What an EPIC track day at Laguna Seca! Everyone had a great time driving and the weather was beautiful. NCRC put on yet another seamless event that was quite affordable too. We left ZCG at 6am Monday with a caravan of 6 Nissans/Datsuns: Herbert in his 240z, Matt in his 510, my 350z, Allen B’s Vortech’d 350z, Scott Smith in the Green Machine, and Rob in the ZCG 370z.

Matt and Allen were first-timers at ‘Seca, and judging from the ear-ear grins on their faces after each session I can tell they had a blast! If you are not familiar with track days or High Performance Driving Events(HPDE), there are usually 3 run groups based on prior track experience/skill level. In the Solo group, instructors ride with drivers for most of the day. Rob and Scott instructed Matt and Allen and they did extremely well! Allen’s supercharged 350z had some fresh Kuhmo rubber on 18″ Enkei wheels framing big Stopechs:

Matt’s 510 sported “#46” and it was a joy to watch him accelerate from corner to corner in his boosted dime…here he is going through the famous corkscrew:

I drove my Z in both solo and point-by groups so I got 10 sessions with almost 3hrs of driving time! ZCG recently upgraded my front brakes to a Stoptech setup and they were incredible! No brake fade and plenty of confidence especially with the stickier tires that Scott lent me(thanks!). I benefited from some in-car instruction as Rob rode with me in the last session. With his help I was able to apply full-throttle in turns/sections and make the most of the track. Pretty soon I’ll be able to catch Scott…
Speaking of Scott, have you seen the latest effort in making the Green Machine meet the  92db sound requirement?

I love hearing this Z on the street, and at the track it’s spine-tingling. The Motordyne Shockwave single exhaust is still loud with the new rear section. Listen to it on the front straight:

and for comparsion’s sake here is my Z with a Nismo exhaust 🙂

Armed with four 285-width Hoosiers(and a bit of talent) Scott ran 1:45s while giving a crowd of folks ride-alongs. Here is a brief commentary from the driver that a certain red 370z so fervently tries to catch:)
“I had logged 52 laps during the day and finally broken into the 1:45s on lap 16 during the second run group when I met Izzy, a guy who races a Z31T and has posted lap times in the 1:30s with an old Nissan. We finished the day out in the “open passing” group, which contains a mix of trailered-and-dedicated track cars and race-bred Porsche 911s. After a few practice laps for Izzy to see my line, we found time in T2, T5, T6, T8, and especially in T11, mostly by adjusting when and how much throttle application. Each lap was a little faster as we pushed a little harder. The tires were a little greasy, but we were still faster. I had just posted my fastest lap ever – a 1:45.28, on tires that had less traction than they did during the morning runs. We were at the limit in a few spots, like T2, T3, T4, T9-11, which are areas I’m comfortable pushing it in. T5 is a high-speed, uphill, left-hander that I had never given much attention to since the sound check is right there and I always have to lift off the throttle to stay under the sound limit anyway. Well, as we exited T5 and started making our way up the hill past the sound check and towards T6, the Z stepped out and spun counter clockwise. At ~80mph, there was little chance of saving it, and before I knew it we were facing backwards. Now you have to worry about your drive train unless you follow the oldest rule in the book, “if you spin, two feet in!” I saw there was no way to save it, so left foot to push the clutch in, right foot on the brake, and hold on. We hit the kitty litter (which is there to slow you down) hard, and the Z dug in, but it wasn’t enough to stop us as we back-sided the tire wall at maybe 30mph. Minus two flat tires and a busted wheel, the damage appears to only be cosmetic around the trunk and bumper area, and we drove the Z home without issue.”

The day was filled with lots of lead-and-follows, ride-alongs to friends and passerbys, and some “spirited” driving. There is something really special about Laguna Seca, and the appreciation grows 10-fold when you experience it from the driver’s(or passenger’s*) seat.  So come out and enjoy a track day with us! Don’t forget to check the gallery for more pictures. The paddock area was full of cool machines.

*special thanks to my friend Chris who took some fantastic videos and pictures. I think we may have turned him into a track nut.
There are many more pictures to enjoy just click below:
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New products continue to enter aftermarket for the 370Z, here is Rob to tell you about a new supercharger kit for the 370z!

ZCG was traveling south to the JCCS show we decided to take a detour and visit Rancho Cucamonga to visit GTM to check out their new Supercharger kit for the 370Z. Sam was nice enough to meet with us on a Saturday afternoon and give us a tour of the facility and it was impressive. The shop is amazing with late-model Nissans everywhere!!

This shop also includes an in-house machine shop, dyno, and alignment rack. After showing us around Sam allowed me to take the Shop Demo car for a ride. Having installed a Stillen supercharger already it was nice to check out Stillen’s competitor in the Forced Induction battle. First impression was quiet, nice driveability, and nice torque once the engine hits its sweet spot.
The boost takes over and seems like it keeps getting stronger as the rpms increase. Sam was surprised when I requested we throw it on the dyno.
Here is a short video Alvin took of the dyno run:

 

With the engine heat soaked and the temps in the shop close to 100 degrees the Z put down some good numbers: 380hp/305tq

Sam also shared some plots of pervious pulls with cooler temps, with readings of ~425hp/340tq.
Nice power and big torque.

