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'05 Fairlady Z33 [Z33]
'92 Celica GT-Four RC [ST185]
'90 Celica GT-Four [ST185]
'94 LandCruiser [FZJ80]
'08 FJ Cruiser [GSJ15]
'93 Celsior [UCF11]
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'85 MR2 [AW11] sold
'05 iSt/xA [NCP-61] sold
'88 Celica GT-Four [ST165] sold
(FOR MORE INFO PLEASE SEE THE OFFICIAL SITE : HTTP://WWW.FAIRLADYZ33.COM
From the get go; the mission was to upgrade to parts mostly of JDM descent. Every car needs new shoes. Rays were first choice so a set of limited edition TE37 in Titanium Gunmetal were ordered. For the tires, BFG KDW2 were chosen in 245/35 and 275/35 in 19". (Later the 275 were replaced with 285/35 tires. The fenders had to be rolled to fit due to the drop in ride height...)
Next was the exhaust. I wanted something different. And Titanium is where its at. Lightweight and exotic in tone. I started looking around and decided to pull the trigger on an ARC single pipe Titan exhaust.
As with all ARC parts, they are hand made, top quality components from Japan. There aren't a lot around this side of the Pacific. ARC is without a doubt some of the most beautiful parts I've ever seen. I have yet to hear or read about any other Z in North America with an ARC exhaust. (Good thing!! I'd hate to share that beautiful note with everyone) Exclusivity has it's price, and it screams "Hello Titan" on the "best sounding V6" around. :)
Along side ARC, entered ENDLESS. While calling around for a price on ZEAL Coilovers; (also by Endless) I was offered a set of Endless 6 pot / 4 pot racing Big Brake (Safety) System. The deal was too good to pass up. And at just over 2000 miles on the clock, Z was getting full Endless Brakes and Zeal V6 Coilovers.
After seeing first hand the EXTREME high quality of ARC; the ball was rolling on all the ARC bits. Starting with the exhaust and ending with the oil pan. (and what seemed to be impossible to obtain strut tower bar...) The Z was given a healthy appetite of JDM goodness at its finest.
ARC and Endless became the two companies that would be plastered anywhere Z would allow. Now began the quest for safer power, AAM out of Maryland was hired to flash the OEM ECU. We bolted on AAM Plenum Spacer, Ypipe and High Flow Convertors by Catco (from the AAM test pipe jig). Charlie Winstrup (Strup) overnighted a set of headers to try out on the Z. At first I wasn't really sure what to think. After all, I was trying to remain close to Japan for the selection of parts. Since JDM Ti. header setups were very pricey. I decided to give the Strup a chance. Well, there was an immediate gain in response power delivery. After the ECU tuning to the new parts; approx. 25whp & 30 lb./ft. of torque was gained. With an increase of 20whp up top. The midrange was phenomenal. And the top end wasn't too shabby either. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen quickly! 2 days of full tuning and part install paid off nicely.
As for the future and probable end to the modifying; A set of Nismo Camshafts, Central 20 3.9 Final Drive, Setrab Oil Cooler and another tuning session awaits. Since there is a greater availability now for an after market CPU/EMS, there will probably be one installed to better control fuel and timing management.
Engine
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Brakes
Drivetrain
Interior
Exterior
Miscellaneous :)
* = on hand; not installed
To Do List:
