A New Boost Controller that Multitasks!!

Innovate SCG-1 Boost Controller with Integrated Wideband, Shift Light, and Datalogger

If you have a turbo charged car, the 2 most important gauges you can install are a boost gauge and a wideband air fuel ratio gauge. In the past, this generally meant individual gauges stacked up on your a pillar, or on top of the dash. Let’s face it, that look went out even before the original Fast and Furious movie.

Innovate Motorsports came up with this thoughtful, intelligent solution. An all in one gauge that combines a powerful electronic boost controller with a wideband air fuel meter. It even includes an integrated shift light! Housed in a convenient 52mm (2 1/16″) body. The boost controller portion will control up to 44 psi (4 bar map), has programmable waste gate reference pressure threshold, has programmable solenoid duty cycle (with separate gain control function), and the best part, a user-programmable boost cut safety using Air/Fuel and Pressure as as data reference points!

The wideband portion is compatible with ALL fuel types, gives you the bility to calibrate O² sensor for maximum accuracy
has one configurable linear 0-5v analog output and gives you 4 channels of log-able data (MAP, RPM, A/F, WG duty)

We are offering Free Shipping to ALL 50 states on this through 8/15/2014!! Click here to contact us to get yours on the way

Cusco Roll Bars Explained

There seems to forever be a debate about Cusco roll bars and cages. They are often used in Japan, and as such, customers here want them for that reason alone. Secondly, they have a tremendously broad range of applications, so one is available for a ton of different cars. However, what many people don’t realize, is there are more than 1 type of roll bars and cages. Each has a specific purpose, a specific construction. With this entry, I hope to clear up some of the confusion, so people understand each one in a clearer way.

First up, you have the often-seen “Blue” rollbar and/or cage. This is called their D1 Spec. As you may have guessed, it is named as such because they are legal for use in the D1 Drift events. Granted, they are offered for a wide array of cars, and many of these cars will likely never drift. But this is what their design, manufacturing, material selection and mounting is geared towards. They also can be ordered in many other colors besides blue, but of course, for this part, that is the signature color. These are made of 40mm diameter chromoly, they bolt in, and are offered in 4 point through 8 point mounting.

Next up, are the Safety21 line of roll bars and cages. These differ significantly from the blue D1 spec units, in that they are made of 40mm cold drawn seamless carbon steel. They are available in 4-14 point in both bolt in and weld in mounting. The Safete21 units are used in Cusco’s GT300 efforts as well as in many of their club level rally cars. Some have FIA approval, depending on the number of points, and the application. These generally come finished in black, though again, custom colors are available. They have larger mounting and reinforcement plates vs the D1 spec units as well.

Lastly, you have Cusco’s ASN-FIA Spec cages.These are full Regulation J spec cages, weld in only, and used in WRC as well as GT class racing.

If you have any questions about the right unit for your car, just drop us a line at z1sales@z1auto.com

New Tanabe OLED Gauges

Tanabe has just released a new product, a series of gauges! They are of course known for their excellent exhaust, spring and coilover setups. The nice thing about these gauges is they are complete. They offer a wideband 02, oil pressure, oil temperature, water temperature and of course, boost. Ranges on the gauges are awesome. Boost reads up to 45 psi and shows vacuum too. Temperature reads in Imperial measurement.

Contact us for best pricing!

Takata Tow Straps

Now available: Takata Racing tow straps in black or green. Will support a 4000 lbs vehicle.

$53 shipped in all 50 states. Contact us to order click here

General Zeod

Rough title, so what…

No, this video isn’t brand new. But for those who don’t have the time to stay up to date on all things Nissan, this is their entry for the 2014 LeMans race. All sorts of genuine JDM goodness in this car. This is the stuff to watch, because in 10 years, your Z car will probably have some of it’s DNA.

AP Racing Radi-Cal Big Brake Kits

We are now offering the full Radi-Cal big brake kit setups from AP Racing. This caliper design has raced successfully the world over, and is now optimized so that even a street car can take advantage of them. Some features that separate these setups from others, Firstly, these use a forged caliper, which are both lighter and stiffer than a typical cast caliper used in other big brake kits. One of the neatest aspects of these kits are they were designed to be user friendly. Not only are they a total bolt on, but from a servicing standpoint, they offer very quick and easy pad changes with the removable forged “H” brace at the top of the caliper. The caliper stays mounted to the car, and pads are quickly able to be swapped out.

The pistons are staggered hard anodized aluminum for equalized pad pressure, which in turn promotes better bite, more consistent brake torque, and the best pad wear possible. Dust seals are incorporated to ensure long life and minimal running costs.

