Throwing 500 HP into a car that was engineered to take half of that power, means some changes were necessary for both the suspension and brakes. Bilstein adjustable coilovers take care of the damping while some much-needed Cusco arms were fitted to perfect the car's geometry. Cusco also supplied the stabilizer bars as well as the strut tower bars, the front of which had to be slightly bent to clear the RB26's cam covers. To give more wheel choices, a 5-lug hub conversion was carried out at each corner, which was then joined by R33 Skyline Type M brakes, a cheap and easy upgrade. Braided brake lines and a master cylinder stopper make sure the brake pedal stays nice and firm at all times.
Andy had already planned out how to transform the exterior of the car with some choice body parts. First up a Vertex front and rear bumper kit was fitted along with side skirts of the same brand. This helped give the S13 a more aggressive and slammed down stance, like a true drifter. None of Andy's cars would be caught dead with stock fenders so Dmax FRP front-vented items were put in place. At the rear the fenders were widened thanks to a set of Dmax overfenders, riveted in place for that raw look. To hint at the car's connection with the GT-R, a BNR32 Nismo rear lip spoiler was adapted and fitted to the lightweight FRP trunk. One of the most unique aspects of this Silvia however is the Dmax hood, which had to be subjected to some extensive cutting around the vented area to clear the taller RB26 engine. The result makes it look like the GT-R's motor is trying to rip through the hood, making sure everyone out there realizes this is no ordinary S13! Since Andy's customer stated the car would be used only for drifting, the stock glass was replaced with lightweight acrylic windows, except for the front windscreen. To give a more modern feel to the exterior the aging front and rear lights were relegated to the trash and replaced by G-corp clear items up front and two-tone ones out back. A set of SSR III Agle Strusse 18-inch wheels have found their way into the widened fenders, their chrome 2-piece design creating a great contrast to the custom dark metallic gray of the body. Sticky Pirelli P-Zero tires are used up front on the 9.5" wide wheels, while Yokohama DNA GP are stretched over the 10" width at the rear.
Weight-saving measures extend into the interior where only necessary equipment has been left behind. Gone are the carpets, rear trim, transmission tunnel console, audio system and A/C. This made it easy to bolt in the 7-point rollcage. On the driver side a Sparco Rev racing bucket seat offers a snug fit for the driver while for the passenger a R33 GT-R seat has been fitted, yet another hint at the GT-R-connection. The Momo steering wheel is joined with a host of upgraded controls like the Trust shift knob, Razo pedal set and the fly-off side-brake button, a must for any drift car. Keeping an eye on the N1 turbos is the HKS EVC controller while the Pivot RPM gauge gives a more accurate reading and comes with the bright red shift-up light. A triplet of Omori gauges has been fitted where the center A/C vents were once located, allowing the driver to keep an eye on the temperatures. The conventional key-approach to cranking the engine on doesn't apply to this S13, it is all taken care of by the Top Secret push-start button on the center console, which also comes with a toggle switch for the electrics. Very D1!
With such an impressive project completed, Andy was more than satisfied with the result. The current economic climate however meant that his client pulled out of the deal, leaving Andy empty-handed. And see he currently owns four drift cars, he just can't justify keeping the RB26 powered S13 as well. With a spec like this however, he is sure there are many out there who would kill for a drift car like this. Anyone?