As drifting gains popularity and sweeps across America, more and more tuners are purchasing cheap 240sx’s and prepping them out for some sideways action. As a driver in the Porsche GT3 cup in Grand-Am Rolex, Leh Keen of GSC Motorsports is always out looking for new challenges. Running across this S13 coupe, Keen jumped on it and got himself in the driver seat ready to drift. Glossed in a jet black finish on Volk Racing Gold GT-U’s, this S13 Silvia converted coupe is as clean as it gets with plenty of power to kick the rear out.
Starting with the exterior, Keen had the entire chassis repainted a GT3 Cup jet black, and glossed it out to an extremely shiny finish. Up on the front end is a JDM S13 Silvia conversion with triple beam projector headlights. A Bomex front bumper is in place of the new one along with a GT-R grill, PDM side skirts and OEM 180sx rear valences. This gives the Coupe a whole new stance, but keeps it relatively clean and simple – almost reflecting a more contemporary finish to an old chassis. A VIS carbon fiber hood is in place of the stock one to shave off some weight. As stated above, the car is lowered on a staggered set of Volk Racing GT-U’s in gold. 18×8 and 18×9 round off the four corners and tires are always on the change.
The suspension has been torn apart and redone with drifting and aggressive handling in mind. D2 coilovers allows for dampening and height adjustability while Suspension Technique sway bars gives the car the balance (or unbalance) it needs to go sideways. TEIN goodies are seen in the more delicate suspension components, from the TEIN tension rods to the TEIN tie rod and tie rod ends, this S13 coupe is ready to go. Last but not least, a Cusco front strut tower bar was installed to brace the chassis. Braking is also a necessity in drifting, as the stock front calipers were removed for the more popular Z32 (300zx) calipers. In the rear are newer model 240sx S14 calipers. Just enough to top off the S13 in its search for drifting harmony.
Now most of us are well aware that 240sx’s don’t pack a lot of punch from the factory – especially the older S13 models. Being that the SR20DET is the most popular swap out there, it’s easy to guess that this coupe has one as well. Equipped with a GReddy S13 VSPL front mount intercooler, the SR20DET has no problems keeping boost pressure under extreme temperatures. Producing the extra boost for the SR20DET comes from a GT25R turbo bolted onto an SS Auto Chrome exhaust manifold. A GReddy downpipe that leads through a custom test pipe and out an APEXi single N1 exhaust makes up the entire exhaust system. A GReddy oil pan takes place of the stock one, as the stock ones tend to get dented and cause oil pressure dilemmas. A Top Speed intake manifold along with a Z32 maf and K&N filter takes control of all the air that gets fed in. An HKS SSQV can be seen welded onto a custom hotpipe to expel surplus pressure when Keen does decide to lay off the loud pedal. Internally, the SR20DET has been fitted with Tomei Rocker Arm Stoppers and HKS cams, 264 intake and exhaust side.
Drivetrain modifications are done as well, making sure that every ounce of power is dripped to those rear wheels. An ACT 6 puck clutch along with a heavy duty pressure plate ensures each shift is a hard one. A J30 LSD gives the 240 the perfect handling and a Fidanza aluminum flywheel was installed to relieve some rotational mass in the drivetrain. With the additional boost on the SR20DET, comes additional fuel. Tomei 555cc injectors in a set of four provide the injector power while a Walbro 255lph feeds the motor healthy dosage of 93 octane. An APEXi AVC-R boost controller handles the boost and fuel curve, tuning the 240 to an optimal curve for drifting. Having power when Keen wants it, this 240 is a lot more than fun to toss around for Leh.
Last but not least are some light interior modifications to keep Keen entertained while driving the car around South Carolina. S14 seats provide a comfier ride than the stock S13 ones while a B&M short shifter makes shifting more comfortable for the race-driven Leh. An APEXi turbo timer was installed to count down the cool off zone after abusing the SR. For sheer entertainment factor is an Autometer boost gauge, as Keen just loves nailing the car to full potential. Make sure you check out Leh Keen and this 240 as he starts sweeping across the states drifting his way into the D1 driver search and winner circle.
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