A few body treatments were next on the list, K Style wide front fenders, followed by a carbon-fiber hood and new paint-Integra Type R yellow, no less-by Sunny Styling. After these cosmetic treatments, Chang turned his focus back to the suspension. He effected a five-lug hub swap with Z brakes, added the camber plates, a Nismo Power Bar 2, front tension rods and all new Nismo front bushings. The difference in handling, he says, was like night and day, as was the chassis' overall solidity. On the track, the bigger brakes also became a factor, and got Chang thinking about a Skyline Brembo kit as the next upgrade-though he hasn't acted on that impulse just yet. The new five-lug pattern made it necessary to upgrade the wheels again; this time he chose gunmetal Skyline R32 wheels because they were big enough to clear the Z brakes.
More Skyline equipment found its way into the car's cockpit when Chang pulled out the stock 240 seats and replaced them with a pair of R33 buckets, because he didn't feel like paying $2000 apiece for a pair of R34s. An R32 steering wheel and Nismo GT shift knob were also added. About the same time more body enhancements were attached to the exterior, a pair of optional Nissan Japan factory sideskirts, then a Nissan Japan rear valence.
The SR20DET engine swap was performed over the course of three weeks, though Chang says he only worked on it three days during those three weeks. When it was done, the car fired up without any problems. Chang likes to say the engine is stock, but there are a few niceties tucked away in various nooks and crannies throughout the engine bay. Among them are upgraded Tomei valvetrain equipment, including Tomei Type R cams, a Pure-Sport tuned ECU, upgraded Japanese-spec Garrett GT turbo, a Sheepdog blow-off valve, 80mm GReddy downpipe, Nismo engine and tranny mounts, and an ACT six-puck performance street clutch. The task of keeping the screaming SR20DET in its comfort zone falls to an array of upgraded cooling equipment: Koyo aluminum radiator, 15-in. Black Magic fan, R33 intercooler core and East Bear I/C piping kit and a Nismo thermostat.
With the engine upgrades in place, yet another set of wheels followed, these 17x9 Regamaster EVOs. Since the wheels were attached at a +18 offset, the fenders needed to be widened a bit. PJ Bonifacio widened the rears so the wheels had a little room to breathe.
After a couple show and drift events, Chang upgraded his springs and shocks to a four-point Tein HE coilover system, replaced the factory exhaust with a meaner sounding 5Zigen Rocket system, and five days later upgraded the rear end with a two-way Nismo limited-slip differential. All this to cure what Chang referred to as "major understeer."
This past June, Chang's friend and competitive drifter Ernie Fixmer took the car to the D1driver search and qualified easily for the D1 competition later that August. Since then, a few more upgrades have been added to the car, including a new 5Zigen ProRacer exhaust and FN01R-C wheels, new Rotora brake discs, and more body treatments like Bomex skirts, rear bumper and front lip spoiler.
Look out for Chang's J-spec 240 at a drift event near you. Having been driven by some of the most noted drifters this side of the Pacific Ocean, you can bet your ass it will be at the forefront of contention, and tough to miss in all its blazing yellow glory.