Tom.Coms 180sx Drift Build

[tom.com]

So after attending several rounds of Prodrift/IDC and countless track days as a spectator/passenger and months of talking shite about getting involved, I shifted on my road car and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy myself a track car. I was working in Dubai for 3 months over the Summer and to pass some of the dull hours I kept scouring Donedeal, Gumtree etc in the hunt of an s-body with some decent spec for a decent price. This proved to be more difficult than i expected so one day i took a notion to contact my good mate Petko (pepsterx) and see would he consider selling his track car. Luckily for me He decided he could let it go at the right price and a deal was done. A gent to deal with as always! Some of you may recognize the car as I think it's had a few owners on here, namely Stevo and Petko.

The speclist that I can gather is as follows:
Red top non vvt engine
Gt28r S15 turbo
Nismo flywheel
Exedy 3 puck clutch
Gtr fuel pump
Japspeed alloy rad
FMIC and hard pipes
boost controller
strut brace
hks actuator
hydraulic handbrake
subframe locking collars
braided brake lines
Rack moved forward
Track rods extended
Cut and shut Extra lock hubs
Extended s14 wishbones
Adjustable tension rods
Adjustable toe arms
Adjustable traction arms
4:1 welded diff
hks hypermax coilovers
5 stud S15 hubs and calipers
Rota grid drift 17x9.5 et12 all round
Flared and rolled arches
Kouki front bumper
GTR fuel pump

Heres some snaps of the car in action during Petko's Last day out:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/B3A98780-66F6-406E-96B3-5713DD699548_zpsn1rhfswb.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/E2DC0C5D-A9D2-4A94-89DC-1511B46D62FA_zpsucy4iamd.jpg

So heres how the car stood when I collected it:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/816A0382-855A-4023-9CF5-05C2E71689E7_zpsnmwpaixt.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/6AC5D955-A5CB-4381-9A1E-E37031CF70E6_zpswso77wtp.jpg

My first step was to ditch the battered skirts and the spoiler wasnt to my liking, I also pulled off the tints.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/C07E6894-6335-4E31-9667-CBB62FE5846B_zpscd0xfnzl.jpg

Moved the car to its new home in my mates shed.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/D00CC47D-03F6-4C0A-9F44-3D10F8BF0345_zpsdpojmw43.jpg


Then picked up a cheapo wing off my mate Sean that needed some small repairs:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/46F65026-915F-4ACB-A3C1-CB01D4EB7187_zpsmnjmxv2j.jpg




Then decided I wanted to paint the car and began to inspect some of the required repairs:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/2CD298C8-3E66-487D-890F-E88A778199A2_zpsxisuk70v.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/EE7CCCEC-4521-43ED-84CF-2BEAB92F8B3B_zpsxeemtktk.jpg

Then it was Time to begin the repair process:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/519EC261-6FEC-4A74-BD8F-C1CFC8099175_zpswnd9sj4p.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/268BBA91-61DB-43A8-BC3E-8242E6F5877D_zpsyytpyedm.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/A2ECDE72-8CD4-4FFE-8368-94B22E68850C_zpsayr60xjs.jpg

stripped the front bumper bars and lights etc and fitted my new LED strip headlights.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/D33C64F1-9065-4C72-BAAD-A1846E612AE8_zpsne5lperb.jpg


As the prep work progressed we started making a crash bar for the front that will support the bumper,wings and bolt to the front chassis legs and be easlily removable. I think this will be invaluable seeing as Im relatively inexperienced and the its essential that the intercooler is protected. :cool:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/B74170FE-7A3A-416A-9C33-49F3E840561A_zpsuawdd6ot.jpg

Kept plugging away at the prepping, Thanks to Wally,keno, Gav and any of the other lads that lent a hand along the way!
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/F196E299-B658-4A87-A021-29C9CBDAF1E8_zpsgqy5ccbq.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/D6E81628-9564-44D6-BED7-8287108D6613_zps3lopy0mb.jpg

Fitted some gauges and a link contoller we had...still need to locate senders, also threw on some stickers i had lying around for those lifestyler points:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/298CB09E-C0C6-4DE6-9DFD-3EF8450F7737_zps7xfnerjz.jpg



Decided to tidy up the tatty floor,light sand, some rattle can primer and paint, we also made up a tidy little hydro bracket and welded it to the tunnel:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/EC912D3F-8188-470A-B1F4-86CD6359767E_zps29xk0nf4.jpg

So then the time came to paint the car so we threw together a make shift spray booth:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/86F3691D-E1E3-4E52-90CC-20FE24FD046A_zps0citggys.jpg

Got crazy with some newspaper:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/EB6606EB-B50B-4903-B127-45E709BB2A79_zpsfkoz1itm.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/EB99EB2E-3E5A-436F-B2A3-ACA2C21FFCE0_zpszxc2qynd.jpg

Went with a custom matte grey the same as is on Wallys SR86:
got a sneak peak in before i got to bed :

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/3510965A-280D-4AF6-B5BE-51541BFCC312_zpsgzvso9f2.jpg

pulled off all the paper in the morning and things were beginning to look promising:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/6AEBEFAB-9FB4-4411-B564-C28DB48304B4_zpsbdiep9d2.jpg

Pieced the car back together and was really happy with the outcome:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/4419470F-BBA5-4B75-8351-79541D3297E8_zpsooulzlse.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/E49C02C5-C35B-41B3-9D39-D19C8B85E77A_zpswqq5cdbq.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/51ECA2F1-C511-4497-BA7F-CEEC17864329_zpsnmlva0gh.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/55DF410C-62ED-403A-8285-5511D8874A1F_zpszjlakay2.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/2EEA1EDD-074A-44F6-9885-19DA27B4C093_zpsxec8wdrc.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/B8828412-A6D8-4514-97AF-35D8EBF66239_zpsrigxglu6.jpg

And that's where we are at as of today 21/11/14
plans before the first day out are..
1. Replace cut and shut extended track rods with tein ones
2.free up all the seized and rusted rose joints on the rear arms and replace any if necessary
3.fit narrower sparco seat I have
4.get gauges working
5.change all fluids,oil,clutch, brake, coolant
6. pick up some good steering tires.
7.make up some stainless shotguns
8.make some form of ignorant spoiler.


