Phoenix Power has always been a big player in the Japanese tuning world, becoming famous for their work on MR2s as well as creating some crazy high-power builds in their time. Whenever I'm down south I always make sure to stop for at least a day at their branch shop in the outskirts of Kyoto (the main HQ is in Fukui) to catch up with the guys there and check out what crazy cars they have been working on. Out of all the shops I visit regularly, Phoenix Power has to be the only one not feeling the current economic downturn, with the workshop running at full steam on a daily basis. They have over 100 customers alone with R35 GT-Rs making them the biggest new-gen GT-R tuner in Japan. But it isn't R35's well be looking at here, at least not just yet, but rather this little gem I spotted tucked away in one corner of their parking lot.
One big piece of their customer base is made up of Fairlady Z owners and this particular car is the latest Z34 they have created, doubling up as the Kyoto shop demo car.
What attracted me to this Z initially were the 20-inch BBS LMs, a model of rim that you can find fitted to a lot of Phoenix Power cars like their red R35 GT-R.
The big wheels do a great job of filling out the arches and work great with…
…the Branew parts fitted to the front, side and rear of the Z34's body.
Luckily they didn't go with the full Branew conversion, which is one of the most controversial kits on the market for the Z34 (and R35!).
The VQ37VHR has been fitted with an HKS suction kit…
…whcih replaces the two stock airboxes with the SPF sponge filters. A special Phoenix Power ECU tune has also been carried out to free up a few extra horses.
Brembo 6-pot monobloc calipers replace the stock Akebono 4-pots up front and are fitted along with 380 mm 2-piece floating discs for the ultimate in braking performance. 4-pots are fitted at the rear with slightly smaller rotors.
Apart from a pair of hip-hugging Recaro buckets the interior has been left stock, which isn't necessarily a bad thing when it looks this good from factory!
Z-perfection.
When the Z34 first came out I had a hard time coming to terms with the front an rear light design but now, they are the parts I like the most.
Next up from Phoenix Power will be a couple of highly tuned R35 GT-Rs. Make sure you don't miss them!
-Dino Dalle Carbonare
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
LM's don't flow well. weak stance.
and try to tell me its ugly car:D ...amazing!
I've never been a fan of the 370.. And I'm still not. And that rainbow decal throws me off.
frontend looks like an ugly rat. do not want.
phoenix power is sick and most are their cars are function over form
Yeah that rainbow decal is kinda goofy lol but overall super clean setup IMO
LMs look excellent.
they missed color ? the color of sideskirts & front lip is different from body :/
so wat kinnda horsepower is it packing?
@locomoco... tucked is not always the best stance for performance (form over function per the article) the tires will surely make better contact with this stance than over-camber setups. @Druz... color variance agreed, but maybe intentional? Sometimes sublte cues are better than drastic, so maybe the "off" was on purpose? I could also see this kit with CF trim looking smooth. I appreciate the kit for the "nurse-shark" appearance. The hanging fangs are a nice diversion from stock, not too gaudy. A nurse shark may be docile in form but will f*ck you up if provoked.
yo dino never sleep !!!
Nice, clean, simple!
I too had difficulty embracing the head and tail lights of the 370. In total the car in stock from still reminds me of the quickly retired Chrysler crossfire but with minor aero adjustments the car takes on it's own profile, one that I'm more attracted to.
no, it's got perfect, track ready, functional stance, and none of that hellaflush thing
@ Iocomoco... I'm all for aggressive stance and fitment, but this isn't the hellaflush website. Super tasteful 370.
@ Iocomoco... I'm all for aggressive stance and fitment, but this isn't the hellaflush website. Super tasteful 370.
I think its great to see some love for the 370z. It seems to have hit the market at a bad time as I havent seen many, but I love them. I really like the BBS wheels on this one.
looks purposeful, i guess the kit is ok, but it would work better if lowered. the stance is kinda weak, but i guess its a daily/weekend track car so i understand
cool feature , LOVE the Z34s
havnet been a fan of the 370 but the way phoenix power represented this 370, they did an awesome job.
loved the Z34 from the moment i laid eyes on it. function > form.
Looks like you want to drive it > good "stance" but undrivable imo.
Rims work very well with the car.
Are the engine internals still stock?
I definitly prefer the look of the Amuse's 370Z ! I like the wheels though.
I love the 370 and think it looks really good like this as well, but yea the rainbow sticker has to go!
Were there any cool MR2 projects going on while you were there? I don't see much MR2 content on this site. I'm surprised you even mentioned the car by name.
yeah is it me or are the whites different?! o_0
yeah is it me or are the whites different?! o_0
SEXYTIME.
locomoco this isnt some hella flush website were everything has to be dropped and looking fucking retarded this car looks plain and simple spotless
Very Nice, i, i wish old Toyota, could get with, and start producing some real rwder sports cars
we need pics of the shop...i seen pics b4 but that was in 2004
Can you guys cover the Pheonix Power Mazdaspeed 6? I always seen it in forums, but never really got to read about it because no one knows about it, they have just seen the pictures.
I greatly dislike the branew kit but this isn't too bad...except for the off-white pieces look funny and the rainbow sticker has to go!
370z perfection. Functional, no gay hellaflush nonsense.
The phoenix power pulsar gtir used to be a legend among my mates 10 years or so ago. This Z is heaps tamer but looks pretty good. Can never go wrong with lm's
They should take that rainbow sticker off and slap it on locomoco.
Garage Fukui / Phoenix Power had an SW20 with a T78 or maybe even a T88 strapped on, back in the 90's. They had some super extreme MR2's back then. I wanted nothing more then a Fukui Dual Departure exhaust for my SW20 10yrs ago, but the price was way out of my league. Love this Z34 with its functional stance and subtle touches. I will admit though the 09' Nismo is perfection with it's Gnose type, extended font fascia. http://dealerrevs.com/gallery/16492457.html#photo
Let's swiftly move on with the coverage of the Exciting Car Showdown and what better car to get things