
Adam LZ’s S-TIER Daily Driver Collection
Audio Summary
AI Summary
This video tour showcases Adam's personal car collection, focusing on vehicles he actively drives and maintains. He emphasizes the cleanliness and organization of this specific garage, differentiating it from another shop where cars might sit for longer periods and accumulate dust.
The tour begins with a discussion about Porsches. Adam explains that while new Porsches can be acquired at sticker price, it often involves a history of purchasing and trading in previous models. He expresses a personal preference for older Porsches, finding newer models less engaging for his passion, though he acknowledges the enduring appeal of the GT3.
The focus then shifts to a Chaser. This car was originally an automatic, naturally aspirated vehicle that was later manual swapped with a 1JZ engine. Adam recounts a history of experimenting with various transmissions in this car, including V160, CD009, ZF, and R154, ultimately finding the R154 to be the optimal choice. He also mentions considering a V8 swap with a CD009 transmission, though he ultimately prefers keeping the original transmission matched to the engine. The car features Endless brakes, which were a gamble as they weren't specifically measured for fitment, but luckily cleared the wheels. The exterior was already modified when Adam acquired it, but he added the wheels and brakes. The engine bay, while cleaner than some of his other projects, was a quick build, completed in about a week, showcasing a balance of form and function. It houses a stock 2JZ VVTi engine, utilizing recycled parts from his former FD car, and produces 750 horsepower. He notes that factory 2JZ plenums are preferred for their torque production over aftermarket ones. Adam also highlights his preference for Endless brakes on Japanese cars, viewing it as a way to keep brands consistent, contrasting with the Brembos on his E46. The gold Endless brakes with two-piece rotors on the Chaser are a unique touch.
Next, Adam discusses a distinct red Skyline, noting its fresh appearance compared to more common Nissan models. He mentions that these cars are becoming more accessible. He credits his friend Tommy's Garage with the build, praising their expertise in Skyline restorations, including vapor honing and zinc-coated hardware. This particular car uses an engine combination that has become standard for Tommy's builds. It's a 28 VCAM producing 650 horsepower at the wheels and features an HKS T-51R turbo kit, which is a straightforward bolt-on setup. Adam shares that the car was originally a single turbo with around 500 horsepower and a six-speed transmission. He also points out a detail: he reused the hot side cover from the old turbo kit, a part not typically included in new kits. He expresses a liking for the wheels and brakes on the Chaser, calling them a cool combination and a significant upgrade over the stock brakes, which he finds unattractive. He also points out several period-correct NISMO parts, including a 400R steering wheel, old NISMO floor mats, and a white cluster. The WLab triple gauges are a notable feature, being CAN-controlled and mimicking the look of original white gauges. He also mentions that the R32 dash is free of the common bubbling issue found on R32s. This car makes around 650 horsepower and could potentially reach 680 with a less restrictive exhaust, but he values its quietness.
The conversation then moves to an E46, which Adam describes as a personal car from his teenage years. He explains that the E46 was an aspirational poster car for him, representing a goal to achieve through hard work. He admits this isn't the most perfect car and was initially intended for a giveaway, but he grew to appreciate its imperfections, making it more enjoyable to drive frequently. The car is in a desirable Laguna Seca Blue, the launch color for the 2001 model. While not exceptionally rare, it's uncommon, and most owners don't sell them. The black interior is a rarer option, as launch cars typically had dove gray. This car features a swapped-in M cloth or speed cloth interior. It has 120,000 miles, with the "big three" maintenance items completed, ensuring it drives and sounds good with a quiet exhaust. It features a CSL airbox, which is a factory option for CSL models, known for its distinctive sound and potential minor power increase.
Adam then discusses his R34, stating that while he considers it as perfect as it could be, he built it too long ago and would make many changes now. This leads to a discussion about his opinion on the stock R34 being underwhelming. He and the interviewer both felt the same way after driving one in Japan, finding it not as fast as expected. He compares it to his past experience with an '04 STI, which provided a more immediate sense of performance. He acknowledges that in its era, the R34 was a good car, and driving it hard can reveal its rewarding nature. However, he attributes the lack of immediate torque and the need to rev the engine high for power as reasons for the perceived lack of punch. He contrasts this with cars that offer a strong low-end pull. He mentions that the R34 can shine on track or in canyons when driven aggressively. He also touches on the car's dusty appearance, indicating it had been stored in the other shop. He expresses a shift in preference from highly customized "extra" builds to more "OEM plus" aesthetics as he's gotten older. He regrets building a 26 engine and wishes he had opted for a 28 for a more engaging driving experience. He also finds the twin turbos on this car to be a drawback. The interior is nearly perfect, with all minor imperfections replaced. He notes the unique texture of the interior trim. He mentions he had Vspec 2 seats and interior parts but ultimately decided to keep the car original. This R34 makes 680 horsepower, but with less torque than his R32, making the R32 more fun to drive. He generally keeps his cars in the 600-700 horsepower range, finding it a reliable and enjoyable power level.
Finally, Adam presents his air-cooled Carrera, which holds a special place in his heart. He was drawn to air-cooled Porsches due to friends' passion for them and found them to be like "Legos" with extensive aftermarket support for modifications. He states that this car has more money invested in it than any other street car he owns and he wouldn't change it. He considers it perfect and enjoys driving it immensely. The car is a 1991 model and is equipped with AC. The car is a Porsche 911 Turbo, a childhood dream car for Adam. He describes it as a rare, special-order color, with all original paint. It came from Sapporo, Japan, as a one-owner automatic. He found it at auction and planned to do OEM plus resto work himself. However, he encountered engine issues and sent it to Neil at EP9 in Canada for upgrades. He highlights the Serak-coated AC compressor and Sleeper Designs AC lines for a cleaner engine bay. The engine features ITBs and a GT3 plenum, running on a Motec system. It's a 4-liter engine, considered a dream for a 964. The car makes around 370 horsepower at the wheels, but it's heavy, weighing as much as a new GT3 RS. The interior features Recaro seats made from recycled carbon fiber, inspired by the 964 RS gradient pattern. He also discusses the rebuilt gauges with a higher rev limit and mint needles, along with a Carrera GT-inspired shift knob. He then starts the cars to allow them to warm up and provides revs for each. He comments on the deeper sound of the 2JZ compared to the 1JZ and the aggressive, yet not overpowering, sound of the air-cooled Carrera. He also notes the street-bike-like sound of the R32. Adam's advice for aspiring content creators is to focus on what they are passionate about, rather than trying to please others, as genuine excitement is contagious.