Featured: Nick Ray's LS240 - May '10

Stock · May 25 10, 2010 1:32 pm

In the world of tuning, few stand as true as Nick Ray. Behind a likable personality is a mad scientist who has created a monster. We all know what I’m talking about, the white LSx powered 1997 Nissan 240SX everyone on the board has been buzzing about. Everyone that has ridden in it has given me such descriptions as wicked, rowdy, or crazy. This car cannot truly be summed up by only a few words. This car deserves it’s own article.

This car was unique before its rebirth. The 240 was acquired in a deal as cash collateral in a transaction for a house. A year to the day later, the original old blown ticker was removed and the body was ready for its new transplant. Cycling through a list of engine possibilities, Nick decided to run a ’99 LS1 engine and transmission from a Camaro. From its first heartbeat at idle and its baby steps as a burn out, this car was deemed “Twinkie” for conceptually being “yellow on the outside and white on the inside.”

The exterior of this car is inconspicuous. When I arrived at the shop I didn’t even notice the sleeping giant parked out front. My attention was stolen by a riced-out gold civic that sputtered as it pulled up and a handsome eye-catching black Cadillac CTS-V parked, ironically, next to it’s homebrewed Japanese cousin. To the unfamiliar it’s simply an all-the-way-down-to-the-wheels, stock, white s14 kouki Nissan 240sx. I smiled when I saw this car because it’s seriously a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This car is painted white as if a wolf draped innocent white sheep wool over itself, but you notice the Toyo Proxes R888 wolf claws underneath the costume. Clearly for ultimate traction when going for the kill of whatever it’s chasing (or leaving behind). Other caution signs are a signature "Nickfab" roll bar, bare interior, and a racing bucket seat. Other than that, you’d never suspect such an animal.

Anyone who has heard of Nick’s work would know the engine in this Japanese-Camaro would not stay stock for long. Ask Nick what he did to the engine and he would probably tell you it’s an “LS1 with a lot of LS6 parts from a Corvette in it.” What he might not mention is all the work he did himself. Follow his popular build thread and you can understand what an understatement that quote is. I asked Nick what he thought was the hardest part of this domestic-import marriage and he said, “The hardest part was probably picking out all the parts.” I recalled my attempts at tuning, fixing, and upgrading my car and wished that was the hardest part of my efforts. Did he think I said the most fun? Absolutely not. This guy loves tuning and fabbing stuff up and this ever evolving car is a true testament to it.

He’s pretty fond of his fully adjustable Texas Speed Magic Stick 3 Cam. I listened to Twinkie start up and idle for 5 seconds and undoubtedly understood why. At idle this thing sounds like a cross between a supped-up crotch rocket and a V8 LeMans car. It’s one of those idles you want to record and put on your iPod for those times you want to just close your eyes and relax.

As I listened to the amazing idle of the engine while the car warmed up for a quick ride, I started to realize this car was going to be quick. As we rolled toward the main street, I looked to my right and saw the workers at the metal shop doing the circular burn out signal with their index fingers. I thought, “dang, even these guys know what I’m in for.” I pressed my head hard onto the stock seat headrest and looked at Nick’s Recaro bucket seat with envy, wishing he could have fit another in his budget for what my neck was about to experience. Before I knew it, Nick’s voice was inaudible due to a wailing, high-revving, all aluminum American V8 coursing life through the 2900lb Japanese perennial favorite via g-force and speed. Even though Nick seemed somewhat bummed out that his tires were lacking tread and traction, I couldn’t believe the speed of the thing! My cheeks were aiming for my ears and my heart went up several beats. After a few pulls we arrived back at the shop and were greeted by Tim. “Rowdy, right?” he said, “He should give you a ride in it with the nitrous.” I was temporarily speechless trying to register all that I just experienced.

The car really feels raw in a very good way. Most of the interior is gone except the door panels and the passenger seat, but surprisingly Nick claims it’s very drivable around town. Still, after one pass in this thing all the jargon and specifics Nick talked to me about made perfect sense. He essentially took 2 of the most owned and played out things in the automotive world, an LS1 and a 240sx, and turned them into possibly one of the most well rounded cars I‘ve experienced. The weight, balance, power, and overall setup make it a contender on the strip, track, or drift event. Even Nick thinks the “LSx swap” thing is played out, but the truth is the car has no real weak point. “Honestly I don’t have a single favorite thing about it, I like that it does everything well.”
They say you can tell a lot about the driver from his car. If this is true, then Nick you are partially Asian… But seriously you must be a maniac for you have created a monster!

The truth is, if you were to be absolutely picky you would notice that this car is not the prettiest, most “JDM” 240SX specimen, nor does it have the flashiest brand name parts on it. It’s ridiculously loud and barely comfortable enough to daily drive. Its custom skateboard wheel motor mounts shake you to your core. It’s almost something only an owner of a shop could justify owning. And it’s “just another” LSx swapped car… But I love it. After riding in it I will probably smile every time I look at it. This car is the home-bred, scrappy mutt ready to take on some pedigree on any track, strip, or highway. Next time you see Twinkie, be careful, its bite is worse than its bark.

For more info on Nick's 240, check out his build thread: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5192

Words: Tommy Magee | Snaps: Tyler Rose

Featured: Nick Ray's LS240 - May '10

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