Pennsylvania Pavement Pounder
Take your time and do things right; this is how Matt Shearer of Carlisle, Pa., modified his 1991 Nissan 240SX. After a few years of driving around with minor bolt-ons, like an intake and exhaust, the desire for more power took hold.
Matt had Dynamic Motorsports of Dillsburg, Pa., swap out the stock engine with an SR20DET. After a three-month wait for a new wiring harness from Japan the swap took another three months to complete stage one of the buildup. The stock T25 turbo was used along with a GReddy 1.2 mm head gasket, GReddy adjustable cam gears and Fidanza flywheel. To drop the intake charge temperature a Spearco FMIC was added. To get the most out of these additions, an A'PEXi Super AFC was added to control the fuel flow and an AVC-R controls boost levels. To keep an eye on engine vitals, Auto Meter boost and air/fuel gauges reside in an A-pillar pod. At this point the 240SX made 232 hp and 244 lb-ft at 15 psi.
Before long, stage two was in the works. Back at Dynamic a new manifold and Turbonetics T3/T4 stage III turbo, with 40 mm Tial wastegate was installed. Knowing this would overwork the fuel system Matt had them install a Sard fuel pressure regulator and RC 550cc injectors in an HKS fuel rail. The fuel pump and filter were upgraded to Z32 units. After a final tune-up the 240 was again strapped to the dyno. This time the motor pumped out 324.9 hp and 289.9 lb-ft. Matt says these numbers should be higher because the speed limiter kicked on at only 6200 rpm. At the Beaver Springs Raceway, Matt laid down a 12.99-second quarter-mile pass on street tires.
With that much power on tap, it makes sense that Matt would upgrade his braking power as well. To that end Z32 calipers put the bind on cross-drilled rotors, front and rear. Goodridge lines replaced the factory rubber lines. A Z32 master cylinder regulates brake pedal feel. A Hurst line lock kit helps with water-box burnouts.
Framing the brakes are 17x7-inch ALT Racing X-File wheels shod with Sumitomo HTR Z II 225/45ZR-17 tires. Taking the bumps out of the ride is the responsibility of Tokico struts and Eibach Sportline springs. Tightening up the front end are an A'PEXi strut tower bar and Whiteline rod bushings.
Future upgrades include a stand-alone engine management system and a J-spec 180 exterior conversion.