Jimmy Nishida is living proof that an addiction to cars can become a family affair. His younger brother, Robbie, is a well-known drifter that made the jump across the pond from their home in Japan a few years back to begin drifting in the U.S. Formula Drift series. Die-hard drifting fans will easily recognize the name, since Robbie has become synonymous with the radical bright orange Overboost.com Silvia pickup truck, and more recently the green and blue Team Falken/Overboost.com Nissan 180SX.
It just so happens that Robbie was the previous owner of this 1993 Silvia K’s, better know to us ‘yanks as the S14 chassis Nissan 240SX. Jimmy then bought the car and resprayed it to the brilliant silver color it is today. Of course, few of the parts that were on the car when he purchased it from his brother would stay that way. Who said sibling rivalry was a bad thing?
Nishida’s car was lucky enough to come equipped from the factory with the venerable SR20DET, a strong powerplant that has proved to be the bread and butter motor for Japanese and U.S. tuning companies alike. Knowing that the SR’s stout bottom-end would handle far more than the stock 220 horsepower without breaking a sweat, Nishida set out to help the motor breathe.
On the intake side, a Trust air cleaner and Z32 air flow meter, coupled with a Hey Man! Products V-mount intercooler, ensure that a constant supply of cool air is available. From there, a pair of HKS 256 camshafts replace the stock bumpsticks, and exhaust gases are handled via a Hey Man! Products stainless header, outlet, down pipe and exhaust system
To ensure this engine’s longevity, a Nismo GT-R fuel regulator, Y30 fuel filter and Nismo 550cc injectors provide a healthy flow of fuel, and an AE86 2-core radiator keeps coolant temperatures down. The whole motor is stabilized with help of an HPI engine damper.
Of course, as the old adage goes, power is useless without control. To ensure his engine’s newfound power would make it to the ground, Nishida fitted the transmission with a Nismo flywheel, clutch cover and pressure plate, along with a 2-way LSD out back, also from Nismo.
To keep the Silvia confident in the twisties, Hey Man! Products fully adjustable coilovers were installed, along with the company’s pillow tension rods, rear upper arms and rear toe links. Acre brake pads front and rear haul this S14 back down to law-abiding speeds.
This S14’s already smooth lines are enhanced with an Us Racing full aero kit and Bomex aero mirrors. A front and rear blister fender kit provides just enough room to accommodate the steamroller-spec Work Emotion Rs, which measure 18x9.5” front and rear. Wrapped around the Works is sticky Bridgestone RE-01R rubber
Recaro SR2 buckets hold the driver and passenger in place, while the hands fall easily to a Nardi wheel and Nismo shift knob . A set of Karo floormats helps brighten up the S14’s all-business interior.
Trust gauges monitor boost, oil temperature and oil pressure, and water temperatures are kept in check via a Yashio Factory gauge. A Trust Profec boost controller and 3UP original ecu round out the electronics inside.
The friendly sibling rivalry between Jimmy and Robbie pretty much ensures that this S14 will remain in a constant state of modification. But in its current form, it looks perfect just the way it is.