Happy Friday from Z Car Garage! Here are a few cars in for service, performance upgrades and mechanical sorting. Enjoy! Matt’s 1972 Datsun 240Z received our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles along with a full suspension refresh and engine tuning back in 2022. He returned to ZCG for a KA24 5-speed transmission, LSD and a new 3L L-series engine with triple-Mikuni carb induction.
Michael’s LeMans Sunset Nissan 350Z is getting an OS Giken LSD and gears.
2025 marked the 21st Anniversary of Z Car Garage. From all of us at Z Car Garage we thank our friends, family and clients for another exciting and productive year! Enjoy our 2025 recap and preview of projects and features for 2026.
Z Car Garage Parts Update for 2026
We ended 2025 by sending off 10 sets of cores for our Z Car Garage KW V3 Suspension coil-overs. These first 10 sets are all spoken for, now we let KW do their magic. Super excited to see more S30 owners enjoying a product we are proud of. These coil-overs offer game-changing performance suitable for street, track and daily-driving for your S30 Datsun Z car.
Our exhaust header for the 6-cylinder L-Series engine has been in testing (2 revisions and 2 prototypes built) for perfect fitment. It made more power and torque than anything we’ve tested on our ZCG dyno. Special thanks to Rebello Racing for their help with R&D and dyno testing. Super excited to offer a stainless header for all our builds, and yes, it fits our 6-speed CD009a swap. Photos, dyno testing and video coming soon.
Z Car Garage CD009a 6-speed Shifter
The CD009a 6-speed transmission have been a common ZCG upgrade. We’ve been looking at options for making the shifter more user-friendly. Now on the 3rd shifter assembly, we have just installed it into Mrs. Butters, our Series 1 shop 240z, with testing underway before it is released in our product line.
Z Car Garage Big-Brake Kits
One of ZCG’s greatest achievements is the development of our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes with Stoptech. Tons of happy clients are running these brakes on their S30s. When Covid hit with supplier issues we could not deliver this product to clients. Despite our best efforts, unfortunately we had to move on, no longer offering this kit. Good news: Since we always like to one-up things we will be offering a new Big-Brake Kit! It will have a slightly larger rotor, 4-pistons calipers front and rear. It is in testing, and will be released only if it’s better than V1. Stay tuned for pictures.
Client Updates for 2026
We had a busy year and many zcarblog features have yet to be published. Before we take a look back at highlights from 2025, here are several exciting projects coming along at the shop with full features in 2026:
Rashid lives in Dubai and his Datsun 240Z is getting 3.2L L-Series with pH44 Mikuni induction and exhaust header, ZX 5-speed transmission, OS Giken 4.11 LSD, Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech) and 16″ Panasport wheels:
David G’s Series 1 S30 which already features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, ZCG CV Axles and CD009a Six-Speed transmission. It is getting Twin-cam power with the Datsunworks KN20. Re-assembly is next. To see our first KN20 build in action and learn more about Datsunworks please visit zcarblog HERE
Our most viewed video was James’ Turbocharged L-Series Datsun 240Z, enjoy:
Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z (#1762) has our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, CD009a Six-speed transmission and Fujitsubo exhaust. The L28 now has Jenvey ITB EFI managed by a Haltech 750:
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. Affectionately known as “Ole Orange Bang”, it features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, chassis preparation, dyno tuning and more. It received a full engine bay restoration.
Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z is now sporting a Rebello 3.2L with Jenvey ITB EFI, Recaro Specialist seats, CD009a 6-speed transmission, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles!
Rick’s BRE-inspired Datsun 240Z track car is getting a CD009 6-speed transmission, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, coil-over suspension and track preparation.
We have several Z32 NA and TT cars currently at the shop. Gary’s Twin Turbo (above) got a new set of BBS LM wheels. Full update on this car soon! Paul Ferrari returned to ZCG since we completed his Epic Z32 Build in 2017. He’s ready for ethanol, after running this car on race fuel for many years. We will be installing dual fuel pumps, BDE top fuel rail and all the fixings:
William’s Z32TT, formerly Rob’s personal car for over 20 years. Featuring Volk SF-Challenge wheels and fresh paint:
Cameron’s Z32 is here for maintenance work and downpipes, inlet piping, larger intercoolers all from Specialty Z. Cameron has been bringing his 300 to us for many years and we we are really glad to have him back.
