Watch His S-Car Go
"After the S15," continues the great one, "I bought a white stock S14 so I could take it to small drift training events and teach people how to drift." Soon after, his friend Takahiro Ueno, owner of T&E and the driver of the Vertex Soarer, got involved with the project and installed a Vertex Lang body kit and repainted the car red. Out of the three, the S14 is the least modified, using only a GT-SS turbo from HKS, a Blitz intercooler, and a Legerfort T&E exhaust for a small lift in power, going up to 320 hp from stock. "I'm preparing the S14 for a makeover soon," he says, "When I'm done with it, it will have a GT2835 turbo, cams, head work, and a Nismo six-speed transmission along with some additional upgrades. I'm targeting 430 hp."
Since it's used primarily for training, it had to have the essentials needed for any student to learn properly. HKS' Hipermax D coilovers are at it again, providing maximum handling and stability while sliding, and five-spoke 19-inch Volk GTS wheels show off the big Project calipers. Black Gias bucket seats from Bride take the place of the OE Nissan recliners, and a Nardi NOB steering wheel and T&E shift knob give a more race-inspired feel to the driver's holding cell. This time an Eclipse navi unit sends real time traffic reports to NOB and a Blitz boost controller sits on top of the steering column.
180 More Reasons Why Nob Loves The S-Chassis
While everyone thinks the S15 is the ultimate Silvia ever produced, it's the 180SX that holds a special place in NOB's automotive heart. "I've always wanted one," he states, "My [180SX] used to belong to a Japanese tuning magazine, but when the opportunity came along to buy it, I couldn't resist." Driven the most out of the trio, it's comfortable, easy to drive, and, with a stock S15 turbo, has "outrageous response." He smirks, "That's what I really like; you can't beat instant response."
It's easy to see why NOB enjoys the S13 chassis; it's the most accessible, with an unbeatable price at under $5k for a clean and straight body. This hatchback is powered by the first variation of the SR20DET without variable cam timing and, aside from the S15 turbo, uses HKS' camshafts and intercooler to hit a max of 320 hp. The exhaust routes out from a Yashio Factory manifold and downpipe to a Legerfort exhaust (are you seeing a pattern here?). Again, Taniguchi goes for the gusto, packing in a Nismo transmission with a Copper Mix clutch and limited slip differential.
Yashio Factory actually put more work into this car than the other two, loading the suspension with their own coilovers and then fitting in Nismo suspension arms for unparalleled handling. Smaller 18x9 and 18x10 Advan RS wheels with Advan Neova tires are perfect for this ultimate street setup, not to mention the Vertex Ridge body kit and custom taillights. Bride takes care of ass comforting once again, with a Zeta III for the NOB himself and a Brix for the shotgun spot. And after spotting the limited Nardi/NOB collabo steering wheel once again, I'll be damned if I don't have one of these by the time I finish my 240 project. As it stands, the 180SX is driven the most by NOB, with the S14 and S15 left in garages for preservation. "I've grown to love all of them," he says, "All of the cars are very similar in characteristics, so they're essentially the same car to me. They're all fit for drifting, and that's my style."