In drifting, an efficiently cooled engine is necessary. Using a highly successful V-mount design, Christopher "Chinky" Chao of Autolink Motorworks in Temple City, Calif., fabricated his own "Cheenk Produce V-mount." The BLITZ intercooler and custom radiator grab the dense California air as it feeds into the SR's throttle body. Nothing is taken for granted in drifting, including the S13's belts. A full set of Power Enterprise Kevlar-lined belts were added for those "oh shit"-insurance purposes. Since the engine posts 429+ whp, NISMO motor and trans mounts were installed to keep the SR20DET from rocking back and forth in the engine bay. NISMO claims their engine and transmission mounts are three times stronger than the factory issues, creating minimal loss in horsepower due to the engine torque. Also used in firming up the shift points is a URAS solid shifter kit, manufactured by none other than D1 superstar Ken "Nomuken" Nomura.
Delivering sufficient fuel to the engine is a set of TOMEI 550cc injectors and HKS fuel pump. A gold valve cover you ask? Tsai thinks of it as a special personality feature of his car. It's just one of the many quirky, yet cool, items that sets this car apart from the rest. Did I forget to mention the "Dukes of Hazzard"-style Dixie-tune-playing air horns? Very cool indeed! Maybe at the next drift event we can convince Yoshihara to play a tune while drifting by the K-rails.
With increased horsepower, traction is delivered to the wheels by a single-plate EXEDY clutch. A Kaaz two-way LSD ensures both wheels induce a hail of tire smoke though the banking turns. RO_JA Formula 5 18x9 wrapped in 225/40R-18 Yokohama ES100 reside up front while 18x10 engulfed in 255/35R-18 fill the rear fender wells.
Tsai upgraded the Silvia's suspension. First, he discarded the factory MacPherson-type struts in favor of the highly popular Kei Office XR coil-overs and springs. Designed by "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya himself, these coil-overs can withstand the most rigorous drift conditions, whether it be on the streets or the track. Additional upgrades to the front suspension include: TEIN upper tie-rods, Battle Version toe-rods, and Battle Version forward rods. Then, the front rotors received an extra bite, compliments of a Z32 (Nissan 300ZX) caliper swap and Earl's steel-braided brake lines. The rear received a set of Nissan S14 calipers, topped off with Endless carbon-metallic brake pads. This lets Yoshihara control the vehicle's angle and entry speed with every yank of the e-brake. Chao and Alex Pheiffer of Battle Version dialed in the vehicle's footwork to complete the S13's suspension.