William’s Z32TT is getting 740cc injectors, downpipes and more:
510s
Noah’s Bluebird racecar and Marcus’ Datsun 510 featuring a S14 SR20DE drivetrain
Dyno Tuning your 350z/370z/Q/G
We have been dyno tuning your late model Nissan/Infiniti sports car daily. Bolt-ons, UPREV tuning. Our customers leave happy with more performance. Call us to schedule an appointment! Here are just a few cars:
Kevin’s Nismo 370z
Aaron’s G37 with Stoptech brakes
Nissan Z (RZ34)
Dyno tuning, bolt-ons, suspension installs and general maintenance for the RZ34
Skylines, R35, R34 and R32 GT-R
Chris’ and James’ R35 GT-R
Kurt’s R32 Skyline GT-R is got a fresh RB26 motor and turbo upgrade to complement the new KW coil-over suspension:
Hakosuka Skyline
Sebastian’s Skyline left the shop after a suspension refresh, engine work and adapting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech). We hope to offer this in the future for C10 clients.
2026 will be an epic year for vintage racing. The Historic B&C Sedan (HBC) will have its own run group at the Velocity Invitational and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (RMMR). This year, the featured marque/celebration is Japanese Motorsports! It will be very special. We are almost finished with th Joel Anderson’s #49 IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z, debuting it at the Velocity event in May.
2026 race schedule with CSRG coming soon. We also be traveling this year, attending PIR and Pacific Raceway (SOVREN). Always excited to see our clients improving their craft while having a blast racing. Vintage Spec Miata is growing and please let is know if you are interested running with us!
Highlights from 2025
Even though 2025 was a busy year for all of us we still managed to have fun on and off the track. The shop made some really great progress as well. Enjoy these highlights from the year and Z you in 2026!
Click on each link or photo to see the full features!
Mike R sent us his 1971 Datsun 240Z from North Carolina for mechanical sorting, Z Car Garage-style. Our Z Car Garage CV Axles, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage KW V3 coil-overs and CD009a Six-Speed transmission transformed this 919 Sunshine Yellow S30.
This is Christopher’s 1975 Datsun 280Z featuring our Z Car Garage CV Axles, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and ZCG KW coil-over suspension! He performed a meticulous restoration himself with highlights including an ITB EFI-fed L-Series, CD009 6-speed transmission and Watanabe wheels.
This is Matthew’s 1973 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage KW Suspension. He has kept the car mostly original aside from chassis and drivetrain upgrades including a triple-carb’d L-Series, Watanabe wheels and Recaro seats.
We first met Jonathan in 2021 while visiting Nissan Headquarters in Tennessee to preview the Z Proto. In addition to being a proud Nissan North America employee, he is an avid car enthusiast with a passion for Nissans and Datsuns, having owned a 240Z, 350Z and Hakosuka Skyline. Jonathan recently acquired this QM1 White R34 Skyline GT-R from our friend Sean at Toprank International Vehicle Importers, and came to Z Car Garage for upgrades and dyno tuning.
RZ34
Joseph’s 2023 Nissan Z
Racing
We love racing! See our race reports below and 2026 schedule coming soon
For Sale (SOLD)
1970 Series 1 Datsun 240Z
VIN # 6132
Monte Carlo Red. Original paint
L28 engine with 4-speed manual transmission
Full suspension upgrade with Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech, 328mm)
Price: $27k
Interior: stock with Recaro Specialist seats:
Car currently has 16″ Konig Rewind wheels with Bridgestone RE760 tires and chassis upgrades:
-Stoptech/ZCG big brake kit (Stoptech ST-42 calipers)
-Arizona Z Car billet suspension
-Ground Control coil-overs
-MSA front/rear strut tower bars
Engine is a stock L28:
Solid car, only evidence of rust just below battery tray. Paint is original (Monte Carlo Red only available on early models) and could use a refresh.
