Report Card: Great Lakes Drifter
10/18/2007
by Ed Sunkin
Drifting, which refers to a driving technique as well as the motor sport involving the use of the technique, has gained quite a bit of popularity in this country, especially among the age group of readers of Tomorrow’s Technician.
One such reader, known to his circle of racing friends as “Touge_Drifter,” has nearly completed the work on his project drifting car nicknamed “Drift Monkey.”
For the past three years, John Waldman, 27, of Harrison, MI, has been upgrading his 1995 Nissan 240SX to use in the art of drift competitions.
As owner of Apocalypse Motor Sports, a Japanese auto parts and engine retailer, Waldman said he bought the car mainly for one reason – to be used in drifting and auto cross events.
“I’ve been involved in drifting and racing for the past nine years,” said Waldman, who is studying in the automotive program at Mid-Michigan Community College, Harrison, MI.
He seems to have made a good choice when it comes to his vehicle project purchase. The Nissan 240SX is an inexpensive, lightweight, RWD, compact performance car with good corner balance, according to many drifting enthusiasts.
To give him the torque he needs to compete, Waldman’s 240SX is powered with a Nissan SR20DET – the most popular swap for all generations of the Nissan 240SX.
“Nissan improved many things when they released this second-generation SR20DET,” Waldman said. “The new engine includes valve timing, low port cylinder head and T28 ball bearing turbo. I have made my own improvements to the engine.”
Waldman said he went with a full Tomei Powered rebuild. “I went with a bigger turbo and 850cc fuel injectors, I also made improvements to the drivetrain, used a lightweight flywheel, an 11-pound driveshaft and a short shifter.
“Overall, the engine is great and comes alive at3,500 rpm – and all the way to the 8,500 rpm redline!”
For the Nissan’s interior, Waldman made a number of modifications.
“I didn't want a lot of gauges, so I use a Defi- Link Display that monitors the vehicle’s fuel pressure, exhaust temp, oil and water temperatures and oil pressure.
“I also have a Power FC Commander and Pro Software so I can tune my car on the fly and an AEM wideband oxygen sensor,” he said.
For his rearview mirror, Waldman installed a seven-inch Alpine monitor. “The Alpine monitor in the dash has the highest pixels on the market and I have a modified the PlayStation2 in the air bag spot which holds about 200 games. My heater controls are in the glove box. And my Sparco steering wheel is the best – it’s smaller then the stock one – which is great for faster turns.”
Want to view more of the work that Waldman performed on his Nissan? Visit www.tomorrowstechnician.com or check out his website at www.cardomain.com/ride/1154853