After months of research, a clean-bodied 1996 Nissan S14 was tracked down in San Diego, Calif. and the buildup process began. Working for Sparco USA, it wasn't a surprise that the best products they had to offer were implemented within the interior of the S14. The factory seats were replaced with the driver side sporting a Sparco EVO bucket and the passenger equipped with a Monza unit; both stitched in Sparco's custom black leather with red contrast stitching. The rear seats also received special treatment in matching leather while the door panels were revised in perforated leather. A Sparco 345 leather steering wheel and litium S racing shift knob were to Viado's preference, as the Sparco SLP1 shift light keeps the engine from bouncing off the rev limiter. Castillo of Design Craft secured the vehicles safety, building a custom chromoly six-point roll bar while 3-inch six-point competition harnesses with nomex pads were fastened to the safety cage and god forbid engine fires should occur, a 2 lb. Sparco fire extinguisher is on call to save the day.
Those who know Viado on a personal basis can relate to his horrendous driving behavior-literally beating his cars to death. In an attempt to keep the S14 running as long as humanly possible, A'PEXi EL II series boost, water temp, and oil pressure gauges were installed. AEM's Uego air/fuel gauge keeps details on the vehicles vitals at all times. Slated as a weekend drift machine and a weekly daily driver, a full audio system was installed for the long commutes to and from work. The main unit consists of a Pioneer AVG-VDP1 vehicle dynamics processor and a Pioneer AVH-P7600DVD in-dash DVD with 5.1 surround sound. Pioneer's CD-IB100 iPod interface gives Viado the option to blast some of his favorite slow jams while cruising with the boys or uses the Pioneer GEX-P920XM XM satellite tuner when traveling on the road. Pumping the sounds are a set of DLS Audio 6.5-inch separates in the front and 7x10 rear speakers, powered though a DLS 4 channel amp. A Pioneer PRS-D3000SPL 2000watt amp keeps the Pioneer premiere 10-inch sub rumbling with every pound of the bass.
Selecting a body kit that was subtle, yet stylish was something that Viado was looking to emphasize. Looking upon our friends in Japan for a few clues on styling techniques, a decision was made to install a set of Origin (20mm) fenders, Version Select front bumper and Final Konnexion side skirts and rear bumper. Before any parts were installed, the S14 received a facial makeover using a 1998 front-end conversion, JDM front grill along with a pair of '98 taillights. A Seibon carbon-fiber hood was implemented in the mix. Carbon Creations was called upon for a trunk lid while a Kaizen HID system light up the Southern Cali night. Autowerks of El Monte, Calif., took on the task of properly mounting and spraying the body kit to match the vehicle's paint.
Obtaining the proper suspension components meant a quick call to A'PEXi for their N1 Pro coilovers and Tanabe Racing Development for their reknown 27.5mm Sustec drift spec roll bar. Replacing the factory tension rod is a Peak performance unit while an A'PEXi R&D SPL front tension rod brace now resides on the S14. "After I installed the Peak Performance suspension components, it's been like day and night improvement with my handling on the S14," says Viado. Peak Performance inner and outer tie rods, pillow toe rods, pillow upper link (traction bar), rear upper camber arms, and rear sub-frame bushings all attribute to keeping Viado on the track when driving like a mad man. Stopping power has been improved using Goodrich stainless brake lines and a set of Brembo Grand Turismo 4-piston calipers with a 380mm rotor and 300ZX rear calipers riding on Brembo rotors. For any drifter or serious competitor on the track, a limited slip differential makes the difference between winning and getting your ass handed to you on a silver platter. Viado factored in the need of a differential and called upon Ray Nakadate of Kaaz USA for their 2-way LSD. Using an ACT extreme clutch and lightened flywheel combination, Viado has the ability to clutch kick the S14 to his heart's content. Clutch fortification was also addressed using a Nismo clutch slave cylinder and Nismo stainless clutch line. Possessing a car that's celebrating its 10-year anniversary, he was looking to accentuate his car with the newest Volk Wheel's GTV wheels. "My shit's dope...where you at Scott?" says Viado repeatedly as he jokingly obsesses over his rims offset and size. Sporting 18x9 wrapped in Nitto 555 225/40/18 up front and 18x10 covered in 235/40/18 on the rear; I have to admit it looks pretty badass.