Congratulations to our client Dan F on achieving his personal goal of sub 1:40s lap times at Laguna Seca in his Nissan 350Z. Z Car Garage has worked with Dan for several years to fine-tune this Vortech Supercharged Z33 so he enjoy it on the track.You can see the build history HERE:

Chasing 1:30s

 

Dan is an avid track-enthusiast and we love working with him to optimize his Z. Let’s hear about his triumphant ‘Seca experience from November with SpeedSF:

“It was a very satisfying weekend at Laguna running both Sat & Sun 11-25/26. I came still looking for sub 1:40’s with my best time to date a 140.1. It’s only the second time I’ve been there since the re-pave but I have been running here testing and tuning for over a dozen years now. 1:39’s however have always been elusive so when in my second session on Saturday morning, I finally broke through and did a 139.2 on 1.5 year old Toyo RR’s (red wheels in the pics), I was ecstatic. That was apparently just some foreshadowing for the weekend. By day’s end I was consistently running low 1:38’s. The track is faster than it’s ever been with extra run off at T5 & T9 and a smooth surface that has now been rubbered in nicely and the weather was perfect around 62 with zero moisture.”

 

“My plan Sunday was to try some pirelli scrubs (black wheels) from the World Challenge Series. I was excited to try them on this car because it is set up as a race car at this point so it makes sense real race rubber might work well, it did. First session I blew by the 1:37’s and finished with a 1:36.1, next session 1:36.0 then finished with my best being a 1:35.8 on a lap compromised by traffic. Scrubs were good for 2.4 seconds over the RR slicks. Some pretty unbelievable gains all weekend and especially with these tires.”

 

“Still can’t quite believe it took me about 4 years to go from 1:44 to 1:40 and only 2 days to drop the next 4+ seconds but it’s days like this that make you want to keep trying for that perfect lap. Sometimes all the stars align and I’ll be looking to match my optimal lap of 134.8 next time out…”

Enjoy this in-car video of Dan’s fastest lap time in the Z:

Recent Updates

Dan’s Z received a few updates to the interior and aero package. Extensive caging inside, new front splitter and rear wing:

  

We are super stoked for you Dan! Get that 1:34 at ‘Seca and LONG LIVE THE Z!

 

The shop is busy dyno tuning, servicing and upgrading Z cars. Enjoy this brief update from Friday, December 15th.

S30 Z Cars

 

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’s 1972 Datsun 240Z is getting a Rebello 3.0L, 240SX 5-speed transmission and 4.11 OS Giken LS. It is also getting our Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension and already has our V1 (328m) Z Car Garage Big-Brakes. Both cars will feature the T3 steering rack that we are big fans of:

 Both Ryan and Beau’s Datsun 240Z cars left the shop recently. Ryan’s Z has LS3 V8 power while Beau’s 1976 280Z has an L28 with stock EFI. Both cars feature our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech), Z Car Garage CV Axles, Recaro Specialist seats, A/C and dyno tuning. Full features on both coming to zcarblog.com!

 

Lou’s Datsun 240Z came in for mechanical sorting. Excited to share his story on zcarblog as Larry also races with us:

 

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

 

We have several Z32 NA and TT cars currently at the shop. Gary’s Twin Turbo (above) just 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:

Kevin’s Slicktop Z32 is in for a driver’s side window replacement and some touch-up. Love this Z with WORK wheels and Stoptech Big-Brakes:

 

Hakosuka Skyline

 

Sebastian’s Skyline is at the shop and we are doing a suspension refresh, engine work adapting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (Stoptech) to this Hako. We hope to offer this in the future for C10 clients. We hope you enjoyed this shop update, stay tuned for more on zcarblog.com and LONG LIVE THE Z!

 

 
We met Bill in 2019 when he came to Z Car Garage on referral from our local Z Owners of Northern California (ZONC) club. He’s owned this pretty 1973 Datsun 240Z in Brown Metallic (code 114) for many years and had a list of small things that he always wanted to address. Before we cover the cosmetic and mechanical work we performed let’s hear how Bill got into Z cars…

Bill’s Z Story

 

“When I was about 10, my sister and her husband bought a 1979 280ZX. (They still have it but it currently doesn’t run.) I loved it. I always wanted a Jaguar E type and the Z has a similar shape. As soon as I could afford one, I got a used 1977 280Z and drove it to almost 400,000 miles when I finally wrecked it. I went a couple of months without a Z when a friend told me about a 240 he saw for sale. The owner was a teacher and so am I so of the 3 bidders I got it.”

 

“Then a few years later I went into administration and with the raise I thought it would be fun to have a new Z to go with the 240 so I ended up buying a 2008 350Z. I have had two Zs ever since. The 350 is definitely more capable and is very fun to drive, but I still think the 240 looks better. A really fun part of owning the 240 is taking it to car shows. I get a lot of people saying things like, “I owned a car just like this.” It seems to bring back a lot of memories for many people. Everybody loves the Z!”

Keeping Bill On The Road

 

When Bill came to Z Car Garage in 2019 we re-chromed his rear bumper, zinc plated various hardware, removed smog equipment and cleaned up the engine bay. A failing oil spray bar was replaced and we added ZCG exhaust, header and Z Therapy carb set.

