SP Rides: Kamakaze Krazy

SP-042117-Michael-Murdoch-1991-Nissan-240sx-8548

Image 1 of 17

BY MICHAEL KITCHENS

Name: Michael Murdock
Age: 29
Occupation: Driver, Mechanic
Hobbies: Wrench, wrench, wrench
Year, Make, Model: 1991 Nissan 240SX
Color: Black
Engine: Rebuilt SR20DET, ARP rod and head bolts, Cometic head gasket, Circuit Sports rocker arm stoppers, Greddy intake manifold, Megan turbo manifold, Garrett T28 turbo, Greddy intercooler and piping, HKS BOV, Koyo radiator, custom heat shield, dual Flexilite e-fans, Greddy oil catch can, Walbro 255 fuel pump, 3″ full APEXi N1 Turbo exhaust, Hallman Pro boost controller set to 14PSI.
Drivetrain: Stage 3 clutch, aluminum one-piece driveshaft, Special K welded differential.
Exterior: Full Vertex body kit, URAS Dmax style hood with vent and hood risers, APR carbon fiber spoiler, CREE LED bar headlights, red and clear tails, painted Plum Crazy engine bay, custom fabricated bash bar.
Interior: Momo steering wheel, S14 seats with Wet Okole seat covers, Equus gauges, giant crystal shift knob, E-brake button, Phase 2 Motortrend floor mats, all lights swapped to green LEDs.
ICE: Alpine head unit, Type S door speakers, Clarion 6x9s, 1000watt Rockford Amp, 12″ Rockford Punch subwoofer.
Suspension: Silkroad Section Japan RM/A8 coilovers, S14 five-lug conversion, S14 extended lower control arms, Godspeed (tension roads, rear upper control arms, rear traction arms, and rear camber arms), Tein inner and outer tie rods, Kamakaze power brace, solid subframe collars, JIC rear strut bar.
Wheels, Tires, Brakes: 3-pc Weds Kranze ERM wheels at 18×10.5 +4 offset with 265/35R 18 Hankook Ventus V12 EVO2 tires in front, 18×11.5 +11 offset with 275/35R/18 rear. Wheels re-lipped with gold Blackforrest Ind. Bolts.
Shout-outs:  Thanks to Team Kamakaze, Junkshop Pros, & Farmers Market Hawaii

Since the closure of Hawaii Raceway Park, the Nissan 240SX (aka S13) is less of a focus with many enthusiasts moving on to newer, more recent makes and models. For Michael Murdock, however, the 240SX is still a platform to be enjoyed with a heavy foot.

This 1991 model, nick-named “Pebbles,” was picked up originally by Team Kamakaze alumni, Keoni Rodrigues, who eventually handed the keys over, allowing Murdock the opportunity to build this baby the way he saw fit.

Extensive bodywork was completed to the exterior of the vehicle, which also included stripping the engine bay to bare metal. The bay was then stitch welded which added additional chassis strength and then repainted with a shade of Plum Crazy that contained an immense amount of flake. Additional fabrication included a custom fabbed purple bash bar. The body features a full Vertex kit along with a URAS Dmax style hood vent complete with hood risers that was then painted to a gloss black. Additional upgrades include an APR carbon fiber rear spoiler, a CREE LED bar headlights and aftermarket tails.

The SR20DET engine was rebuilt from a bare block to a seriously upgraded version complete with a laundry list of internals to support a Garrett T28 Turbo install. This required upgrading the radiator with a Koyo model as well as installing a massive Greddy intercooler, Megan turbo manifold and piping mated to an HKS BOV. A Walbro 255 fuel pump provides additional fuel while the massive amount of exhaust gases are pumped down headers to a 3” full APEXi N1 Turbo exhaust. A Hallman Pro boost controller set at 14PSI for some pretty serious power handles boost control.

This bad boy was meant to drift and the suspension setup represents well with a massive amount of additional modifications that are too many to list. Highlights include the Silkroad Section Japan RM/A8 coilovers, S14 extended lower control arms, Godspeed tension rods and rear upper control arms, as well as Tein inner & outer tie rods. A whole mess of additional components braces the vehicle for further chassis stiffness and these also include a Kamakaze power brace and JIC rear strut bar. Unlike stock S13s, this ride features an S14 five-lug conversion, which allows for choice wheel selection. The wheels are 3-piece Weds Kranze ERM placed at 18×10.5 all around and include 265/35R/18 Hankook Ventus V12 EVO2 tires in the front with 18×11.5 wheels and 275/35R/18s in the rear.

The interior features additional modifications for better command and control and these include a Momo steering wheel, S14 seats with Wet Okole seat covers, Equus gauges, a monstrous crystal shift knob, and e-brake button. In addition to the control comes some serious audio with an Alpine head unit/1000 watt Rockford Fosgate amp combo pumping through a 12” Rockford Punch subwoofer.

Murdock and Team Kamakaze completed every single part of this build from the engine bay to the suspension and fabrication, bodywork, and paint. These guys are well known for being wrenchers. They wrench morning, noon, and night with any available time and their huge stable of amazing builds is a testament to their abilities … and this incredible ride is one of them.

 

LATEST POSTS