Feature: Project: Mothra

Americans are fanatics about their cars. On roads and tracks across America, speed is king. Since we were young, we’ve been taught that it’s all about horsepower. But according to brothers Matt and Brad Baker and Japanese tuning masters like Kazuhiko “Smoky” Nagata, there’s so much more to it. Anybody can make a car more powerful. But the key is, will it be drivable? When the road from A to B curves, will it remain connected to it? These are some of the thoughts that went into the Bakers’ // Project: Mothra //.

The driving force behind the project was to challenge the American way of thinking. To show that it’s not all about horsepower, it’s not just about the 1/4 mile. It’s a more holistic approach. It’s about the moment the driver and the car become one. Not an easy task at all. Plus, it let the brothers dive into MODS like suspension upgrades, huge deep-dish wheels and things that had little to do with horsepower and everything to do with feeding the MOD bug.

Matt and Brad of Baker Nissan, a Houston-based dealership, had their choice of any Nissan in the lineup. To them the decision was easy. Why not take an already track capable sports car, well-known for its stunning looks and high performance, and take it to the next level. Their beast: the VQ37VHR - 3.7-liter, 24-valve, V6 Nissan 370Z. Once the vehicle was chosen, it was time to go to work. The list of mods is mind-boggling to say the least:

AP Racing Big Brake Kit for better control, Non-stop Tuning Over/Under Pulley Kit, B&M Short Shifter for much faster shifts, ACT Clutch Assembly to handle the heavier load, I-forged Sprint Wheels, Blitz Throttle to improve throttle response at the line, Toyo tires, Amuse Titanium Harness Bar which replaced the rear strut tower bar, and the very first Amuse Vestito Body Kit in the United States, complete with front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts and a signature rear wing - the inspiration for Mothra’s name.

And here’s where the story gets really cool. Mothra is a Top Secret poster girl so if there’s going to be a car in the U.S. with nearly impossible-to-get parts from Top Secret, Mothra will be that car. She has been blessed with Top Secret High-flow Cats for more efficient flow and a deeper roar, a lightweight Top Secret Ceramic Coated Header, the Top Secret Coil Over Kit for greater performance on and off the track, the Top Secret Stainless Steel Exhaust and to add to the list of very firsts - America’s first-ever Top Secret One-only Carbon Fiber and Titanium Intake.

Fellow modders, please wipe off the drool that is trickling down your chin - there’s more.

The Bakers then flew in legendary Japanese automotive tuner "Smoky" Nagata and let him work his magic on Mothra. He used his unmatched expertise to fine-tune the 370Z up to his standards.

Mothra has quickly become one of the top .0000001% hottest 370Zs in the world. She has seen major improvements in the handling, throttle response, feel, cornering, ride quality, hook-up from zero, top-end aerodynamics and shift accuracy. The project has been a massive success but don’t forget, this is merely the beginning. “Smoky” is using Mothra as a developmental platform for future projects. In other words, there are more cars in the stable. The team is currently working on a G37, S14 Silvia, another 370Z and a GT-R R35, which may answer the rumor that “Smoky” has his eyes on conquering the Texas Mile - the fastest 1-mile track in the world that challenges participants from all over the world to push their vehicles to the limit.

// Project: Mothra // began as a dream for Matt and Brad Baker. It is now a reality. They’ve started to change the conversation when it comes to American tuning. Maybe it is about more than just horsepower. Maybe there is much more to it. We do know this, they’ve definitely satisfied their MOD bug’s appetite, for now.