No such issues with the engine bay. The trusty 3.5L VQ35DE V-6 remains pretty much unmolested, except for the judicious addition of twin Power Enterprise turbochargers, a Cosworth intake plenum, Turbo XS UTEC engine management, an Unorthodox pulley set finished in chrome, a CJ Motorsports stage one fuel system, and RC Engineering 550cc/min. fuel injectors. A Koyo aluminum radiator replaces the stock unit and the radiator hoses are now from Samco Sport. The factory catalytic converter was also dumped in favor of a Helix test pipe.
The forced-induction system is kept relatively simple: HKS blow-off valve, Power Enterprise wastegate, ARC intercooler and pipes. For a little extra push, a 10-pound polished bottle of Zex nitrous oxide fights for space beneath the JIC Magic carbon-fiber front-strut tower bar and among the chromed front and cam covers, cam control valve sensor, and throttle chamber.
A factory-fresh 350Z is good for 306 hp. This one develops a claimed 400 whp at 6,000 rpm, while running a conservative 7 psi of boost-healthy enough without getting too hardcore. To keep that muscle in check, a Project Mu big brake kit has been installed: six-piston calipers at each corner bite onto SCR 14-inch rotors at the front and 13-inch units out back, actuated by Project Mu brake lines fashioned from Teflon. The suspension was also deemed worthy of an upgrade; TEIN Basic coilovers and Cusco 40mm antiroll bars were obvious and smart choices.
So, how do you see the owner? About 25 years old? A couple of tattoos and maybe a piercing, a cute girlfriend? Definitely a good job-to afford a 350Z in the first place and then spend thousands modifying it. Starting to dislike him a bit because you wish you were more like him? Next time you go to Hot Import Nights in, say, Washington DC and see this car, make sure there's a cushion tied to your butt.
While looking around for the owner, you might see an older guy, about 47, telling a friend about how he likes fishing, talking about his grandchildren, his love for jazz (the music, not the basketball team), his job as an IT manager, or his Hyundai Elantra. Ask him where his son is, as you'd like to talk to the guy who built this 350Z. He'll answer with: "I'm that guy." You'll be glad the cushion was there.
Wesley Banasan came to modifying late in life and via a different route than usual. He fell in love with the 240Z during the mid-'80s while in the United States Air Force, based at Okinawa. "If I knew better, I would have shipped the car to the U.S. and kept it," he said. It was the quest for stress relief from the day job and a passion for quality audio that got him started on this project.
His goal became to have the confidence to show with an elite team (Team Emotion) and win HIN, "but mostly to enjoy friends' company and have a good time." He found that mods are never perfect-there are issues of fit, or some performance part doesn't live up to the hype-but he has learned from the best. "Be patient, do it right the first time, don't cut corners," said Banasan. "In the long run, you'll save money; try to do most or some of the work yourself. Pride is a big factor. If you have to send the mod to a shop, don't go cheap. Pay extra for that quality."
This approach pays off. Banasan has won several honors, including trophies from HIN and NOPI. "But my biggest trophy of all is when a child looking at your car tells you: 'Hey mister, I love your car' and you see that excitement in their eyes. That is heartfelt."
What about that screen in the trunk? "Sound of Tri-State was very resistant about cutting the strut bar," said Banasan. "But I told them: 'Either it's done this way, or we don't do it at all.' It's beautiful work." Indeed.
Has Banasan finished? Nope. "I'll probably do some insane exterior work for next year," he said. He might also build another Z, or perhaps a GT-R. "This is my way of saying: 'I refuse to get old.'"