Shop Talk for
Z-Car enthusiasts!

Click here to go to the Z Car Garage home page...Click here to go to the Z Car Blog home page...
Performance Parts for Nissan, Inifiniti and Datsun Cars
Search:

The Works: John’s 300zx Twin Turbo

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Maintenance,Performance
by Alvin G @ 4:45 pm on August 23, 2014

ZCG 3314 Cam2 003
 

John P is a new Z car owner and found this Z32TT in the Pacific NW.  When we first met John his Z had 110k miles on the clock and he decided it was time to modify…so we gave him the works! Before the go-fast goodies were installed we addressed all of the car’s issues John discussed with us and ended up with a beautifully clean, well-rounded 300zx.  Our first order of business was in engine bay, correcting the PCV system which had been bypassed/cobbled together:

ZCG Cam 2 2814 049ZCG Cam 2 2814 067ZCG Cam 2 2814 055
 

Next, we found an injector problem and performed the common late-style conversion. The 1990-1994 Z32TT’s have fuel injector problems because Nissan used a wet coil design. This left the injector coil wire prone to oxidation over time and eventual shorting. The solution? Convert to later style injectors using the early fuel rail. There are several adaptor kits on the market to achieve this, making servicing/removal a breeze without the need for removing the manifolds. For John’s Z we wanted to run 740cc injectors which is only available in the new style:

ZCG Cam 2 2814 095ZCG Cam 2 2814 094
 

More engine work including full timing belt services along with valve cover removal/refinishing:

ZCG Cam 2 2814 034ZCG Cam 2 2814 03522414 zcg cam2 026
 

Driveline was upgraded with a JWT HD clutch and flywheel. Keen observers may note that the exhaust has changed too!

ZCG #2 21514 009ZCG #2 21514 043
 

Larger downpipes greatly improve flow over the stock manifolds. The best downpipes for your Z32TT (in our opinion) can be found at SpecialtyZ. These are 3″ units:

ZCG #2 21514 011ZCG #2 21514 041
 

The Z was treated to a chassis steam clean, making a clean grime-free backdrop for the new exhaust system!  The downpipes were mated to 3-2.5″ midpipes:

CAM3 11314 011ZCG #2 21514 073ZCG 3314 Cam2 002
 

With wiring and general cleaning the engine bay looks much better!

CAM3 11314 007ZCG 3314 Cam2 009
 

A few chassis upgrades included SPL T/C rods and bushings as well fresh rear brakes:

22414 zcg cam2 05822414 zcg cam2 059
 

With the mechanicals sorted John added a few lighting improvements to the interior. The dim stock displays benefitted from new LED sources. Check out the difference:

22414 zcg cam2 068ZCG 3314 Cam2 018
Even the climate control display is improved:

22414 zcg cam2 070 - CopyZCG 3314 Cam2 021
 

More LED upgrades throughout the cabin:

ZCG 3314 Cam2 027ZCG 3314 Cam2 016ZCG 3314 Cam2 020
 

All of the work above was completed on John’s first visit. On the dyno the new exhaust clearly makes a noticeable improvement in power. We picked up 31hp/33tq to the wheels:

John Park Z32TT (1)
 

John visited ZCG for the second time for upgrades!  We installed more parts from our friends at SpecialtyZ  like their Selin dual MAF.  To improve breathing we also installed larger Stillen intercoolers and charge plumbing from Ash-spec:

ZCG 51714 019ZCG 51714 040
 

Finally, low-profile engine mounts from BDE offer more turbo inlet clearance:

ZCG 51714 020ZCG 51714 032
 

With larger ICs, plumbing and dual MAF’s we tuned John’s Z and it now makes 372hp/360tq to the wheels:

John P Mods to Tune (1)
 

Enjoy The Ride, John!

ZCG 3314 Cam2 004




Track Day Sept. 6-7: Sonoma Raceway with Speed SF

Filed under: Events
by Alvin G @ 11:29 pm on August 4, 2014

Screen Shot 2014-08-04 at 1.27.43 PM

Our friends at SpeedSF are running another great track day at Sonoma Raceway September 6-7. We love running our cars with these folks and they go above and beyond to make sure you get tons of track time!
Register now at SpeedSF.com!





