The Nissan 370Z is a little long in the tooth by
now, but when a 400-hp track-focused version comes along, you ought to give it
some attention. Introducing the Nissan 370Z Project Clubsport 23, an ongoing
project that will be displayed at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas.
In building the Project Clubsport 23, Nissan
Motorsports and MA Motorsports teamed up and started off just like any Z
enthusiast would – finding a donor body and engine. In this case, it all
started with a 2012 Nissan 370Z Nismo, and the first order is business is to
drop a 3.0 litre VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 in place of the original 350-horsepower
3.7 litre VQ37VHR engine. The smaller turbo mill makes about 400 horsepower.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through the
original 370Z Nismo’s six-speed manual transmission. To ensure proper
engine-to-transmission communication, MA Motorsports had to develop a clutch
disc, cover and flywheel assembly to complete the transition all the way back
to the Nismo GT LSD Pro-Carbon two-way differential, which gets its own
dedicated MA Motorsports differential cooler.
The modifications also include an AMS Performance
cold air intake kit and Z1 Motorsports blow-off valves, a 76 mm bespoke dual
exhaust system for optimal airflow, upgraded AMS Performance heat exchanger, MA
Motorsports power steering cooler and Z1 Motorsports radiator and intercooler
silicone coolant hoses.
For braking, the Project 23 gets new Nismo HC
Street/Track brake pads, Z1Motorsports two-piece slotted rotors and Nismo
stainless steel brake lines. The suspension enhancements include a combination
of newly released Nismo front and rear suspension components, Nismo three-piece
body brace set, KW Variant 3 coilover shock kit and Eibach rear springs.
It sits on 18-inch (18×10.5-inch) Nismo-branded Rays
cast aluminium alloy wheels, shod with Hankook RS4 285/35 high performance
tyres. The wheels themselves utilise Rays’ flow-forming technology for high
quality, strength and durability. It will be available through Nissan
dealerships at a future date.
In terms of looks, the track car still retains the
bulk of its Nismo styling, added with APR honeycomb carbon-fibre splitters and
air dam, modified rear bumper for better air flow, JDM rear fog lamps, Selbon TS-style
CF hood with Aerocatch hood pins and Niso CF mirror caps and pillar garnishes.
Finishing off the look is a custom Gloss Burnt Orange body wrap by Speedesign
Custom Graphics.
There’s also custom fabrication for the cabin,
starting with the latest Sparco QRT-R competition seats, Sparco six-point
competition harnesses and Sparco R383 steering wheel with Bell Works Rapfix
hub. A roll cage is standard, as are the cabin/engine bay fire suppression
system and leather trimmings with quilted pattern, the latter a nod to the
diamond-patterned vinyl used in the original 240Z.
Now, depending on interest levels, Nissan
Motorsports may offer a builder’s kit that consists of hard parts and
electrical components to assist customers with building their own track-minded
Z car. Tell us, are you keen? Sound off in the comments below.
