FR Shootout - The Ultimate Street Machine Battle (Part 8) - 1975 Datsun 280Z, 2006 Nissan 350Z, 2013 Scion FR-S

11th Overall – 6th NA Class

Independent

1975 Datsun 280Z

1975 Datsun 280Z

Best Lap: 1:33.920

Owner: Derek Christenson

Driver: Derek Christenson

Output: 420 hp / 380 Ib-ft

Engine

·         ’04 GTO LS6 block

·         ’02 Z06 Corvette heads

·         COMP cam­shafts, valve springs

·         FAST intake manifold

·         JTR shorty headers 1.75- inch primary

·         Custom dual 3-inch straight pipes

·         OTP electric cutouts (3-inch)/or single 3-inch muffler with cutouts closed

Drivetrain

·         ’04 GTO T56 close-ratio six-speed trans

·         Fidanza aluminum flywheel with Spec pres­sure plate

·         Custom driveshaft

·         Q45 3.54 R200 V limited-slip differential

·         Modem Motorsports axle shafts, hub adapters

Suspension

·         Custom coilovers with shortened strut tubes

·         Bilstein Inserts

·         Eibach springs

·         Energy Suspension bushings

Aero

·         MSA (Motor-Sport Auto) ZG fender flares

·         BRE Spoiler

·         Type 1 ducted air dam

Brakes: Wilwood four-piston 12.2-inch rotors (front), stock aluminum drum (rear), 280ZX master cylinder

Wheels: 17x9.5 Rota RBR

Tires: 275/40-17 Continental Extreme Contact DW

Vehicle history

“In 2004 one of my best friends bought a ’03 Mustang Cobra (supercharged 4.61). This would be a difficult challenge, but I read about people swapping LSI engines into Chevy S10s. I have a degree in automo­tive technology and had worked at a VW dealership for three years so I figured I’d give it a shot. A few months later I was cruising around in a Chevy Blazer with an LSI V-8 and having a great time surprising many people and friends. My friend and his Cobra weren’t having any of that, and it was modified with a smaller pulley for more boost at that point. I decided in order to keep up I would reinstall the N20 on the LSI to try to best the Cobra. The races were always very close but with the Blazer’s weight, brick-like aerodynamics, and antiquated suspension it just wasn’t doing the job. Then, in 2007, a friend of mine had done an LSI swap into a Datsun 260Z after seeing what the LSI did for my 35 Blazer. In a 'friendly* drag race, the 260Z demolished my LSI Blazer. After researching costs, difficul­ties, and benefits I decided that was the smartest route to take in order to defeat my buddy’s modded ’03 Cobra emphatically, inexpensively, and fairly quickly. After scouring Craigslist, I bought two rusty/rough-looking Datsun 280Zs in Fresno. CA for $500 in hopes of building one functional car to do the LS1/T56 swap. The swap took about four months and was built on my fairly limited teacher’s aid budget Needless to say, I spanked the Cobra on several occasions. This Datsun is a work in progress for me, and as such will likely never be finished but some things I'd like to do in the near future include belly pan/smoothing the underside and closing up some of the massive grille in order to make better use of aerodynamics and increase efficiency."

12th Overall – 7th NA Class

Phase 2 Motor Trend

2006 Nissan 350Z

2006 Nissan 350Z

Best Lap: 1:36.398

Owner: Allen Deines

Driver: Allen Deines

Output: 300 hp / 280 Ib-ft

Engine

·         Circuit Sports Direct Ignition System

·         MotorDyne lower plenum, intake spacer, cat-back exhaust, K&N drop in air filter

Drivetrain

·         Nismo limited-slip dif­ferential

·         Circuit Sports clutch line

Suspension

·         Circuit Sports coilovers, camber kit traction kit, toe arms, carbon strut bar, under braces, sway Bar End Links, inner/ outer tie rods, lockout washers

·         Hotchkis sway bars

Aero: Shine Auto Projects Nismo V2 Replica Kit

Brakes

·         JBT four-piston calipers (front)

·         Brembo (rear)

Wheels: 18x9.5 Work Emotion 11R-FT +15 offset (front), 18x10.5 +22 offset (rear)

Tires: 275/35-18 (front), 295/35-18 (rear) Continental Extreme Contact DW

Vehicle history

"I previously owned a VW GTI show car, but eventually ended up getting bored with the show scene and decided to take it to the track, I had so much fun at the track, even with my 19s and full sound system that I decided to sell the car and buy a new car with FR configuration, but steered clear of the 240SX my previous ownership led me to become tired of everything breaking. The Z at the time was the best option for the price. Just weeks after purchasing the car, I upgraded the suspension and installed a roll bar. I had previously tried to compete with a local race series, but due to my limited budget, I stopped competing halfway through the season. Even with the abrupt stoppage in the series. I managed to take First Place on the My350Z/G35 forum track challenge in 2011. Now that the suspension and safety are mostly done, my future plan is to start working on increasing power with a custom NA engine build."

14th Overall – 8th NA Class

DC Sports

2013 Scion FR-S

2013 Scion FR-S

Best Lap: 1:42.120

Owner: Albert Tam

Driver: Albert Tam

Output: 166 whp /137 Ib-ft

Engine

·         HKS Super Hybrid panel filter, DC Sports over pipe, race pipe

·         Prototype exhaust, test pipe

Drivetrain: Stock

Suspension: KW Club sport coilovers

Exterior: OEM

Brakes: OEM

Wheels: 18x7.5 Advan RGII +45 offset

Tires: 225/40-18 (front), 245/35-18 (rear) Continental Extreme Contact DW

Vehicle history

“I purchased the car from the dealership a few months prior to the RWD Shootout with my ini­tial goal to see how the car handles on the track before making any major modifications. With the help of DC Sports, we added a few bolt-on parts to gain 6-7 hp and added a wider/stickier wheel and tire package to improve handling. It might not be the fastest car in competition, but at least it was sure to be the newest!"