Before your eyes is the HKS S15 Silvia RS-2 professional drift car piloted by Nobuteru Tanaguchi. This car's fame precedes even itself; many of our readers are already familiar with the history and ability of this car. Still, as you drool over the photos, this car has only two words for you: You wish. The HKS S15 is one of the top cars in the major leagues of drifting, the D1 Grand Prix series. This may turn out as a little surprise to ghetto parking lot drifters, but zip ties and masking tape headlight covers can only get you so far. Expertly prepared by HKS, this S15 is a shining example that professional preparation, assembly and driving are what matters for the ultimate crown.
If you've ever tried to attend a local drift event at the track, you would know that the things most likely to end your day are driver error, spontaneous explosion of worn parts, or an unwilling car. So how, in the name of all that is hairy, does a car stay in one piece and kick ass through a competition as strenuous as D1? It's easy, if you think in baby steps.
Step One: Lay Down Some Smoke
Just like any other well-constructed racecar, proper engineering is what determines a car's buildup. Critical points for the Silvia were to provide smooth, predictable handling, big power, reliability and, most importantly, be able look like a complete bad ass while holding on to a slide until smoke covers the windows. To keep the tires spinning, the S15 was filled with more HKS goodies than your local speed shop, except none of these are knock-offs. At the heart of the SR20DET motor is a HKS GT2835 56T turbocharger and 50mm GT II wastegate hung on an HKS D1 exhaust manifold. Also added is an HKS 256-degree intake cam and 264-degree exhaust cam. With an F-CON V Pro engine management system and an EVC boost controller set to 18.85 psi, the Silvia now puts out roughly 473 hp and 477 lb-ft of torque, huffing its turbocharged gases through an HKS Hi-Power Ti exhaust. Inside this magic box is a set of block sleeves, hardened valve springs, mechanical lifters, H-beam connecting rods, 1.2mm head gasket and the requisite pistons and crankshaft to support a bump to 2.2 liters. Fuel under high load is supplied by a set of 740cc injectors and a custom dual fuel pump setup to prevent fuel surging and starvation.
Step Two: Keep 'Em Spinning
Like any properly assembled racecar, HKS began their buildup by starting at the frame itself. The S15 received a full stitch welding job, fender work and a custom roll cage attached to critical points in the frame, thus giving the car a huge leap in chassis rigidity and driver safety. Then came a set of HKS Hipermax D coilovers, custom tuned to a magic recipe of drifting glory. Stoppers now consist of Endless six-pot fronts and R33 Skyline calipers in the rear. Those tires that can't seem to stop spinning are actually Japanese exclusive market Yokohama Neova tires mounted on Advan Super Racing Ver. 2 wheels, 17x9-inches in the front and 18x10 in the rear. As any AE86 driver would be so happy to remind you, drifting isn't only about big power-on slides; suspension setup and balance is key. With less than 2600 lb to throw around and 473 hp to control, HKS has truly done their homework on setup.
Step Three: Look Good
Drifting is a subjective sport; wins are determined by a panel of judges. So a little bling in the ring couldn't hurt. Despite the engine bay and interior being clean enough to eat off of, work was still undertaken on the body. Grafted on the S15 are a Carmake T&E Vertex Ridge body kit, Square Craft carbon-fiber side mirrors, and an Esprit GT wing. HPI acrylic windows in the rear and side help with bringing down the weight of the Nissan, and a Bellof Stinger Beam HID headlight kit light up those final drifting rounds. The interior work consists mostly of Bride Zeta III racing buckets and lots of missing carpet. This is a racecar after all.