Schumacher is also smart enough to know that full and proper control of the engine management system is essential when building a seriously powerful SR that’s going to experience a lot of quality time at wide open throttle. To that end, Shoe installed an A’PEXi Power FC full stand-alone ECU, along with a GReddy Profec B boost controller, GReddy turbo timer, and one of Innovate Motorsports’ LM-1 digital wideband air/fuel ratio meters. With safe and careful tuning conducted by Morgan Spurgas of Synapse Motorsports, prior to the valvetrain upgrade this meticulously prepared S14 laid down a solid 324.5rwhp at 15psi on a notoriously conservative reading Dynapack dynamometer. On a Dynojet system peak horsepower would likely be in the 360whp range and with the HKS cams and upgraded valvetrain components Schumacher is aiming at the 400whp mark. With a curb weight of approximately 2850 lbs, this S14 has a power-to-weight ratio equivalent to that of a Ferrari F430. That’s some seriously quick (and pricey) company. Schumacher’s S14 transfers all that Ferrari-embarrassing power to the rear wheels via a freshly rebuilt SR transmission, a Driveshaft Shop 1-piece aluminum driveshaft, a finned GReddy differential cover, and a Nissan viscous limited slip differential. Connecting crank to clutch is a Fidanza 10 lbs aluminum flywheel and a Exedy Stage 2 clutch, with gear selection being controlled by a B&M short shifter and Momo Competition shift knob.
Transmitting this SR’s broad powerband to the streets of Rochester is a gorgeous old school set of 16x8-inch Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport 225/50-16’s, giving this 240SX a little extra JDM Nissan street cred. To keep rotating mass to a minimum while at the track, Shoe changes up his S14’s footwear by bolted up a lightweight set of bronze 16x8-inch Volk TE-37’s, along with Kumho Victoracer 225/50-16 r-compound tires to handle all those extra g-forces in the corners. Bleeding off the kind of speed that this S14 is capable of achieving is beyond the capabilities of a stock braking system, so 11.5-inch Brembo front rotors and a set of Z32 4-pot front calipers filled with Hawk HP+ pads have been added to the mix. For a proper match with the larger front calipers, a 300ZX brake master cylinder has also been installed, along with Project Nissan braided stainless steel brake lines for firmer pedal feel and safety. Now Schumacher can stomp on the slow pedal lap after rotor-chewing lap without fear of brake fade or any other kind of reduced or inconsistent stopping power. Controlling weight transfer under braking and in the corners is fundamental to turning quick lap times, a fact Schumacher fully understands and has properly addressed with Tein HA coilovers featuring 9kg/mm and 7kg/mm linear rate springs front and rear. The Tein setup also includes front upper camber plates, allowing enough negative camber to be dialed in such that the front tires maintain an optimal contact patch under cornering loads.
Shoe has further reinforced his S14’s suspension with Cusco front and rear strut tower bars, a Nismo Power Brace, Project Nissan lower control arm brace, custom rear toe control and traction rods including Aurora spherical bearings, Tein TC rods, and Energy Suspension urethane bushings throughout, helping reduce chassis flex and maintain proper suspension geometry. A safe and comfortable driver is often a fast driver (if they happen to be blessed with some talent behind the wheel), another fact not lost on Schumacher given his decision to install a Kirk Racing 4-point chromoly roll bar, Safe Quip cam lock 5-point harness, and a pair of Recaro SRD seats. Keeping the pilot apprised of the engine’s well-being is a full compliment of gauges including Omori 46mm boost pressure, water temperature, oil temperature, and oil pressure gauges, as well as a VDO fuel pressure gauge. Schumacher then makes like his Ferrari F1 driving namesake and transfers all this safety, comfort, and engine data back to his willing S14 via a Momo Competition 350mm steering wheel and a heavy right foot. Having built one of the quickest street and circuit S14s east of the Mississippi, Schumacher’s privateer effort (other than the help of his close friend Randy Ames at Phoenix Imports and the support of his incredibly understanding wife Tracy, son Charlie and daughter Maggie) is truly awe-inspiring. Far from being a ratty “all go and no show” track mule, this Nissan 240SX has super clean styling that includes a GReddy front lip, C-West mini wing, ’97 OE side skirts and a better than OE blacked out theme under the hood, where the valve cover, manifolds, turbo housing, intake and intercooler piping have all been powder-coated crinkle black.
The overall aesthetic is clean yet aggressive, communicating perfectly Schumacher’s goal of building a dual-purpose machine that is equally comfortable cruising the highways and byways of upper state New York or laying down some seriously quick lap times at the track. Best of all, this former sorority sweetheart of a S14 has been transformed into a ground pounding Nissan bad boy. This car is capable of transporting Schumacher back to the future with its RWD sports car design that no doubt reminds him of his muscle car youth, while providing modern comfort and conveniences with super car performance. Michael J. Fox’s DeLorean time machine has nothing on this Nissan time attacking machine.