
Modified Nissan Z Completes Quarter Mile in 9.23 Seconds Using Stock Engine Block
**AMS Performance**
Get The Drive’s daily newsletter
The latest car news, reviews, and features.
This could be the fastest known Nissan Z in America while still using most of its original engine components. AMS Performance has just completed work on an RZ34 Nissan Z that maintains its factory block, head, and internals, producing an impressive 820 wheel horsepower from just bolt-on modifications. With that level of power, this modified Z clocked a quarter-mile time of 9.23 seconds at 149 mph.
However, it is not the fastest RZ34-generation Nissan Z in America; that distinction goes to Emilia Hartford’s extensively modified Z, which currently holds the title for the fastest Z in the world. Notably, Hartford replaced the VR30 engine with a heavily modified VR38 from a Nissan GT-R, allowing her car to achieve a quarter-mile time of 7.75 seconds, an astonishing feat in its own right, but AMS’s vehicle remains nearly stock in comparison to Hartford’s.
AMS Performance informed The Drive that all the upgrades made can be fitted to any Nissan Z, including an enhanced intake, intercooler, exhaust, heat exchanger, and even parts of the fuel system. Essentially, AMS applied its entire range of tuning components to the Z’s engine. They also incorporated upgraded turbochargers developed in-house at AMS, along with an engine tune.
Remarkably, the car still utilizes the factory nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite this standard transmission, it effectively channels power to the rear wheels consistently, as AMS conducted four consecutive quarter-mile runs to achieve the 9.23-second mark. The ability of the stock transmission to endure that level of power repeatedly during aggressive full-throttle launches is quite impressive.
To optimize grip, the car is equipped with large Hoosier drag radials. Otherwise, the suspension appears to be stock, and the ride height seems normal as well.
Describing this as an ordinary current-gen Z would not be accurate. However, it is significantly closer to a dealership-ready vehicle than other builds we’ve seen on this platform thus far. Regardless, achieving a nine-second quarter-mile is an outstanding accomplishment in this segment of the sports car market.
Have tips? Send them to [email protected]







Other articles






Modified Nissan Z Completes Quarter Mile in 9.23 Seconds Using Stock Engine Block
Every modification that turns this Nissan Z into an 820-horsepower beast consists of bolt-ons, and the nine-speed automatic transmission remains factory stock.