To mention that Nissan’s entry-level rear-wheel-drive coupe in the ’90s has grown to be an endangered species will be an understatement. With each passing day, the remaining samples of these cars are being used and abused by entry-level drift enthusiasts. Although this may or may not be a bad thing, it is definitely a touchy subject on the list of S-chassis faithful. The days of finding a bone-stock S13 or S14 with ultralow mileage stored in a garage for all its life by a woman in her sixties on CraigsList are long gone. And with each S14 that fits a wall or a baseball bat fender roll job, the chassis inches closer and closer to extinction.
Fortunately for the purists out there, Jesse Vaughn of Level 7 Motorsports has no fascination with sending another S14 into a shallow grave. In fact, at first, you might think the eyes are playing tricks upon you. Could this really be the same type of car we are employed to seeing at amateur drift events, smashed up and rattle-canned flat black? Its purpose is far different from the norm nowadays, even though but make no mistake, this 240 is not really a mirage; in fact, not only is Jesse’s S-chassis a beautifully built and maintained machine: grip racing (and the occasional street cruise, of course).
Like most of us, Jesse became a gearhead at an early age. His father was always wrenching on some sort of hot rod within their garage, so that it didn’t require much time for his father’s passion to spread to his son. Since he grew older, Jesse found that he loved the build process more than anything else. The 31-year-old has owned and built greater than 29 cars in his lifetime, as a result. To state that Jesse has been a bit busy is undoubtedly anThe Road LS Traveled
Eventually, Jesse was able to turn his desire for custom automotive builds into a career by opening their own shop, Level 7 Motorsports, in Marion, Illinois. Level 7 works on a variety of platforms, which range from ’60s and ’70s muscle cars to newer Japanese vehicles. It was actually this diverse background that led Jesse to build the S14 the thing is before you. However, he had decided what might go under the hood a long time before he had chosen to develop a 240SX.
One day, a buyer came in the shop with a banged-up GM LS1 engine. The engine had spun rod bearings, and the customer wanted to change it with a 408 LSX. Having built some LS1 engines in his time, Jesse knew the potential the LS series possessed. He offered the client some cash to the damaged motor, and before he knew it, Jesse was building an LS1 of their own.
The LS was completely torn down and reworked with a slew of aftermarket components. Some JE pistons bumped the compression ratio to 11.3: 1, while the stock rods were beefed on top of ARP rod bolts. Patriot Stage 3 heads using a fortified top end from PRC and Texas Speed replaced the worn factory valvetrain while freeing up some power at the same time. A Magic Stick 3 cam allows the engine that signature idle of a Detroit muscle machine.
With a beautifully rebuilt LS1 engine on the stand, Jesse was left having an important decision: What platform should he drop his freshly built motor into? I had always aspired to build a fun autocross, road race, and street car. Something I could possibly take out to local cruises and still be capable of do open track days with, Jesse recalls. After a bit of research, he discovered some examples of LS-swapped Nissan S-chassis cars. Seeing the chance of a Nissan chassis along with a GM powerplant, he began to find a suitable S14 to work from.
1997 nissan 240SX SE JDM kouki front bumper with mazda tow hook hole
1997 nissan 240SX SE navan side skirts
1997 nissan 240SX SE SSR type f wheels
As luck would have it, Jesse could find a fairly clean 240 for sale in Boston. He had the car shipped to Level 7, and by the time it arrived, he had the drivetrain prepared to be dropped in. After looking into existing solutions for motor mounts, Jesse made a decision to build his very own custom mounts to position the engine in a more suitable location. Also, he took the time to fabricate a custom transmission crossmember and dual exhaust utilizing MagnaFlow piping. A race-ready 10-gallon fuel cell setup by using a custom Level 7 swirl pot fills the once roomy trunk compartment.
Jesse drove his creation for one full season after completion and had a wonderful time doing it. But as most of us can attest, a project car rarely stays in one state for long. The auto went underneath the knife again with a number of new modifications. The first portion of the car to be addressed was the exterior. Genuine JDM Nissan components were used to give the automobile its aggressive exterior appearance, including a JDM kouki front bumper, turn signals, foglamps, and front grille. A GReddy front lip with custom APR front splitter was included with the front end to not only enhance visual appeal but in addition to aid in downforce. Speaking of aero, an APR GTC300 wing was bolted to the decklid to keep the rear tires planted. The OEM rear bumper has been notched to make method for a custom Level 7 Motorsports diffuser. Finally, the car was resprayed in a beautiful silver hue.
The interior of the S14 is perhaps all business. A lot of the factory components have been removed to make room for a seriously beefy rollcage. The ‘cage is even tied in the engine bay for additional rigidity. Factory creature comforts were dumped to opt for a lighter chassis, such as the sound deadening and HVAC system. The truth is, Jesse even went in terms of replacing the factory SE sunroof-equipped roof with one from a base-model S14 in order to save weight. Pretty serious! A pair of Recaro SPG fixed-back seats keep the driver and a lucky passenger planted during hard cornering. The Nardi 350mm deep-corn controls, NRG quick-release, and Willans harnesses all further affirm that this car has been built with a very specific purpose under considerationbrake and Suspension modifications are high on the list for almost any track- oriented vehicle. Level 7 took no shortcuts to ensure that the handling and stopping capabilities from the car were up to snuff. Up front, some Evo 8 Brembo calipers are mated to oversize Powerslot brake rotors made for a 350Z track edition. Larger brake calipers and rotors from a Nissan 300ZX are utilized out back, while Hawk HP pads and Russell stainless brake lines reside on all four corners. A 300ZX master cylinder and R32 brake booster ensure that the brake pedal feel and front/rear bias are correct one of the now massive brake setup.
Some Stance GR coilovers prepare the car for track duty without being too harsh for street use, as for the suspension. Other adjustable suspension upgrades from SPL, Powered by Max, and SPC make sure that a wide range of adjustment is available to fit any handling challenges. For rolling stock, Jesse chose a set of beautiful and lightweight SSR Type F 18-inch wheels with staggered widths. A pair of Origin rear overfenders add clearance for your meaty Nitto NT05 rubber out back, and custom front fender tubs perform same at the front of the car.
While the Nissan 240SX may be on the fast track to extinction, it’s comforting to understand there are still enthusiasts like Jesse Vaughn out there who are trying to preserve these important people in Nissan’s lineup. While there is often a lot of backlash toward anyone using an S14 for something other than Jesse, drifting and Level 7 have proven that with a nicely-researched plan and a lot of hard work, these cars can be serious track performers. Many thanks, Jesse, for saving just one more S14 from theThe Way LS Traveled
Interior Recaro SPG seats; Nardi 350mm deep-corn steering wheel; NRG quick-release; Willans harness; HVAC delete; rollcage
Exterior JDM Kouki front bumper with Mazda tow hookgrille and hole, turn signals, foglamps; GReddy front lip; APR custom front splitter; GTC300 wing; Navan side skirts, rear valances; gutted hood; Aerocatch latches; notched rear bumper cover; Level 7 Motorsports rear diffuser; base-model roof; Origin overfenders
Wheels, Tires & Brakes SSR Type F wheels 18×9.5 12 (f) 18×10.5 15 (r); Falken Azenis 245/40/18 (f) Nitto NT05 275/35/18 (r); Powerslot 350Z track rotors (f); Mitsubishi Evo 8 calipers (f); Touge Factory caliper brackets (f); Hawk HP pads (f/r); Russell stainless brake lines (f/r); Nissan 300ZX rotors (r), calipers (r), 11/8 master cylinder; Nissan R32 brake booster; ASD hydro E-brake; custom stainless hard lines.