1991 Nissan 180SX

199X NISSAN SILVIA 180SX (S13) BY ATS BM
First 180SX under 1:00 at Tsukuba Circuit (59.6)
Full Vertex Ridge widebody on a spot welded chassis
Demo car – Magazine spreads included
Freshly rebuilt reinforced 5-speed by OS Giken
Fully sorted and ready to enjoy
Time attack before full race car builds meant a true street cars with a street tire, catalytic and road registration . This was built with balance in mind, very simple set up with details and R&D that are not easily redone today. The BM Racing 180SX by tuning shop “Auto Technical Service-BM” located in Musashimurayama City is a staple of one of what some may consider the golden era of tuning. Just like today, competition between tuners to see who could build the most special machine was at a sky high – especially in time attack. Domestic racing series like JGTC and Super Taikyu promoted fast-paced development in every system and advancements trickled down into other forms of racing. Running a sub 1:00 lap on Tsukuba Circuit is a long standing achievement and is still considered the set-bar for a properly fast machine. This excellent condition 180SX was the first to break sub 1:00 at Tsukuba in 2006 running a 59.6 lap, since then the car remained with the original owner until we aquired it and has been highly preserved.
Driving Experience
The feel of a properly setup attack machine tends to set a very high standard for driving experiences to come. The S13 provides a lightweight, rear wheel drive setup with a much lighter front end (two less cylinders in an aluminum block) compared to something like the BNR chassis. Core modifications including a suspension setup dedicated to running the fastest lap possible and a power bump up to 440hp creates an unmistakable experience found in many time attack machines: powerband dedicated for fastest possible corner exit paired with extremely crisp cornering.
The BM S13 shows precision through every system. Power delivery comes in hard and is consistent thanks to a responsive turbo setup and feel from the recently rebuilt transmission is crisp and gear changes are smooth. Engagement is direct. The fully overhauled suspension is set up for fast turn-in and overall lateral grip which makes street driving entertaining when combined with the cage-stiffened chassis.
While the car is mostly set up for time attack, there are still street-friendly mannerisms since the clutch pedal is light and easy to engage. The close ratio gearing setup isn’t intended for highway use but makes the car very enthusiastic to drive.
Chassis & Exterior
At first glance you’ll notice how much more aggressive this example is compared to a standard 180SX body. The bonded Vertex Ridge Aero kit finished in Aztec red allows for a much wider wheel and suspension setup without looking over-the-top. The chassis underneath is spot weld reinforced and a Cusco cage stiffens the shell while preserving the dash and is not invasive to the driver. On the rear hatch sits an aggressive Vertex GT wing with a carbon element. To finish off the aero setup, BM utilized a deep-set undertray in the front and an aggressive rear diffuser to keep steady underbody airflow. The core of the suspension setup starts with Apex N1 single adjustable coilovers with swift springs. The front end and rear are held firm by Cusco strut braces along with a large MS Engineering brace I Underneath sits a set of Ikeya formula arms and ARC strut brace. Handling components are paired with a set of GTR calipers front and rear.
Powertrain & Drivetrain
The SR20 is an excellent platform when set up and tuned correctly. It’s weight, size and positioning characteristics are practically perfect for road racing thanks to how lightweight the front end is. However it is now an SR21 courtesy of overbored block with HKS 87mm pistons. The internal rotating assembly is fully balanced and the setup has HKS 254 cams. An HKS manifold paired to the GT3037S turbine creates a high power high response setup tha