The driftireland 180SX (Jay Rockett)

[Jay Rockett]

Having used the S14 last year for a few trackdays it was time to get it upto spec for Prodrift 2010 and having gone over the cost's in my head to match the plan i had for it, money and time were neither on my side so i bought this wide-arch red 180SX from Jonny-b in Mayo, previously built by Dennis Healy!


So this is the car i'll be competing in this year and representing driftireland and with a bit of luck hopefully getting through my first year in Prodrift! Myself and Darragh are planning on sharing the car at as many practise days as possible too!

Also, BIIIIIG thanks to Dave at Japanese Performance for sorting me out with sponsorship this year!


So, seen as i bought the 180 as a rolling shell, i'm using the engine from the 14 as its a good healthy lump with in and around 350bhp (once i have it mapped again!)


Few pics of the garage first!
Si's red Trueno infront, Nixon's Sil80 on the left,
Grey 200sx to practice welding and general pricking about with
and then the beast herself in the right hand corner!!









Looks a bit more like this now!



The 180 before i owned it..



Right so, here's whats been going on in the garge!!

Thanks to Gem, the two of us pulled the engine out and while doing so found quite a
substantial hole in my intercooler piping, however long its been running
like that is anyones guess but i dont know how i didnt spot it, as i made sure to protect the piping
where it re-enters the engine bay but anyway, least i know for next time!







Engine out and on the ground



And the ba**ard of a hole in the intercooler pipe



The 180 in its new home!



And HORAAAAAAAAAAAY for new bits!!!!


HSD HR coilovers, Apex Performance alloy rad, electric fans and silicon hose kit
DRIFTWORKS handling pack and adjustable front lower arms! thanks Dave



Have 5stud hubs (including a knuckle-mod from Polo) S14 brakes going on
and fitting the engine from the 14 soon so watch this space!

[Jay Rockett]

Bit of an update!


Have to give a big thanks to Polo who did an awsome job on the front hubs for me,
and Danni for the transport! Contact Polo for serious lock solutions!!!










He also supplies these which are needed to lengthen your tie-rods



Tie rod in the vice





















Which resulted in something liiiiiiiiiiiiike...












Its not finished yet, but thats an idea of the capabilities with these hubs,
aswell as DW's lower adjustable arms and a few other things!


Then moved onto cleaning a few bits, got the rear knuckles and wishbones sandblasted










Rear Subframe






Then welded a 4.1 while waiting for a 4.3 to arrive

[Jay Rockett]

Next was a job i wasnt too familiar with.. BODYWORK!!!
I had to do something with the rear arches to run the car low enough with the 18's

First side was a bit rough so didnt take many pics!!
Thankfully it'll be covered with an overfender!








Then moved onto the passenger side!





































So from this..




To this..



Sealant and a quick spray of red






Still an awfull amount left to do, but thats a few ticked off the list!

As is sits now, covered in dust from doing the arches!!!

[Jay Rockett]

UPDATE number 3!


Seen as i'm relocating the battery to the rear of the car,
i had to do something with this mess here!




So a quick chop





Welded new plates in





And all sealed up




Next job was to block off the holes not beed used in the bulkhead





So i made this shape



And welded it in












Next was a clean an quick spray of the engine bay

[Jay Rockett]

Because i'm using GTR front tenson rods to allow
more clearance on the wheel turning in,
i had to cut and shorten them slightly!









I then cut the large solid "bushes" to move the tension rod all the way
to the inside to give even more tire clearance!











Fitted the DW's offset rack spacers to stop the steering going over center
and they also extend where your tie-rods bolt onto your rack so the tie-rods
i previously lengthened are now no use to me!







Fitted KTS adjustable tie-rod and track rod ends so i could move
the rose-joint of the track-rod up or down, counter-acting
bumpsteer and hopefully allowing for more lock!







Willis then modified the lock-stop on the lower arm













Its still not finished as we havnt had the car on all four wheels yet
and we need to do more modifying as the track-rod is now in a
different place because of the modified hubs!



Then relocated the brake pipe mount's so the wheel doesnt catch it
on full lock!

[Jay Rockett]

I then made an easier way to adjust the rear DW's camber arms!

So i got the main threaded bit



And chopped a suitable bolt





And put them together









Decided to go for the rear adjustable lower arm too!



And the back end finished!









Willis then made a bracket to hold the pull cable
for the cut off







I then P-clipped the hydraulic handbrake lines into the chassis leg





And fitted DW's braided brake lines






New ACT paddle clutch and prolite flywheel



And finally the engine ready to be put in!








Currently going throught the wiring at the moment, so still alot to do in less than a week,
but with a bita luck and help from the lads, we'll be at Fermoy on sat for rd1!!!!

UPDATE NO.4!!


Didnt get a chance to take too many pics as there was alot of
late nights envolved to get it ready in time! Unfortunately i missed out on Rd.1
but here's the rest of the build in a few pics!



Mounting the oil cooler and power-steering cooler




And 2 electric fans behind the intercooler to aid airflow
seen as the car will rarely be driving in a straight line!!




And one electric fan behind the rad


Next was the wiring, great fun and started first time too!!!


Made up a mount to take the hydraulic handbrake




Not the prettiest but we were in a hurry!


Decided to go for Grid drifts again, 18x9.5 rear and 17x9 up front!


Trimming the over-fender to get the wheel as close as possible to it!


Heap of 18inch tyres for burning!


Busy day in the garage with Si's Trueno in for some late night work too!


Finally aligning and setting up the car at like 4am before Rd.2!



MAHOOOOOOSIVE thanks to Willis for all the late nights helping, the rest of
the di crew and Dave at Japanse Performance for the help, support and parts!

[Aidan Hogan]

Looking good man,you must be 1 of driftworks best customers !!
Can't wait to ssee this done
Best of luck with it

[LauraD]

best of luck with the rest looks like it will be some project

[thegosson]

busy busy, great to see it.

[way2fastforu]

good work jay