SEMA Builds: Everyday Driver Turbo Z

One of the build projects I found really exciting this at SEMA week was this one. UpRev’s booth was tucked into a side hall but I’m familiar with their ambition so sought them out. They’ve been reprogramming Nissan ECU’s for over 15 years and seem quite comfortable in the computerized/mechanical hybrid tuning world that is the reality for modern cars.

This build is a bright yellow beacon for anyone with a Z car wishing for a turbocharged powerplant, as UpRev has fit Infiniti’s excellent VR30DDTT twin turbo direct injection 3.0 Liter engine into this lucky 370Z and tuned it to be as rock-solid reliable as the factory setup for a truly daily-driver monster Z car. Normally this engine is only available in the special edition 370Z Clubsport – a limited edition that is track-ready with racing parts and a non-grocery-friendly interior – or in a 3.8 Liter powering the Nissan GT-R. UpRev has mated that amazing engine to a full-featured roadgoing chassis, keeping what usefulness the 370Z still has (let’s be real, it’s not exactly a wagon) for a build that’s much more desirable and attainable for more Z-car lovers.

That’s what I love about this build. It’s almost easier to build a no-compromise race car than to build a track-gobbling monster that’s still usable every day.

Kudos to the team at UpRev!