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 vehicles 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, its 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 a Goodrich stainless brake lines and a set of Brembo Grand Tourismo 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 hearts 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 wheels GTV wheels. "My shits 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 bad ass.