SpeedLounge

Lyrics by Rich Lavigne/ Artwork by Jon Domingo

In the early 1960’s, a small Japanese car company named Datsun decided it needed to create a car that would get noticed in America. They knew it had to be stylish, innovative, fast and relatively inexpensive to turn some heads. They assembled a team of engineers and in 1969, they released the 240Z. The car was released as two versions, one for the Japanese market that featured a 130hp 2.0 liter inline 6, called the Fairlady Z and one for the US market that featured a 151 hp 2.4 liter inline 6, called the 240Z. In Japan, the car went by the name Fairlady to correspond with other Japanese models, but Katayama (the man in charge of the design team) fought to have all American cars badged as 240Z’s, because he thought Americans would identify with badging that designated the engine size. The car became an instant success. When it came time for Nissan to develop a new car that would get noticed, they decided to call on the classic lines and cult following of the Z, and the 350Z was born.Current Mod List:

APS Single Turbo & Components:

∞Garrett twin ball bearing turbocharger
∞APS FMIC
∞Unichip EMS & Boost Controller
∞APS High Capacity Engine oil pan
∞APS Return Fuel System w/ 500cc flow
∞APS High Volume Twin Vent BOV
∞APS Tall-Boy Inlet Plenum
∞APS High Energy Remote Wastegate
∞TIAL 38mm Wastegate

Fuel System:

∞APS Extreme Performance Full Return

Exhaust:

∞APS True Dual 2.5″ High Energy Sports

Engine Management:

∞TurboXS UTEC

Brakes & Suspension:

∞Tein S-Tech Springs
∞Tokio D-specs Adjustable Shocks
∞Hotchkis Adjustable Sway Bars
∞APS Tough-Boy Strut Brace
∞Brembo’s w/ Carbotech Bobcats Pads

Interior:

∞Katzkin Orange Leather Seats
∞6.4 upgrade to OEM Navigation
∞Saga Oil Pressure Gauge
∞Saga Oil Temp Gauge
∞Saga Boost Gauge
∞Innovate Wideband Gauge

Exterior:

∞Custom molded Ings +1 Rear Apron
∞Central 20 Side Skirts
∞Aerosync Front Bumper and grill
∞35% all around tint
∞Smoked Front Reflectors
∞Z Chrome Rear Badge

Wheels/Tires:

∞Iforged Flux in Hypergunmetal 19″
∞Toyo TR1’s 255/35 and 285/35

Shortblock (components & work):

∞CNC machined cylinders
∞Wiseco Pistons 8:5:1
∞Customs Forged Rods
∞ARP main studs
∞ARP head studs
∞Rear main seal
∞Main bearings
∞Rod bearings
∞Thrust washers
∞Crank magnufluxed
∞Crank balancing
∞Redeck heads and block
∞Clean oil channels
∞Rev up oil pump
∞5 angle valve job on the heads

Transmission/Drivetrain:

∞Spec 2+ clutch∞Resurfaced Flywheel

It was these lines and looks combined with the need to be just a little bit different that pushed this months featured ride owner to build the car you see. Ginash was immediately drawn to the 350Z because of its good looks drivetrain layout. He knew that motor was a strong performer ins tock form, but that it would hold up and be friendly to a wealth of possible engine modifications. It didn’t take for those modifications to begin. The first time he saw a 350 with aftermarket wheels, he was on the path to mod-heaven. He quickly went through 2 different sets of the different OEM wheels that Nissan offered, a set of Racing Hart J8’s, and a set of Volk GTM’s before finally settling on the 19” I-Forged Flux wheels that you see here.

The wheels weren’t the only thing to get changed though, Ginash made quick work of the engine, strapping up a single turbo setup from APS. APS is one of the leading turbo manufacturers on the market today, making everything from upgraded parts for factory turbo cars like the EVO or STi, to full single and dual turbo kits for cars like the 350Z. Ginash chose APS’s single turbo kit for a number of reasons. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the cost of a turbo kit is affected most by the turbo used (and how many) and the exhaust manifold (again, how many). With the engine in a 350 being a V6, the easy (but more costly) solution is to manufacture twin manifolds each with a turbocharger. APS, however, did their homework and found an efficient way to run the piping to allow for one single turbo, allowing cost conscious customers to experience the pleasure of boost. With the turbo kit taken care of, Ginash, then took the necessary steps to ensure that his highly pressurized motor would hold together for the long term. The shortblock modifications list reads like a who’s who of engine building components with Wiseco low-compression pistons, studs from ARP and more balanced and blueprinted parts than Donald Trump’s checkbook. Ginash hasn’t gone through the final stages of tuning, but he estimates that the whole package will be good for more than 500 streetable horsepower.

Of Course we all know that a shitload of horsepower doesn’t do you any good if you can’t get it to the ground or stop it once you get going, so Ginash covered those areas as well. A stage 2 clutch means that all of the power he’s making gets to the drive wheels and massive 285 width tires in the back means that power gets hooked up and he gets pushed into his seat. Tein S-Tech springs and Tokico shocks, keep the car level and flat through the corners and keep those big Toyo’s rolling true. The 350Z came stock with Brembo brakes, depending on what model you chose, so Ginash didn’t feel the need to upgrade those, other than installing some brake pads from Carbotech that have a little bit more bite.
No project car is ever complete, but for now, Ginash is happy with a high horsepower, streetable 350Z that has enough power to win a race and enough looks to turn some heads. He has plans to attend a few shows, try out some track days and hit up the local car shows. This 350Z might be a FairLady, but it doesn’t sound like she’s going to be a trailer queen.