Drive on the Wide Side

Jan. 1, 2020
If you think a vehicle should be older to be modified, think again. You can make money manufacturing, selling, and installing parts designed for late-model muscle cars, such as the new Nissan Z-car. The beautifully styled fifth-generation Nissan Z (2

Customization and personalization are alive and well in the import market.

If you think a vehicle should be older to be modified, think again. You can make money manufacturing, selling, and installing parts designed for late-model muscle cars, such as the new Nissan Z-car. The beautifully styled fifth-generation Nissan Z (2003-06 Nissan 350Z) has emerged as a star player in the import-car tuning scene in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Of course, in Japan, the Z-car is a Japanese domestic model (JDM).
To get a better idea of the modifications in which tuner-car enthusiasts are most interested, take a look at this modified wide-body tuner Z owned by Ben Pilzer and modified by 27-year-old Southern California tuner devotee Darron Shubin. Pilzer placed no restrictions on the job; he handed the keys to his brand-new 2004 Nissan 350Z to Shubin (a life-long friend) and said, "have at it!"

SHUBIN'S "EYE-CANDY" MACHINE

Shubin had always liked the 350Z's lines, and after confirming he could build it in any way, shape, or form, sans interference, he set out with a plan, starting with a color rendering and lots of phone calls and meetings with his friends in the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) community. By day, Shubin is the sales manager at MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust. When away from the office, he builds show-winning vehicles displayed at major trade shows and events, like The SEMA Show and Hot Import Nights. A busy man, Shubin also finds time to organize the popular California car club Kontradictions. When does he sleep?
The idea for this machine from the get-go was to build it in a fashion that would receive kudos for striking looks—an eye-candy car for certain—but also one with performance enhancements that would make the car a terror on the track. Shubin wasn't interested in building a "show pony" that was all talk and no action!
Shubin felt supercharging was the easiest and most cost-effective means of adding power to the Nissan VQ V-6 engine, so a Vortech Engineering supercharger system (4NZ218-018SQ) was chosen as the primary engine upgrade. The Vortech gear-driven supercharger with SQ (super-quiet) technology provides quiet operation and reliability. The Vortech system also includes an integrated charge cooler configuration, which allows for additional horsepower gains.
Billet aluminum mounting bracketry is used along with an integrated belt tensioner as part of the package, as is a stand-alone ignition timing control computer. Fuel management upgrades include a high-flow fuel pump and fuel management unit. Oil feed and oil drain assemblies are designed to deliver the best possible lubrication and cooling for the supercharger, even under sustained boost conditions.
Additional engine tuning came by way of a Kinetix Racing SSV Extreme Flow Manifold, which replaces both upper and lower factory plenums. This stainless-steel unit (mandrel bent runners and charge tube) maximizes plenum efficiency and improves airflow. Shubin then added a Nitrous Works intercooler nitrous kit and a low-restriction MagnaFlow mandrel-bent stainless steel cat-back exhaust system. A set of Samco blue performance hoses were added and a Scosche dry-cell battery delivers volts to the starter. Power estimates have increased to 420 rear-wheel horsepower.
The suspension was upgraded with a set of Vogtland adjustable coil-overs on all four corners, and to deal with the changed camber adjustment (as a result of the lowered ride height), adjustable alignment components from SPC Performance were added to the rear. Because of the additional performance provided by the modified engine, stopping power also had to be increased. Shubin installed a huge 14-inch Bear Claw Extreme Brake System consisting of new six-piston aluminum mono-block calipers and matched rotors from Baer Brakes. In fact, the company used this car as a prototype and development vehicle. Rolling stock consists of a set of five-spoke Racing Hart CXR wheels from Dazz Motorsports (19x10 front, 19x11 rear, with flat black center sections) wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1R (245/35-19 front, 275/35-19 rear) rubber.
Body modifications were performed with an eye for style and great concern was given to ensure any esthetic changes were not "over the top" in nature. Do-Luck USA supplied its nine-piece wide-body fender kit. The new fenders (10-mm wider front, 30-mm wider rear) give the car a desirable wider stance and provide more room for brawny rubber. A Do-Luck USA rear wing was added and to help reduce overall weight and Seibon carbon fiber pieces replaced the stock steel bonnet and rear hatch. Carbon fiber components, including APR Performance front air splitter and F1 side mirrors, were also chosen.
Jerry Sievers of Paint n Place in Placentia, California, applied a coat of Rich-Red paint from Auto Air Colors and the roof was painted Charcoal, giving the car a unique two-tone effect and matching the carbon fiber applications. Sponsor identifications were added with Modern Image chrome vinyl graphics.
Inside, the stock Nissan seats were replaced with a pair of Cobra Sidewinders, complete with Team Tech harnesses, and a new steering wheel from NGR Innovations was attached via a quick-release hub. An 80-mm boost gauge from Do-Luck USA and red performance switches from Ignited Performance were installed, along with carbon fiber gauge covers from DG Motorsports. Stitchcraft Interiors was the source for the black suede inserts.

Just as with the rest of the car, Shubin cut no corners with in-car electronics (ICE), which uses a Swiss Audio system with in-dash DVD and TV, digital surround processor, Center Channel amplifiers and speakers (including 6.5-in. front and rear with 10-in. subwoofers), Mono Class D sub amp, and more. Crank it up! Scosche supplied the complete car wiring and installation components.

BOTTOM LINE: Turning the key and hearing the engine roar to life is the first indication this modified Nissan 350Z is no poseur. It more than delivers on the promise of its stellar looks. Thanks to all the careful planning and product selections, this Red Rocket is a real sports car with serious performance.

SOURCES

APR Performance (aerodynamics kits, front wind splitters, front air dams, etc.) (909) 594-3796 www.aprperformance.com

Auto Air Colors (custom paint and graphics) (800) 509-6563 www.autoaircolors.com

Baer Brake Systems (brake system; calipers, rotors) (602) 233-1411 www.baer.com

Dazz Motorsports [Racing Hart] (wheels) (626) 208-3134 www.dazzmotorsports.com

DG Motorsports (gauge covers) (760) 433-7413 www.dgmotorsports.com

Do-Luck USA (body kits, wheels) (253) 872-0888 www.do-luck-usa.com

Kinetix Racing (suspension, intake manifolds) (714) 543-5155 www.kinetixracing.com

MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust (exhaust systems, performance mufflers) (800) 990-0905 www.magnaflow.com

NRG Innovations (flared rings) (626) 369-2668 www.getnrg.com

Paint n Place (custom paint) (714) 630-6326 www.paintnplace.net

Scosche (electronics) (800) 363-4490 www.scosche.com

Seibon (carbon fiber hoods, spoilers, fenders, etc.) (909) 444-5900 www.seibon.com

SPC Performance (racing/performance tools, arm components, etc.) (303) 722-2103 www.spcperformance.com

Stitchcraft Interiors (custom interior design) (714) 891-6001 www.stitchcraftinteriors.com

Sube Sports [COBRA] (racing accessories) (714) 847-1501 www.subesports.com

Swiss Audio (audio systems) (714) 988-0382 www.swissaudioinc.com

Toyo Tires (tires) (714) 236-2080 www.toyotires.com

Vogtland (sport suspension kits, shock absorbers) (951) 694-6981 www.vogtland.com

Vortech Engineering (superchargers) (805) 247-0669 www.vortechengineering.com

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