SP Rides: Chasing Perfection
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Ethan Kerfoot
Age: 21
Occupation: Owner of Kerfoot Garage, CNA
Hobbies: Cars, beach, Bike
Year/Make/Model: 2003 Nissan 350Z
Engine: Single turbo kit, AAM fuel rail and return system, 315 fuel pump, 650 injectors, Nitrous express dry 100 shot
Exterior: Bensopra front end, Rocket Bunny wide body fenders, Z Project rear diffuser, Garage Mak full carbon spoiler, Carbon vented hood, Carbon hatch
Interior: Sparco seats, Nismo-weighted shifter, AEM wide band gauge, oil temp gauge, boost gauge
Suspension: Airlift performance bags, Tanabe strut bar, Spc full camber and toe kit
Drive train: ACT stage 2 clutch, Wilwood clutch master, Upgraded clutch slave
Wheels and Brakes: Work Equip Wheels (19×10.5 front, 19×13.5 rear), Brembo GT-R Brake & Rotor Upgrade Package
Garage-built cars. That’s a sentiment that many automotive enthusiasts can identify with, including Kerfoot Garage owner Ethan Kerfoot. “Everything on my car has been done out of my garage,” he said.
That’s quite a statement when you take a moment to appreciate Kerfoot’s stunning, wide-bodied 2003 Nissan 350Z. The solid black of the body has been augmented with hyper green accents that create a certain pop. These accents include the modified headlight housings, the racing stripe that extends from the front to the rear of the automobile, as well as the Greddy logo emblazoned across its intercooler.
Component wise, the body kit is a mix-and-match affair with some very expensive parts. First came the Bensopra one-of-a-kind front that has been combined with Rocket Bunny wide-body fenders and skirts. A Z Project rear diffuser and super-expensive Garage Mak full-carbon spoiler have been added to give the car its trackside appeal. For extra cooling, a CF vented hood has also been installed along with a full CF trunk hatch replacement. The lines of the kit are aggressive, with canards, fender ducting and mega arches offering a bit of serious flare.
All of this sits on Work Equip wheels sized for those who love sheer mass: 19×10.5 in the front, 19×13.5 in the rear. On display through these huge wells are a 6- and 4-piston front and a rear Brembo GTR brake upgrade package. Combined with the now mandatory air suspension by Airlift, this car is able to drop within a few centimeters of tread. A Tanabe strut bar and SPC full camber and toe kit help keep the stance in proper format.
Performance wise, Kerfoot has added enough power while ensuring the car is still reasonably comfortable to drive. Dyno’d at 450HP, the Nissan features a single turbo kit with an AAM fuel rail and return system, and a 315 fuel pump. Additionally, 650cc injectors have been installed. On tap is another 100HP courtesy of a dry shot of Nitrous Express. Helping to put the power down is an ACT Stage 2 clutch complemented by a Wilwood Clutch Master and upgrade clutch slave.
The cockpit is left fairly simple, but includes a sweet set of leather Sparco seats. A Nismo-weighted shifter keeps gears in check while a set of gauges is available for monitoring the situation.
This car was built with Kerfoot’s own hands and with lots of sweat. It was built for competition and done exactly to his specifications. And its only reason for existence is Kerfoot’s driving pursuit of perfection.
