We are excited to be part of a new episode of Jay Leno’s Garage featuring Larry’s own beloved SR20DET-powered 1970 Datsun 240Z, legendary John Morton’s personal Datsun 240Z and our KN20-powered Datsun 240Z. See Larry Chen’s message below and a few photos from the video shoot:
“Filmed with legends yesterday 🙏
Somehow I convinced John Morton, Rob Fuller and Jay Leno’s Garage Car Care to come together to do an all 240z show. Three different Datsuns modified three different ways.
Can you believe that John got his first ever 240z at 82 years old? He waited that long to join the club.
Keep an eye out for this episode on the Jay Leno’s Garage Car Care YouTube channel. Thanks to Z Car Garage for bringing the twin cam Honda K- Series Datsun Works car down.
The last slide is of Jay ripping on the 350hp twin cam car.”
2024 marks the 20th 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 2023 recap and upcoming projects. Please note our holiday closure below:
ZCG will be closed from 12/21 through 12/26 and we will re-open for business on 1/2/24
Client Updates for 2024
We had a busy year and though the shop will be closed, we won’t leave you hanging for the holidays. Many zcarblog features have yet to be published like our belated race report from the Velocity Invitational in addition to client stories. Before we take a look back at highlights from 2023, here are several exciting projects coming along at the shop:
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!
Ken’s Series 1 Datsun 240Z (#1762) is getting our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, ZCG CV Axles, KA24 5-speed transmission and Fujitsubo exhaust. The L28 now has Jenvey ITB EFI managed by a Haltech 750:
Kevin’s Nismo 350Z got full KW V3 coil-overs and Recaro seats and more:
Kurt’s Kenmeri Skyline is in for sorting. We also helped Dirk prepare his ’73 Datsun 240Z. Full reports coming to zcarblog.com, enjoy the photos!
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:
Jim’s 1971 Datsun 240z is now sporting a Rebello 3.2L with triple-Mikuni carbs on a Harada intake, Recaro Specialist seats, CD009a 6-speed transmission, our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) and Z Car Garage CV Axles! It is now getting a new dash and Jenvey EFI
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:
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:
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.
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.
Datsunworks
Z Car Garage is excited to collaborate with Datsunworks and develop their brilliant KN20 dual-overhead cam (DOHC) cylinder head designed for the Nissan inline-6 L-Series engine. You can read all about it HERE. We continue to extract more power and run longevity testing with owner Gary’s Datsun 240Z, who has the pleasure of living daily with this beast affectionately named the “Behemoth”. This car has been sold and we will update you in the New Year
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:
R35 and R32 GT-R
R35s in for service and upgrades. Mike and Kurt’s R32 GT-Rs got power and chassis upgrades deserving their own blog features:
Race Cars
Several race cars to report on including the Transcendental Racing Datsun 240Z, Glenn Chiou’s Ex-Finn/Harris U2.5L Trans-Am ’68 510 (sporting ZCG CV Axles), the Corky Bell Trans-Am 510 and more!
Highlights from 2023
Even though 2023 was crazy 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 2024!
Click on each link or photo to see the full features!
Huge thanks to Nissan for giving us the opportunity to experience the 2023 Nissan Z. We finally took delivery of our Performance 6MT in April:
The Bring A Trailer Datsun 240Z
To celebrate their 100,000 listing, Bring a Trailer is auctioning their 1973 Datsun 240Z, prepared by Z Car Garage. Finished in Lime Yellow (#112) paint over black vinyl upholstery, it is powered by a numbers-matching Rebello Racing-built 2.7-liter straight-six with triple Weber 40 DCOE carbs. The total sale amount for the auction will be donated to the Piston Foundation, a nonprofit that will use 100% of the funds to help young technicians build rewarding careers in the collector car industry by funding programs in the skilled trades.
Colonel Gary’s 1978 Datsun 280Z
Enjoying The Ride
Mike’s 1970 S30
At Z Car Garage we enjoy both modifying Z cars and restoring them back to factory spec. Mike’s 1970 Datsun 240Z came to us from North Carolina and we delivered it in July. This ’69 production VIN#193 is a beautiful driving example of how wonderful these cars were from the factory.
