The word ‘character’ is defined as the traits and features that form an individual or object. While we all may possess character, more often than not it’s just the ho-hum and humus that barely describes us as we can’t exist sans traits or features.
Furthermore, anything connected or related to us just inadvertently reflects those traits and features as well. As a petrol head, it’s safe to assume that our rides would somehow be a reflection of our traits and features. For instance, the metrosexual types would always lean more towards the appearance of the cars, ensuring it’s spick and span all the time whereas the jocks in us would probably go for performance, not really giving a damn if there’s no show as long as it’s all go.
So having agreed with that, I think it’s as safe a bet as us trading our mothers for an hour with Megan Fox in a tub of Jell-O to say that the owners of these two cars featured here pack more character than a Christopher Nolan movie.
Of course, we’re not here to go on about the owners themselves but if you ever get the chance to meet them, you wouldn’t be disappointed with the new acquaintances you’ve made.
From the moment you lay your eyes on these two cars, it’s akin to a full-blown psychotic assault on your sensory that would leave you flabbergasted and perplexed, just to borrow a few words from the thesaurus laying nearby.
Granted, super-slammed cars are common enough on the autoshow circuit but the thing that makes these two stand out widened fenders and deep-dish wheels apart from the show boys is that these cars are used and abused the way they should be, from traversing the potholes of local roads, overcoming speedbumps and best of all, they’re drifted to the ground, which explains the battle scars you see all around the exterior.
While the super-slammed and VIP showcars could still tear up the slammed rulebook, we’re willing to bet that none of them have to even take a moment and think about ever being dumped sideways into a corner with the hipari-stretched tyres grinding the fender arches on full lock and biting into them.
First up, we’ll take a look at the scarlet Nissan 180SX that beheads bugs on the road for a living. This car is the epitome of slammed. It’s barely milimeters off the ground, scrapes any and every thing that isn’t asphalt and has the mandatory deep-dished wheels tucked into the arches.
The strike on your visual sensory begins with the full Uras body kit that surrounds the front, sides and rear. If the fenders were left as is, you could probably put a table top on the amount of wheel that would jut out from the arches. Hence, a D-Max 40mm wide fender replaces the stock front ones while the rear is widened by means of a D-Max 50mm rear over that are riveted onto the rear quarter panel to keep the wheels tucked in.
With enough room under those arches to hide a small nation, suitable wheels had to shoulder the responsibility of completing the looks. Even on an average car, wheels make or break it, so imagine the task at hand for the wheels that would have to make this car. Due to the slammed stance, the wheels had to incorporate VIP nature as well as JDM looks and ensure that those two traits blended seamlessly to not thwart the outcome.
A set of killer SSR Viennas measuring 18×10 up front and 18×12 at the hind were called into duty. Both front and rear pairs had negative one offsets for the dish effect. The front wheel wells were tubbed to prevent the tyres from scrubbing and wearing prematurely.
For those weekends spent throwing the car sideways, a set of Work Meister S2 wheels measuring 18×10 with an offset of +15 are called into duty. Sitting cosy behind the massive wheels are the two-pot front calipers from a Nissan Stagea and single-pot clampers lifted from a Nissan Skyline R31. Brake fade is reduced by means of braided brake lines.
Arguably the most important part of the rolling setup would be the coilovers that drop the car to hell. A set of Apexi N1 99 coilovers are used here with all the collars removed. Such extreme lowering of the ride height would inevitably lead to terrible wheel alignment so adjustable front castor rods are used as is an Asahi tie rod and tie rod end to keep the arm level. Out back, custom rear camber arms come into play along with KTS adjustable toe arms.
The rear spoiler was removed to give it a clean silhouette and combined with the scarlet red coat of paint, there’s really nothing else that needs to be done. Of course, if you’re eagle- eyed, you’ll notice the minor styling details like the Eastbear side view mirrors, clear side indicators and Type-X tail lamps.
Under the D-Max vented hood, sits an SR20DET plucked from a newer Type-X model that features the usual array of supporting mods such as a HKS front-mounted intercooler, Tial 38mm wastegate, Apexi air filter and a GTR fuel pump for the added fuel. Air compression duties are handled by a stock turbine plucked from an S15 Silvia that features ball-bearings for a quicker spool up. Spent gases are shown the door through a 3-inch exhaust system that blows out through a 3-inch twin barrel tip.
