Z32 track/drift project

[jap.slapper]

I bought this 'Z' back in Spring '07 as a fairly standard Nissan 300zx (Z32) Twin Turbo, with the exception of a few minor mods including an APEXi induction kit, HKS Super Dragger single exit exhaust, KYB shocks, Eibach springs, Centreforce clutch and a '99 spec rear spoiler.



It had obviously been well looked after by Matt; it's previous owner, but was starting to show it's age.

The 'Z' had plenty of power on tap but nowhere near enough in my eyes.

As funds were fairly tight at the time I concentrated my efforts on the asthetics for the first year or so.

I imported a full STILLEN GTZ-R body kit from the US and had the car de-badged.
I removed the original OEM rear lights and replaced them with a set of FRP Zcentre lights and then had the car fully re-sprayed in it's original Nissan red.


I then recieved a PAX compensation payout following an injury sustained in Iraq back in '06 so figured that rather than spend a load of cash trying to make the 'Z' into the car that I wanted, I decided to track down a car that was already built to spec.

After a long time spent trawling the classifieds I found the car that I wanted, a newly rebuilt, no expense spared 1995 600 BHP MAZDA RX7.

I checked to make sure that everything was above board and parted with almost

[jap.slapper]

So where to go from here?


The 'Z' wasn't driveable, and there was still a lot of work to get cracking on with.


However another trip to a dirty, stinking shit hole loomed and so the 'Z' was put on the back burner yet again............




fast forward to the present.




The whole thought process behind the original 'Z' build was to turn it into the car that I wanted from the off.

The problem was, there are so many Z32's out there that all follow a similar theme and I didn't want to just go with the flow.


The VG30DETT has so much untapped potential that I decided to focus on the car's abilities as a whole.


Weight was the first priority


So everything that was excess to requirement was stripped off and binned!


The complete interior was stripped out including all sound deadening.

The stock dash was removed, along with all air con/heating components and replaced with a custom carbon fibre half dash:




Ltd Edition OZ RACING 'PERSONAL' steering wheel and Carbon Fibre half dash with military spec aluminium mesh = very strong but very lightweight










The dash is still a work in progress and will shortly (once a decent secondhand unit is sourced) be fitted with a RACE TECHNOLOGY DASH 2 & DL1
These will both work in conjunction with the Race Technolgy VIDEO 4 system that I have already purchased





Once up and running it'll provide FMV and audio from the 4 onboard cameras as well as a customised information overlay option.
Used in conjunction with the RACE TECHNOLGY DL1 (datalogger) via an AEM ECU interface to the AEM EMS.
It provides real time information from the on board sensors in addition to an information recording facility, for after action review purposes.
This will ensure that I know exactly what is happening/what has happened with the car and myself during and after every track session.











A 6 point Auto Power FIA approved roll cage was imported from the US (test fitted and then primered + painted to protect from surface rust)
















A lot of the previously upgraded KSPORT parts etc (below) were removed and sold





The complete suspension and handling setup (including HICAS, which was removed completely) was replaced with brand new parts from TEIN, STILLEN, SPL, CZP, WHITELINE and DRIFTWORKS


Including DW adjustable rear lower arms, DW adjustable traction arms, DW adjustable rear upper camber arms, DW HICAS replacement kit, CZP rear droplinks, STILLEN rear anti roll bar, TEIN Type Flex coilovers + EDFC












and TEIN Type Flex coilovers + EDFC, DW adjustable front lower arms, DW tension rods, DW adjustable front upper camber arms, WHITELINE front droplinks, STILLEN front anti roll bar (SPL V5 tie rod ends & TEIN Z33 inner rods are currently on back order with SPL PARTS in the US) but should arrive and be fitted by the end of the month)

[jap.slapper]

The carbon fibre seats weren't FIA approved so I sourced a set of SPARCO seats from an old Rally car that could take the TAKATA 6 point harnesses





TEIN EDFC (ELECTRONIC DAMPING FORCE CONTROLLER) TO ADJUST DAMPING FRONT & REAR WHILST SAT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT











BLITZ (DUAL TURBO TIMER) DTT DC



PACE SIDE MOUNT INTERCOOLERS ARE SOON TO BE REPLACED WITH A GREDDY or HKS FMIC


AEM EMS


NISSAN MOTORSPORTS US (FORMER COMPETION DEPARTMENT OF NISSAN US) REAR STRUT BRACE


NISSAN MOTORSPORTS US FRONT STRUT BRACE



HEL OIL COOLER (POSSIBLY TO BE REPLACED BY AN 'ARC' OIL COOLER FOR A SKYLINE R34 GTR) WILL BE MOUNTED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE (INVERTED) BEHIND THE CARBON VENTED FRONT PANEL TO CLEAR SOME AIRFLOW TO KOYO RAD (TATTY LOOKING RED SAMCO HOSE FROM THE RAD WILL BE REPLACED WITH SOME NEW 45mm SAMCO HOSE)



SKYLINE R34 GTR 'ARC' OIL COOLER THAT'S BEEN SOURCED THAT MAY REPLACE THE 'HEL' (TBC)





EXTRA CARBON VENTURI DUCTS (IN ADDITION TO THE CARBON FOG LIGHT VENTURI DUCTS ALREADY FITTED) WILL SUPPLY SUFFICIENT COOL AIR TO THE RAD


The TWIN BAILEY BOV's HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A PAIR OF HKS SSQV's






HKS SSQV's (IN SERIOUS NEED OF A CLEAN!)





