Nissan 370Z Project Clubsport 23

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 badembly 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 badist customers with building their own track-minded Z car. Tell us, are you keen? Sound off in the comments below.

Tags: 2018 SEMA