Bradley's 350Z first caught our attention with it's clean lines and plush interior, but things seem to be on the up for Bradley, literally. He's in the process up uping his cylinder count from 6 to 8. Yes, Bradley's 350Z will soon be a 560Z after he plants the Nissan 5.6L V8 Titan engine in it's new home. Just like Michael Jackson's "Thriller", we hope to see this beast transform before our very eyes!
Bradley then plans to force his will upon the drifting community. That will be fun to see!
We sat down with Bradley and learned a little about what makes him and his car tick...
THMotorsports. How long have you owned the car? Bradely Chapman: I got the Z in Feb of 2008.
THM What made you purchase the car?
I had a DD that was an EK hatch that had some mods that I did. Full SI door conversion and rear trailing arms with disc brakes, tein basic coilovers. I say had bc my brother came home for leave from Japan and asked to borrow my car and wound up wrecking it about 30 min later. He rearended someone and totaled out my hatch. On the way home I saw the Z and stopped in asked about it.
THM How long have you been into tuning cars and how did you get into it?
When I first started driving I didn't have a lot of money so I would buy cars that were broken and fix them up and drive them then sell them. upgrading along the way.
THM What other cars have you owned and where would you rank the 350Z?
The Z is definately the best. I had an 85 subaru GL, 85 chevy s-10, 87 acura integra with dancing headlights and 3 rims, 89 baretta, 89 crx, 93 toyota camry, 97 ek hatch, 2005 scion xB, 2007 Suzuki sx4, 1999 ek hatch, 2000 ek hatch, 2003 z, 2006 cbr600rr
THM What plans do you have for the car?
I drive my Z daily and I want to take it to drift events, I do a lot of shows now but I want to build the car with a purpose even if I never get anywhere with drifting it'll be fun. I have a VK56 that is going to be swapped into it. After I get used to that power I want to get it supercharged.
THM When will the swap be complete? Good question! We're looking at early november now. There have been quite a few set backs. You know how it is when someone needs a favor and they when it comes time to return the favor they put your stuff on the back burner. The oil pan is being worked on for the 3rd time. So hopefully we'll have that all worked out soon. We're doing a lot of custom stuff on it so to put a time line on it isn't realistic.
THM What stage are you in right now?
Like stated, wiring is done and the vk56 is sitting in a car right now once the oil pan comes back we're going to get some mounts made up so that everything fits where it should. I would really like to keep my hood how it is and not have to cut anything so we'll see how that goes.
THM Once the 5.6 is in, what are your plans with that? I am trying to get some sponorship stuff going, I would like to throw some more aggressive cams to get a little more mid range torque and power and upgrade the springs and retainers to titanium and bump the redline up a little bit.
Eventually when it's all said and done I would like it s/c and meth injection to see what kind of power it can make.
THM What are some of the crazy things you've done in your car? :) OH boy... Crazy stuff always happens in my car. My roomate has a bug eye WRX and we are always cruising down the backroads locally and occasionally when a certain mall closes we go out there and practice tearing apart our wheels and tires ( attempting to drift )
THM What do you do for a living?
I work for my self teaching tumbling at Tumble Tech All-Stars in Oldsmar, FL. It's a paramount cheerleading gym in it's 2nd season and training facility for 13 years.
I specialize in one on one instruction so they pay is decent. I do have a fair amount of overhead with renting space, insurances and equipment.
THM Who are you current sponsors?
As far as official sponsors go, I don't have any.
THMotorsports.com has had the biggest help in the build! Eddie is the man! He's given me the best prices from day one and really worked to make the customer service experience top notch!
Showstyle Customs of Largo, Fl has hooked me up on a lot of my paint after the car got done and we've developed a good friendship. They do amazing quality work!
Glenn's wheel polishing has taken good care of me as well doing my wheels and tires. They're the only ones I trust to take care of my wheels.
Diamond Dave of Brandon, Fl does all of my interior work. Diamond Dave's Custom Interior (Tampa, Fl. 813-627-0390)
DownforceUSA.com hooked me up big on my Bumper( laying cf in the center to match everything else), Side Splitters, Rear Carnards, and Diffuser
So I really appreciate Peter Cho and Vu over there. All of their work is absolutely perfect!
Turbo-Toys.com & redlinedesigns.tv
I just wanted to shout out those people because it is so hard to find good stuff in this industry when something legit is around it's always good to make sure they're on top and stick around. I have dealt with some big name companies and they have kinda jerked me around.
I am looking into getting some OFFICIAL sponsorships. I talked a little bit with an Audio Visual Company about some stuff so we'll see where that goes. I would really like to get a solid tire sponsorship, especially with the coming drift entry.
Anything else that come to your mind? I want to thank Team SSP, and the 350z club of Florida for the support and motivation. |
Vehicle Make: Nissan
Model: 350Z
Year: 2003
Trim: Touring |
Engine Mods:
K&N intake
Unorthodox Racing lightweight pulley Skunk2 VQ35 Plenum Spacer
NISMO Y Pipe
NISMO Exhaust
In the works:
5.6L V8 Titan Engine swap |
EMS/Monitoring
Cobb Tuning Accessport |
Brake Mods:
370Z Akebono BBK
Stop Tech slotted rotors
Braided Stainless Brake lines
Motul Brake Fluid |
Wheels/Tires:
RH Evolution s3 Pro 19x9 +26, 19x10.5+22 Hankook Ventus 255/35 19, 285/35 19 |
| Aero/Exterior:
Custom Paint ( Green with Envy ) DownforceUsa front bumper with custom plain weave carbon fiber insert in the grill opening
downforceUsa Carbon Fiber side strakes
downforceUsa carbon fiber rear canards
DownforceUsa rear diffuser
Asuke double hump roofcap
asuka cf vented fenders
Seibon CF hood ( OEM HR style )
VIS Tunnel Hatch
Z1 performance stain black powdercoated aluminum underbelly shrowd |
Interior/Safety:
Sporting Status Carbon Kevlar Ring seats
Status 6-Point Harness
Enjuku Racing Harness Bar(Painted Green Envy)
2006 center console
tone charcoal and black microsueded interior |
Suspension Mods:
BC Coilovers BR Series
KYB Blue Shocks/struts |
Audio/Electronics
Panasonic Touch screen dvd player bose system
Photography by:
L.E.T. Photography & Jeff Chambless (HDR Night Shots)
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