1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R - The Good Son

A car means a lot to young people. A reliable set of wheels to take them wherever they want to go is something they covet from the first day their parents dropped them off at school. So when Tony Guerdo told his 16-year-old son, Shaun, he was going to take the kid's '91 Sentra to the track for some hot laps, Shaun's concern was understandable. Then Tony said the kid could come along, and Shaun's worries were forgotten.

Tony and his son attended an HPDE session (High-Performance Driving Experience) put on by the National Auto Sports Association. NASA offers many different events to those with an interest in club racing. For those who simply want to drive their personal car around the track, the HPDE allows anyone with a helmet and safe car (stock safety systems are perfectly acceptable) to drive as fast as they feel comfortable around a racetrack. Driving instructors help you progress, and you can even work toward a competition license if you desire.

Father and son both loved the feeling of pushing the Sentra on the track, but the B13 was lacking the grunt Tony desired, so Shaun generously gave up his street ride so it could be tweaked for future track outings.

Performance modifications started with a Hot Shot Performance header and intake and Falken Azenis tires mounted on the stock wheels. Then the interior was stripped, and a TIG-welded DOM tubing roll cage was put in place.

Soon Tony was craving a bigger rush than hot lapping could provide. He needed bumper-to-bumper action. Tony was going racing. He acquired his competition license, and decided NASA's SE-R Cup was the perfect series for his Sentra racecar. But first, some necessary modifications had to be performed if it was to be competitive.

Although the SR20DE was producing good numbers, more was needed to make the power-to-weight ratio of 1:15 the SE-R Cup rules regulate. Jim Wolf Technology S4 camshafts and JWT cam sprockets are used, as is a JWT ECU. Unorthodox pulleys are also part of the combination.

Tony knew road racing can be hell to a motor, especially in the oven-like conditions under the So. Cal. summer sun, so reliability had to be addressed. A Koyo radiator and Sevtrab oil cooler were fitted as insurance against the high revs and hot climates the Sentra would endure.

Fully aware that the transmission is the weak point of his B13, Tony took his time to ensure against any DNFs. First, the gears were polished, shotpeened and cryo-treated for strength. Then, heavy-duty axles from the Driveshaft Shop were put in, and the stock motor and transmission mounts were dumped in favor of pieces from Jim Wolf Technology. The transmission case was welded and reinforced, completing the bulletproofing of the transmission. Red Line Heavy ShockProof gear oil tops it all off.

Then a Jim Wolf Technology aluminum flywheel was installed to keep the tach swinging freely and a Jim Wolf Technology heavy-duty clutch gets the power to a NISMO limited slip.

In the SE-R Cup, where engine output is heavily regulated, it's the car with the best-balanced suspension that's ahead of the pack. Knowing this, Tony has taken his time to sort out the B13's dynamics. In both the front and back, Tony chose Ground Control Advanced Design two-way adjustable struts, which are shortened 1.5 inches. These, along with Eibach ERS race springs rated at 600 lb/in., allow for easy adjustments. Ground Control plates allow Tony to dial-in the perfect camber and caster, while Progress Group adjustable anti-roll bars tie each side together. Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings eliminate slop, and unique to the front end is a Stillen strut tower brace and custom lower control arm to sub-frame brace. Tony also relocated the Wesco gel-cell battery to the trunk to take some weight off the front tires and improve weight distribution.

For brakes, Tony chose Fastbrake's 11-inch four-piston kit, which includes four-piston Wilwood calipers that bite into 11-inch drilled and slotted rotors. Friction is provided by Hawk Blue brake pads, and Stillen braided lines give the pedal a rock-solid feel. Motul 600 RBF fluid is pushed from a master cylinder pilfered from an Altima. In the back, stock rotors and calipers are retained, but new Hawk Blue pads and Stillen lines are again utilized.

With the interior already stripped and caged, Tony raided the Sparco catalog for a Pro2000 seat, six-point harnesses and pedals. He chose MOMO, however, for the steering wheel and quick release kit.

After Hours Automotive in Cypress, Calif., produced sweet carbon-fiber pieces to replace the door panels, dash panel and rear interior quarter panels to further lighten the already feathery-light car.

While winning is good, winning with style is better, so Tony procured some very light, very strong and very cool-looking 15x7-inch Volk Racing TE37 wheels. Mounted on these beauties is Toyo RA-1 rubber measuring 205/50-15.

Bodywork and aerodynamics are a part of the car Tony feels he can improve on, but for now there's a Stillen front air dam and BC Concepts adjustable rear wing. Downforce can be greatly appreciated on some of the faster tracks, so Tony is thinking about a more pronounced front splitter. After Hours Automotive also laid down the coats of gleaming white paint.

Tony received the Rookie of the Year award for the 2003 season of the SE-R Cup, finishing third or fourth in nearly every race. He's even building a second car, which is powered by a SR20DET, to compete in the SRX Class. Shaun is planning to race as well. Given the competitive nature of fathers and sons, you could bet that while Shaun may have given his father his ride, he won't be giving him an inch on the track.

InteriorTechno Square roll cage, Sparco Pro2000 seat, Sparco pedals, Momo steering wheel with quick-change release, Sparco six-point harness, custom carbon-fiber dash panel, door panel, and rear interior quarter panels provided by After Hours Automotive