2021 SEMA Top 5 Car: Brandon Miller’s 1986 Nissan 300ZX

2021 SEMA Top 5 Car: Brandon Miller’s 1986 Nissan 300ZX

This is another build that we got a closer look at with a video feature during our Tuning365 SEMA episodes, and how could we not? It’s not a stretch to say this might be the cleanest modified 300ZX we’ve ever seen, with lots of quality engine work to boot. Seeing this level of attention to detail in such a niche and rare chassis is something special. Since it’s in the Toyo Treadpass, you can already assume a certain level of quality, but this 1986 Nissan goes above and beyond in a few ways.

Starting in the engine bay, a section which is no doubt a primary focus of this build, we’re treated to a beautifully assembled naturally aspirated RB build that looks to be floating in the perfectly shaved and wire-tucked bay. The block is from an RB25, and the head is a ported and polished RB26DETT head with a modified combustion chamber. A catalogue of quality internal parts make up the insides of both halves of the engine, and custom titanium parts complement the HNengineering carbon kevlar velocity stacks nicely.

This ‘86 ZX is built to drive, so the rear subframe has been swapped out in favor of one from an S14 240sx. Techno Toy Tuning takes care of the front suspension arms, with Part Shop Max components for the rear, all of which works in tandem with the set of Feal Suspension coilovers on all four corners. Inside the cockpit, things are kept simple and clean with Bride Stradia II seats with carbon kevlar backing (a personal favorite), Imperial Mats floor and cargo mats, and a Haltech IC7 digital dash display inside a Mako Motorsports cluster.

The combination of Safari Gold 920 paint and the iconic RS Watanabe R Type wheels truly set this car apart in the aesthetics department, especially among the wild builds in the Toyo Treadpass. The period correct looks coupled with quality fabrication and engineering make this build an easy favorite for me.

 12 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

As seen in PASMAG #169. ORDER HERE

Photography by Adrian Munoz (@ajm_studios), Gerbie Reyes (@gersmms2k)


ESSENTIALS

Owner: Brandon Miller
Vehicle: 1986 Nissan 300ZX

SOCIAL

Instagram: @rvae38

ENGINE

  • RB25 (engine block, power steering pump)
  • Ported and polished RB26DETT head w/ modified combustion chamber
  • CP Carillo oversized 11.6:1 pistons
  • Nitto (77.7mm stroker crank, H-beam rods)
  • Tomei 273 10.25 camshafts
  • Supertech (valves, valve springs)
  • Ti retainers
  • R34 N1 (water pump, oil pump)
  • Billet oil pump gears
  • HNengineering carbon kevlar velocity stacks
  • Ross (damper, pulleys, crank fire ignition)
  • Haltech (2500 ECU, sensors)
  • Tuned by Shue Tuning
  • Wiring Specialties harness
  • Radium Engineering (fuel rail, fuel pressure regulator)
  • Raw Brokerage engine internals
  • EFI Hardware enlarged throttle bodies
  • Custom titanium header
  • Freed Engineering custom titanium (VIN plate, power steering reservoir)
  • Innovative Engine Engineering throttle linkage
  • Shaved and tucked engine bay

EXHAUST

  • Custom titanium exhaust system

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES

  • RS Watanabe R Type wheels
  • Toyo Tires R1R tires
  • Techno Toy Tuning brake kit

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION

  • S14 240sx rear subframe
  • Techno Toy Tuning front suspension arms
  • Part Shop Max (rear suspension arms, knuckles)
  • Feal Suspension coilovers

EXTERIOR

  • Safari Gold 920 paint
  • Concept Color custom (body work, rear bumper)

INTERIOR

  • Renown 130R steering wheel
  • Bride Stradia II carbon kevlar gradient seats
  • Haltech IC7 dash display
  • Mako Motorsports cluster
  • Imperial Mats (floor mats, cargo mats)

SPONSORS

  • Toyo Tires
  • Raw Brokerage
 

PHOTO GALLERY

2 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Adrian Munoz

3 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

4 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

5 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

7 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

9 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

10 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

11 Brandon Miller 1986 Nissan 300ZX PASMAG SEMA Top 5 Gerbie Reyes

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