At ZCG we love to participate in Motorsports and race prep for vintage Datsuns is just one of the few services we offer to get you on track and closer to the podium. Earlier this year we helped Steve Link with a high rpm misfire on his Datsun 240z. Steve had been chasing this gremlin for awhile and finally made his way North to ZCG where we solved it!  Steve provided us a few clips of the race at Willow Springs:

Leaving the grid:

Here’s a walkaround:

We also tuned Wayne McAtee’s Datsun 510:

Look for more race-prep from ZCG in 2013!

Craig has been a long time Z33 owner and over the years we have seen him at various motorsports events and fun runs. He had kept his Z relatively stock with the exception of some sharp Nismo wheels but when you roll with other ZCG customers it’s hard to resist the forced induction bug. Craig finally made the jump to lightspeed with a full Vortech install on his ’04 LeMans Sunset Z earlier this year.

Craig got the “works” including a polished Vortech Tuner Kit,  Stillen headers, JWT cams, GTM MAF and oil cooler, Aeromotive 340 fuel pump, Bosch injectors and exhaust upgrades.

On the exhaust side we started with Stillen headers, ART pipes and finished with a Bassani exhaust system:

 

Here are the headers, ART pipes and exhaust system installed:

 

Craig’s Z33 is a 2004 model with the CD001 transmission. This old unit was notorious for grinding shifts so we upgraded it to a new CD009 transmission and also installed a JWT HD clutch/flywheel:

 

GTM oil cooler and JWT cams(note difference in profiles) :

 
Instead of the common DEFI/Autometer pillar-mounted gauges, Craig went with the slick BrockwayEngineering DGauge. This relatively new TFT-display gauge provides real-time monitoring of engine vitals in a very compact package. We mounted it in the NAV/cubby, placing it where this storage area could still be used:

We have performed countless Vortech supercharger installs and Craig’s was straightforward. Vortech really makes a great package.  Here is a closeup of ZCG Cold-Air Intake and FMIC:

 

Below are a few NA/FI shots…aside from the shiny intake and polished blower it is a fairly low-key engine bay:

 

If you are like Craig and have owned/driven an NA Z33 for several years, the jump in power that forced-induction brings is one of the most gratifying experiences!  On the dyno the stock Z made 233hp/230tq a the wheels. After the Vortech install and UPREV tuning courtesy of Rob, Craig’s Z made 415hp/344tq at the wheels. Peak gains of 182hp/114tq  AND more power everywhere in the rev range totally transforms this car.

Enjoy the Ride Craig! We know that your journey to forced-induction was well worth the wait!

Joe C and his wife are both huge convertible fans. Joe’s ride is a vintage Mustang and his wife’s is this pretty Z32 convertible. Joe wanted his wife to fall back in love with her Z and enlisted the help of Z Car Garage.

We started with a full suspension revamp including Eibach springs on Tockiko 5-way adjustable shocks,

Stillen sway bars and Powertrix control arms and tension rods:

Brakes calipers were rebuilt and upgraded with Stoptech’s Sport Kit:

Cosmetics needed attention as well. We replaced the torn softop and the faded rear tail-light finisher, both common wear items:

NA Z32s that have aftermarket exhausts systems can be loud. Put the top down and it can be annoying. We wanted a performance sound that wouldn’t intrude on the top-down driving experience so we made a custom exhaust system using an extra-large resonator. Factory looks and a mellow Z tone…this sun bunny is ready for the road!

David M is a long time Z32 owner and we talked about building up his ’91 300zx Twin-Turbo for several years. In 2010 we did a full engine build including a ZCG long block, cams, BB 530 turbos, oil coolers and dual POP chargers.

With 10k miles on the fresh drivetrain it was time for smog and braking system work. We tuned the car for 91 and 100 octane. Big thanks to Seb from SpecialtyZ for the opportunity to now tune the intake/exhaust cams with NISTUNE software.

Here is the 91 octane tune with peak gains of 11hp/18tq at the wheels:

Here is the old vs new tune on 100 octane:

 

Kotaro Y owns this low VIN (#2115) 1970 240z and he came to ZCG for some serious performance upgrades. Topping the list of go-fast parts: A Rebello 3.2L stroker motor with triple Mikuni pHH 44s…a match made in heaven! Here is the stock L-series with dual-SU carbs and OEM Nissan blue engine block. Out it goes…

 

…And now for the 3.2L transformation! Before dropping the new beastly powerplant into the detailed engine bay we added an MSD igntion, JWT Flywheel and Clutch, and a Koyo aluminum radiator with custom upper/lower hoses:

 

No triple-carb setup is complete without the ZCG custom made heat sheild…

The 3.2L looks great but does it perform? Oh yeah, big time! Kotaro’s Z  is the 2nd highest NA L-series to roll the dyno at ZCG: 268hp/246tq to the wheels! The sound that accompanies this power is amazing.

 

The Z also needed some minor cosmetic work like fixing the tach, door handles, brake lights and fuel hoses…all in a day’s work at shop 🙂  So  what is next for Kotaro? 14 days after we handed him the keys to his new 3.2L Zed, he came back to ZCG of course because with great power comes great responsibility! He needed some brakes. Not just any brakes but the track tested and proven ZCG big-brake kit. Kotaro will also be getting our 240sx gearbox upgrade (as seen on Gary’s Resto) which is a fantastic transmission swap to run behind your L-series powerplant. As for the interior, we will install some new Recaro LXF seats…stay tuned for the next chapter as the New Year will be exciting for Kotaro’s Z!