LS Swapped Zenki S14 – Break the Leash

Who could’ve ever predicted the fog of global sameness that’s fallen across the automotive industry. That’s a heavy 1st sentence. But I was catching up with Blane Burnett, the owner of this Zenki S14, and the conversation went to refection. I’ve known Blane for a long time. We work in the automotive aftermarket together. and I’ve always valued his friendship. He’s just a grounded guy, in an industry that’s often noisy like the Finding Nemo seagulls. Blane’s had this car for as long as I’ve known him. And I like it when people hang onto their cars. I dunno… it says a lot. And back when Blane worked at Holley (he’s now at Ridetech), this 240sx bridged the gap between import & domestic cultures. An import, with an LS2 V8. And that kind of put Blane in a relatable position with everyone. Back to that first sentence though…

The fog of global sameness that’s fallen across the auto industry…

It’s a real thing. I mean, who would’ve ever thought we’d see Nissan in the mess/ruin they’re in today. Nissan – one of the most spirited carmakers of the 90s… falling. It’s beyond debate that authenticity & morality have left the automotive industry in the modern age. That’s old news. Heck, it’s almost a foreign language to anyone under 25 at this point… anyone born in the 21st century. And as car-lovers, we take it very personally. Especially if we lived through the 90s and early 2000s and were part of that import-tuning boom. We hold onto the automotive energy of our youth – because we were there. We grew up in it; it’s a part of us. 

But for younger people today…

Look – they simply don’t know what they don’t know. And nothing against ‘em for that. In fact, I heavily blame the automotive industry for turning its back on you. The automotive industry abandoned the new generations of drivers – in both excitement-level… AND price-point. Brands traded their integrity, authenticity, and charisma… for compliance. For generic, forgettable mobility. A smartphone-like experience. Yuck. They made cars that conditioned people to be indifferent about cars… and driving. That’s the bed they made for themselves. And we warned ‘em. But it fell on deaf, out-of-touch ears.

And what the legacy car industry is now realizing… 

And what Nissan is realizing especially… is that there is no allegiance to appliance. It’s already cost ‘em, and it’s gonna cost ‘em more. For generations, automobiles were an expression of art, exhilaration, and freedom. Now, the modern auto industry has turned art into autonomy. And except for a few, the only ‘expression’ I see in new cars is opulence & emptiness… not spirit or soul. 

The iconic, passionate brands of yesteryear… 

Have been bought, sold, merged, and commercialized into oblivion. And – the allure behind those brands has faded with their authenticity. We’ve already seen Jag sold & implode. BMW is designing 2-pedal cars that pander to Chinese tastes (meaning they’re tacky). Porsche put a turbo badge on their new electric vehicle/s, which is like me putting ‘doctor’ in front of my name. And Dodge made an electric ‘muscle car’ with fake engine sounds. What’s there to be a fan of? 

In most ways, the only car culture left that excites the kids… 

Is dad’s hand-me-down truck… that they end up squatting because they have poor role models lol. But can you really blame them? They’ve probably never been in a rev-happy car their whole life, they can’t drive stick, and they don’t have anyone to teach them because their dad’s a sac who pays someone to change his oil. All the cool cars are 25+ years old now. So honestly, what’s their other option… $450/month for a used Nissan crossover with a CVT transmission? Or a Honda with a CVT transmission? Or maybe a Toyota with a CVT transmission?? The generational trickledown effect of lack-luster vehicles is real.

Something went off course… 

The ‘energy of life’ that used to be very real & in-your-face… has become simulated, & padded.. or altogether optional. Life is more complicated & less fulfilling. It’s more connected & less calm. More sanitized & less savory. We pay more to own less… and it monitors us. But more importantly I think… they’ve pushed us out of the driver’s seat. Taken away our real controls. Automated everything. Digitized our stores. Regulated our fun. Removed our ability/freedom to truly escape & break off the leash.

The loss of freedom & balance… 

Today’s world has attached signals, sensors, & babysitters to everything. And they call it “connected”. Whereas a lot of Xennials & older see it more for what it is: Being trapped, monitored, & controlled. I empathize with the fact that it’s harder for the youth to understand. Half of us in this country have lived in 2 worlds: Analogue & digital… unleashed & padded. The youth only knows the latter. That’s why it’s crucial to get outside, put the phone down, and roll your windows down. Pick up a set of real keys, and learn to drive a car where you’re in control… where it’s more than just a rolling phone call. Where you’re the pilot, and where you can actually feel the machine through the steering wheel. And where you can push a 3rd pedal that actually disconnects the engine from the drivetrain. Full control.

Once you unlock that surge of exhilaration… 

You’ll realize the difference between driving and commuting. Lean into that… cause it’ll start to change the way you see other aspects of life. I also empathize with the fact that something like an GR86 or Ford ST seems like not enough… because that’s what comments sections tend to suggest. Maybe you can’t afford your ultimate dream car right now, but what dream are you chasing? It doesn’t take big budgets to have fun in a car. Start where you’re at. Enjoy every stage. And don’t lose your sweet spot or your balance trying to chase an influenced illusion. Authenticity is not something you find by following it. 

Blane’s had this LS swapped Zenki S14 for fifteen years (at least)… 

When he bought it, it had an SR. But Blane got hired with Holley after college, so the desire for an LS swap intensified. Especially when you’re surrounded by LS brainiacs & get a hookup on aftermarket parts. As mentioned at the beginning, this S14 became kind of a generational bridge between aftermarket subcultures. It was an example to Holley – that the LS engine actually stretched a lot further than just hotrods and heavy muscle cars. And that it was bigger than just ‘one type’ or one demographic.

It all comes down to an experience… 

Take horsepower, stats, expectations, and influence, and throw it all out the window. Because it doesn’t matter. It all comes down to the experience. Is your car driving you, or are you driving it? Does it make the hair on your arms stand up? Are you ‘making moments’ out of life… and creating something you crave? The world is not digital. It’s real. And it’s happening right now. Do something. If it’s coming from your heart, you’re on the right track. Nothing else matters.

ENGINE

LS2 engine.  Forged pistons & rods from CP and Carrillo. Brian Tooley Racing camshaft. Hooker S14 engine mount swap kit& exhaust. OEM LS7 clutch/pressure plate from Scoggins Dickey. RAM flywheel (19 lb). Holley Dominator EFI with Holley billet LS fuel rails. T56 transmission built by American Powertrain. Hurst T56 Shifter. K&N filter. KRC LS power steering pump. Earl’s power steering cooler & oil cooler. Hinson LS S14 radiator kit. Custom fan shroud fabricated by Level 7 Motorsports. Single 15” SPAL fan.

WHEELS / SUSPENSION

Advan TCIII wheels: 18×9 +25mm in front with 10mm spacer. 18×10 +35mm in the rear. Feal 441 coilovers. Tires are size 275/35/R18. Driftworks Geomaster 3” drop knuckles front & rear. SPL tension rods, outer tie rods, toe rods, rear eccentric lock-out, & traction bars.

INTERIOR 

Autopower roll bar with bolt-in harness bar. Seats are Sparco Evo 2 with Planted Engineering brackets. Willans harnesses. S15 Silvia steering wheel. Racepak IQ3S dash. Holley EFI touchscreen. And a Racepak solid state Street Smartwire PDM (power distribution module) replaces the entire OEM body harness.