E came to Z Car Garage through a dealership connection at Dublin Infiniti. He purchased this Q50S Red Sport in 2019 with 46k miles on the odometer and it was time for bolt-on performance upgrades with dyno tuning.
We installed several parts from AMS Performance including their AMS Heat Exchanger, AMS Coolant expansion tank. Helping the VR30DDT engine breathe are AMS downpipes and a full Fast Intentions cat-back exhaust system. Photos of each are shown below.
The new AMS heat exchanger compared to the stock unit and installation:
AMS expansion tank installed replacing two plastic OEM units:
AMS downpipes:
The Fast Intentions cat-back exhaust replaces the restrictive OEM system:
Standard exhaust tips on the FI exhaust system, we love the quality, fitment and sound of these parts:
We also installed new Hotchkis sway bars front/rear. Stock vs new below:
Dyno Tuning
Straight from the factory, the VR30DDTT is an impressive motor rate at 400 hp and 350 ft-lbs tq stock. It is actually underrated as we have seen with dyno testing. With a few bolt-ons and tuning, even more power can be unlocked from the VR30. Rob tuned John’s Q50 using EcuTek, making 404hp/435tq at the wheels. A significant improvement over the 336hp/338tq baseline:
Enjoy the dyno video below:
Enjoy The Boost John!
Are you ready for upgrades on your late model Nissan/Infiniti? Give us a call or e-mail!
Paul K is a local enthusiast out of Campbell, Ca and he visited Z Car Garage for basic performance upgrades on his 2011 Nismo 370z:
“I had always wanted a V1 Nismo and in 2018 searching online I found one at a dealer in Sunnyvale. One owner with 26k miles and garage kept. Rob has helped install Stillen dual intakes, Fast Intentions dual exhaust, and Ecutek tune. Other mods mods include Tein S Sport lowering springs and Stillen crossed drilled and slotted rotors. Many more mods planned with Rob!”
Dyno tuning and Stillen intakes are a great way to start the modding process and Z Car Garage is here to help! We intalled the Stillen Gen3 intakes which are CARB-legal and work wonderfully on the HR engines:
Before/After
To maximize gains from bolt-on modifications we dyno tuned the Z with Ecutek software making 315hp/260tq to the wheels:
We also installed a Fast Intentions cat-back dual exhaust system:
Enjoying The Ride
Photo by Henning Tretau
Paul can be seen all over the Bay Area Enjoying the Ride in his Z34:
“I’ve noticed a gain in performance and enjoyment in driving the car. Feels much more aggressive and responsive. Every time I’m at ZCG, it’s always an enthusiastic experience dealing with Rob and his passion for Z’s.”
You can see more of his Z on his Instagram. Paul was referred to us in 2019 by long-time customer Chris R, owner of this soon-to-be featured 240Z formerly known as “Skittles”:
The Specialty-Z intake kit replaces the restrictive factory airbox:
AMS downpipes and midpipe:
Dyno Tuning
Nathan signed on for ECUTEK tuning including his own ECUTEK Bluetooth dongle to check codes and monitor vitals. With Rob’s dyno tuning the GT-R made 553hp/545tq at the wheels, gains of +53hp/82tq:
Enjoy the dyno videos below:
Nathan was super excited with the results and fueling upgrades are up next. Long Live Boost and Long Live the GT-R!
Filed under: Q50
by Alvin G @ 8:42 pm on February 1, 2022
Aaron’s 2018 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Red Sport came to Z Car Garage for bolt-on performance upgrades and dyno tuning. We no longer install customer-supplied parts but made an exception for Aaron as a new client.
He had us install his AMS intakes and exhaust system from GTHaus. AMS air intakes compared to OEM:
The GTHaus exhaust system with GTC (electronic valve control), mid and Y-pipe installed. Down pipes are stock:
Aaron loves the aggressive sound from the new exhaust system and ability to quiet it down for cruising. Hear it in action in the video below.
Dyno Tuning
Straight from the factory, the VR30DDTT is an impressive motor, rated at 400 hp and 350 ft-lbs tq in Red Sport trim. With a few bolt-ons and tuning, even more power can be unlocked from the VR30. While were waiting for parts Aaron had the Heat Exchanger installed somewhere else. Unfortunately its very common to improperly bleed these system so it fought us a bit on the dyno. We bled the system correctly to ensure that the heat exchanger could function as we adjusted ignition/fueling curves and of course the boost.
Rob dyno tuned the Q using EcuTek. Baseline power was 325hp/340tq at the wheels. With the AMS parts, exhaust and tuning final numbers were 406hp/434tq, gains of +81hp/94tq! Dyno and exhaust video below:
Enjoying The Boost
With full bolt-ons we installed Aaron was very pleased with the results. This was all done in time for his birthday so we know that he spent the day enjoying the boost in that Majestic White Q50S:
“The car runs great after the tune and new bolt ons. I can tell a lot of care was spent doing the install correctly and testing the tune. It really is a fun car with the Ecutek boost that can double as a daily driver. I will be back soon for some more mods and more power!”
Thank you for your support Aaron! The VR30DDTT is a very cool engine and we are excited to see it with a 6-speed manual in the new Z. We love all things V6 and twin-turbo!
We love to install bolt-on parts that add power to your Z/G car. At Z Car Garage UPREV or EcuTek dyno tuning can maximize power gains from individual modifications like intake/exhaust upgrades. Today we bring you three cars that received dyno tuning to maximize performance gains from common bolt-on parts. Enjoy!
Salvador’s 370z
Salvador visited us for a dyno tune with EcuTek on his 2018 370z.
The dyno shows significant gains in power/tq making 314hp/264tq to the wheels:
James’ 350z
James visited ZCG for an UPREV tune on his 2003 350z.
The Z responded really well to the dyno tuning session, making 256hp/257tq at the wheels. We also re-located James’ steering-mounted controls to allow map switching.
Z Car Garage offers the ARC(Advanced Racing Controls) license. This add-on service to the existing UPREV Flash allows you to have adjustable launch control, burnout mode, and flat-foot shifting for $150. This is for cars with manual transmission, VDC/cruise control. Call Rob for more details!
Malcolm’s 350z
Malcolm’s Z came to us with a tune by another shop. It was E-tuned and Malcolm reported that it just didn’t feel right.
After UPREV tuning he picked up 13hp/10tq making 309hp/272tq to the wheels:
Enjoy this video showing all three Z’s on the dyno and contact us if you are interested in UPREV or ECUTEK tuning for you Nissan or Infiniti!
