This Take On Nissan’s Cult Classic S13 Is a Rolling Tribute to a Drift Legend

Dec 25, 2023

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Nikolay Konstantinov got his hands on this 1992 Nissan 240SX sometime in 2016 with the explicit plan of building a capable drift and street car that he and his son could enjoy while paying respect to his automotive idol, Japanese wheel ace Yoshinori Koguchi. In addition, he wanted the car to remain comfortable and reliable rather than a stripped down, bare bones missile tuned on the ragged edge, a dual-purpose machine.

The upgrades needed for a head turning S-chassis haven't changed all that much in the last decade or so, with most adding a mix of various body additions, wheels sized to just clear the fenders, and an SR20DET swap. Nikolay's version has all of that, but to realize his vision and replicate something he could visualize Koguchi sliding around in, the aero changes to this S13 aren't nearly as common as some of the others being used.

Using Koguchi's own 180SX as a model, Nikolay built his version that includes the Ikeya Formula front bumper, door caps, and side skirts with Uras side steps attached. Origin front canards extend inches from the bumper ends and line up with the center of the embossed Koguchi Power front fenders. Just above, more of Koguchi's branding is realized with the vented hood that traces AbFlug fixed headlights.

To one-up the additional 50 mm of clearance introduced on the front half, Koguchi Power rear quarters exceed that number with 80 mm of newfound spacing and that added girth allowing 17x9.5 front and 18x10.5 rear LMGT4 wheels to fit without a fight. Behind those rear tires are Uras rear vortex generators and a shadow is cast by the towering Emperor wing. Finally, the signature green body treatment is the result of ProCo Collision prepping the entire chassis before laying down a generous amount of Audi's stunning Sonoma Green paint.

As for the stickers plastered across much of the body which match that of Koguchi's 180, they're on the verge of being immortalized, as Nikolay notes, "we will be replacing the decal livery down the road with painted-on livery to lock in the iconic look forever."

Getting the look and style that his drift idol created was one thing, but Nikolay wanted something fully capable of being pushed and tested on the track. And, if anyone knows what's necessary to make that happen, it's Nikolay, especially when you consider that a little over a decade ago he was in the thick of it, battling in Formula D competition himself. That was then, but the knowledge and muscle memory remain, and this 240's suspension received a major overhaul that includes Wisefab/Driftworks Geomaster drop knuckles, Voodoo13 tension rods, SPL bushings, front and rear control arms, and more.

Pop open a door and the factory carpet, rear seating, door cards, and various plastics are all still on board, just as Nikolay intended. He did swap out a set of 180SX seats for more purposeful Momo buckets, and the aged steering wheel was replaced with a KEY!S/Never Content wheel, while the analog gauges have been updated with Link's digital cluster. Along the center stack and arm rest area is a smattering of carbon fiber but the most noticeable change is the bold, extended shift lever just next to the billet hand brake. That shifter commands Samsonas' sequential, equipped with an Exedy Hyper Single and backed by a Cusco MZ LSD. This, in lieu of using a CD009 that he'd originally planned for.

"One of the coolest new age features besides the Samsonas gear box in this 30 year old car, is an EPS (Electric Power Steering) column," he says. "The mad scientists at Vergo Speed Industries have developed what I think is one of the coolest new products for the S and R chassis platforms that cleans up the engine bay and there's no more nasty power steering fluid everywhere. Installation is fairly easy and instructions clear as day. As far as how it feels in comparison to traditional hydraulic power steering, I would say it feels about the same while driving. While drifting, however, the return of the wheel and the feedback feels great, and I can't really tell the difference between hydraulic or electric. For reference, there's some in-car footage of the wheel at work on my instagram."

Taking advantage of that slick transmission is a tried-and-true SR20DET that's been improved using Wiseco pistons and Carillo rods to strengthen its bottom end, with Supertech's valvetrain and Tomei Pon-Cams bettering the internals of the 2.0L's top end. Externally, you'll spot a DocRace manifold mated to a Garrett GTX2871 with boost regulated by a TiAL wastegate and no, there's no blow-off valve used on this set up since Nikolay prefers the sweet sounds of turbo flutter.

While the turbo is tucked tightly against the engine, its intake, an old school ARC aluminum box that uses a flat, panel-style filter, is a touch of nostalgia that sits just behind the headlight. In a juxtaposition of eras, modern goods from Radium Engineering, including their fuel rail, regulator, and filter handle and deliver pump gas to a set of ID1050, and takes care of coolant expansion duties with their tank mounted to the firewall. All of it is surrounded by a sea of glossy Sonoma Green, including those nicely formed custom fender tubs.

The sum of the above listed parts under the watchful eye of Link engine management equates to a safe and reliable 330 hp with 320 lb-ft of torque, which Nikolay says has been adequate, but there are loftier power goals on the horizon. "Just Racing out of Las Vegas is currently building a VVL SR20DET for this car to be transplanted later down the road," he says. "Also, we are adding A/C back in. Other than those changes (and the permanent livery mentioned), the car will remain the same. By far, this car is one of the most influential in my automotive journey."

Owner Nikolay Konstantinov

Instagram @konstantinov_nikolay_

Engine SR20DET; Cusco engine mounts; block built by Just Racing - Wiseco 9.5:1 pistons; Carillo rods; Tomei Pon-Cam; Supertech valvetrain; Walbro fuel pump; Radium Engineering fuel rail, regulator, filter, pressure gauge, overflow tank; ID 1050X injectors; Garrett GTX2871; DocRace turbo manifold; TiAL waste gate; Aspec Products muffler; Garage Auto Hero downpipe, intercooler piping; GReddy front mount intercooler; ARC Super Induction box; Koyo radiator; VSI Vergo Speed Industries electronic power steering; Link engine management

Drivetrain Samsonas sequential; Exedy Hyper Single clutch, flywheel; Cusco MZ limited slip; Z32 5-bolt differential

Suspension Stance coilovers; GK Tech front sway bar; Wisefab/Driftworks Geomaster drop knuckles, extended front lower control ar,s; Voodoo13 tension rods; SPL bushings, upper control arms, toe arms

Brakes Custom Nismo brake kit

Wheels & Tires Rays LMGT4 17x9.5 +15 front, 18x10.5 +15 rear; Falken RT660 235/40-17 front, 265/35-18 rear

Exterior Audi Sonoma Green paint by ProCo Collision; Ikeya Formula aero kit; Origin front canards; Uras side steps, rear vortex generators; Koguchi power hood, front/rear fenders, Emperor wing; Abflug headlights; 180SX taillights and center garnish

Interior Momo seats; KEY!S by Never Content steering wheel; billet e-brake lever; carbon fiber console and arm rest cover; Link digital cluster

Thank You to: Vergo Speed, Garage Autohero, Link Ecu, B - Line Automotive, Falken Tire, Koguchi Power, Friends, family, shops, etc., Amalia Peiter, Andrei Konstantinov, Marina Konstantinova, Jeff Woodruff, Ray Stonehocker, Jason Oefelein