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:

Paul’s Nismo 370Z

Filed under: 370z,Featured Cars and Projects,Performance
by Alvin G @ 5:34 pm on June 30, 2023

 

Paul K is a local enthusiast out of Campbell, Ca and he visited Z Car Garage for basic performance upgrades on his 2011 Nismo 370z:

 

“I had always wanted a V1 Nismo and in 2018 searching online I found one at a dealer in Sunnyvale. One owner with 26k miles and garage kept. Rob has helped install Stillen dual intakes, Fast Intentions dual exhaust, and Ecutek tune. Other mods mods include Tein S Sport lowering springs and Stillen crossed drilled and slotted rotors. Many more mods planned with Rob!”

 

Dyno tuning and Stillen intakes are a great way to start the modding process and Z Car Garage is here to help! We intalled the Stillen Gen3 intakes which are CARB-legal and work wonderfully on the HR engines:

 

Before/After

 

To maximize gains from bolt-on modifications we dyno tuned the Z with Ecutek software making 315hp/260tq to the wheels:

 

We also installed a Fast Intentions cat-back dual exhaust system:

Enjoying The Ride

 

Photo by Henning Tretau

Paul can be seen all over the Bay Area Enjoying the Ride in his Z34:

“I’ve noticed a gain in performance and enjoyment in driving the car. Feels much more aggressive and responsive. Every time I’m at ZCG, it’s always an enthusiastic experience dealing with Rob and his passion for Z’s.”

 

You can see more of his Z on his Instagram. Paul was referred to us in 2019 by long-time customer Chris R, owner of this soon-to-be featured 240Z formerly known as “Skittles”:

 

Thanks for your support Paul and LONG LIVE THE Z!


…[read more]



Mike’s 1991 Stillen GTZ 300ZX

Filed under: Automotive History,Featured Cars and Projects,z32
by Alvin G @ 3:00 pm on April 17, 2023

 

We are huge fans of the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX and this “Stillen GTZ” example is a unicorn among Z32s. In the early 90’s the GTZ was a limited run, special edition 300ZX Twin Turbo produced by Steve Millen Sportparts Inc. Only 6 GTZs were built in the series, and our client Mike B owns #6 finished in Diamond Black Pearl Metallic. Z Car Garage performed a mechanical refresh with dyno tuning to get it back in fighting form.

 

From Z to Super Z, by Stillen

Photo by Ryan Brackin

Steve Millen took Nissan’s World Class Sports Car and transformed it into the GTZ. Suspension, engine, transmission and aerodynamic upgrades used in developing this special 300ZX Twin Turbo could be found in Stillen’s performance catalog:

 

GTZ-specific parts included 17″ Billet Wheels…designed by Steve Millen and Elite wheels allowing 275mm-width tires:

 

Aerodynamics package highlights included the LeMans-inspired GTZ Rear Wing and GTZ turbo front spoiler that directed air into side-mounted intercoolers. Also shown are the vented front/rear fenders and louvered front panel:

 

Optional GTZ single tip exhaust system, fitting through GTZ Rear Valance opening. Performance upgrades included Brembo front brake calipers, EVC boost controller, HKS Boost and exhaust gas temp gauges. Catalog scans courtesy of Z32 enthusiast Jay S:

 

The GTZ received accolades from the press, with an orange example gracing the cover of  Road & Track Magazine. Their April 1991 issue featured and extensive review of the car:

“It’s and absolute carnival ride to tip into the throttle, hear those twin turbos spool up and hang on as the GTZ reels in the horizon…a tractable, smooth road car that performs, handles and feels like a race car”

 

Motorweek put the Stillen GTZ up against a tuned Mazda RX-7 of the same area in their wonderful road test video, you can see it HERE. The GTZ is not to be confiused with the SMZ which was a special edition of the 300ZX that was produced in collaboration with Nissan to celebrate 25 years of the Z car.

Mike’s Z32 Story

 

Before we get into the mechaincal work let’s hear from Mike and how he acquired his 1991 Stillen GTZ…

“I was working in Phoenix during most of the 90’s in advertising and design for major automotive brands. My job was so stressful but at the beginning and end of each day I had a 30-45 minute drive home. I was driving a 1964 Triumph TR4 at the time and also a 1991 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.  I wanted a 300 ZX TT in black and then I would add all of the body stuff like wings and front valence etc later. Saw the ad for a Stillen GTZ in Autoweek magazine and bought it in 1994 with about 7,000 miles on it. It was like brand new.”

