The objective is acquired. Locked on and preparing to eclipse 200 miles-per-hour. The hardest decision when building a project car is the end goal. Technology, tuners and manufacturers move at such a rapid pace that development makes almost any goal attainable. The key to a successful project is setting the goal early.

So what would it take to exceed 200 MPH? This is a question that Doug Fulk asked himself. An import performance enthusiast and Nissan Z fanatic, Doug daily drove this 2003 model with a stock block and a bolt-on turbo system for a number of years before embarking on the quest for top speed. "The Z is the only true rear-wheel drive Japanese sportscar currently in production. There's a wide array of aftermarket support and serious potential to make massive amounts of power," says Doug. Of course, more power would be a prerequisite for 200 +MPH top speeds.

Bigger & Badder

The search for big power led Doug to GTM Motorsports' doorstep. The VQ35DE engine was plucked from its home between the Z's shock towers and disassembled. The shortblock received a set of Darton M.I.D. sleeves before being bored to 100mm. The GTM 90mm billet stroker crankshaft combined with the 100mm bore bumps the 3.5-liter engine to a whopping 4,242cc. Not only does the increase in displacement improve the torque and the power output of the engine, it also allows the use of larger turbochargers without sacrificing low-RPM boost response.

With displacement increased by 17-percent, improving the VQ cylinder heads was a must. GTM ported and polished the cylinder heads before installing +1mm Ferrea valves, springs and titanium retainers optimized for the bigger cams. Monstrous 288-degree GTM stage-3 turbo camshafts with 11.5mm lift orchestrate the valve events. The increased duration and lift facilitate greater airflow in and out of the cylinders for efficient power production.

Addicted To Power

Now that the larger, easier breathing engine was complete, attention shifted to a forced-induction solution to generate the horsepower needed to reach Doug's objective. GTM's newly-developed Stage-6 turbo system, which centers on a pair of Garrett GT3582R turbochargers, was designed for top end power. According to GTM, these turbochargers deliver enough airflow to support up to 1,200 horsepower, fitting right in with Doug's build objective.

Fueling The Fire... With Supplements

The factory returnless fuel system works well on a stock engine but falls terribly short when aiming for significant horsepower gains, especially with forced induction. A GTM stage-5 fuel return kit replaced the factory fuel system. This kit relies on a pair of Walbro 255-lph in-tank fuel pumps suspended from a CJ Motorsports in-tank double-pump bracket. Once the fuel reaches the engine bay, a pair of GTM billet fuel rails distribute to a six-pack of GTM 1,000 cc/min injectors.