FRANK: Our 1975 280z was affectionately nicknamed “Charlie” in 1978 when we became the third owners of the car. I was 22 at the time and my parents had promised to help me buy my 1st car when I finish college. My girlfriend Patty accompanied me down to San Jose to look at the car and test drive but more accurately she had to do the test drive of the manual transmission because I only knew how to drive an automatic transmission. I think I made up the story that the 280z was for my “little sister!” From that moment on that Datsun Z became part of our lives. A short while later we drove “Charlie” on a nice day trip to Monterey where I proposed and I even wrote Patty a note promising that if I ever screw up our marriage, the Z is hers. Talk about a unique prenup!
Anyway “Charlie” has always been with us often as a daily driver to school, work or sometimes to Sears Point to watch that actor race for Bob Sharp. Servicing was usually done at Z Doctor in Richmond or Hayes Auto in the city but as the years went by and these places closed we started to rely on neighborhood service station mechanics.
Fast forward 37 years later, approaching retirement and a big move to San Diego one of my work colleagues who races Miatas asked me if I had ever heard of a fellow vintage racer Rob Fuller who does wonders on Z’s out of his shop Z Car Garage. After exchanging a few photos, Rob agreed to take on a new project. Luckiest day in “Charlie’s” life!
ROB: Frank was a doctor at a SF hospital and his colleague (Matt) was racing Spec Miata as a newbie while I was racing full-time SCCA in 2022, no longer taking any work in. So through a racing connection I was able to take in their car. We performed extensive work on Charlie: injectors, header, ZCG exhaust system, all hydraulics, clutch, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, heater core, 240Z bumpers, full suspension and 16×7 Panasports.
Suspension
The suspension was refreshed with Techno Toy Tuning parts done in ZCG black finish. KYB strut inserts with Eibach lowering kit, T3 control arms, tension rods, urethane bump stops, rack bushings, control arm bushings, ball joints , f/r wheel bearings, ST sway bars, mustache bar bushings…everything was powdercoated or zinc plated.
Before/After:
More chassis photos in the gallery below!
Z Car Garage Big-Brakes
We are proud to have several of our ZCG products on Frank’s 280Z. We installed our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) which have the been standard on numerous ZCG builds.
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
Frank’s stock disc/drum brakes were removed and we installed our ZCG Big-Brake kit.
At the rear, the factory drum brakes were replaced with our ZCG Big-Brakes. New OEM Nissan master cylinder and Factory handbrake functionality IS retained!
Z Car Garage CV Axles
Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. We have over 250 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback. Frank’s ZCG CV Axles set #0047 shown below:
New motor mounts, tranny and diff mount. The differential was resealed:
Panasport Wheels
Complementing the new Big-Brakes on Frank’s Z are Panasport wheels! We installed 16×7 Panasports with 225/50/16 tires and performed an alignment:
Engine
We knew the car would be stopping and handling better than before, so next up was the engine bay. Once up and running we found the head gasket weeping. We replaced the head gasket, did the front timing chain set and refreshed the top end:
A Koyo race aluminum radiator with upper and lower hoses was installed to keep temperatures in check. The heater core was refurbished:
Beyond cooling and fuel system work, the engine was largely untouched to maintain factory reliability. The intake manifold and all associated plumbing was cleaned up and injectors replaced. We replaced intake and exhaust manifold gaskets with factory Nissan parts with a few ZCG tricks like our exhaust nut and exhaust studs.
New alternator before/after:
New evap canister:
The exhaust manifold was replaced with a 6-into-1 header and EGR kit leading to our ZCG exhaust system with stainless resonator and slash-cut tip.
Engine bay Before/After:
VIDEO
Frank and Patty’s 280Z in action on the street, volume up and enjoy!
S30 World Fuel Tank
We decided to start fresh with a new S30 World fuel tank. Great product from owners Gustav Oplasnik and Chris Visscher, Z enthusiasts/restorers. All the vapor hoses in the back were replaced and hatch weatherstripping to eliminate fuel smell in the cabin:
Interior
Recaro Specialist seats in leather are our favorite upgrade to the S30 interior:
Another upgrade to the interior of an S30 is our ZCG sound deadening package. The result is a less tinny sound and almost Germanic-like “clunk” when you shut the doors. All weatherstripping was replaced on Frank’s 280Z:
240Z Bumpers
Frank wanted to clean up the exterior lines and replaced the large, factory 5-mph bumpers with chrome bumpers from a 240Z. We installed aftermarket F/R bumpers after our man William closed up all the holes and finished the paint work. Enjoy the before/after photos with more in the gallery below.
