VIVA LA MONSTOR
a look at Monstor Fabrication’s S14.5
When is a drift car not a drift car? When it’s a Monstor! The Monstor Fabrication Nissan S14.5 drift car has been tearing up the track for the past 2 years, and you can expect 2006 to be no different. Wild animals like this one tend to be slightly camera shy, but we talked driver Casper Canul and the Monstor Fabrication team into letting it out of its’ cage for an exclusive photo shoot in the off season between the 2005 and 2006 season.
The car started out as your average S14, until the Monstor Fabrication team got hold of it. In 2004, it competed as a burgundy car, complete with the boring S14 facade. After a fairly successful season, the team knew it was time to overhaul for 2005. Out went the burgundy paint and S14 front, in came the strawberry-face Silvia front end, custom “Bad-ass Blue” paint job over a full C-Wings bodywork, an APR rear wing, and a whole slew of sponsors. Nitto Tires came on as a title sponsor, with RO-JA wheels, ACT, and several other companies kicking in on the effort. The new look was initiated with a 3rd place podium finish at the first Formula D Event of the 2005 season in Wall, NJ. As one of few privateers in the Formula D season, Canul was able to tame the best to a top 20 finish, leaving him seeded going into the 2006 season.
Under the hood lies the power plant behind this beast. The Monstor team went with the tried-and-trued S14 SR20DET engine to power their animal. Unable to leave anything stock, the exhaust manifold, elbow, downpipe, intercooler piping, intercooler, and exhaust was all custom-fabricated by Monstor Fabrication. Internally, Arias pistons and rods beefed up the internals while 264 cams worked with upgraded valve springs and valvetrain make the head snarl for more. Garrett provided a 2835 turbo, 740cc injectors provide the fueling, a z32 MAF takes care of the air flow, and an F-tuned ECU makes all the numbers come together. When all is said and done, this beast puts out 420hp and 375 lb-ft of torque through an ACT Clutch and fly wheel and KAAZ LSD, making it easy to break the 18×10 RO_JA wheels loose in the rear while the 18×9 RO_JA wheels steer the car. Everything else in the engine bay is all business. A Greddy oil pan, oil cooler, oil and oil catch can keep everything lubed properly, while a Koyo radiator keeps the clear fluids cool. Almost everything in the engine bay is polished or anodized and very neatly organized, making accessing it on the fly easy for the Monstor drift team.
Inside the passenger compartment, the driver is the obvious focus. Apexi gauges and an Autometer tachometer monitor everything in the engine, while a Sparco steering wheel, B&M Shifter, and Sparco pedals keep take care of the controls. Safety is important, and the fully custom Monstor Fabrication roll cage complete with door bars proves this. A Sparco seat and Sparco harnesses keep everyone snug and secure. Otherwise, this business-only interior is stripped and color-matched for simplicity. Who needs a radio when you have the sound of a 420hp SR20 to listen to?
In 2005, the car was piloted by Casper at all 6 Formula D events as well as events for D1, Drift Association, Just Drift, Drift Buffet, Drift Showoff, Champ Car exhibitions, and the XDL show. The car was also selected as one of only 4 cars to run an exhibition in Puerto Rico this past January. With as much traveling as it did, signing sponsors for 2006 was no problem. Cooper Tires and Status safety were the 2 biggest sponsors to sign, both of which finalized their contracts shortly after this shoot. Staying on as current sponsors along with Monstor Fabrication are Arias pistons, ACT Clutches, RS Machine, C Wings bodykits, Greddy, F-Tune, APR, Autometer, Superior Nissan, Meguiars, and AutoArt. The car has fresh new graphics for 2006, and is ready to tear up the circuit. With a top 16 finish at the Formula D event in Long Beach, the car is well on its’ way to picking up where it left off.
If you see this Monstor at a race track near you, be afraid. Be very afraid!