Phil Howe builds 'engines with attitude', or so his advertising blurb states. So here's a man whose nine to fiver pretty much revolves around building V8 race engines - yet his ride of preference is this unique SR20 turbo powered 1992 S13 Nissan Silvia.
The Howes - Phil and Joanne - have been involved in motorsport for most of their adult life, both on and off the race track. Karts once played a big part, then came a succession of neat street cars that doubled up as weekend quarter mile warriors. Of note was a nitrous assisted, triple Weber fed, 265 Hemi powered Valiant Pacer that covered the blacktop in an astonishing 11.7 seconds at 121 mph. Next was a mega turbo fed FJ20 powered Datsun Bluebird, a veritable animal with road race style suspension and yet the ability to hook up for a quarter mile time also of 11.7 seconds, but at a slightly slower 120 mph. Good fun of course, however in recent years work commitments have meant that Phil has had to restrict his 'play time'.
In fact it was only a year or so ago that the deadly duo decided to up roots and shift from their gorgeous home in Tasmania to the big smoke of Melbourne town. The bottom-line was that running a business catering to many mainland race cars was getting very difficult.
It was a year or so before the move was made that the Nissan entered the scene. "I was looking for a car with impact, something that stood out in a crowd and worked well as a promotional vehicle," Phil enthused. "I knew when I spotted the Silvia in a Launceston importers' yard that it only required a few smart modifications to meet my needs."
What Phil hasn't told you is that he also wanted a car capable of doubling as a road rally racer, and it turns out the Silvia is just that. But more on this later.
Stock as a rock, the Silvia was driven home where preparations began. The body was checked and parts removed for the application of fresh Marinello Red paint. The stance also came in for some serious work, the undercarriage being equipped with a range of handling and stopping goodies. Ensuring the Silvia squats and does everything nicely is a full complement of Japanese KYB shocks and springs. Considering race car building is Phil's thing - I mean everything from seam welding to roll cage fabrication, engine and undercarriage building - it probably won't come as a surprise that he fitted the suspension. In fact, the only job farmed out was the paint. With the suspension Phil decided to retain the standard front sway bar while upping the ante with the rear bar. He's also gone with a front strut brace, and various geometry and bush changes. "The thing handles incredibly well, I can't believe it. I mean, it's not like I've thrown a million dollars at the suspension or anything, but what I have fitted works very well."
Super high on Phil's hit list was the braking system, and he's certainly done the deed well in fitting a complete early model Nissan GT-R package, which in a vastly lighter car works an absolute treat. Quality pads and fluid help also. Wheels are always the icing on the cake and it's no different with Phil's rare Silvia. The 17 x 7.5-inch alloy rings carry the FVH Concept signature and are wrapped (rapt?) in Goodyear F1 hoops. Mind you, come race days and 215/40/17 Yokohama 032R rubber gets the nod and the transformation is complete.
The Silvia's engine delivers quality and reliability without huge reserves of power. "I didn't feel that stressing the engine was needed. I mean it's mighty quick with just 15 pounds of boost, it handles and stops, so I felt more boost would be overkill." Not that Phil has left any stone unturned. See, he pulled the SR20DET intent on a thorough 'reliability' inspired rebuild. He rebuilt and fully balanced the bottom end with stock replacement pistons, gapless rings, Nismo bearings and shotpeened rods. The head was merely rebuilt and re-fitted with the factory cams, and of course all worn parts have been replaced.
It's a little different with the engine's exterior. The induction package is very different in that it kicks off with a Link engine management system, then bolted between the radiator and air conditioning core is a slightly modified genuine Ford Sierra Cosworth race intercooler (purchased from Brock's defunct Mobil Sierra race team) complete with 'Phil fabricated' mandrel-bent three-inch stainless pipes. A ram pod filter rests behind the passenger headlight along with an incredible blow off valve arrangement. See, 'lucky Phil' likes the concept of a noisy BOV, and he's achieved this by relocating the factory unit and running a fabricated 'trumpet' to the front of the car. Strange, but it works!
A HKS GT25 roller bearing turbo has replaced the factory unit and is rated at 310 horsepower. The bolt-on turbo is backed with a fabricated 3.5-inch oval shaped dump pipe - once again of Phi's manufacture - and is followed with a three inch mandrel bent system with large rear muffler. Ensuring plentiful fuel supply is a Bosch VL Turbo pump. Next is a custom heavy-duty pressure plate and sintered bronze paddle clutch plate, the stock five speed trans and original limited slip rear end.
With performance Phil's number one priority, little effort has gone into interior enhancements. In fact, the only additions consist of a MOMO woodgrain steering wheel and gear knob, plus there're steel pedals. It's a very different story on the outside thanks to a unique one-off rear spoiler with stainless load-resisting support. There's also an aftermarket front spoiler, both of which are designed to provide downforce at speed. Talking downforce, as much as feasible was needed for the Silvia's competition debut in the 2000 Tasmanian Classic Rally, an event attracting in excess of 90 entrants including three rally-prepped Rex's, a killer Pulsar GTiR, a GTR, various Lotus's and Porsches, and yet the diminutive (if you take away that rear spoiler) Silvia kicked arse to the tune of 2nd Outright!
Now who was it that said you need mass grunt to be successful!
P.S. The car is for sale. Call Phil on 0418-131 428.
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