We recently had the opportunity of tuning the famous “Kas” Kastner Triumph race car. This 1971 Trimph Vitesse sports sedan was designed to run against cars like the Datsun 510 in the SCCA’s Trans-Am racing series. Though car wasn’t successful in the series it became a winner in the hands of privateers for last 30 years.
It’s a really quick car powered by an inline-6 with triple carbs, independent rear suspension and 4-wheel discs. Find out more info HERE. Butch Gilbert is the current owner of the car and found Z Car Garage through Datsun racer/specialist Troy Ermish. Here is Butch practicing with CSRG at Thunderhill…the sound is almost S30-like!
Rob dyno-tuned the Triumph and picked up significant hp/tq while increasing the rev-limit…Butch is happy!
Butch has been racing since the 50’s and owns a bunch of cool cars. This is a 1958 Hagemann-Sutton Special. It has a 283 with Hilborn injection and Lehman cross drive front cover. Weighing in at only 1980lbs with an aluminum body/cromoly frame and Halibrand drive pin wheels:
Here is Butch driving the “Birdcage” at the 2013 Monterey Historics….oh that v8 sound!
We love working with authentic race cars so big thanks to Butch for visiting ZCG!
Stunato Racing Machines is breaking speed records again! Z Car Garage helped tune their #477 Sprint car and recently dyno’d their Studebaker to go after a record at the Bonneville Salt Flats. While on the dyno the Studebaker blew a tire! This was a first and fortunately nobody was injured.
275hp/416tq to the wheels! We love helping this great group of racers and look forward to more record breaking passes!
Our friend Lou S loves sports cars. You may have already seen his phenomenal 3.2L FairladyZ, FD RX-7, and vintage Mazda RX-4. Lou has always wanted a Viper and recently acquired this 2002 GTS Final Edition model:
Final Edition means that Dodge produced only 360 cars. This one is #320, one of the last GTS Vipers built and it only has 4400 miles on the odometer!
The Viper is pristine and Lou already has a few mods in mind like a header-back exhaust, Stoptech BBK, 3.55 gears, and wheels.
As usual when a new toy comes to ZCG we strap it on to the dyno!
Remember ladies and gentlemen this is a bone stock 2002 GTS with 4400 miles…factory crank hp figures are 450hp/490tq. On the ZCG dyno the Viper put down an impressive 408hp/431tq to the wheels!
Congratulations Lou! We look forward to seeing the Viper in action, and we know the Z is in good company 🙂
No, this is not a Nissan. It is not even a Z. This is a 2011 Ford Mustang GT, and it’s wild with plenty of horses. How many? The 5.0L engine is rated at 412hp from the factory, but the ZCG dyno reveals it’s true output! Rob tells the story of how this GT gets a serious boost in power from an already potent powerplant:
Michael L lives in Santa Cruz, Ca. He was referred to ZCarGarage by Vortech engineering in Southern California. ZCG is a top tier installer of Vortech products and we have performed several non-Nissan installs. You might remember the 2010 Camaro from last fall. Michael and I spoke and decided to meet. I told him we would love to add boost to his new ‘Stang as long as he didn’t mind that all the other horses in this stable would be Zs. Once again Vortech delivers with an amazing product. The kit parts and installation are as if Ford designed it to be a dealer add-on. This is a limited edition kit to celebrate Vortech’s 20-year anniversary in the performance aftermarket and most of the components are finished in matte black.
Back to the car… this Mustang marks the return of the 5.0. Rated at 412 hp at the crank this pony put down some strong baseline numbers: 376hp/364tq. So the 5.0 is really making close to 440hp at the crank!
ZCG’s Josh C comes from a Ford background. Growing up his Dad’s pride and joy was a 1970 XR-7 Cougar ‘vert. Only 1700 were made in the 351 and 4 speed set up. We hope to help Josh’s father restore this car someday. During his younger days Josh owned a ’69 Mustang and a ’65 Ranchero so he was excited to add his touch to the late model Mustang. The Vortech kit is intercooled and is going to be completely smog legal delivering its 8 psi. Post-install dyno numbers are very impressive: 496hp/436tq! The car starts and drives like a stock car until you press the go pedal. Great job Vortech! Enjoy the ride Michael and may your second car be a Nissan.
-Rob
Here are a few more pics of the install, enjoy!
Intercooler, very low-key:
Gary S. must have an affliction for Nissans that are fast, black, and modified. This 2006 G35 Coupe has just 13k miles on the clock and it has been tastefully modified to the tune of 500+rwhp. He is also the owner of the black BEHEMOTH RB28 240z, and brilliant S14 240sx (not black) that I will report on shortly. There has got to be another black, high hp Nissan somewhere in his garage 🙂 Besides owning fast Nissans Gary is quite resourceful and creative. Notice those ZCarGarage-themed barstools in the shop office? See a bunch of hard to find JDM pieces on wall? Thanks Gary!
When we last heard about Gary’s G35 it was making 470whp/470tq on 91 octane with the APS TT kit. The built engine comes from Rebello Racing and uses JWT S2 cams, 650cc RC injectors, 3.5″ downpipes and a JWT flywheel with HD clutch.
We were having trouble holding the boost level steady so upgraded Forged Actuators(13.5psi) and an HKS EV6 Boost Controller were installed to keep it in check. UPREV tuning with a PMAS MAF showed that stable boost = BIG HP and TQ: 513hp/509tq to the wheels!
Here is a short video clip(more to come) from one of the tuning sessions:
When Gary isn’t driving his amazing S14 he swaps out for this big, black machine with massive Stoptech brakes gleaming through gunmetal spokes of the Volk GT-7 wheels. Gorgeous .
This is the year that Gary will finally drive the long awaited BEHEMOTH so keep following the blog!
