From all of us at Z Car Garage we hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Long Live The Z
Shown above in Red, White and Blue are our clients:
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Shop Talk for
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Photographer and car culture ambassador Larry Chen commissioned Z Car Garage to transform his beloved SR20DET-powered 1970 Datsun 240Z from an “ok driver” to a no-excuses, multi-dimensional sports car with power, handling, braking, comfort, reliability and performance to match its eye-catching beauty.
Larry just released a video chronicling his journey with his Z, affectionately known as “Ole Orange Bang”, featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, chassis preparation, dyno tuning and more. It’s a wonderful video with some killer action of Larry enjoying the Z in the canyons. Check it out below or on his YouTube Channel. Volume up and enjoy!
Thanks for the love Larry! You can see our report of the work ZCG performed on this Z on zcarblog.com HERE and LONG LIVE THE Z!
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On Saturday, August 26 the Breakfast Club Rally is hosting Tokyo Calling 3, their third All-Japanese car rally in Sonoma, Ca.
To register and see more details, please visit their website HERE
We have run several rallies with Breakfast Club and it is a total blast, you can see my previous event reports HERE.
Stay tuned for caravan information from Z Car Garage.
Z you there!
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Our Z Car Garage Big Brakes have been winning over Z-car enthusiasts locally and globally. Kim recently purchased a set for his 1970 Datsun 240Z and performed the installation himself at home in Norway. Before we go into his Big-Brake experience let’s hear his Z-story…
Like many enthusiasts, Kim started with a Miata…
“After owning a modified Miata for several years it was time for another project car. I still have the Miata, but that is more for track use now. I was not actively looking for a 240z, but I came across my Z car on a Norwegian sales site. I went to have a look and the car was in good shape, and the price was so low that I just had to buy it. It was repainted in 2005. The paint job was ok, but not perfect. All interior panels, dash and seats were re-trimmed in leather.”
Modifications include Tokico dampers with Ground Control coil-overs and a Nissan 6-speed CD009a transmission using the Hoke Performance kit. Kim was heading to the track and eventually installed a Datsun Spirit 3.1L engine with Jenvey ITB EFI, ported head and custom exhaust. Yes, that’s Kim’s Z on the Nurburging!
You can see the dyno run and acceleration in Kim’s Z in the video below:
See the full video from Misha Choudrin.
Z Car Garage Big-Brakes
As fellow S30 owner/racer Glenn C mentioned in his review, on top of braking performance, pedal feel is extremely important and our Big-Brakes deliver. This is a direct result of working with Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments. All fitting behind a 15″ Watanabe or Panasport wheel and retaining factory emergency brake lever! A few details below:
Calipers: Stoptech ST42 4-piston front & rear race calipers (Alum 6061 mil-spec Type III anodized)
Rotors: 280mm x 20.6 with Alum 7075 hats
Pads: Stoptech 309 sport street pads
Blog posts documenting all of our customers running the ZCG Big-Brakes can be found HERE.
Big-Brake Kits Available For DIY Install!
Z Car Garage is proud to offer our Big-Brake Kit to Z-Car owners that want to perform the installation themselves. We can ship worldwide and each kit contains everything needed with a comprehensive (40-page) installation guide. Blog posts documenting all of our customers running the ZCG Big-Brakes can be found HERE. Enjoy these pictures of Kim’s beautiful Series 1 S30 and his ZCG Big-Brake installation:
As mentioned, our ZCG Big-Brake kit ships with everything needed to install and retains the factory parking brake. Kim successfully installed the BBK on his Z, and they also look great behind the Work Equip 03 wheels and newly installed fender flares:
“I had a brake kit from Silver Mine Motors and used those for several years. With the new engine and higher HP numbers I really needed a brake upgrade. StopTech from Z Car Gar Garage was the way to go. The installation was quite easy. I did have some questions, and I got answers really fast. They feel awesome.”
Beyond ease of installation and quality components, our Big-Brakes perform by offering superb pedal feel…everyone that drives our demo Z confirms! This is a direct result of working with Stoptech to create a totally bolt-in solution requiring no M/C change or additional proportioning valve/adjustments.
What’s in store for Kim’s Z?
“I take everything as they come, and find a new upgrade I like to try from time to time. Well, the goal is to have a car that works every year and I can modify during the winter. All lights are upgraded to LED from Classic Car Leds. AC from Vintage Air, upgrading the engine wiring harness, and consider some wider tires to fill the arches a bit more.”