Alex’s Supercharged 370z

Filed under: 370z,Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 4:18 pm on August 2, 2014

ZCG 52714 409

Alex T is the owner of this pretty Black Cherry Z34 and he visited Z Car Garage on referral from our boost junkie friend and customer Juan F.  To satisfy Alex’s desire for forced induction we installed a Stillen supercharger kit that was actually used on Grant K’s Nismo 370z.

JC12014 004JC11314 066JC12014 005
 

Out of the box, this older Stillen kit left plenty of room for improvement so we invested in several upgrades like 1000cc injectors, Aeromotive high-flow fuel pump, pulley and these engine oil/automatic transmission coolers:

JC11314 015JC11314 035
 

The transmission received a GTM valve-body upgrade and stock bypass valve was replaced with a blow-off valve:

JC11314 014JC1110213 017JC11314 027
 

Fast Intentions test pipes replace factory cats:

JC11314 023 - CopyJC11314 020 - CopyJC11314 025
 

To put the power down more effectively we installed a Quaife limited-slip differential, using the stock 3.36 R&P:

ZCG 51714 050ZCG 51714 080ZCG 51714 067
 

With all of the modifications and UPREV tuning Rob extracted 435hp/343tq to the wheels. This is a 147hp/104tq gain over stock:

Alex Tat Z34 Stillen and baseline
 

To monitor vitals Alex chose PLX Device’s OBD2 multi-gauge. We first installed this trick, wireless sensor/gauge package on Steve’s G35 with an iPhone interface.  For Alex’s Z34 the multi-gauge was seamlessly integrated into the OEM pod:

ZCG 52714 325ZCG 52714 327ZCG 52714 328

We love the brilliant display and wealth of data that can be accessed:

ZCG 52714 355ZCG 52714 385
 

Enjoy the Ride Alex!

ag1

Check out more pictures in the gallery:
…[read more]





ZCG 61614 1 042
 

Stillen supercharger month continues at Z Car Garage! Our last reports included Daly’s G37 sedan,
David G’s G37 S coupe and today we bring you 2009 David S’ G37 Convertible. The trifecta of supercharged Infiniti G-cars is complete!

ZCG 61614 1 008ZCG 61614 1 007ZCG 61614 1 027
 

As with previous builds, the Stillen supercharger kit installation is straightforward. A Stillen oil cooler and colder plugs were added:

ZCG 61614 1 021ZCG 61614 1 024ZCG 61614 1 027
 

From NA to boost!

ZCG 61614 1 006ZCG 61614 1 036
 

Out of the box with the Stillen-supplied CAN tune the ‘vert made 408hp/325tq to the wheels. This is a great improvement of 122hp/75tq over stock but at Z Car Garage we can do better!

David S G37 Vert Baseline and Can Tune
 

Rob’s tuning yielded +12hp peak with smoother delivery all the way to 7500rpm:

David S G37 Vert Can to Final tune
 

With 420whp we also thought it would be prudent to start David off with some fresh tires 🙂
This concludes our Stillen supercharger month at the shop…can we help you boost your Nissan/Infiniti?

ZCG 61614 1 043




Mike’s Nismo 370z

Filed under: 370z,Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 1:32 am on July 25, 2014

zcg 3914 cam4 004
 

Mike U visted Z Car Garage back in May for Stillen intakes on his Nismo 370z. The Z was a gift to himself and with just 2800 miles on the odometer he got the modification bug. In addition to the intakes we installed a Fast Intentions exhaust system and Eibach springs:

ZCG 61614 4 081ZCG 61614 4 079
 

Exhaust before/after:

ZCG 61614 4 076ZCG 61614 4 098
 

A few more shots of the system:

ZCG 61614 4 094ZCG 61614 4 095ZCG 61614 4 096
 

The Fast Intentions system looks great and also frees up some power!

ZCG 61614 4 107ZCG 61614 4 106
 

We saw a 7hp peak gain at the wheels over baseline:

MIke U Z34Nismo Baseline and Exhaust
 

With Rob’s UPREV tuning Mike’s Z34 now makes 315hp/256tq:

Mike U Z34 Nismo Start to finish
 

Eibach springs improve the stance and SPC camber arms keeping the alignment in check:

 ZCG 61614 4 083ZCG 61614 4 089
 

We dig the slight ride height reduction:

ZCG 61614 4 101
ZCG 61614 4 102
 

Enjoy The Ride, Mike!




« Newer ArticlesOlder Articles »