There's a lot that goes into modifying a car. One can spend countless hours and spend thousands of dollars to get things just right. It's no wonder, then, that Richie Taylor of Orange, CA grabbed the chance to buy a car that was already modified to his tastes. This is somewhat ironic since Taylor wants to own his own tuning shop. However, being a full time student at UTI takes up most of his time, so taking on the task of building the car himself would been impossible.

Taylor has been no stranger to modifying cars ever since he owned his first one. His passion for upgrading his vehicles is apparent with each of the vehicles he has owned - from the 500-hp supercharged Dodge Dakota to the previous 350Z he owned that he used as a track car. Each of the cars or trucks he has owned have left a little different than when he first got them. Taylor considers the Z one of his favorite cars, although he thinks it could do with slightly more power. He seems to have found the ideal remedy.

Turbocharging has always been one of the best methods of increasing the power output of an engine, and the 3.5-liter V6 in the 350Z provides a nice, under-stressed powerplant as a base. Well-known Australian tuner APS provided the system. Included in the twin-turbo package is a pair of Garrett turbochargers as well as a boost control system, blow-off valve, intercooler, air intake system, fuel injection kit, and a fuel management system. Rounding off the parts from APS is a 2.5 inch duel exhaust system.

While many owners find it imperative to have their car run on pump gas, Taylor's Z is programmed to run on 109 octane fuel. The car isn't his daily driver and spends most of its time either on the track or at various car shows, and so the inconvenience of buying racing fuel is worth the extra 100 horsepower gained from using a higher octane. The higher octane also allowed Taylor to replace the stock pistons with CP Pistons with 10.5:1 compression. At speed, the exhaust emits a strong and distinct smell or racing fuel.

With around 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft torque at the crank, additional modifications were needed to keep the car's performance balanced. An ACT Street Kit clutch was added to handle the extra power, and a lighter and faster JWT flywheel replaces the stock unit. Suspension upgrades include Tein Flex front and rear coilovers and shocks as well as Hotchkis front and rear sway bars. A Stillen camber kit helps keep the car's handling neutral. Stopping power was also a priority, and AP Racing 4-piston brakes with 13" Stillen cross-drilled rotors were added on all four corners. Other additions include Hawk Racing brake pads and Stillen steel braded brake hoses.

Once the performance aspect of the car was satisfactory, the appearance of the car took precedence. The car has been dressed in a silver and black theme, with carbon fiber aero bits added throughout the exterior. A Nismo front lip spoiler and carbon fiber side skirts give the car an aggressive look as well as the Seibon carbon fiber hood and VIS carbon fiber rear spoiler. Finishing off the look are the black 19"Racing Hart wheels wrapped in Toyo T1 tires.

As mentioned before, Taylor doesn't use the car as a daily driver, but takes the car to shows and to the track. His goal is to have the fastest non-nitrous 350Z in the country and is well on his way to achieving that goal. The car can easily run the 1/4 mile in the low 11's, although Taylor needs to install a roll cage and 5-point racing harnesses if he wants to break the 11.5 mark without getting kicked off the track due to NHRA safety regulations. Taylor also plans to focus on road racing in the near future.

The car's ability to act as a road, race, or show car is representative of the versatility that Taylor hopes to have when he completes his education at UTI and starts building cars on his own. If his 350Z is any indication of the cars he will build in the future, then he will no doubt be successful in building some exciting cars.

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