Headass Special - z31

In 2020 I helped my buddy Zack house and prep his hatch for paint. I enjoyed watching his progression and passion so much that I quickly found myself wanting my own project. What was originally supposed to be a 3000gt became a 300zx from across the state. Enter my 1986 300zx, May 2020. Originally I never had intention to drift this car, I just wanted something to hold my attention during those rough months.

My Z, Zack's 240 post-paint, and Ethan's SC when it was still white. Ethan and a few others were my main inspiration to start drifting after a single ride along at Evergreen. At the time I wasn't into old D1 content or style, but that changed pretty quick.

Fast forward to 2021 and I hit my first open drift and could barely do donuts. I had a long way to go having no sim experience or even much time spent watching professionals prior to starting myself. Around this point I was lowered on stock angle and had just started moving away from Xenon and towards Kaminari aero. (I was still trying to get my fitment right)

After a few events on stock angle I looked into more options. There are a handful of z31-specific upgrades for knuckles, but I landed on full s13 front suspension after being told it couldn't be done. This swap really seems to piss a certain type off, which is awesome. Below is a pic mid-instillation before a few things were cleaned up. I personally used the following for the front:

s13 knuckles

s13 LCAs

s13 coilovers

GKtech V1 tension rods (just what I found for cheap)

Q45 inner tie rods

s14 outers

Stock z31 sway bar and shortened end links

GKtech V2 RCC kit

As well as s13 brakes and brake hardware. The pedal felt noticeably different but not bad and very driveable.

Additionally I had to cut and drill my Zenki-style caster arm brackets to allow the through-bolt style s13 arms to mount up. I don't think this needs to be done for Kouki-style because they changed brackets in 87.

The increased angle allowed me to drive more aggresively and decreased my number of spins. Though I believe in learning on stock angle before overdoing it, I had enough after 4 or 5 events and was ready for a change.

By early 2023 I had hit numerous events, strung out at a longer interval than I would have liked due to my schedule, but always learning. In this state the Z had a Kaminari front and rear kit, Powertrix whale tail, clear markers and some rad side markers Zack found for us, shirtstuckedin Nardi, SSR reverse meshes, Blitz exhaust, and a full interior clean and refresh. The rear end was still stock and my next target. The rear camber and toe goes out of wack as soon as you start lowering it. It was bad.

In June 2023 my Apex Engineered rear end arrived. I waited patiently for it to come out and continue to wait patiently for their next iteration to house z33 components. To my knowledge I was the second person to complete the install right behind Kyle Nett, the tester for Apex. While there are minor differences in years between suspension components, I had a hell of a time getting this kit to work myself. I've since spoken with the owner of Apex and have replacement arms in the works thanks to them openly working with the community to improve, but they haven't arrived at the time of this post.

Not shown are solid differential and tranny mounts from Apex as well. For this kit I used:

z32 rear calipers

GKtech s13 to z32 conversion brake lines - N-Style varients were sold out :(

Approximately 4.6mm of shim marterial per side between bearing races stacked on top the centering piece

Washers to center calipers over rotors

This kit allowed me to zero my camber and adjust toe accordingly.

After losing my opportunity to buy mirros off Bomex USA, I decided to go with some chrome Vitaloni Sebring Mach 1's. I have yet to print block-off plates where the stockies sat. They don't sit as close to the body as I would like, so that will have to be changed in the future. I've been into Kaido styling since before I knew what it was, so this is my small homage to that genre.

In the summer of 2023 I found a parts car for a price I couldn't pass up. It was an 85 turbo with all the GLL goods. I knew I wanted to turbo mine at some point so I decided to bring it home and take some panels and parts for later when I inevitably splash. Photo courtesy of im_lurkn on instagram.

I have since put on the factory smoked tails exclusive to '85 turbo models as well as the center garnish and hood. This officially makes me a poser for the time being.

Thank you for reading. I currently have a custom manifold, ecu, harness, heads, and severall other goods I've been collecting for when the time is right. This car is far from my vision but has been a blast to work on and get to where it is today. I can't wait for what's to come. I've learned so much from my peers and fellow drivers, thank you all.