The kits are all designed around OEM ABS and traction control systems as well, so no guesswork involved from a chassis setup standpoint. While many nowadays fit a big brake kit simple for their aesthetic value, AP has gone a long way to ensure these are both beautiful as well as the most durable calipers out there – they are both anodized and high temp painted, not just one or the other.

The disks used in these kits are directionally curve vane vented for maximum air flow through the disc. AP Racing’s unique curve vaned discs are Dyno and race proven as the best designed rotors for optimized cooling. The curve vane rotor acts an air pump pulling air into the center of the rotor and blowing it through the veins and out of the top of the rotor. This act allows the rotor to be self-cooling and work extremely efficiently.

AP Racing’s Wide Disc Technology (WDT) is used for the most efficient way to transfer heat to from the disc. Designs using wider discs with larger air gaps increase air flow rates within the discs as proven by AP Racing’s FEA, CFD and TSA testing. This goal was achieved while not increasing disc weight or disc stress and decreasing disc temperatures by up to 300 degrees F.

The disks are of course a 2 piece design, with anodized 6061 T-6 hats. That in and of itself isn’t necessarily “news”, but what is interesting is how they mount. These hats use 12 point mounting vs the 10 point that is more typically found. What’s more, these use floating hardware for the hat to disk which allows both components axial and radial movement. This allows each to cool quicker and more efficiently, while simultaneously allowing the disk to remain centered relative to the caliper. That feature then pays the user big dividends by significantly limiting pad knockback.

The disks also feature the J Hook slot design which increases frictional surface area across the rotor face but without being prone to cracking, like in a cross drilled rotor under extreme temperature swings. We can also offer the kits with a combination slotted/drilled rotor for those that prefer such a configuration.

The pads supplied are true dual purpose

The last piece to the puzzle is of course the brake lines. These can often be a weak link with other offshore kits, but not so with AP. They are made by Goodridge and feature fully extruded PTFE inner sections wrapped in a high strength stainless braid that is both corrosion and fire resistant. This is then all wrapped with a clear outer sleeve as well.

These kits are being offered initially for a wide range of vehicles including the Audi A4/S4 and A5/S5, BMW 3 series, Z4, M3 and M5, Cadillac CTS-V models, Camaro, C5-C7 Corvette, the various SRT-8 models, Mustang, Infiniti G (G25, G35, G37), FX (FX35, FX45, FX50 and M models (M35 and M45), Jeep, and the 350Z/370Z, with additional models to appear. We will be offering free shipping through March 31, 2014, as well as free brake fluid as well (from several choices, depending on your individual needs).

For all retail and wholesale inquiries, contact us at z1sales@z1auto.com

Get Outside (Area Races) Part 2

April 18, 19 & 20: SCCA US Majors at V.I.R.

May 30 – 31, 2014: STPR Pro Rally. If you’ve never attended a rally event, this is a must see. Gorgeous part of the country, wide range of courses, and some of the friendliest crowds out there. All centered around the quaint town of Wellsboro, PA.

June 26th – 29th, 2014: Mt. Washington Climb to the Clouds. A world famous event returns after a hiatus. One of the most challenging hillclimb courses there is, and a huge range of diverse vehicles attend and participate.

June 27-29: IMSA Tudor Sports Car 6 Hours at the Glen (Watkins Glen, NY)., Continental Sports Car and Porsche GT3 Cup events. An awesome weekend trip!

July 18: V.I.R. Grassroots Motorsports Ultimate Track Car Challenge

July 18 – 19, 2014: New England Forest Rally, Newry, ME

Haltech Takes Wideband Air Fuel to the Next Level

Haltech CAN Wideband Controller – Click for Info

Haltech CAN Wideband Controller – Click for Info

Click the first picture for pricing info!

The newest wideband innovation from Haltech comes in the form of this CAN based network controller. Designed to be a simple plug and play to the Haltech Platinum series ecu’s, this takes wideband to the next level. First, because it’s designed around the Platinum series on a CAN network, should your sensor(s) experience any sort of error code while operating, the ecu can be programmed to change from closed to open loop instantly. In addition, the new controller offers faster processing time when compared to the previous black box controller, and a much broader sensor range. The previous controller was able to run from 10:1-20:1 air fuel ratios, whereas the new controller sensor range is 7.2:1-24.5:1 ratios. Both single and dual channel controllers are still manually adjustable for free air calibration as well!

