Another issue Richard ran into was getting the proper suspension and wheel set-up. Long gone are the days when people used to do a custom widebody and proceed to put 15x6 wheels on. Either that or they would try to fill in the wheel gap with cotton or stuffed animals when they went to floss at a car show. It's not 1999 anymore and people take the time to figure this stuff out. So for a 350Z that's a little over 6-feet wide front and back, Richard opted for a staggered set of 19-inch Volk RE-30 wheels. The wheels are sized 10-inches wide up front and 11-inches in the rear. To help stop this mammoth beast, Andrews installed front and rear Rotora big brake upgrades. Ride height is made adjustable with JIC FLT-A2 coilovers with custom 12 k/g spring rates.
The carbon-fiber theme from the exterior is carried over into the inside. The dash and window switch panels all feature carbon-fiber trim kits and the stock seats have been removed and in their place are carbon Kevlar Bride Gias racing seats. Schroth harnesses keep Richard firmly in place while he cruises to tunes put out by his custom audio set-up that features all-Alpine sound components.
At first glance, you may think to yourself that the custom body work is a little over the top. Okay, it is VERY over the top. And it may not be to your taste or liking. Whether it is or isn't, it doesn't matter to Richard Andrews. "I work hard and I never complain." He says proudly. "I just wanted to build something that was truly unique and my own. To be recognized is truly an honor. I just want to thank all my sponsors and everyone that was involved in this project. You made a wounded soldier's dream become a reality."
Tuning Menu
2004 Nissan 350Z
Owner Richard Andrews
Hometown chandler, AZ
Occupation protecting our country
Engine 3.5L VQ35DE; GReddy 18G twin turbochargers, Type 23R intercooler kit, Type RS blow-off valve, Evo-TT cat-back exhaust; AAM Stage II Fuel Return System, 3-inch downpipe with open tubes; Unorthodox Racing 3-piece under-drive pulley kit; Mishimoto aluminum radiator, radiator cap, cooling plate; Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator; EVO-R carbon-fiber brake fluid, engine and battery cover; Chromed upper plenum; NISMO oil cap
Driveline Clutchnet custom twin-plate clutch
Power 460HP@490LB-FT (9lbs. of boost)
Engine Management UTEC engine management system; Blitz turbo timer; HKS EVC-6 electronic boost controller; Defi boost and fuel pressure gauge; Innovate wideband air/fuel ratio gauge
Footwork & Chassis JIC FLT-A2 coilovers with custom 12kg spring rates; JIC carbon-fiber front shock tower bar; Tanabe Sustec front/rear swaybars; EVO-R rear shock tower bar; SPC rear camber adjustment kit; Whiteline adjustable front/rear endlinks
Brakes Rotora 8-piston front big brake kit, 4-piston rear big brake kit
Wheels & Tires 19x10 +22 Volk RE-30, 235/35-19 Toyo R888 (front); 19x11 +24 Volk RE-30, 295/35-19 Toyo R888 (rear)
Exterior Custom sheetmetal widebody by Donlyson Auto Concepts; Custom-mixed House of Kolors blue by Donlyson Auto Concepts; Seibon carbon-fiber TS-II hood, carbon-fiber doors, carbon-fiber rear hatch; Mastergrade Motorsports carbon-fiber roof cap and carbon-fiber A-pillars; EVO-R carbon-fiber headlight covers; APR GTC-500 rear spoiler
Interior Bride Gias Low-Max carbon Kevlar racing seats; EVO-R carbon-fiber dash kit, window switch cover, door barrels, and titanium shift knob; Works Bell short hub and steering wheel disconnect; Momo steering wheel; Kirk Racing 4-point roll bar; Schroth Racing 3-in racing harnesses
Audio Alpine IVA-205 DVD player, SPKR-17s 6 1/2 front and rear components, MRP-F450 amplifier, (2) MRP-M1000 amplifier, (2) Type-R 10-inch subwoofers; Custom fiberglass subwoofer enclosures
Thanks You Donlyson Auto Concepts; Team High Intenzity; Showstoppers USA; Twin M Autosoundz; J2G Autosports; Toyo Tires; Rotora; Mishimoto; APR Performance
Www donlysonautoconcepts.com, greddy.com, hksusa.com, mackinindustries.com (Volk Racing), mishimoto.com, more-japan.com (Bride), optauto.com (Blitz), rotora.com, showstoppersusa.com, tanabe-usa.com, toyotires.com
By Joey Lee
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