“I bought the car from a lady who had just moved back to Beverly Hills from Hawaii. While in Hawaii she saw the orange GTZ that was on the cover of the April 1991 cover of Road & Track magazine and wanted to have one built for herself. She called a Nissan dealer while she was in Hawaii that was in San Juan Capistrano, CA and ordered a Diamond Black Pearl Twin Turbo. She paid for it with a credit card. It cost about $40,000. It was then trucked to Stillen in Costa Mesa where the car was turned into a GTZ. She spent somewhere around $45,000 on the car to do that. She also had a car phone installed in the center console. It is still there and works. She also had TeleTrac installed which was a GPS tracking device in case the car was stolen, pretty rare at that time. Once the car was finished Stillen put the car in a wooden crate and it was air-freighted to Hawaii. She moved back to the mainland, got pregnant and decided the GTZ was not the car for a pregnant woman so she bought an Infiniti Q45 and had Stillen trick it out. I had the car serviced by Stillen, for the most part, while I was living in Phoenix.”

 

Mike recalls attending a Stillen Z meet in the 90’s and meeting Steve Millen for the first time with his GTZ. A recent visit to their facility in Orange County in 2022 yielded some great results:

“Steve Millen had sold the company and had moved back to New Zealand, but as I walked up the path to the front door of the shop an older guy was walking out of the building towards me….I was all…that looks like Steve Millen, and it was! We talked for a bit about the car and how he remembered it and the lady who commissioned it. He wrote a short letter for me stating that it was a genuine GTZ, number 6 in a series of 6 built by him. It also stated that my car was most likely the only one still in existence.”

 
 

The GTZ at Z Car Garage

 

We met Mike B  in early 2022. He has owned this Z for 28 years and it was not running correctly so it came down to Z Car Garage from SF. We performed a full inspection, resolved some items while it was here and ordered several parts for it:
“I was getting an oil change at a Nissan dealer south of SF a few years ago. While it was on the rack they noticed a few things that needed to be fixed. They didn’t recommend their dealer do the work and gave me Rob’s number and info.  It was in the middle of covid so times were weird. They said Z Car Garage was one of the best in the country for Z work and I was happy to hear the shop was about 40 miles away from me. I went down to meet Rob and we discussed what should be done with the car to bring it up to snuff.”

 

The Z had an older exhaust system on it in rough condition. Rob had one in his parts stash so we hooked Mike up with a fresh Stillen axle-back exhaust system. We replaced all power steering hoses, rack bushings, valve covers, PCV valve, EGR, O2 sensors and everything under the plenum:

 

We installed Koni Yellow sport shocks F/R, lubed sway bars, and performed a full alignment. The passenger side door window motor failed, NLA but we had one and installed it. The oil was changed and car prepped for smog.

 
 

Dyno Tuning

 

With larger 740cc injectors we made a new chip so we could dyno tune it. It has a Greddy Profec b boost controller, set boost for 91 octane and made 310hp/352tq at the wheels. Solid gains over the baseline of 221hp/236tq:

 

The Stillen GTZ in action: walk-around, dyno runs and in-car driving with Rob and Mike B, enjoy!

 

Mike was really happy with the Z Car Garage service:

“Z Car Garage is great! I feel really confident that Rob does the best work out there and really knows his stuff. I took my car in for the boots etc and when all of the work was completed late last year my car was like a whole different beast! Rob did work on the engine like larger injectors and replaced all the fuel lines etc. He did some suspension work as well which took it to a whole new level. My first trip down to the shop, when the car was ready, Rob took me for a spin. That car had never handled like that before or performed like that. I think he said I got about another 100hp to the rear wheels after time on the Dyno. It was unreal to drive.”


“The engine pulls now like it has never before. The power comes on fast and it just feels like it can go and go! When Stillen first built the car they installed Bilstein shocks and Tokico adjustable struts. Over the years I had those replaced and the car never handled as well. When Rob was done with the car it now corners like it used to…like a road grader!! We took a corner near his shop at about 80, and this is a corner I’d usually take at about 40. It handled that corner like a race car, no body roll and tons of grip.”

