For Adrian, what began as a clean, lightly modified purchase in 2016 has since evolved into a full-blown revival story—one that’s all about patience, passion, and precision. His 1996 Nissan 180SX may look mostly untouched on the outside, but under the skin, it’s a completely different beast.
Originally introduced in 1989 and running through until 1998, the Nissan 180SX was part of the beloved S-Chassis family. Built on the S13 platform and sold primarily in Japan, the 180SX stood out with its iconic pop-up headlights, fastback rear, and rear-wheel-drive layout. It quickly became a favourite among enthusiasts for its lightweight chassis, sharp handling, and mod-friendly SR20DET engine. The 180SX was never officially sold in Australia, making local examples even more special—and increasingly rare.
Adrian’s particular car, finished in its original factory paint, stood out to him from the start. “The shape and the colour of the car are what really caught my attention. It was clean—inside and out. That plays a big part when buying a car, especially something iconic like this.”
When he picked it up in July 2016, the car was already mildly tuned: it had a GT2871 turbo, aftermarket injectors, 3-inch exhaust, coilovers, and a Nistune ECU running E85. While the setup was promising on paper, the reality wasn’t quite as polished. “It was running pretty rough,” Adrian recalls. “I took it to Chequered Tuning, and after speaking with Trent, we figured out the previous tune wasn’t great—it had probably already started damaging the engine.”
The car was retuned and managed to put out 230kW, but within a year, a dreaded engine knock developed. A slipped bottom-end bearing was the culprit, and just like that, the 180SX was parked—where it would sit in Adrian’s garage for nearly five years.
Eventually, the build began.
The motor was removed and sent off for a complete rebuild—a process that took around 14 months. The transformation that followed turned this 180SX from a lightly modified cruiser into a serious performer. It now features a fully built SR20, Garrett G25-660 turbo, Link ECU with engine protection, RB25 gearbox, R35 ignition coils, a 6Boost manifold, custom tail shaft, upgraded fuel system, trigger kit, and baffled sump, among countless other supporting mods. The car now runs flex fuel, giving Adrian the ability to safely dial in higher power depending on fuel availability.
The goal was a reliable 300kW street car—but when tuned, it made 370kW at the wheels. For longevity and safety, it was dialled back to a still-impressive 350kW, limited only by the current fuelling system.
With that much power going to the rear wheels, traction became critical. Adrian equipped the car with Hankook Ventus RS4 semi-slicks—a serious street/track tyre known for its grip once warmed up. “With heat in the tyres, it can actually handle the power,” he says. “It makes a big difference.”
Despite the extensive mechanical changes, the exterior has remained untouched. “What I love most is still the shape,” Adrian says. “That classic 180SX silhouette—it's timeless. But now, there’s the added bonus of having serious performance underneath. The way it handles, especially through corners, it’s exactly what I imagined when I first got into turbo cars.”
Adrian’s 180SX is the perfect balance of subtle styling and serious performance—a car that pays respect to its roots while showing what’s possible with patience, the right parts, and a vision that stays true from day one.