Waste Not

Making use of all that the Z33 donor chassis had to offer, Edgar did not stop at just the engine, wiring harness and the ECU. He also transferred the Z33 chassis harness, dash, gauge cluster and steering column into the S30 shell. A pair of DEFI gauges positioned on a custom gauge panel complement the Z33 center column. A Kirk Racing 6-point cage outfitted the cabin with an extra layer of protection for the occupants. Within the confines of the cage, Edgar installed a pair of BRIDE VIOS III bucket seats with Takata Racing 4-point harnesses finishing the interior revitalization.

Classic Lines, Modernized

Edgar then shifted his attention to the exterior of the S30 shell. He added a Motorsport Auto lip spoiler, Marugen Shoukai Works over fenders and a vintage IMSA 3-piece spoiler to enhance the S30’s bodylines. He then dropped the chassis on Ground Control coilovers, with super wide Avant Garde 18×11-inch and 18×12-inch wheels mounted with BFGoodrich KDW tires filling the wheel wells. The body received a Mercedes Benz Aspen Green metallic hue to complete the exterior appearance.

Boost Experiment

Edgar enjoyed the reliability of his modernized S30, and soon after he came across a supercharger kit for the VQ. The boost was infectious and prompted him to start looking for a solution that would further set the S30 apart from the rest. He decided to twin-turbocharge the V6 engine. A pair of custom exhaust manifolds positioned a pair of CXRacing GT35 turbochargers just forward of the engine. Symmetrical exhaust tubes exit through each fender, simplifying the exhaust solution and keeping the weight down. Making use of the vast space still available in the engine bay, Edgar V-mounted the radiator and the dual inlet intercooler to permit direct airflow to both heat exchangers.

Steps Toward Going Big

Supporting forced induction required enriching the fuel delivery and tuning of the ECU. A six-pack of DeatschWerks 600cc/min injectors replaced the factory units at each intake port while a Bosch 044 fuel pump ensures adequate fuel delivery to the fuel rails. Using UpRev’s reflash software, the ECU was calibrated for the larger injectors and the 10 psi of boost pressure being supplied by the turbochargers.

Everything’s Bigger in Texas

Edgar’s efforts proved worthwhile, as he garnered a lot of attention at his first car show, Hot Import Nights, in 2013. His friend Tito motivated him to prepare the car to show at WekFest 2014, and he ended up taking first place in the Z category. Edgar commented, “My original plan for the build was to invest only $5,000 into the car and just drive it. Soon after, my commitment to the car grew to $25,000. I did much of the work on the chassis in my garage at home, getting help from friends along the way. It’s a challenge working on an older car, as vehicle-specific parts are harder to come by. Fortunately, interest in the S30 has grown recently, and there are more parts available now compared to when I was building it. I could have finished a lot sooner if I had access to today’s selection of parts. This build was geared toward car shows, which is why I took the Texas approach to parts selection. Sure, the wheels are too big for the platform and the VQ- swap with the T-too big turbochargers scream ‘Look at me!’, but as we say in Texas, ‘Go Big or Go Home.’” Although the engine is still a work in progress, Edgar admits that he’s already been thinking about a new project. Imagine all-wheel drive, 800 horsepower and the names Datsun and Subaru. It could be a Texas- sized mash up, crossing brands, platforms, and drivelines. Edgar concluded, “I’m still on the fence about this swap, but you’ll have to stay tuned to see what it is.”