 

With the mechanicals sorted, Mike went a step further and had paint and bodywork by our man William. Mike also had the original decals reproduced so the car now looks like it did back when it was built:

 

Mike’s GTZ at home in San Francisco. Although he’s owned it for nearly 30 years it’s time to let it go to another Z enthusiast. The GTZ is up for auction on Bring a Trailer right now! You can view the auction HERE

 

We enjoyed working your special GTZ, thanks for your support Mike and Long Live the Z! More photos in the gallery below:

…[read more]




Frank’s Nissan 370Z

Filed under: 370z,Featured Cars and Projects,Maintenance,Performance
by Alvin G @ 3:50 pm on September 19, 2022

 

Z Car Garage has been supporting the Nissan/Infiniti Z and G-series sports cars since 2004. At just about any time during the day at our shop you can spot a 350Z, 370Z or G37 undergoing routine maintenance or performance upgrades. Many of our late-model Z car clients are referrals and we are happy to oblige when scheduling allows. We met Frank M in 2020 when he had us perform clutch work on his 370Z. The install went super smooth, and Frank and Rob began their relationship.

“I first heard about The Z car garage through another Z car enthusiast, he had nothing but great things to say about the service he had received working with the crew there. I reached out the Rob to have my 370Z’s clutch replaced with the Z-Speed CMAK clutch kit. That was the first job you all did for me.”

A common issue on the 370Z is the internal slave failing due to heat. Thankfully Z Speed Performance makes a kit to convert the internal slave to external (CMAK Upgrade). We installed their Stage 1 Clutch kit on Frank’s Z:

  
 

On his next visit to ZCG, Frank had us perform an alignment after suspension work including Eibach Pro-kit lowering springs (KW-V3 coil-overs next) and Hotchkis front and rear sway bars and SPC rear adjustable camber arms. We also replaced the rear diff bushings with new Whiteline parts.

 

Frank is a handy guy and he’s done much of the work on his Z himself. For something that is beyond the scope of a simple weekend project he brings it to ZCG. In summer 2022, with 77k miles Frank installed an oil pressure gauge (VLS) and didn’t like the levels it was reading. There is a very common issue on the VQ37HR where  oil gallery gaskets fail, resulting in low-oil pressure to front of the engine.

 

CPZ makes updated gallery gasket with really nice hardware. At the same time to help with oil cooling we installed the CPZ 25-row oil cooler with a thermostatically-controlled Setrab unit:

 

Wheels Make the Car

Mark has great taste in wheels, choosing a set of Work Racing CR2Pwith Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires 265/35 and 305/30 rears:

 

We spent time with the 2023 Nissan Z back in June and Frank was kind enough to lend us his WORK wheels to test fit on the RZ34:

 

Frank purchased his 370Z bone stock, being the second owner and has added the following mods:

Drive train 

Fast Intentions stainless steel CBE exhaust

Stop Tech front and rear vented drilled and slotted zinc coated rotors

Stop Tech carbon ceramic pads front and rear

Stillen CARB legal cold air intakes

VLS oil pressure gauge

Aesthetics

Custom retrofitted headlights by me honey comb projector lens. Blue demon eye. Black and gunmetal paint job plus new Morimoto clear lenses.

Evo-R carbon fang cover,carbon type three front lip, carbon upper bumper cover, pearl white base carbon top high wing and CF door handles

Fujimura rear lower diffuser

Enjoying The Ride

You can catch Frank carving up the Bay Area backroads like HWY 9 runs up to Skyline and Alice’s:

 

Frank is stoked with his Z car:

“The performance gains from the work Z Car Garage performed was great. The clutch feel is much improved and does not slip it also seems to shift smoother. The oil pressure is up 15 pounds at idle from the oil gallery gaskets and the car runs much cooler after the oil cooler install. I think the cooler temps help the car not heat soak on hot days while pushing it on back roads. The best thing about the Z car Garage is when I leave my car there for service, I never worry about it being there. I know the car is taken care of as if Rob owned it himself. I have nothing but good thing to say about you all. I do a lot of work on the car myself but Z Car Garage is the only shop I will use if I need the help.”

 

Thanks for your support Frank it was pleasure working with you and seeing enjoy your Z. See more photos in the gallery below, and contact us to schedule an appointment for dyno tuning, maintenance or upgrades on your 370Z or Infiniti sports car!

…[read more]




Brad’s Nismo 350Z

Filed under: 350z,Featured Cars and Projects
by Alvin G @ 3:50 pm on April 15, 2022

 

Brad L is the original owner of this 2008 Nismo 350z #1188. He generally uses this Z for fun road trips and wanted a little more power so we installed a Stillen supercharger kit last year. Brad recently visited Z Car Garage for routine maintenance and we spent some time admiring the details Nissan added to this rare Z33. Enjoy the photos!