C's JAPAN SHORT SHIFTER KIT FITTED WITH RUBBER NISMO GT SHIFT KNOB, ITS A SIMPLE DESIGN BUT EXTREMELY PRACTICAL FOR DRIFT




THE LOWER SPLITTER BRACES HAVE BEEN ADAPTED TO REPLACE THE FRONT BUMPER SUPPORT ARMS

[jap.slapper]

The older 57" carbon wing (top)
has now been replaced with the

new 67" carbon wing (bottom)
The new wings shape is a much simpler straight GT design for improved downforce as opposed to the previous JDM wing, it might not be as 'pretty' as the old wing but as function over form is the underlying intention on this build, I'm happy with it

The old wing stands 9 3/4" high the new wing curently stands 13 3/4" high.
The new wing is fixed to a solid carbon fibre spreader base plate which disperses the extra down force produced at higher speeds across a wider surface area.
The carbon fibre legs currently fitted (just to keep the wing off the garage floor) will be replaced shortly with a custom set that will allow the wing to sit approx 4" higher and will also be fixed to the chassis in a number of places for additional rigidity

[jap.slapper]

How much sound deadening do you need in one f***ing car Mr Nissan?

I'm only half way through stripping the stuff out and still have the rear wheel arches and boot floor to do yet.

The cardboard box of sound deadening that I've already stripped out weighs a fair few kilo's

Once it's all removed, I'll weigh it and see how much excess weight the 'Z' was carrying




Just going to run an idea past you guys.
I've had a delay with the company that are supplying the polycarb windows for the car; nothing that could be avoided simply a personal family matter on their part, that has halted business for a while.
anyway, I want to get the car water tight as soon as possible, before I start to install all of the electronic bits and pieces into the dash.
I remember seeing a track NSX that was built in Japan a few years back, that offered the driver minimal rear view through the small polycarb rear screen.
Instead the driver relied on a small rear mounted camera with a video feed running into a small LED display mounted on the dash.
I'm considering fabricating a carbon fibre screen (mould taken from the original rear Z32 windscreen) fitted with a custom camera housing which would house one of the 4 high resolution RACE TECHNOLOGY VIDEO 4 cameras.
The VIDEO 4 system allows (4) seperate camera feeds (+ audio) to be recorded on the systems removable flash card for after action analysis.

However the system also offers the added bonus of a seperate VIDEO OUT port.
RACE TECHNOLOGY VIDEO 4

What I am looking at as a possible option is, as previously mentioned, mounting one of the cameras into a custom carbon fibre rear screen and then will run the additional rear camera feed (via the external VIDEO OUT port) into a seperate 12v DC DVR mounted on the dash in clear view of the driver, this will then effectively become the rear view mirror, with the added bonus of recording the video feed (in addition to the VIDEO 4 recording) onto a seperate removable flash card (if required), the DVR records in FMV (25 fps) MPEG format wth the ability to extract JPEG stills direct off either the removable flash card or via USB (a seperate remote audio option also enables recording of the on board 2 way comms system from the pits to the driver etc)

DVR







The whole system runs via a RACE TECHNOLOGY DL1 (datalogger) to the AEM EMS (which also incorporates a datalogger function) so that all vehicle data; in addition to video and audio data, can be recorded (internally and on external flash card); again for after action analysis, with the added bonus of a back up recording of every piece of vehicle/video and audio data.

RACE TECHNOLOGY DL1



I am looking to upload the AEM EMS software onto a small OQO computer which will be running off 12v DC, enabling continuous access and control over the vehicle diagnostics.

OQO COMPUTER





Rear carbon fibre hatch


I've already confirmed that as long as the rear view is adequate, the car will still remain road legal.
The additinal weight saving over polycarb glass is an added bonus.

What are your views fellas? (bearing in mind that this build is primarily for track purpose)

(AIR FUEL RATIO)

(LAMBDA RATIO)




This cell is made from carbon/kevlar and has just been removed from a Cosworth Rally car

I priced these up and originaly it cost about

[jap.slapper]

Just recieved the extinguisher system and cut off switch in the post










Hopefully I'll get this fitted as soon as the roll cage is welded in



Ok, started the day by swapping the S14 bolts on the DW front lower arms for S13 bolts

I've left them loose for the time being just in case they need removing in the near future


As it was a quick job I fitted the passenger side bumper support arm, just need to tighten the inner bolt now.



Next up was the rear lower arm on the passenger side
This started ok with the two main bolts undoing easily enough


However the last one (same as the opposite side) was a complete fooker'

The split pin had rusted solid to the bolt and wouldn't shift
Heat didn't work so I've had to drill out the centre of the bolt and used a saw to cut through the top
Got half way through then darkness ended play for the day, so will crack on tomorrow
Whilst light levels were fading I had a go at the last bits of sound deadening in the boot


Once this is all removed I'll be able to give it a quick coat and fit the ATL fuel cell

This evening was spent just finishing off the last carbon fibre overfender, which is now ready to be fitted

[pablo]

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the importer but glad that it did not deter you from following your dream. Awesome build project a real credit to you and your efforts:thumbs:

[jap.slapper]

Cheers bud, I'll take some more recent pics of the progress and post them up over the weekend

[Fast Eddy]

A nice read and a nice car when finished. Keep up the good work.

Eddy

[Jon]

Fcuk
That's awesome, Very nice work sir