1996 Nissan 240sx S14

Join us on Social Media YouTube,  Facebook Group,  Facebook Page,  Instagram 

We are listed on Google News  give us a Follow

More car images are in the slider above.

1996 Nissan 240sx S14

Kenneth Rosgen

Instagram: @Kennaaay_

Youtube: Kennaaay

Photographer/Author  -  Donnie Rochin

Instagram -  @r0cean11

FaceBook -  r0cean11 Photography

www.r0cean11.com

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently" ~ Henry Ford

Man, where to start? Anyone that knows me would say that I’ve always been a garage gremlin. If it wasn’t trucks, it was cars if it wasn’t cars, it was fab work. As a 31 y/o, Sr. Landscape Superintendent from the great state of Texas, it’s not always a cakewalk trying to balance work with your personal life and passions but if you love what you’re working on, it will always be worth it. 

On location at Circuit of the Americas - COTA

I’ve got to give credit to my father. Any mechanical inclination I have must have been passed along genetically because his passion for mechanical work runs deep. He’s the kinda guy that can tell you what’s wrong with a vehicle just by describing the issue or listening for a few seconds and I value his years of knowledge a lot…& although he’s not quick to further encourage me (sometimes) unhealthy dedication to cars, I think he’s happy to see me live out my automotive dreams.

My first drift event of any form was Formula Drift in 2019 and it was just before then that I had conjured the crazy idea of jumping into drifting. Seeing an event in real life sealed the deal. No need to mention the impression that the original Fast and Furious movies made, of course. 

Why this car? The real question is “why NOT this car?”. It’s a classic. A forgiving chassis that was reasonably priced at the time & looks great. It’s such a versatile model that is more of a blank canvas than other options. Oddly enough… I’ve always been a diesel guy before this! Engine work, fab work, suspension, exhaust. You name it, I was up in it. One day I simply acknowledged that I’ve always liked cars….. so why not just build one?

I called my wife and told her I wanted to try and build a drift car and although she didn’t call me crazy out loud, she said, “As long as you stick with it, you can do whatever you want” and that, folks, was my green light to go! Two years of the build later from a stock chassis, the S14 was a living machine with a whole new set of tweaks that needed to be identified and tended to, which was mildly discouraging after years of hard work but she was alive.. and that was all the boost I needed.

Sheesh, there’s no feeling like the compliments I get from perfect strangers. I’ve had people follow me in traffic, waiting for me to pull over so that they can ask me about the car and a 10 min trip to the gas station is now 30 min+ but I’m happy to chat!

For me, it's unusual to see an “item” bring people so much joy and hear things like “Thank you for taking me on a ride, this was the best day of my life”, or “You’re literally living my dream life”… that’s heavy stuff and I’m so blessed to have created something that makes people feel this way. So when I see my car parked, what I think is most attractive about it, is what it does for other people. 

Do you need a Quality Photographer? Ours are Available HERE

Hindsight is a beautiful “can of worms” as they say and there is SO much I would do differently. I would first say, take your time and do it right. Ask questions relentlessly and research until you feel like you’re going to explode. The wrong recommendation or innocent ignorance could cost you thousands, could cost you stress, or cost you your safety. There is a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips- use it. At first, I was embarrassed to ask so many questions to strangers in the car community, but I found that they were happy to share & they’ll be happy to do the same for you.

Unique can be hard to put into words. Well, I built it all from YouTube. I’ve never built a car before... much less from the ground up... certainly not a drift car... and I did it by watching YouTube. That’s pretty neat in my book! Remember what I said about knowledge at your fingertips? I used it!

What do you think of the Story?, leave your comments below Thank You.

Modifications: 

Engine/Drivetrain Modifications –

• 2jz gte vvti
• Garrett single turbo
• Injector Clinic injectors
• BC dual valve springS
• BC titanium retainers
• BC valves
• BC cams
• Ecumaster EMU black
• PDM and can Keyboard Transmission
• Rear end and axles from a 350z. 
• Rear mount radiator to keep the 650hp 2jz nice and cool!

Suspension Modifications -

• BC Racing ER series coil overs
• Wisefab angle kit

Brakes/Wheels/Tires Modifications -

• Part shop max z32 brake callipers
• Konig wheels
• Accellera 651 tires

Interior Modifications -

• Gutted with 8 point roll cage I put it together myself
• Sparco halo seats

Audio/Video -

• Wetsounds sound bar

Exterior Modifications -

• KBD body kit
• Origin front over fenders
• 2F rear over fenders
• Green flake paint job I did myself

The Work

I did all the work myself. Fabrication, paint, body & mechanic work… everything. I sucked a lot, I re-did a lot, and I kept doing that until it didn’t suck and that’s how you learn. Especially if you don’t have someone to teach you.

Future Plans

Most I think I'd like to do to the S14 is Big Duck Club fibreglass rear end and doors, and Wisefab axles.

My next major plan is to build a wild E46 pro car with a 427 Ls3, GSR dog box transmission and a quick change rear end. This is going to be version 2.0 over my S14, built to pass Formula Drift pro spec tech book.  

Shout Outs

For my northern folks @straightlineerror Mike Gall, a member of his group Straight Line Error, not only was kind enough to invite us to Nebraska but he was the first person to teach me the foundations of actual drifting. I’ll forever be grateful to you, buddy!

The Scene 

Here in Texas, I’ve found a home in Lone Star Drift (@Lonestardrift). Founder Aaron Losey has created a space that is not only challenging competitively but feels like home. Lone Star Drift is one of the most diverse organizations & at the top of all drift events in Texas ... I can’t recommend this enough. Follow along with Lone Star Drift’s “Drift Week” series- which is unmatched in fun & community. Drifters from all over the world come together for a trip to do what they love, you can't beat that! 

Evan @Kareless is the spirit behind the automotive culture. So much about the drift culture, comfort, and style, we owe to you and the Kareless brand. Ride or die, man!

If it’s not too cliché to say, it’s given me purpose. Patience to see a vision and follow its cadence into reality. Discipline to keep practising even when it’s hard. Friends to lean on when I’m stressed or feel like calling it a day. This is drifting and its community. One love!  

Dream Car

My dream car would be a Nissan Skyline. Nissan Skyline. Nissan Skyline. R34 GTR to be exact! Maybe if I click my heels 3 times and say it enough that one will pop up in my garage one day.  Hasn't worked yet... but it doesn't hurt to keep tryin'!

All Photographs are supplied and owned by the  Photographer named, our Photographers can be found HERE!

Please leave your comments on my story in the comments section at the bottom of the page, it helps the story get more views and reach the Printed Magazine, Thank you.

'The future is bright as long as we can still Smell the Fumes'

All of our Magazines can be found on Amazon, they Print and Deliver worldwide, Stance Auto can not be held responsible for the final print, and all complaints and returns must be directed to Amazon.

UKTM no: UK00003572459