9-Second Nissan Z By AMS With Stock Engine And Transmission

Caecey Killian July 3, 2025 2 min read 0

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AMS Performance has redefined what’s possible with bolt-ons by building a 9-second Nissan Z. Their Z retains its factory engine internals and stock nine-speed automatic transmission. Their RZ34 Nissan Z, equipped with the original VR30DDTT engine block, heads, and rotating assembly, recently laid down an incredible 820 horsepower to the rear wheels. That kind of power, put through streetable components, was enough to run a quarter-mile in just 9.23 seconds at 149 mph.

This Z isn’t the quickest on record—that title still belongs to Emilia Hartford and her 2,000-horsepower VR38-swapped Z. However, AMS’s car is a completely different kind of build. Where Hartford’s Z is a no-holds-barred drag car, AMS aimed to showcase what enthusiasts can do with an off-the-shelf catalog of upgrades. That includes AMS-developed turbochargers, a high-efficiency intercooler, a new intake, an upgraded exhaust, improved heat exchanger, and a reinforced fuel system. Nothing inside the engine was replaced. The entire build revolves around external enhancements, proving just how stout the stock VR30 platform can be.

Even more impressive is the use of the stock nine-speed automatic transmission. Most would assume it would grenade under repeated hard launches, but AMS proved otherwise. To verify the car’s performance, they made four back-to-back quarter-mile runs, each one confirming the drivetrain’s consistency and durability.

The car’s grip comes courtesy of Hoosier drag radials, but the suspension appears to be untouched. Ride height remains stock, and there are no signs of aftermarket chassis or geometry alterations. That makes this car one of the most relatable high-performance Nissan Zs in the country. It’s not a gutted race car—it’s still a street car at heart.

AMS’s 9-second Nissan Z isn’t just fast, it’s an important benchmark. It proves that with a well-thought-out combination of bolt-ons and tuning, the VR30 engine and stock drivetrain can deliver elite performance without internal modifications. For Z owners looking to make serious power without opening the engine, this build sets the bar.

AboutCaecey Killian

Caecey Killian covers builds, installs, and product features for Car Junkie Magazine. He has spent years on the floor of the garage chasing horsepower across SBC, LS, and modern muscle platforms, and that shop time runs through every article he writes. His current CJM project is Project Street Reaper, a 1976 Camaro built around a fresh SBC 350. He is also known for Project Mighty Mouse, a 1977 Chevy Nova running a 1962 small-journal 327 SBC, with build coverage published across multiple online automotive magazines. His media background spans long-form build documentation, install coverage, and product features across the magazine and the Car Junkie Magazine YouTube channel. He writes the way he wrenches: specific, honest about the mistakes, and grounded in real garage work.