Vincent’s 1973 Datsun 240Z
Stan K (VIN #511) and Tony H’s Series Datsun 240Z cars came in for mechanical sorting, interior work and Z Car Garage CV Axles
We are stoked to see our #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240z currently on display at ZCON this week. It’s in great company next to our clients Linda Williams and her OMS Pace Car Tribute and Mike’s Fairlady Z432. Photos by Gary Savage.
Gary’s 1971 Datsun 240Z featuring the Datsunworks KN20 twin cam (DOHC) cylinder head is for sale. This S30 has been with Z Car Garage since 2008 where it received a full bare metal restoration with continuous performance development to its current form. Featured in numerous magazines, SEMA, and Japanese Classic Car Show. Fantastic fit/finish with chassis and running gear to keep up with its exotic engine. It is a magical experience to see, drive and hear the “Behemoth” in action. See more details below and serious inquiries only please contact rob@zcargarage.com
Drivetrain
There are ten KN20 heads in the wild with only three installed and currently running in cars. Z Car Garage has two KN20 cylinder heads. This KN20 is serial #SN10 and it has been installed into our long-time client Gary’s Datsun 240Z, affectionately named the “Behemoth”. ZCG is always exploring the boundaries of powertrains and Gary’s Z has seen a few engines including an RB30DET, OS Giken TC24 and now the Datsunworks.
Here are few details on the powertrain setup for this Z:
-Rebello 3.1L Engine
-KN20 Cylinder head SN10 (but the performance level goes to 11)
-Induction type: Jenvey ITB EFI with Injector Dynamics injectors
-Engine management: Haltech Elite 750
-Header: Equal-length, custom fabricated by RacecraftNW
We are still in the tuning phase so Gary’s car is on a comfortable (conservative) setting. With the Datsunworks head it made 350hp/248tq at the wheels on 91 octane:
Even in a testing stage it is absolutely thrilling to drive. Gary’s car is a full ZCG-style restoration so it has the chassis to harness the power. The sound it makes is a sonorous tone only the K-series derived KN20 head creates…with a gnarly exhaust note to match. The ITB induction also provides a healthy wail…it’s a sensory overload and revs seem to climb endlessly.
To illustrate the Datsunworks experience we captured some video of what it is like to drive around town…the 6-speed and EFI really allow this car to be docile, especially when cruising on the freeway and at part throttle. Drop a gear and its becomes a wild animal. Not going to lie…it gave me goosebumps both as a passenger and spectator.
Watch the video complete with multiple dyno passes, street acceleration and fly-bys. VOLUME UP!
Body/Interior/Chassis
The “Behemoth” wears one of the best paint finishes we’ve done with fit/finish we feel would be hard to replicate. We collected parts for years to build. Glass was polished, unobtanium parts sourced. The interior features a fully restored dashboard with Recaro Specialist seats, power windows and a fully integrated roll cage. You can see the body restoration and chassis development here HERE.
The Z has early versions of our Z Car Garage offerings like 17″ Panasport C8 wheels (NLA), full coil-overs/adjustable suspension throughout and ZCG Stoptech ST42 (328mm) Big-Brakes:
Enjoy The Ride
Beyond the show-quality features and impressive drivetrain, this Z car loves to be driven and has attended many car shows, gatherings and road rallies like the 300-mile Tokyo Calling event hosted by Breakfast Club Rally
You can see it in action on the rally in the video below:
Gary’s Datsun 240Z will always be the pinnacle of Z car builds for us. It is ready to be enjoyed by the next owner and all we ask is that you give it the same love and respect we have given over the last 15 years. All sale inquiries can be made through Rob: rob@zcargarage.com. See below for all of our documentation of the this Z including every video, magazine feature and blog post:
Filed under: 240z,Events
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on July 21, 2023
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.
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!
Our client Gary’s S30 with the Datsunworks KN20 twin-cam cylinder head is featured in the popular Japanese magazine, “Option”.
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 CD009a transmission and OS Giken 4.11 LSD. You can view the article HERE.
Big thanks to photographer Akio Hirano and Hideo Kobayashi for taking the time to visit Z Car Garage on their trip from Japan. Long Live The Z!
