DaveZigen 180sx : Daily Drifter

[DaveZigen]

Well ever since I sold the PS13 I've really missed having something drift-ready and due to my indecision with cars I never seem to get the enjoyment out of the cars I'm building. So after deciding to let my hairdresser-spec BMW go I picked up this from a member on the site and began the task of getting it up to spec:




The plan is to build it as a daily that can handle practice days and towards Christmas transforming it into a Prodrift spec car to join the bro in amatuer next year. After watching so much drifting over the last 12 months I have to give it a go! So considering I'm only a beginner I'll be trying to get as much seat time between now and then.

Spec:
SR20DET Blactop VVTi
S15 turbo
XS Power Intercooler
Japspeed Manifold
Japspeed Exhaust
Japspeed Downpipe
Japspeed Turbo Elbow
1.5 way Diff
Exedy Clutch
Cusco Coilovers
Greddy Rad
Spitfire Coilpacks
Apexi Induction Kit

And lots of bits I can't remember.

First step was to get it ready for a Mondello trackday. Considering I'm good friends with Sonny and James from Couture-Auto they offered to help me out.



Picked up two Evo 7 recaros to hold me in place and a hydro/yellowstuff pads from Bart in JustJap also.



James had to cut the floor to get the seat to sit low enough and positioned the hydro to exactly where I wanted it. I'm pretty tall so I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible so got a Sparco dished wheel on lend from Paddy Brennan to give my knees some space.

Also got all TEIN arms for the front to get some more lock. Bit of hammering here and there and I was happy with the outcome. All in all it was looking good for a hammering in Mondello.

I was wrong:




Boost leaks, Gaskets screwed, fuel cuts.... And when I pulled the hydro at Dunlop the car cut causing the steering to go heavy and BOOM goodbye front bumper! To top it off the spacers sheered and I lost the back wheel coming through Senna. To be fair it could have gone a lot worse and the precision of the marshall with the crane left little to no damage on the car, inbelievable! Mr. Willis gave me a lend of two 16's and I hammered one or two good laps on 3 studs albiet with no power.




Bad first day out but I quickly got on sorting the problems:

Quick phonecall to Dan Moorhead and I was later down in Carlow to swap the 4 stud hubs out to 5 stud and get the Rays wheel repaired. After a bit of banter the car rolled back out safe as houses. Fair play to Dan who also took time to tidy up a few other bits and to Wes in WKD for allowing us use his top-notch allignment system.



So I decided to sell on the Rays wheels to get something wider that didn't need spacers. I randomly suggested I would buy the spare set of wheels from the Couture-Auto Evo Time Attack car and when I test fitted them on the car I fell in love! 17x10 et12 all round! They look great but I'll need spacers still to get full use of the lock I've been working on.

Still need camber arms and toe arms on the rear but they are on the list!


Then it was out again to Couture-Auto to see what was up with the boost leaks and fuel cuts. Turns out the fuel pump was installed incorrectly so new walbro went in and problem fixed. Boost leaks also sorted but it looks like the turbo gaskets are gonzo so those and an uprated actuater are going in next week ahead of the Power FC/Boost Controller/Z32/Injector setup which should be sorted when I get the readies together!

I'll keep this updated and thanks to all those helping out!

The lifestyler-mobile is taking shape slowly!

And the cosmetics will be changing soon too

[PS13!]

think this car is really cool
best of luck with it!!

[Chuck_g]

Handsome car for a handsome man...................

Okay i really need to stop hanging with Jh, getting faiir gay i am

Love the car tho lad, savage colour.

[303bhp]

nice one no power but yet still good slide pic's good man

[MartyMoore]

looks very well dave,hopefully thats the last of the spending on it for a while

[s15_spec_r]

sweet bus dave, besta luck with her

[ian g sr20]

lovely little project u got urself their best of luck with it..

wats the name of the 4 wheel aligment machine wez is using?

[S14a johno]

nice work outta dave
when ya out again?

[DaveZigen]

Cheers lads, unfortunately I won't be out this weekend even though I wanted to. Gonna try and get it spot on next week so I can start enjoying it!

Gonna go a bit mad on the styling too to put my stamp on it!

[Jay Rockett]

I first saw this car in the hotel carpark in Ennis at PD rd. 1 earlier this year and had to stop the van and get out to take a closer look! Its damn sexy and great to see the likes of it popping up on Irish roads!

Then Dave goes and buys it, brings it to Mondello completely fearless and with NO intention of holding back goes all out nuts! Hahaha, i love it.. Cant wait to see what ya have planned styling wise dude, and to see ya out on track again shortly!! Best of luck with it!