Available as a single channel or dual controller (both include Bosch sensor(s), with optional display gauge (black bezel, red illumination). Both include all wiring, weldable 02 bungs, etc. Single channel display shows 1 channel, dual channel display shows both channels simultaneously. Unlike the other Haltech controller (black box), the dual channel controller must use both sensors. You can’t add the other channel down the road

Samco Sport Hose Color Chart

From turbo inlets, to radiator hose kits, to intercooler hoses and everything in between, Samco is the go-to name in the motorsport world for quality multiply silicone hoses. No, they are not the cheapest, bargain basement kits on the market. But they fit perfectly, they have no flashing that you need to trim, they are molded with care in their UK factory, and best of all, they offer a wide range of color options. Got a rare car that you want a set of aftermarket hoses for? Give us a shout and we can arrange a custom setup for you directly with Samco.

All the colors shown here are available for any of their part #s. Some colors are special order only. Contact us at z1sales@z1auto.com for further details for your car or truck.

NISMO Festival 2013

After taking a hiatus in 2012 due to NISMO moving, they were back this year with an amazing array of cars

 

Free Shipping on Sparco, OMP and Momo Race Suits + Pyrotect Helmets

Pyrotect Carbon Helmet

 

Sparco Lucida Race Suit

Ends Monday 12/9 at midnight eastern time!!  Click pics above to contact us

 

Happy Sunday!

Aeromotive and TiAL Deals!

Take an extra 5% off and get free shipping in ALL 50 states on all TiAL orders over $150 – click logo to contact us

 

 

Additionally, take 10% off ALL Aeromotive orders over $150 – click logo to contact us

The Sparco Sale

 

Take another 5% off all Sparco, and get free shipping in the 48 states, and 50% savings on shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and PR.  Discounted international rates available too.

This applies to seats, steering wheels, harnesses, suits….don’t miss out!   Click the logo above to contact us

 

 

 

Chargespeed Japan Deals for Cyber Monday

 

Click the picture to contact us!

For Cyber Monday, we’re running a Chargespeed Special – all aero parts orders over $350.00 (before shipping costs) (fenders, lips, body kits, hood scoops, mirrors, bumpers etc), we split the shipping with you in the 48 states! Any orders over $2000, we pay the freight in the 48 states!! Shipping discounts are available for orders outside of the continental 48 states, contact us email at z1sales@z1auto.com

All Chargespeed seats ordered in pairs, we split the shipping with you in the 48 states too!

A great chance to save extra bucks on shipping costs that usually are quite pricey due to the size and weight of the boxes…don’t sleep on it!

 

Why Stressing Over Tire Size is Useless

One of the most frequent questions we get is “what size tire do you recommend?”.  The most correct, but least awaited answer we can give is “It depends”.  Because frankly, tire size doesn’t really mean a whole heckuva lot. 

We’ve been taught, through some sort of mythical passdown of inaccurate information, that the first number in a tires size (let’s say, 275) is it’s width, in mm.  If that were true, things would be simple.  When you go into a store to buy a new shirt, you see the same phenomenon.  Some firms clothing runs bigger (or smaller) than others.    You may wear a 34 jean from one company, and a 36 from another.  Modifying a car is similarly inconsistent, and rarely is simple.  While the first number in a tires size CAN be it’s width in mm, it’s more often than not, a general target of width.  Now, on an otherwise stock car, this doesn’t really matter.  When you start altering suspension, dropping the car an inch (or more), fitting super wide, super low offset wheels, your margin for error decreases exponentially.  As the Pauli Exclusion Principal generally states (and was reinforced by Einstein and many others), 2 objects cannot occupy the same physical space at the same time.  So in the interest of avoiding tire contact with the body of the car, with suspension components, with the inner fender liners, etc, things become more complicated. 

This pictue is one Kwame posted several years ago, and it illustrates the point perfectly.

 

If you saw the above picture, which tire would you say is bigger?  The one on the left clearly.  But on paper, the tire on the right is bigger.  Both are mounted on the same 11.5 inch wide wheels.  The tire on the left is a  Michelin PS2, 295/30/19. The tire on the right is a Pirelli PZero, 305/30/19.  If you’re trying to get more “stance”, or gain a bigger footprint, which would you rather have?  The one with the bigger number on the receipt, or the one with the bigger physical dimension? 

Here is another picture of the same above example: 295/30/19 PS2 on left, 305/30/19 PZero on the right

 

So what do you do?  Check the manufacturers site!  Everyone should have the physical dimensions of their tires, in inches, for every corresponding ‘size’ listed on their website.