Nissan Z With Stock Engine Hits Record-Breaking 1/4-Mile at 800 HP
This seventh-generation Nissan Z, modified by AMS Performance, officially does the quarter mile in sub-9.5 seconds. With a stock engine.
This AMS Performance-modified Nissan Z has emerged as one of the fastest in the U.S., completing a certified quarter-mile in under 9.5 seconds. Remarkably, this seventh-generation Nissan flagship two-seater achieved this feat using its stock engine, along with upgrades that can be applied to any production Z34 model.
The AMS-spec Z Proto recently made four runs at the Great Lakes Dragaway in Wisconsin, USA, averaging an impressive 9.47 seconds at 148 mph. This performance beats its previous personal best of 9.75 seconds set two years ago. According to AMS Performance, the car retains its stock engine, uses no nitrous, and has seen “no significant changes to the setup.”
No, Really, This Was An Unopened Engine
While this seventh-gen Z isn’t the fastest in the U.S. overall—the unofficial record is held by Emelia Hartford’s fully modified 2,000-horsepower beast, which ran the quarter mile in 7.75 seconds—AMS’s Z Proto impressively completed its run using the factory-stock block, head, and internals of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged ‘VR30’ V6 engine straight from the factory.
AMS’s technicians have fitted the “unopened engine” with their own custom turbochargers—part of a range of parts they’ve developed for the platform over the past several years—alongside a complete re-tune. This setup boosts the production Z’s original 400 horsepower to a staggering 820 hp at the wheels. To put that into perspective, it’s even more power than a Ferrari 296 GTB.
Remarkably, all this massive power is still delivered solely to the rear wheels—“consistently” through Nissan’s stock nine-speed automatic transmission. Considering the intense demands of standing quarter-mile launches, that’s truly impressive. The original 18-inch rear wheels have been replaced with huge Hoosier drag radials for better traction, yet notably, the ride height hasn’t been drastically changed.
A Strong Start to the Year for the Nissan Z
Interestingly, AMS Performance shared that although the team arrived at the drag strip having essentially “dusted the cobwebs off” their Z Proto, they weren’t fully satisfied with the car’s initial run. However, as the day progressed and momentum built, the Z Proto ended up shattering more records than the team had anticipated. In a later social media update, AMS proudly revealed their best run yet: an impressive 9.23-second quarter mile at 149 mph.
The tuning house now claims to have some serious records:
While this Z Proto is still a far cry from factory stock, its impressive performance is sure to catch the attention of Nissan’s North American headquarters in Tennessee. This strong start to the year highlights the two-seater Nissan Z’s growing edge in the ongoing rivalry with its main competitor, the Toyota GR Supra.