Thanks for your support Kim we love that you are Enjoying The Ride and Long Live The Z! More photos in the gallery below
The Last Stop in Braking for your Z
Z Car Garage Big Brakes are one of the best systems available for your S30 Z Car with over 200 kits sold worldwide and unanimous positive feedback. See our ZCG Big-Brakes on client cars HERE and enjoy the photos below:
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The Z Owners of Northern California (ZONC) is one of the oldest Z car clubs in the nation. In its prime they had over 600 members with close ties to Yutaka Katayama (“Mr. K”) and Nissan USA. We had a wonderful time attending their Meet and Greet event at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, Ca on June 11, 2023.
We left Z Car Garage in our 2023 Nissan Z, 1971 Datsun 510 Wagon and Randy’s 1972 Datsun 240Z (For Sale). Joining the caravan were Alex in his 1968 Datsun 510 Wagon and our friend Geoff in his BMW 2002. Despite some morning fog the turnout was impressive for a relaxed gathering. No judged car show or awards, just Z-Car fans catching up with old friends and meeting new enthusiasts.
Highlights from the show
Still to this day, 240Zs are the most represented model in the club. Expansion over time currently includes all recent Z models and the GT-R, but also reaches back in time to include the Datsun Roadsters and 510s. Both upper and lower parking areas were packed with cars and people having a great time.
The New Nissan Z!
Linda Williams’ proudly displayed her 1 of 240Z special edition Nissan Z “Proto Spec” in the upper Museum area. Our RZ34 was in the lower lot and we will have a full report on the recently installed Fast Intentions exhaust system!
Z’s, 510s, Roadsters and More!
Here are a few of my favorite S30 Z cars from the gathering, starting with this flared beauty on custom 17″ early S30 hubcap-inspired wheels. This is the creation of Hoover Chan from Turbohoses R&D and it sports an L28ET. Rob and Hoover go way back many years!
We were pleasantly surprised to see many Z Car Garage clients so let’s take a look at what they drove. Garrett drove his 1972 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles combined with a suspension rebuild improved the chassis. Power comes from a Rebello 3L with our Z Car Garage Heat Shield and in-house dyno tuning to make it sing. His latest addition are new Recaro leather seats!
Ken’s 1970 Datsun 240Z also has our Z Car Garage CV Axles:
Stoked to see Hazel’s 1970 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles. Looks like Hazel just added a mint set of Watanabe R-Type wheels to her Z!
It was great to see Steve and Kevin’s Nismo Z33s. Full reports on both coming to zcarblog.com!
Here is a video from the event, enjoy!
Blow-thru Fantasy
We met Francisco and his S30 had a really neat HKS blow-through turbo system. Rob was impressed with his enthusiasm and love for the Z!
Twice the Beauty
Joey Bautista drove two of his immaculate Z cars. The engine bay on this blue car looks factory right? A closer inspection reveals a bespoke factory-style triple carb air cleaner, complete with OEM-style emissions stickers! The B-speed “LY” vintage valve cover was a nice touch as well. Really love d the aesthetic.
The silver S30 also sported triple carbs with a vintage SK air box and “triple” emissions stickers:
Z32
Z33 and Z34
Strong showing of Z34s including V1 and V2 Nismo models:
510s
SSS Bluebird was the only RHD 510 model at the show:
Jay’s 510 Wagon on Longchamp XR-4 wheels. Jay also has a 510 2-door featuring our Z Car Garage CV Axles.
Matt’s 510 with turbocharged KA24DE:
Alex’s 1968 Datsun 510 Wagon is a total sleeper with an LS3 V8 drivetrain!
Roadsters
The lone Datsun Roadster was John Baker’s ’69 2000. This is a Concours-level restoration with lots of rare, NOS Nissan Competition parts like passenger foot rest and oil cooler.
Rare Everwing fog lights and day/night mirror:
R32 Row
R32 Skyline GT-Rs in a variety of colors! Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou displayed his recently acquired Crystal White R32 on BBS LeMans wheels:
A familiar R34 GT-R also showed up!
R35
A handful of R35 GT-Rs
People
It’s why we keep coming back to ZONC events. Thank you to everyone that took the time to say hello!
Thank You ZONC!
We had a great time spending the day at the ZONC Meet and Greet. It reminded us to (in the words of the late Mr.K), ” Love cars. Love people. Love Life.” This is a club that keep the Z community together year-round and we are excited for their next events. Don’t forget to check out our picture gallery below!
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