Rear:
Front:
Enjoying The Ride
We shipped the Z back to Frank and Patty in their new home down in San Diego. They were super stoked with the ZCG work performed and immediately began driving the car. Their first car show was The Main Street America car show in July put on by the Corvette Club of San Diego. Over 400 cars with a Datsun category.
FRANK: Rob and ZCG basically made our 280Z the awesomest most fun to drive ever. The list of replacements and improvements is too long to list but basically incredible upgrades with ZCG BBK, suspension rebuild with KYB struts springs, new bushings, ball joints tie rods control rods sway bar etc… and ZCG 2.5 exhaust system, ZCG CV axles, all new hoses, Koyo Race radiator with belts and so much more! Cosmetically a new head turner with 240Z style bumpers, beautiful bigger wheels with sticky tires and Recaro seats that are the envy. Again so many upgrades a long list but needed and appreciated. “Charlie” is faster, handles better, brakes with authority and what a tone!
Patty and I will always be grateful to Rob for his expertise, Z enthusiasm, honesty and did I mention sweet singing voice. A true pleasure to work with.
Thanks for your support Frank and Patty. Long Live The Z!
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:
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 installation guide. Blog posts documenting all of our customers running the ZCG Big-Brakes can be found HERE. Christopher’s beautiful S30 and his ZCG Big-Brake installation:
Our ZCG Big-Brake kit ships with everything needed to install and retains the factory parking brake function. Chris successfully installed the BBK on his Z and they look great behind the 16×8 (zero offset) Watanabe wheels with 225/45/16 Toyo tires. 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.
CHRISTOPHER: The car feels planted like never before. Our family also has a fully restored 73 240 that is an excellent OEM example. Where that car feels stable and drives well, there’s no denying the age of its component and it drives like a seventies sports car. The 280 feels like a modern sports car and inspires confidence. The brake pedal communicates exceptionally well and the balance of the calipers bring the z down from speed a rate well beyond most cars today. The light weight of the S30 and the size of the ZCG big brakes is an unreal combo!
This is Matthew’s 1973 Datsun 240Z featuring our Z Car Garage KW Suspension. He has kept the car mostly original aside from chassis and drivetrain upgrades including a triple-carb’d L-Series, Watanabe wheels and Recaro seats. Let’s take a look at how Matthew got into Z cars…
Matt is from Calgary, AB and we know him through his father, Rob from many years ago. Our good friend Herbert was selling his original paint, 87k-mile 240Z and Rob noticed it on zcarblog.com leading to his acquisition.
MATT: My Z car story is a family affair that began at a young age. Growing up, my parents both owned Z32 300ZX convertibles — which, incidentally, is how our connection with Z Car Garage began in 2004 when Rob and the team at Z Car Garage did a pre-purchase inspection on one of the Z32 Convertibles before being imported to Canada. We were active in a local Z car club in Calgary, Alberta, attending events with the 300ZX. At the time, the 350Z was new and exciting, and I even had a poster of one on my bedroom wall.
But to truly understand our story, it’s important to go back even further. When my dad was a teenager working at a local gas station, he fell in love with an orange 240Z with a white interior that often came through. He was 18 at the time and never forgot that car. Fast forward to 2009, when Rob from Z Car Garage called and told my dad he had to buy a 1973 240Z that had just been featured on ZcarBlog. My Dad flew down to Seattle, WA to pick up the car and drove it back to Calgary, AB. I was 15 then, and I vividly remember working on the car with my dad. We replaced the dash with an original, uncracked one, fixed a minor oil pack leak, and made lasting memories at local car shows and events.