Re-chromed rear bumper:

 
Zinc’d hardware:

 

New exhaust header and SU carb set from Therapy:

 

In 2022 we did more work to Bill’s awesome ’73. We replaced the radiator with a Koyo race unit, installed a Rebello street cam, adjustable T/C rods from T3 followed by alignment services in-house. We also replaced the speedometer seal rings and oil pan gasket. More detailed photos in the gallery below!
New camshaft installation:

  

Adjustable T/C rod before/after:

 

Koyo Race radiator before/after:

 

Dyno Tuning

On the dyno the L24 made 137hp/138tq to the wheels:

 

Enjoy the dyno video!

 

Details

We took care of a few more items like weatherstripping and added a set of Holley retro headlights:

 

Enjoy The Ride

 

We have been taking care of Bill’s 240Z and enjoy working with him:

“ZCG does the highest quality work. They are very knowledgeable, honest and you can tell they really love Zs. It’s like they are working on their own car when they look at a customer’s car! It really feels like a new car. It needed a camshaft and some other parts and they did it perfectly. I love driving that car!”

We also take care of Bill’s 2008 Nissan 350Z convertible, to be featured on zcarblog.com soon!

 

What’s in store Bill’s 240Z? He’s always wanted a rally clock since seeing one at a car show 10+ years ago.  Also in the near future he wants to do a drum brakes to disc brakes conversion. Keep Enjoying the Ride Bill, thanks for your support and Long Live The Z!

…[read more]

 

At Z Car Garage we specialize in performance modifications and tuning for the Nissan/Infiniti sports cars. Dyno tuning with UPREV or EcuTek software can maximize power gains from individual modifications like intake/exhaust upgrades. Josh M visited Z Car Garage for a dyno tuning session on his Nissan 350Z following an engine swap and we were happy to help him.  Let’s hear about his Z-car story…

Josh’s 350Z V.2

 

“I bought my car back in 2007 after graduating high school. I first heard about the shop shortly after I joined my350z.com back in 2008. After a few years and acquiring a full set of Motordyne bolt ons I finally called up the shop and met with Rob in 2013 to get it tuned. He wisely advised against it with how much oil I was consuming back then and suggested I come back with a fresh motor or rebuild (I’m thankful for his honesty and integrity).”

 

“Last year when that motor finally gave up around 200k it was time to swap all my mods to a new engine and call Rob for a dyno tuning session. My car made great power and surpassed my own expectations when it made 288whp and 274wtq on this swap from an ’04 G35. It’s always felt like a strong DE with a solid powerband and the dyno tune proved it. My main goal for the car is overall balance between drivability on the streets and performance on the track, and using our beautiful Santa Cruz mountain roads as testing grounds has helped me kind of find that happy spot.”

  

“As far as the exterior, a mix of KH3 super black and seibon carbon keeps it stealthy but also distinguished in the right light. I’m serious about the overall balance thing and reducing this 2 seater cars weight is a top priority, currently sitting at ~3100lbs and ideally want to be under 3k lbs.”

Dyno Tuning at Z Car Garage

 

A typical dyno session begins with a road test and full inspection before hitting the roller. We found a failed inlet hose and loose plenum bolts so we tightened everything up to ensure a successful dyno pass.

 

We dyno tuned the Z with UPREV and ARC license. Z Car Garage offers this ARC (Advanced Racing Controls) license add-on service to the existing UPREV Flash, allowing adjustable launch control, burnout mode, and flat-foot shifting for $150. This is for cars with manual transmission, VDC/cruise control. Call Rob for more details! Josh’s Z made 288hp/272tq to the wheels, a significant gain over baseline of 274hp/261tq:

 

Turn up the volume and enjoy this video of Josh’s 350Z on the dyno. Thanks for your support Josh and LONG LIVE THE Z!

Interested in dyno tuning your Nissan/Infiniti sports car? Contact Rob at the shop for more information and scheduling 408-452-0350 or e-mail Rob: robATzcargarage.com

 

Z Car Garage is proud to be a sponsor for the 36th Annual Z Car Convention (ZCON) hosted by ZCCA  and Group Z Sports Car Club in Ontario, Ca July 31 to August 5. This is the largest Z-car event in the US and we are stoked to participate.

 

ZCON Here We Come!

 

Z Car Garage will be traveling to Southern California to attend the People’s Choice Car Show on Saturday 8/5 held in the Ontario Convention Center. We will have a vendor booth onsite featuring parts we sell including our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, Z Car Garage Heat Shield and Panasport wheels:

 

We will also have a Nissan CD009a 6-speed swap for you to see, touch and feel. Don’t forget to pick up some ZCG swag/merchandise!

 

Highlighting the Z Car Garage booth will be our client Gary’s S30 with the Datsunworks KN20 twincam cylinder head. Our #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z will also be on display in the convention center lobby entrance all week:

The Datsunworks KN20-powered 240Z

 

Gary’s 1971 Datsun 240Z with the Datsunworks KN20 twincam cylinder head. Supporting the 3.1L engine are our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, Jenvey ITB EFI with Haltech Elite management, Nissan 6-speed CD009s transmission and OS Giken 4.11 LSD.

 

Enjoy this video showing the KN20 Datsun 240Z in action:

The #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU 240Z

 

The #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z has a rich racing history and actively runs in vintage race groups with Rob Fuller behind the wheel. It is a fitting car to be displayed in the lobby as it has ties to the Ontario Motor Speedway Pace cars that Nissan/Datsun campaigned in the 70’s.

 

Enjoy this video showing the Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z in action:

 

Z You There!

We are excited to share the passion and check out everyone’s Z cars at the show. Hope to Z you there and LONG LIVE THE Z!