NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Back in its day, the 2003-2008 Nissan 350Z was a super popular sports car – a two-seat rear driver with a tight chassis, unflappable handling and enough VQ power to sincerely elevate your pulse. But now that you’ve moved on to a newer daily driver, what should you do with the trusty old 350Z in the garage?
Why not turn it into an affordable racecar and participate in the NASA (National Auto Sport Association) Spec Z series? About 50 NASA 350Z Spec Zs have been built thus far, and most recently, the racing has been particularly healthy in the Utah/Rocky Mountain region where there have been close to 20 cars per race.
Created in 2012, NASA 350Z Spec Z is a tightly controlled spec class with most of the approved parts available from Nissan’s Motorsports department. Nissan Motorsports also offers a generous contingency package for podium finishers.
Basic rules:
• 2003-2008 Nissan 350Z eligible
• 3100-3325 pound minimum weights depending on engine choice
• Exhaust may be modified and catalytic converters may be removed
• Factory ECU must be retained but reflashes allowed
• Nissan Motorsports flywheel and LSD may be used
• Suspension must be Nissan Motorsports Spec 350Z kit
• Any 18×10 inch rim with 18.5 lb minimum weight
• Spec tires are Toyo RR 275/35-18 for dry and 275/35-18 RA1 for wet
• Any OEM exterior body components (including NISMO) are permitted
• OEM Brembo calipers and rotors from the “Track” sub-model are permitted
Of note, any 2003-2008 Nissan 350Z Z built to NASA Spec Z rules is legal in the SCCA T3 class. The only difference: The SCCA does not require Toyo tires.
Even if you’re not lucky enough to have one of these older 350Zs in your garage, they’re plentiful on the used-car market, helping make NASA Spec Z one of the most affordable ways to get started in road racing.
Recently, PowerNation Garage, the same firm that built the off-road Nissan NV Project X cargo van, has tackled this project, taking a stock 2003 Nissan 350Z and transforming it into a NASA Spec Z racecar. At seven stages along the way, PowerNation has made videos documenting the build, helping to give us a good picture of what the project entails and how much fun can be had on the track with a 15-year-old Nissan 350Z.
Now, enjoy the seven-part build, straight from the NissanUSA YouTube channel:
Getting started – baseline and teardown of our stock Nissan 350Z
Racetrack-ready suspension—upgrading the stock shocks, struts and springs
Putting the power down—replacing the stock differential with a race-proven limited-slip diff
Keeping cool on track—upgrading the radiator, brakes, wheels and tires
Interior remodeling—reassembling the dash, adding race seats and safety gear
Looking like a racecar—adding an aero package and wrapping our Z for good looks!
Back to the track—the moment of truth
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.
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Contact
Steve Yaeger
615-725-4443
steve.yaeger@nissan-usa.com