Some of the most interesting cars at a big trade show are built by people with day jobs. That is the story behind the Project NAT2 Z, a Nissan Z race car prepared to SCCA Touring 2 rules. A volunteer group of Nissan employees built it in their own time, and Nissan will show it at SEMA in Las Vegas.
The car comes from the Nissan Acceleration Team, which Nissan describes as an all-volunteer group. In other words, its members work on motorsport projects outside their regular roles. This time, they took a current Z, stripped it out and turned it into a road-racing car.
Unlike a lot of SEMA builds, this one has to follow a rulebook. That shapes nearly every choice on the parts list, from the turbos to the rear brakes. So here is how the team did it.
Who built the Project NAT2 Z
According to Nissan’s October 28 release, the Nissan Acceleration Team built the car in-house to SCCA Touring 2 specifications. In addition, the release lists engine, suspension and brake upgrades, using a mix of NISMO and aftermarket parts. The team also stripped the interior and fitted a roll cage and competition safety gear.
Other outlets fill in the human side. autoevolution reports that the group works on motorsport projects in its free time. Likewise, Japanese Nostalgic Car says the employees built it after hours, and calls it the writer’s favorite of Nissan’s three show cars.
A twin-turbo V6 with restrictors
The engine is the Z’s VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6. However, the Project NAT2 Z build sheet shows that it wears 38mm turbo inlet restrictors. Those are there for class compliance. In other words, the team deliberately limited the engine so the car fits its class.
That does not mean the engine was left alone. It gets a NISMO cold air intake and a NISMO-designed GT4 single-exit stainless exhaust. Then Z1 Motorsports supplied a custom tune, an aluminum oil pan and a differential cooler kit. In addition, there is an upgraded engine oil cooler from Concept Z Performance and an all-aluminum radiator.
Nissan gives no horsepower figure for the car. Instead, the build sheet focuses on cooling, fuel delivery and reliability. That is exactly what matters when a car has to survive a full race weekend.
Gutted cabin, cage and fire system
Inside, the team removed nearly everything a racer doesn’t need. The carpet, sound deadening, trim, HVAC system and audio all came out. Then a lightweight aluminum floor tray from Rise FabShop went in. After that, the team even cut the door panels and removed the windows to save weight.
Safety work went to specialists. Huffmaster Motorsports designed and installed the SCCA competition-spec roll cage. Meanwhile, the driver sits in a Sabelt X-Pad full-halo seat with a six-point harness. Finally, a Lifeline Zero 360 fire suppression system covers the cockpit.
Some of the smaller touches show real engineering work. For example, the switch plate and key mount are 3D-printed from a thermally stable material called PAHT-CF. An AiM Solo 2 DL lap timer and datalogger records each session, and an AiM SmartyCam 4 films it.
Stock rear brakes, by the rules
Brakes tell the clearest story about the class rules. Up front, a Z1 Motorsports track kit uses monoblock six-piston calipers and 380mm two-piece rotors. At the back, though, the calipers and rotors stay stock. The build sheet says that is because it keeps the car within Touring 2 rules. Hawk DTC-60 pads go on at both ends.
The suspension is mostly NISMO. The team fitted a NISMO coilover kit, front upper control arms, sway bars and adjustable end links. At the same time, polyurethane bushings from SuperPro and Z1 Motorsports firm up the rest. The car rides on NISMO-designed GT4 RAYS forged wheels, 18 by 11 inches, with Maxxis 275/35ZR18 RC-1 tires.
The livery and its racing roots
NISMO Design Japan created the livery to honor historic Nissan race cars. Later, Flying Lizard Motorsports installed the wrap. Japanese Nostalgic Car says the design recalls SCCA and IMSA Zs from the late 1970s and Group C cars from the 1990s.
That heritage fits the project. After all, this Z was built for SCCA racing too. Here, a group of employees is carrying that look forward on a modern car with a real rulebook.
Where to see the Project NAT2 Z
Nissan lists the car as a concept that is not available for purchase. It will share booth #21521 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center with a Sentra Spec V concept and a Datsun S30 restomod. The SEMA Show then runs from November 3 to 6.
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