Guardian Angel: Louis Sierra's 2008 Nissan 350Z

Photos by Shane Hunter


Louis Sierra’s love for the 350Z runs deep. He explains in detail. “When the 350Z was released it instantly became one of my dream cars. To me the 350Z is a special car. It was the return of the Z after it had been absent for several years. I love the lines and total look of the car. I told myself I would own one. In 2008 I was able to afford a brand new 350Z and began my build.” He goes on to explain his choice of the base model. “The reason I chose the base was because I had plans to make the car my own. It doesn’t even have cruise control! Why no cruise control? Because racecar! With the base model I hade a blank canvas - the perfect start to create my masterpiece.”

And a masterpiece he did create. ChargeSpeed’s Bottomline lip is one of his favourite style-tweaks to the Z, and a massive Voltex wing comes courtesy of his wife, who ordered it for him on their 8-year anniversary. Best wife ever or what? That wing produces so much downforce that the rear suspension had to be adjusted, and the rear fenders pulled wider. After a little bit of tweaking and readjusting, the fitment and function come together in perfect harmony.

Hanging from the driver’s side visor on the interior is perhaps one of the most sentimental modifications we’ve ever come across. A “guardian angel bell”, given to Sierra by one of his best friend’s mother after he passed away in a car crash, dangles and rings as he drives, keeping his long lost friend close by. Between his father’s influence on his life as a car enthusiast, to his friend eternally riding shotgun, it’s evident that this is a special build, inside and out.

PASMAG Louis Sierra 3 2008 Nissan 350Z TBGLIVE

With 54% of the Popular Vote, Louis Sierra is the winner of the PASMAG Tuner Battlegrounds #TBGLIVE award category at DriveNW in Kent, Washington, USA!

ESSENTIALS

Vehicle: 2008 Nissan 350Z
Owner: Louis Sierra
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Engine: Nissan VQ 35HR 3.5L V6
Horsepower: N/A
Torque: N/A

SOCIAL
Facebook: Louis Sierra
Instagram: @lsierra83

PASMAG Louis Sierra 7 2008 Nissan 350Z TBGLIVE

ENGINE

  • K&N air filter
  • NIsmo R-Tune dual intakes
  • Seibon carbon fiber engine cover
  • MIshimoto (aluminum radiator, silicone hoses, carbon rad cap, carbon fiber radiator shroud)

EXHAUST

  • GReddy True Dual exhaust
  • Invidia test pipes

DRIVETRAIN

  • Quaife LSD

PASMAG Louis Sierra 4 2008 Nissan 350Z TBGLIVE

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES

  • Volk TE37 wheels – 19x9.5 +22 (f), 19x10.5 +22 (r)
  • Falken FK452 tires – 245/35R19 (f), 275/35R19 (r)
  • Akebono (4-piston calipers (f), 2-piston calipers (r))
  • Z1 14-inch slotted rotors
  • Z1 SS brake lines

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION

  • BC Racing (BR Type suspension, Extreme Low rear springs)
  • Eibach (sway bars, urethane bushings)
  • Cusco front strut bar
  • SPC control arms
  • Tanabe subframe chassis brace

PASMAG Louis Sierra 2 2008 Nissan 350Z TBGLIVE

EXTERIOR

  • Chargespeed Bottomline (carbon fiber side skirts, rear spats)
  • Nismo V3 front bumper
  • Tucked rear bumper
  • Voltex Type 8 GT wing
  • Carbon rear window visor
  • GTS headlight covers

INTERIOR

  • Red thread and red suede reupholstery
  • Nismo carbon fiber shift knob
  • Sparco Championship steering wheel
  • Custom alcantara black shift boot w/ red stitching
  • Sparco R505 seats
  • Works Bell quick release hub

PASMAG Louis Sierra 8 2008 Nissan 350Z TBGLIVE

AUDIO/MULTIMEDIA

  • Kenwood DDX771 head unit
  • MTX Thunder 801D sub amp
  • Kenwood (Excelon KFC-XW10 10-inch subwoofer, 6.5-inch speakers)
  • Infinity 6.5-inch speakers

SPONSORS

  • Rev Motorsports

PASMAG Louis Sierra 5 2008 Nissan 350Z TBGLIVE

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