Fueled up by a Dream of Drifting
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Owner: Darion Rotolo
Age: 23
Occupation: Mechanic
Hobbies: Cars, boating, drifting
Color: Custom Teal with Pearl Flakes
Year, make, model: 1993 Nissan 240SX
Engine: SR20det 18 psi. 386WHP. 297TQ, Garrett GT2871r turbo top mount, external wastegate, poncams, ported and polished head, dual valve springs, Tomei cam gears, JUN racing intake manifold, oversized throttle body, 840cc injectors
Fuel: 10gal fuel cell with surge tank, dual external fuel pumps, 840cc injectors
Exterior: Full one-off metal widebody, DMAX type 3 kit, Silvia JDM front conversion, Crystal clear taillights, 326 Power wing, custom side exit exhaust
Interior: NRG quick release, Grip Royal steering wheel, PBM short shifter, Recaro racing seats, custom aluminum center console with cup holders, and hydro e-brake
Suspension: Full solid subframe bushings (No rubber bushings within the whole car), full adjustable aftermarket suspension, oversized sway bars, JIC magic coil-overs, Japan style steering knuckles
Wheels: GMR LS- 3 wheels in 18-by-10.5, 57 offset (6-inch lips) and 18-by-12.5, 67 offset (8-inch lips), 300zx front brakes, 5-lug conversion, dual caliper rear brake setup, hydro e-brake
As a young kid, Darion Rotolo hit up Hawaii Raceway Park and became entranced with the adrenalized experience of being sideways. Obviously, without a track, it opens you up to quite a bad record, as the opportunities aren’t there to experience it legally. However, Rotolo has owned this 1993 Nissan 240SX since he was 16 and has never stopped dreaming.
Now 23, born and raised in Hawaii, Rotolo has never been to a big-time racetrack, but he’s planning to change that situation soon. He’s been working on and off this ride for quite some time, but with his upcoming move to the mainland, he’s putting in work to get it wrapped up for Vegas and the land of American drifting.
The 240SX is one of the best platforms to build on due to its huge amount of engine possibilities and vehicle modifications. The choices are numerous, and all allow the builder to really make their own statement. Most of the inspiration for Rotolo came from the Land of the Rising Sun — the metal fabricated widebody, the insane stance and camber as well as the static low-slung look that is immediately obvious.
Obviously, this ride is incredibly insane looking. As we shot, we were blessed with a patter of rain that only helped to enhance the look of the extreme bodylines, most noticeably the Custom Radius fender flares that are welded and molded into the body. A DMAX Type 3 kit has been added alongside a JDM Silvia front conversion. Gorgeous Crystal taillights and a 326 Power wing fills up the back end.
The sick flares are set over GMR LS-3 18×10.5 and 18-by-12.5 wheels that are gleaming chrome and tucked nastily within. 300ZX front brakes have been added along with the 6-lug conversion that allows a wider variety of wheel selection. The entire suspension is set on solid bushings, which although tough to endure on the street, allow for incredible track performance. It has a full aftermarket suspension fitted with oversized sway bars and JIC Magic coil-overs.
The engine has been fully tuned and features an SR20DET swap from the stock KA that runs at 18 psi and throws down 386WHP and 297TQ. This power is derived from the Garrett GT2871r turbo clearly visible in the engine bay. The engine itself has a bevy of modifications and is simply perfect for an up-and-coming drift monster. This baby even has a custom side exit exhaust that sits just behind the driver seat. Of special note is the fuel cell setup in the trunk with dual external fuel pumps and surge tank.
The interior is still a work-in-progress, but it already features an NRG quick release hub and Grip Royal steering wheel. The console has been replaced with a custom aluminum job with actual cup holders. Ensconced upon it are a sick set of PBM short shifter and a hydro e-brake that sits well with the custom Recaro buckets. All of this comes together in an amazing ride that really stands apart from the crowd.
Although he loves Hawaii, when it comes down to it, Rotolo just wants to drift and he just can’t do it here. He’s moving in more ways than one just to live his dream.