That's all for now. opinions welcome!

[Stevo]

Little gem of a car that! Best going car for the power ive had and ive had alot haha, If you need replacement arms gimme a shout. The lock is spot on i wouldnt even change to tein, alot of work went into the lock, it has more lock than driftworks hubs and doesnt go over center:D

[tom.com]

cheers man.I'll see how I'm fixed once I've checked all of them!Yeah seems that way. I'm going to leave the hubs for sure I'll just get new extended track rod ends and maybe run rack spacers its just as the ones in it are getting a bit shagged! the last thing I'll do is give up lock so I'll figure it out, I'll probably need a lot of it while I'm learning haha!

[LarZ]

the car looks excellent with that colour combination. Fair play! can't wait to see this out on track again. I remember stevo raving about what a great car it was.

[Dori88]

Really great work - I like that car and it's great to see someone put some effort into making her look the part

Fancy a kouki splitter for that bumper ;)

[tom.com]

Thanks lads @ dori88.. I'd love one but trying to keep this as cheap a build as possible!bare necessities from here on out. I was k to you about winglets on fb ages ago actually

[Dori88]

Thanks lads @ dori88.. I'd love one but trying to keep this as cheap a build as possible!bare necessities from here on out. I was k to you about winglets on fb ages ago actually

Christmas is soon lol - we have winglets and splitter

[kenokennedy]

Your flying T. keep it up. Did some giggling at the team photo. didnt think youd actually put it in :P

[Stevo]

cheers man.I'll see how I'm fixed once I've checked all of them!Yeah seems that way. I'm going to leave the hubs for sure I'll just get new extended track rod ends and maybe run rack spacers its just as the ones in it are getting a bit shagged! the last thing I'll do is give up lock so I'll figure it out, I'll probably need a lot of it while I'm learning haha!


Rack is moved forward so no need for offset rack spacers

[tom.com]

Yeah,spotted that Stevo,cheers. Just going to get the small spring washers.

[Stevo]

Yeah,spotted that Stevo,cheers. Just going to get the small spring washers.

Look closer at the rack and save your money, properly look at it ;)

[tom.com]

Haha I'll have a right look this evening when I'm under it !

[garyae86]

Great build nice to have someone working along side you gives you motivation in the evenings

[tom.com]

Thanks. Yeah makes a huge difference! Great to have help too.

[Boguey001]

Yeah,spotted that Stevo,cheers. Just going to get the small spring washers.
Wez in wkd sells straight rack spacers and he has them in stock, james Spillane sells them too but he doesn't have them in stock.

[tom.com]

Cheers man. Turns out I don't even need them now!

[Stevo]

cheers man. Turns out i don't even need them now!

You looked so :D

[slithertooth]

Living the transformation. Colour looks great on it

[kenny046]

love the colour man get this updated

[tom.com]

Living the transformation. Colour looks great on it


love the colour man get this updated

Cheers lads. Spent the day tidying shed and working on front crash bar so should have updates before too long !

[tom.com]

Small update:

Got crash bar finished http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/F878B744-C42F-4C21-A64B-B9F0F75E4AA0_zpsd85tgnmu.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/336B6EED-726B-43F5-B71F-A4FE7BCB1CBE_zpsngu9qbyi.jpg
Also got rear arms out, freed up all the rusty seized rose joints, sandblasted them and then gave em a lick of paint..
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/368F2F49-7B57-4754-B29B-D761E5AAD362_zps6c20ojlg.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/0EC5BEEA-4B0A-4C30-99CC-C54BC1ED1B7D_zpsmm4wmylc.jpg

[tom.com]

Right lads...Time for an update:
got some spacers to get the JRs sitting how i wanted:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/AAE577BD-6E91-4093-A49B-8B5DE235716C_zpsooeteuir.jpg

checked out the lock and fitted adjustable lockstops:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/079DCC0F-D98E-4436-9975-B15446D1C642_zpsqx3bczrg.jpg


Pulled the car outside and did some 'mirin:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/918F32D8-CD9A-401B-88AB-1BDB7842D97B_zpsruq0sjvo.jpg

Brought it back in and sorted the alignment:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/F618637B-1B9C-40FE-8CF4-D92B5816D772_zpscyfrgetm.jpg

Brought it to the filming day for an IGR drifting promo where Me and my mate wally drove the shit out of it and had some fun:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/FD5B163F-84F1-4B59-8393-0F78F84670B3_zpsyif8iotd.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/19478517-575D-45DD-8F09-70891E3C2084_zps8waimkqe.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/7F8EA9FB-F219-4BCE-BD1D-3231A7C17E0E_zpszqqc29lb.jpg

got the car home, washed and did some more miring

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/tomobrienlevin/Mobile%20Uploads/8F03C217-F67A-4627-926A-678DCA0F4ED1_zpstsv5fnv5.jpg

[lady89]

love the look! was already wondering who owned it ;)

[Stevo]

I want this back as a wrecker :(

[tom.com]

Yeah it's a seriously fun little car to drive!

[derek89]

looks well dude, fair play

[pole drift]

Love the styling off it :)

[DSlide93]

Good work tom she's looking the part now :)
Looking forward too seeing it sunday!!