Just like most project cars, this S15 Silvia was acquired to serve as a daily driven tuner car and ‘play’ on weekends. However things took on a different turn as the owner decided to pursue a no expense, all-out build. His new-found goal was to turn it into a functional drift and show car and finish it in time for the Manila Auto Salon. With no time to spare, the crew over at DMF Drift Garage stripped the car to get it ready for an extensive engine, suspension and body mods. So much for the simple plan eh?
Under the hood is Nissan’s SR20DET engine that in stock form puts out around 250 horses. But since this ride is going to do drifting duties, it must have more than that in order to sustain its momentum going sideways. Among the many engine mods it has, the most significant ones include, a pair of TOMEI racing cams for both the intake and exhaust side that alters the torque curve of the engine. Featuring an aggressive cam duration timing and increased height of the cam lift, it enables the engine to gain maximum torque and horsepower. Beefing up the bottom end is a 2.2-liter stroker kit from Tomei that raises the engine’s displacement and strength. The said kit includes a set of matched forged pistons and crankshaft. The Garrett GT28R turbine benefits from a large front-mount Greddy intercooler and a DMF drift-spec top mount turbo manifold. Orchestrating the engine’s entire operation is a programmable ECU from TOMEI. What’s great about this very expensive JDM ECU is that it that can be tweaked further to allow this engine to generate more horses.
Underneath the ‘seam-welded’ chassis are a slew of Cusco aftermarket braces and drift-spec suspension components such as a TEIN Monoflex coilover system with EDFC. The ride qualities of the Monoflex borders on the premium and competition side of the spectrum so don’t expect a fluffy ride as this is one serious coilover. Of course, no drift-spec car would be complete without the requisite heavy-duty clutch and LSD. As such they opted to use a Nismo 2-way LSD and a Super Coppermix clutch disc. Completing the all important stance aspect is a set of 18—inch Gram lights 57S Pro Wheels that feature a specially processed lip, thereby creating a rainbow effect that’s truly eye catching.
What color to paint the car also proved to be a challenge as they toyed with all sorts of colors. In the end it was Fluid body shop owner Gary Reyes who came up with a unique color as the owner describes, “It’s like a chameleon where the color changes from dark green during daytime and black at night which is something different… something elegant looking yet race ready anytime, anywhere”. Credit also goes to Stage 21 who crafted the Vertex-inspired body kit as well as the carbon fiber panels that makes the Silvia really stand out and be noticed. Obviously, this car has a lengthy list of JDM parts from top to bottom which accounts for its awesomeness. But what really makes it stand out on the numerous car shows it has entered is how seamless it all went together, thereby creating a well crafted and very functional show n’ go drift car all rolled into one.
1999 Nissan Silvia S-15
DMF Drift Garage
Engine Code- SR20DET
Engine Type- 2.2 liter DOHC 4-inline
Internal Mods- Tomei In/Ex Poncam racing cams
Tomei valve springs and head gasket
Tomei 2.2-Liter stroker kit (pistons, crankshaft)
Greddy adjustable cam gears (int&exh)
External Mods- Greddy Intercooler system, blow-off valve
Greddy aluminum radiators, pulley kit
Greddy water breather tank, intake plenum
Greddy oil cooler system w/ oil filter relocator
Top mount turbo headers (DMF spec)
Thermo Tec thermal wraps
Nismo fuel regulator, oil & radiator cap
Billion radiator hose & power steering tank
Kakimoto R exhaust
ARC valve center cover
HKS Power Flow filter
Engine Management- Tomei “Raytech” stand alone ECU
Apex-i turbo timer
Horsepower- 380 horsepower (estimate)
Transmission- 5-speed manual with
Nismo Supercopper mix Clutch disc
Differential- Stock with Nismo 2-way LSD
Suspension(F/R) TEIN Monoflex coilovers w/EDFC
TEIN tie rods and rack ends
Cusco front and rear stabilizer bars
Cusco front tension arm
Cusco rear upper/lower arm bars
Brakes- Nissan Skyline R33 disc brakes
Endless brake lines, front/rear pads
Rollers- 57S Pro Gram Lights wheels F18x9.5, R18x10
Nitto Neo-Gen Tires F225/40/ZR18 R245/40/ZR18
Interior- Bride Cuga “Japan version” seats
TAKATA 4pt. seatbelts, Defi Gauges
Nismo cluster gauge, shift knob, pedals
Nardi Classic steering wheel
Cusco Pillar side stiffener bar
Exterior- Craft square side mirrors
HID headlights, Dmax LED tail lights
Stage21 Vertex body kits
Stage21 carbon fiber hood/trunk
Body & Paint- FLUID Auto Works (owner Gary Reyes)
Standox polyurethane paint (custom mix)
photos by Brent Co