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Sportier Crossover: Dannie’s FX35

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 11:52 am on December 22, 2013

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With 90k miles on the odometer Dannie P decided it was time to start modding his 2005 FX35. Infiniti’s sporty crossover luckily runs the familiar VQ35 as seen in the Z/G sportscars so similar bolt-on options are available. Dannie wasn’t impressed with the Kinetix intake plenum he had previously installed so we went back to the factory unit. Bassani makes a wonderful sounding dual-exhaust system for Z’s so modified one to fit on the FX–a ZCG first.

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Slightly larger tips look great in the factory exits:

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Big thanks to Christian at 034 Motorsport for letting us put the FX on their awd dyno for an UPREV tuning session. We started with a baseline of 177hp/191tq and finished with 209hp/205tq at the (4) wheels. Peak gains were +32hp/14tq!  Note the increased rev limit with power available all the way to 7krpm:

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To enjoy the extra power, suspension and braking upgrades are always smart . GTSPEC bracing reduces chassis flex and a Stoptech sport kit improves braking duties:

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The underbody bracing clears the Bassani exhaust:

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Enjoy The Ride Dannie!

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Brian’s 350z

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 7:00 pm on November 21, 2013

 


Brian K is a Lockheed Martin employee and came to Z Car Garage to have some bolt-ons and aesthetic pieces installed on his 350z. Bolt-on power upgraes included a JWT Pop Charger, Motordyne 5/16″ plenum spacer and the lovely Bassani full cat-back exhaust system:

 

Here are the intake and plenum spacer installed:

 

The stock exhaust compared to the new Bassani dual-exhaust system:


On the dyno we started with baseline numbers of 230hp/229tq at the wheels. Shown below are the gains from the intake+plenum spacer (234hp/232tq) and exhaust (246hp/238tq):

 

 

With an UPREV tune final numbers are 251hp/240tq to the wheels:

 

Brian also wanted to change up a few aesthetic pieces on his Z including the headlights and grille. The new lamps are from Spyder and the grille is a black mesh unit:


Before/After:




Boost is Better: Reuben’s Vortech 350z

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Maintenance,Performance
by Alvin G @ 2:39 pm on October 15, 2013


At Z Car Garage we specialize in performance modifications for your Nissan/Infiniti. We also perform full maintenance services to keep your car running in optimal condition. Reuben M visited ZCG in 2008 to have the 30k-mile services completed on his stock LeMans Sunset 350z. Keep in mind that it is hard to avoid the temptation of forced-induction when one catches a glance of the many boosted-builds in our facility. Fast forward to 2013 and 13k-miles later…guess who has the craving for more power?

 

Reuben chose the Vortech V3-polished supercharger kit for its CARB-friendliness and daily driver operation. The dual-personality nature of the Vortech provides the potential for big power yet smooth, linear delivery.

 

A GTM 25-row oil cooler keeps oil temperature in check while the JWT HD clutch/flywheel help put the power to the wheels:

 

With the Vortech supercharger installed Reuben’s Z made 375hp/327tq to the wheels. This was a +123hp/86tq improvement over stock:


We love how sleeper this Z is! Our ZCG bypass-valve silencer keeps things quiet and the FMIC barely peeks from behind the OEM grille:


Enjoy The Boost, Reuben!




Cool It Now: Patrick’s Time Attack 350z

Filed under: Events,Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 1:17 am on September 15, 2013

We’ve known Patrick for a long time and when he is not running City Tech Auto Body he is out on the track his Time-Attack prepped Porsche orange 350z. Patrick was running an NA motor then made the jump to forced induction via the Vortech supercharger. He installed the kit himself and visited ZCG for tuning and advice on how to keep the VQ cool during blazingly hot track days ie. Buttonwillow Raceway. Here is an update from Patrick from Round #5 of the Redline Time Attack:


As some of you might know, our Z Car Garage and CityTech Auto Body Sponsored 350z has been through a lot of struggling with overheating problems after we installed the a Vortech Supercharged Kit. We have spent tons of time and testing to make it cool down. Our goal is to make it last through the whole 20mins session without worrying about overheating with full power.

07/20/2013 Saturday: The first practice day of the Redline Time Attack event was at 102F, a perfect day to put a ultimate heat test to our new setup. Compared to our last event which the Z lasted only 2 laps before overheating, we installed a 2nd oil cooler, running 50/50 Methanol water injection and de-tuned. Also, Rob suggested that to remove the aftermarket electric fans and put back the stock fan with shrouds. With all the help from our crew and Z Car Garage, we double checked all the fluid levels are full, adjusted tire pressure and started our first 20mins session. The Z felt great with the supercharged power on the first lap, pulling on every gears to the redline. But will it last full 20 mins without a drop of power? 4th lap passed by, our Nitto NT-01 tires started to get greasy due to the heat, but Oil temperature still stayed at 230F, intake and water temp stay cool without a sign of overheating, no power dropped. We are so amazed because our last event only last 1 ½ lap before oil temp reached 290F. We managed finished with the best lap time of 1’58.8 running CW13 configuration.

07/21/2013 Sunday: This was a much hotter day at 107F. In our first qualify session, everyone was running slower time than yesterday. We managed to qualify at the lap time of 1’59.5 which placed us third in our class. All other vehicles in our class were full race gutted car and our Z still have the full dash, door and windows in place. During the race session, temperature got worse which rose up to 108F. Despite the burning sun and air, the Z’s water and oil temp were both stayed cool and no overheating throughout the entire race session, however, the tires were giving up after the 2nd lap from the heat. We couldn’t get any better time than the qualifying session due to the hot temperature and traffic on the track and ended up the time 2’00.391. We ended up third place in modified RWD Class.

Special shout out to Z Car garage crews for their awesome work keeping the Z at operating temperature while making great power in this extreme operating environment.

The next event will be at AutoClub Speedway, Fontana on Sep 15, 2013. We will be doing some more modifications and possibly installing a full roll cage on the Z. We will keep you guys updated.

 




Rich’s 350z

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 12:39 am on September 2, 2013

 

Rich B’s 2008 Z33 has been to Z Car Garage for several bolt-on goodies including suspension upgrades from Hotchkis/SPC/Eibach, Berk HFCs/Injen intakes, and a Stoptech 332mm BBK:


Before/after shots for the Hotchkis sways F/R:

We recently installed a Trans-Go shift kit and UPREV tuned the Z which now makes 274hp/246tq to the wheels:


Enjoy the Ride, Rich!




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