Nissan

When Nissan planted the powerful VR30DDTT 3L V6 engine with twin turbochargers in the Nissan Z, there wasn’t much room left in the engine bay. The cramped area didn’t allow enough space to accommodate the traditional top-and-bottom-split airbox design, so they created a unique single-piece airbox with vertically inserted panel filters that maximized flow while minimizing size.

As enthusiasts and engineers, we tipped our hats to appreciate the work Nissan did with this design. But we couldn’t help but ask ourselves—how can we make it even better?

When it hit the market in late 2022, the new Nissan Z turned heads. Released as a replacement for the Nissan 370Z, the 2023 Z featured a fresh, sleek new design with a 400 horsepower engine that could do 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. The only problem? Due to international chip shortages and production bottlenecks, they were almost impossible to find.

Buyers who got their hands on a new Nissan Z count themselves among a lucky few. While the Z is a vehicle meant to be driven fast and hard, it’s understandable that owners might be hesitant to risk damaging a car that they worked so hard to get—especially since the new Nissan Z comes with a plastic oil pan.

To lessen these concerns, we set out to develop a layer of protection that would give Z owners the confidence to drive aggressively. The result of these efforts is the new direct-fit

We’ve been hard at work to develop our line of products for the Nissan Z, and we’re proud to release our latest addition to the line-up—the Mishimoto Performance Radiator for the 2023+ Nissan Z.

We all know how the saying goes. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Like any overutilized cliché, there’s some truth to it. It wouldn’t have assimilated into our lexicon if it wasn’t, right? The same sentiment rings true for Nissan’s Z-cars. These sporty coupes don’t change much between generations, but we can help but adore them. The latest generation is no exception to this trend. Nissan upcycled many of the primary aspects of the latest Z. From the retro styling, the 370Z DNA underpinning the chassis, and the VR30DDTT nestled under the characteristically long hood, we’ve seen these designs before. To some, it may seem like a parts bin model, but we all know this concoction results in a new, exciting car packed with potential. Potential that we already have the plan to unlock.

What makes a car so alluring? Sure retro-modern styling combined with a power-hungry powerplant draw you in, but what keeps you in the driver’s seat? Consistency. Sports cars like the Z are intended for those with a lead foot and a need for speed, so keeping things consistently cool is imperative. Let’s face it. There’s no worse torture to an enthusiast than having to feather the throttle on their high-strung sports car because of looming high temperatures. Nissan knows this, and while they did their best to set the Z up for intercooling success, the heat exchanger still needs an overhaul for what we enthusiasts have in store.

Instant classics don’t typically happen instantly. Think about all of those songs that immediately get stuck in your head. Instead, these earworms wriggle their way into your unconscious because they’re so expertly crafted. They’re demoed, recorded, have their composition changed, re-recorded, and rigorously dissected before they make their way to your Spotify playlists. Nissan’s Z cars follow a similar path. While the Z hasn’t been singing the same song for the last 53 years, it’s become a staple in the genre. Now, half a century later, these sports coupes have built quite the legacy and are preserving their heritage in their latest release that captures the Z’s essence. We’re super fans here at Mishimoto, and we’re hard at work preserving that legacy.

This Z is a rockstar, thanks to the VR30DDTT nestled under the hood, and we want to give it the VIP treatment. Protecting this engine’s intake tract from the dangers of blow-by is a song that we already know, but this time around,

It’s almost 2023, and Nissan’s latest sports coupe carrying on the legendary Z lineage is finally here. Like every other enthusiast, we let out an exasperated “Finally…” hearing the news of dealer allocations. It’s been 13 years since we had a new Z car, and while the 370 certainly held the namesake in a strong standing, it was about time for a new era of Z before charging into the electrifying future. This Z might be the shining beacon of fresh sports car design, but Nissan’s latest offering is a compilation of their greatest hits. There are, of course, the classics, like the 300ZX taillights, signature silhouette, and hood cowl dating back to their Datsun days, but one of the main draws is the recent B-side that’s under the hood, a little ditty called the VR30DDTT. In this case, it’s a cover, but the Z made this tune its own with 400hp and, much to the superfan’s joy, a manual transmission option. Unfortunately, this heavy-hitting power ballad of an engine still falls under the same trope