Popping the clutch to break traction on those wide rear rubbers would be a strenuous affair on the stock clutch, hence an Exedy heavy duty clutch is mated to a HKS pressure plate to eliminate clutch slipping. Keeping the rear wheels spinning in harmony is a Cusco full-lock LSD with a 4.1 ratio.
On the inside, it’s a very minimalist take on things as well. The rear seat has been removed with a Winsport 4-point half cage in its place now. The driver is held in place by a Recaro SPG full bucket seat, steers through a Loco Banana deep-dish steering wheel and swaps cogs by grabbing onto a HKS gearknob attached to a Nismo short shifter. There’s an Apexi EL boost gauge place right in the middle of the speedo and tacho to ensure boost spikes are noticed on the spot while a Yashio Factory water temp keeps an eye on operating temps and also double up to identify ECU fault codes if the need arises.
You’ll notice that parts of the dash are still missing, especially the air-conditioning. That’s right folks, he drives the car without air-conditioning for now although it’s going to be installed back pretty soon.
Next up is the Nissan Cefiro A31 that would be the partner in crime of the 180SX. Calling Penang home although it makes frequent trips to KL, this Ceffy has presence like Rihanna wrapped in nothing but lace.
Taking it in visually, it would take the better part of half an hour to fully appreciate the beauty and attention to detail that has gone into the exterior. Keeping the car close to terra firma is a full D-Max body kit. The front fenders have been modified from the original piece by adding on extra metal pieces to give it an extension of 30mm. Out back, the rear fenders were knocked out slightly to keep it in tune with the wide look.
Other than that, a custom rear wing is planted onto the boot and that pretty much completes the exterior mods. Even with just a simple body kit and wing, the car exudes such visual presence and aura that you just can’t help but be in awe.
Filling the arches are a set of Work Equip rims measuring 17×8 up front and 17×9 at the rear that both cover four pot brakes and two pot calipers lifted from a R32 Skyline.
This fine example of slamming a car is also tossed sideways all the time and breathes the drift mantra. An RB20DET calls the engine bay home and, just like its treacherous twin, mods are kept to a minimum. A stock turbine from an RB25DET boosts at 1.2-bar and the additional air is vented through a 38mm wastegate from our neighbours up north. The unused intake charge is let out by a Blitz blow-off valve.
A Turbosmart boost controller keeps the boost steady at the preset pressure while a Sard fuel regulator and GTR fuel pump ensure sufficient go-juice. All exhaust gases are disposed off by a Bee-R full exhaust system. Finally, a Mines preset ECU replaces the factory unit to free up some extra horses.
A car that’s dropped this much would surely need some extra adjustability to the alignment bits. A Tein castor rod up front keeps the steering spinning back quicker and at the hind, a custom made camber arm keeps the tyre right up and easier to kick out.
To keep a car drifting, both rear wheels should be spinning at the same or at a similar rate. A homemade LSD is tasked with keeping both wheels spinning on equal terms, don’t ask us how it’s homemade as we couldn’t confirm with the owner, or rather he would not let his secret out.
Once again, the interior is a place of function over form. Vital engine details are monitored by a Greddy boost meter while a HKS turbo timer aids in cooling after a demanding run. Control of the car is through an OMP deep-dish steering wheel and cogs are swapped by means of a Momo gear knob. Apart from that though, the interior is quite stock save for the removed rear seats. There’s no bucket seat here though, just the standard seats that were deemed more than sufficient for the task of keeping the driver in place. As a final touch, a start button and fighter-jet style flip switch sit next to the handbrake for that added track car feel.
You can’t deny that these two cars have such character and presence that would just keep you gawking in awe. As slammed rides on their own, they would walk all over any other car that dares associate itself with the word ‘slammed.’ What makes them all that more sexually desirable is that they’re driven and drifted to the ground. Battle scars are smiled upon, rubbed wheels are just another day’s work and scrapped undersides are but wind in their hair.
You might ask why go through all that trouble just to see it damaged on the track. In fact, while shooting the two cars, one of them was heard asking the other, “Why do we do this to ourselves?” Of course it was asked in jest as they tried to fasten the bumper of the 180SX back with a cable tie, something that has become second nature to them for obvious reasons. Well quite honestly, if you can look that good going sideways, then why the hell not? It’s one thing to be good at what you do, but it’s a whole new level to do it while looking like a million bucks.
And these two gentlemen right here are downright billionaires when it comes to possessing character. Now pardon me while I go see how much lower my coilovers can go.
Text by Dinesh
Photography by Keshy & Dinesh
Editing by Tom