When the Nismo Z33 made its debut 15(!) years ago its aero package was considered downright shocking. We think it has aged well, from the aggressive front fascia and side skirts to that unmistakable SuperGT-inspired rear spoiler/diffuser.


Brembo brakes, and super-sexy NISMO forged wheels still make our mouths water:


The interior also reminds you that this is a special Z with red-accented seats, NISMO white and gray tach, and a serialized NISMO-etched aluminum plaque:

 

With roughly 1,600 units produced for 2007-2008 the Nismo 350Z is quite rare. We still love them. How rad would it be if Nissan offered a Nismo model of the new Z?




TUNING: Sean’s 2010 Nismo 370Z

Filed under: 370z,Performance
by Alvin G @ 3:42 pm on April 13, 2022

 

Sean M visited Z Car Garage for dyno tuning on his 2010 Nismo 370Z. We specialize in UPREV and EcuTek Tuning to maximize power gains from individual modifications like intake and exhaust upgrades. Let’s hear how Sean found his Pearl White V1 Nismo Z34:

“I obtained this car through my father’s best friend. A couple of years ago, I found this car on craigslist and I wanted to jump on it very badly. I had just gotten a car six months before, so I couldn’t get it and knew it was going to be gone within the next couple of days. Sure enough, that’s what happened. I showed up at the Thunder Hill 3-Mile course that weekend, and spotted the car parked next to our trailer when we arrived. It turns out my father’s best friend bought the car, and from that moment I told him that if he ever wants to sell it, I want to buy it from him. About a year and a half later, thats what happened!”

 

Once he got the car Sean started modifying it immediately with Stillen G3 intakes, Z1 headers, Magnaflow cat-back, Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler, Z1 clutch, KW V3 Coilovers, Hawk DTC60 pads, and AEM Oil pressure and wideband AFR gauges.

“After installing those parts, I knew it was going to need a tune. Thats when I found the man the myth the legend Rob at Z Car Garage! I found them online looking for Z tuners in the bay, and after coming into Z Car Garage I knew I brought it to the right place. Rob got the car squared away with the UPREV ARC license, and with his knowledge about how hard the car gets driven he dialed it in.”

Dyno Tuning

 

We specialize in UPREV and EcuTek Tuning to maximize power gains from individual modifications like intake and exhaust upgrades on Sean’s Z. On the dyno, Rob UPREV tuned with gains throughout the rev range. Peak gains of 20hp/20tq for a total of 335hp/272tq at the wheels was achieved:

 

Enjoy this dyno video that Sean filmed:

Sean was stoked on the dyno results:

“Being a huge racer himself, he knows what it takes to keep a car maintained and up to date, and the motor running safely and efficiently. Z Car Garage is always my recommendation to fellow Z enthusiasts, as I know Rob is a wealth of useful information as well as a brilliant mechanic. After the tune, the car has fantastic throttle response on partial throttle and tons of top end!”

 

We also added the ARC (Advanced Racing Controls) license. This add-on service to the existing UPREV Flash allows you to have adjustable launch control, burnout mode, and flat-foot shifting. This is for cars with manual transmission, VDC/cruise control. Call Rob for more details and to schedule your Z/G tuning appointment.

Here is a video of the exhaust and launch control (courtesy of the UPREV ARC License):

 

Enjoying The Ride

 

Sean is an avid driving enthusiast and this Z sees the track 2+ weekends per month, running strong each and every time. It is a car that gets driven close to its limit, and is often featured on Sean’s YouTube Channel, Milburn Motorsports. You can also catch Sean and his racing adventures on Instagram.

 

Rob had a great time with Sean:

“We met Sean through tuning his car. He’s an awesome young man and even brought some of his friends (some we’ve also worked with) with him to the shop. It’s good to see passionate, enthusiastic young people in motorsports.  Whenever Sean is here we talk about his Z car and how much he enjoys it and how we both enjoy driving. He’s got a really cool YouTube channel that we subscribe to and he’s an excellent racetrack driver.”

Thanks for your support Sean, Long Live The Z!

 

Contact us for tuning!

Z Car Garage offers the ARC (Advanced Racing Controls) license. This add-on service to the existing UPREV Flash allows you to have adjustable launch control, burnout mode, and flat-foot shifting. This is for cars with manual transmission, VDC/cruise control. Call Rob for more details and to schedule your Z/G tuning appointment.




Older Articles »