When I turned 18, my dad gifted me half-ownership of the Z. Unexpected circumstances forced us to sell the car in early 2012. By then, though, I had fully caught the Z car bug. I spent the next year or so searching high and low across classified ads in the U.S. and Canada, but nothing quite compared to our Z. On a whim, I posted a “wanted” ad on our local classifieds, using the most recent photo I had of the car. Then, in March 2014, I received a message that simply said: “Hello, I own your old car,”…followed by a phone number. We exchanged a few emails and calls, and they even sent me a photo of the car’s current condition (below, March 2014).
On April 5, 2014, I picked up the car and drove it straight to my dad’s house. He didn’t know I had bought it back. I drove past the house, and he spotted it from inside. I don’t think I had even parked before he was out the door, beaming with excitement. Not only had I gotten back into a 240Z — I had brought home our 240Z, the same one we had built memories with years earlier.
From 2014 onward, the car remained largely untouched. Matt was finishing university and starting his career, and while he drove it when weather permitted, the Z mostly stayed as it was. Behind the scenes, he was always dreaming of how he’d eventually build it — period-correct modifications, all reversible, in case they ever wanted to return the car to stock.
In 2021, he began collecting parts for the build. He started with a second set of suspension components, which allowed him to send the spindles and hubs out for the KW coilover conversion and have other parts powder-coated or zinc-plated.
MATT: I first came across KW’s Classic segment on their Instagram page in 2021, which featured the 240Z platform. A few years later, I reached out to KW and learned that Z Car Garage would be the exclusive dealer for the kit. Given my family’s long-standing history with Z Car Garage, it was an easy decision to contact Rob and place an order.
The installation was straightforward, though slightly more involved than on a modern car due to the need to install bearings into the hubs. I also opted for the KW adjustable top hats, as I planned to run 16×8 +0 Watanabe wheels and wanted to avoid rolling the fenders in order to preserve the car’s originality. The first drive revealed a night-and-day difference compared to the stock suspension—firm, yet compliant enough to maintain comfort for street driving. Although Z Car Garage ships the KWs with a recommended out-of-the-box setup, we ended up softening the settings slightly to better suit the rougher roads in Calgary, Alberta, which are no match for the smoother roads in California.
In the corners, the car feels extremely planted, with excellent turn-in and feedback. With my current setup, the grip provided by the suspension and tires far exceeds the car’s power output, making it an absolute joy to drive and toss around in corners. Before installing the KWs, I drove more conservatively, hesitant to push the car too hard. Now, with the upgraded suspension, my confidence—especially in corners and at higher speeds—has grown significantly, allowing me to truly enjoy the full potential of my Z car.
It took a couple of years to gather everything, but with the help of a good friend — who also happens to own the local performance shop, VEX Performance in Calgary — the build finally started coming together in July 2023. We removed the old suspension and replaced it with freshly powder-coated components and, of course, the KW suspension. The engine bay was cleaned and prepped for the new Fujitsubo exhaust and triple Weber setup.
But the moment it all came together was when the car was lowered onto the ground, sitting on its new Watanabe wheels. That’s when it hit me — a rush of emotion. The same Z my dad bought in 2009, the one I brought home in 2014, had finally become the car I’d dreamed of for years.
Thanks for your support Matt! We love that you are building and enjoying your dream Z car! What’s next?
MATT: As of 2025, the Z is exactly how I envisioned it. I take it to local Cars and Coffee events, car shows, and the occasional late-night meet. As for future plans — they’re still up in the air. I’ve considered going EFI, or maybe even an OS Giken TC24 build someday. But for now, I plan to Enjoy the Ride.
Build Sheet:
Engine/Drivetrain
Triple Weber DCOE40
Kameari Exhaust Sheild
ITG Air Filter w/ Carbon Backing Plate
Fujitsubo Super Ex Header
Fujitsubo Legalis R Exhaust
Koyo Radiator
Malpassi FP Regulator
Nismo Fuel Pump
STI R180 3.54 LSD
Suspension
KW V3 Coilovers w/ Camber Plates
Endless Front BBK
T3 Rear Control Arms
T3 Front Tension Rods
ST F/R Swaybars
280ZX Rear Disc Brake Conversion
SuperPro Bushing Kit
Wheels/Tires
Watanabe R Type 16×8 ET 0
Watanabe Electron Lock Nuts
Continental ExtremeContact 225/50R16
