Hey guys and thank you for checking out our series "Touge Weekly". On this weeks edition we share a story of hard work, dedication, & motivation to bring a dream to reality. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did making it!
A Dream to Reality
Bryce is a local to US-129, he shares the same love for carving through the mountains with his vehicle just as any enthusiast does. Like anyone else a goal had to be started for Bryce to be where he is now. So here is his story.
"I've had this car for about 4 years now, and what's funny growing up is I'd never see myself owning a Nissan Z ever. I always looked around it for other RWD models. Even though it would be a dream to own one, never in my mind would I ever think I'd have the keys to one."
"One day I sadly was rear ended by another driver, which put me in a situation of trying to find another vehicle to drive. I was specifically looking for a G37 Coupe, and after going from dealership to dealership I finally found a Honda dealership which showcased many used sports cars. I went in and started talking to the salesmen to sadly find out a G37 was nowhere to be found on the dealership". The salesman said, "we do have this 370z that just got traded in".
"The car made its way around the corner and I just instantly fell in love with it. This particular Z was beautiful on the inside, which included nice seats, navigation, & the best part of all a manual. Now at this time I had no idea on how to drive a manual but I was determined to learn."
"After getting some numbers and doing the final paperwork on an achievable Z I finally had the keys to my dream car, which was so exciting to hit a goal like this at 18."
LIFE'S LESSONS
"This car has changed my life in so many ways. Not only is it deep down a super fun car to drive, but its introduced me to so many people up on the mountain. From friends I always see at the gap, to friends whom became family I have to thank this car for that opportunity. These people have made me want to keep pushing the cars capability's while also improving mine. The amount of knowledge the car and friends have shown me is unforgettable. I always look forward to seeing others while on the pass, and what adventures await."
"On the mountain when the car was stock it felt great, but you could see its limits the more and more you drove it. The brakes would seem to overheat extremely quick, and the staggered tires were definitely prone to understeering, which granted at the time I was on all seasons. Understanding all these elements of the car I've been able to make the modifications which best suite me."
SETTING UP THE CAR
"I've put on Kansei Tandem wheels 18x9.5 squared with a nice 275/35/18 200tw provided by Falken, the RT660's. Grip almost seems endless with these tires, the more you push the better they get. For suspension I put on FA500 Coilovers with a 12k front 8k rear, matched with SPL billet aluminum rear toe arms. I didn’t want to go crazy loud with the exhaust and fall under the stereotype of a Z owner. I wanted something tame but also loud enough for my liking. Decided on the ISR axle back with a dual exit. Everyone gives it really good feedback with how the tone sounds, not ungodly loud and very aggressive when it needs to be. After all these modifications the car feels so rigid up on the pass, always looking forward to see its true potential now."
"My only gripes with this car is the oil temps, after about a run depending on the temp outside, the oil starts to get pretty hot near the 280 range without an oil cooler which I have coming for this next season. The other is the diff, unfortunately not all Z's came with an LSD so the open diff really limits this car when trying to apply linear throttle. With how the car currently is set up it doesn't fight as much as stock but still opens up in certain scenarios. Luckily I was able to pick up an LSD that will soon find its way in the car."
"I plan on setting this car up too for extra safety. Rollbar, race seats, & a dual harness/harness bar setup to keep me and my passengers safe as I make the next dream to get this car on track finally. I'll always have my full interior to keep my luxuries when just driving around. Being able to play music & enjoy the road is such a huge therapy relief for me. With any chassis you will find pros and cons. For me the Pros will always outweigh the Cons especially with this chassis. The Z isn't for everyone, but like any car each vehicle gives off its love to the driver. Ill always love this car, and hope to keep it in the family for a very long time."
- Bryce Richardson
Hope everyone enjoyed this awesome read of Bryce's build. If you want a feature in our weekly editions please send your story & quality photos to us @ : 129Touge@Gmail.com
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All photos in this article have been provided by @Delaney12grace
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