Rick B. owns this very clean 280z and ZCarGarage has been taking care of it for several years now. Rick has an extensive car collection including a Ferrari and Porsche 911, but he really loves this Z, and we can all relate to that 🙂
The 280z recently got a late model 5-speed transmission upgrade to replace the factory 4-speed manual.
A transmission from Nissan’s KA24 engine was used (FS5W71C) and it is commonly found in the ’89 to ’96 240sx. The KA’s transmission is mated to the existing 280z bell-housing with a few modifications. You can see the custom ZCG transmission mount below:
A JWT heavy duty clutch and Z32 shift knob finish the swap in style. ZCG can also perform this conversion on your S30-chassis Z as well and give you precise shifting, 5-speeds, and late model parts reliability/service.
Comments Off on Got 5-speeds?: Rick’s Clean 280z
Earlier this year ZCarGarage found a very special 510 known as Turbo6. This dime is far from ordinary with its turbocharged inline-6 powerplant and extensive roll cage…all from the mind of 510-fanatic Bryan Feldman. It had changed ownership over the years and needed some ZCG love.
Rob’s plan for the restoration is simple: bring it back to the way it was when Feldman created it. It will be re-sprayed in the exact same paint by Williams. Drivetrain and interior will be thoroughly cleaned and restored, while staying true to the original build with details like gold-spoked Panasports and a Turbo Tom’s manifold.
Let the tear down begin!
With the engine out an interesting thing was discovered…the secondaries on the carb were rusted shut! As quick as it felt when we first drove it there is probably another 40-50hp when those secondaries are functioning.
Here is the drivetrain in all its glory…a Z-car straight-6 in a 510…wicked
Turbo6 is now off to Williams for paint and bodywork, stay tuned for more updates
Comments Off on Turbo6 Restoration Begins!
When I first saw this 300zx at ZCarGarage I admit that I was surprised. I have a soft spot for this particular generation of the Z31 especially with its sexy fenders, side skirts, front/rear bumper and lighting design. I had to know more about the Z because it just hit me with its lowered stance: body-color Enkei 92s wrapped in just-chunky-enough Kumho tires stuffed into the wheel wells. Upon further inspection things got more interesting…the interior was all tan and almost homely, but there was a MOMO Competition steering wheel(I’ve got one on my Datsun!) and behind the seats lay an extensive padded roll bar!
I immediately asked Rob for the scoop: yes it was turbocharged! “REDZ31” belongs to passionate young owner Trevor M. Besides giving the Z31 some respect let’s also give it up for Trevor who built and modified the Z all by himself. Trevor brought the Z in for some tuning, as the mighty VG30ET was now running on a NIStune ECU.
Baseline dyno readings of 180hp/244tq also showed that the car wouldn’t pull past 4krpm. With Rob’s tuning it now makes 257hp/340tq at the wheels!
A new boost controller will smooth things out so stay tuned but for now this is one quick Z31 and a bit of a sleeper if you ask me 🙂
Long Live The Z!
Comments Off on Red Z31 Love: Trevor’s 300zx
I have always had a fascination with Japanese-market wheels(wheels in general, really) and I appreciate an authentic set just like any other JDM-wheel junkie. Today I was lucky enough to test fit some genuine, real-deal WORK Equip type 01 AND 03 wheels thanks to a fellow Datsun Roadster owner and friend, Eddie W. He owns a show-stopping silver with an S15 SR20DE drivetrain.
Although I am a die-hard Panasport lover I got to satify my JDM-wheel fetish thanks to Eddie! Here are a few shots of the 15″ Equip 01s and 03s:
Comments Off on Got JDM Wheels on Your Datsun?
The 2012 Nissan GT-R is an impressive machine leaving little to be desired for most mere mortals…well everyone except Walt P. You might remember
Walt’s new, brilliant blue beast that he picked up earlier this year. After driving the GT-R on the track at Laguna Seca and enjoying the twisty backroads of the Bay Area Walt is now ready to add more power.
Before ZCG begins upgrades a baseline dyno run was acquired. Rob enlisted the help of Christian at
034 Motorsport and convinced him to let a Nissan run on their all-wheel-drive dyno 🙂
496hp/469tq at the wheels! Remember, Nissan rates the ’12 at 530hp/448tq at the flywheel. With a 15% drivetrain loss that puts Walt’s GT-R at 570hp! Nissan underrated it just a smidge. If you are Walt, 570hp just doesn’t cut it so several choice upgrades from AMS with their Alpha 6 package should bring 1/4 mile times into the 10’s. Will Walt be satisfied then? Stay tuned for install pics, videos and dynos!
PS Did I mention that the GT-R is an incredible car? Check out Motor Trend’s current issue where they test 11 supercars in search of the Best Driver’s Car, see article HERE
Comments Off on Godzilla Gets Angrier: More Power For Walt’s GT-R
