1992 Nissan 240SX S13 - The Stepping Stone

Darren San Angelo of R&D Dyno handled the tuning chores. Even though the engine's state of tune is designed for quick response, it's still no slouch wanting for more power. On a mild tune with 91-octane pee water California fuel, the 240 puts out 295 whp at 0.8 bar of boost, 318 whp at 1.0 bar and an impressive 347 whp and 303 lb-ft of torque at 1.2 bar of boost. Running race gas and turning up the boost with a more aggressive tune should allow power to approach 400 whp.

The engine is cooled by a Koyo aluminum racing radiator topped with a high pressure Blitz cap and a Black Magic electric fan. Blitz also supplied the billet aluminum oil filler cap. Taka Motorsports supplied the trick bar and plate type oil cooler and remote-mount oil filter system plumbed with Earls -10 braided steel line and A/N fittings.

To avoid oil starvation under the high g loads encountered in drifting, an Escort Power Parts & Engine oil pan was installed. This trick unit features an increased oil capacity and is made out of high strength aluminum that can take a hit, unlike the fragile cast pans common to the aftermarket. The Escort pan also features trap doors and baffles to trap oil near the pickup and a windage tray to strip oil from the crank faster for more power and faster sump filling oil return.

Nismo hard rubber motor mounts keep the engine from rocking excessively. The power is transferred to the rear end via a JWT aluminum flywheel and a Stage 2 fibertough puck clutch. A Nismo two-way limited slip gives the best action to accurately throttle steer the car.

A five-lug conversion is sported at each corner. Up front, Rotora four-piston calipers and big 13-inch two-piece rotors with alloy hats are in charge of the stopping duties. Earls braided stainless brake lines keep the pedal firm.

No car is complete without cosmetics. The 240 looks all JDM. The front fascia has been replaced with a Silvia front end with projector beam headlights, a East Bear GTR style grille and a Genuine Nissan aero front bumper. Bomex aero mirrors, sideskirts, rear valance and front lip add style. A BN Sports vented hood, fitted and modified for valve cover clearance by Brian Kono of After Hours Automotive, gives an aggressive look and adds cooling capacity. K-Style wide front fenders and PJ Bonifacio rear steel flares give the car a subtle widebody look while allowing huge tires and wheels. PJ Bonifacio also applied the Type-R yellow paint.

The interior is an all business affair which includes Skyline GT-R R32 seats, B&M short shifter, Nismo GT shift knob, Sabelt harnesses, and a Personel steering wheel with a Rapfix removable hub. An Alpine stereo and alarm round out the ICE for the car.

In the near future Ron anticipates retiring the car from the street and making it an even more hardcore drift and road race machine, equipping it for NASA's SE-R Cup series running the SRX class. NASA recently opened up the SRX class to allow turbocharged 240SX's running the SR20DET. The superb handling of the RWD S13 chassis should make mince meat of the FWD turbocharged Sentra's that currently rule the class.

The interior will be stripped, a full cage added and more carbon fiber and fiberglass will be added to reduce weight. Other tricks will be done to enhance cooling and the body will be modified for more downforce. Of course, most of these mods will only enhance the car's drifting ability.

Stay tuned; we will be revisiting this car as it makes its transformation into a hard-core competition machine in the coming year.