Impressed! Excited to install one of these soon! Any takers?
Long live the Z
Rob

 

The first time I saw this pretty Datsun 510 was at the BlackHawk Nissan show last year, but I never met the owner. Fast forward to the TurnZ event in June. Finally spoke to owner, Matt G about his car very briefly. And only 2 weeks ago we hung out at the JCCS show and drove back up to Norcal together for almost 400 miles…I had to share his 510 and the story behind it with you.

This 510 was purchased on eBay in 2005, and during the 4 years following has undergone a complete restoration. Virtually every nut, bolt, bushing or seal has been replaced with new or like new used parts. The normal body rust that existed was
replaced with like metal, welded in place and rust proofed. The body was then seam sealed and rust proofed from the inside out and professionally prepared and painted by William’s Auto Body. All work done by Matt except for a few things!

 

The drive train and brakes were improved over stock equipment and a 1995 240SX 2.4L(KA24DE) engine and transmission where swapped in and a Greddy turbo kit added. Matt prepped the engine with oversize 9.0:1 forged WiseCo Pistons,  Forged Connecting Rods, and the head received a mild port and polish and early 1992 Intake and Exhaust Cams (longer duration).  ARP Head and Main studs, and a Cosmetic Metal head gasket keeps things tight.

 

The Greddy Turbo Kit(12psi) is made for the 240SX.   Custom piping, a proper recirc’d BOV, custom BMIC(that’s right bottom mount!) Bell intercooler with super trick air scoop (spring loaded for driveways, speed bumps, etc). The exhaust system is 2.5”  done in stainless by none other than Dan Gallmeister of DGR Fabrication and is finished by a dual-tipped Magnaflow muffler. Fuel duties are handled by custom bent 3/8 “ aluminum supply and return Lines, 300zx in-tank pump, Aeromotive regulator, and Nissan 370cc injectors.

 

Matt’s hard work paid off when he dyno’d the 510 at ZCarGarage on one of it’s Dyno Days. It made good power, spinning the rollers to the tune of 262hp/264tq to the wheels!

~300hp in a 2000lb car must be fun:)

 

To put all the power to the ground Matt modified the suspension both front and rear. Up front there are Energy Suspension bushings, 280ZX Struts with Tokico adjustable coilovers and adjustable camber plates.
In rear,  a penultimate rear crossmember with Proshock adjustable coilovers.
Braking is accomplished with 4-wheel discs, 280ZX fronts with vented rotors and 280zx rears with solid rotors. A 280ZX 15/16” master cylinder and custom e-brake handle complete the setup.

When we drove down from JCCS show I noticed the awesome stance on Matt’s 510. Great job restoring it and driving it because DATSUNS are driven!

ZCarGarage is building this ’67 Camaro Pro-Touring style with a modern powertrain and running gear but nearly stock appearance. Think “old soul” with modern “go”! Power will come from a GM LS1 V8 with a T56 six-speed manual transmission. Full suspension upgrades, modern wheel/tires and a BAER braking system will help control the added power. The first phase in the resto is to literally breakdown the car in preparation for paint, which will be black with white rally stripes after Williams performs his magic

Like all ZCG restorations, each item that is removed from the car is individually bagged an labeled, then placed on a separate rack for the owner.  Here are a few photos from the interior removal:

Say goodbye to the straight-6! Old suspension will be replaced with new pieces throughout:

Stripped and ready for paint…check back for updates!

 

That is what the license plate reads on this 240z that belongs to Mark and Michelle G. Although the Z may have ate money it has been loved and fully supported by the family for about 10years. The Z is at ZCarGarage getting a full mechanical restoration before going to Williams Auto Body for body/paint. It is being built for the street with occasional track use, so brakes and suspension had to be upgraded. ZCG installed a full Arizona Z Car suspension from front to rear including robust control arms, sway bars, and bushings.  The entire underbody was also prepped and undercoated:

The 200rwhp L31 engine features triple Mikuni 44 carbs, a rare Clifford 6-2 exhaust header, and a ZCG triple-carb heat shield. The stock transmission was replaced with a 240sx gearbox with a JWT flywheel and heavy duty clutch. In back an R200 LSD diff along with a Porsche 930 CV conversion round out the drivetrain modifications:

 

The rear portion of the exhaust was made to be removeable making adjustments/work easier:

 

The Z featured Porsche 993 Twin-Turbo calipers at all four-corners and though it is an incredible braking system it needed some work/proportioning so ZCG did some fine tuning.

 

Soon these gorgeous brakes will be encased by shiny new custom made 17″ Panasport C8 wheels!

Finally, a nice touch that is both functional and good-looking are some new pedals. Let the Heel/Toe boogie begin!

 

Stay tuned for more updates after the Z comes back from Williams with fresh body and paint!

Lots of detailed pictures of the suspension below:
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