Sez’s 1988 Nissan Silvia S13 | “Lilo”

March 11, 2026

Owner: Sez
Location: Australia
Instagram: @sezs13

Some cars start as dreams.
Others start as challenges.

For Sez, her 1988 Nissan Silvia S13, nicknamed Lilo, began life as a rolling shell. What followed was a project that would eventually shape her entry into drifting, car culture, and a community that would become part of her life.

The Beginning

Sez picked up the S13 back in 2019, not as a finished car, but as something she could truly build herself.

“I chose to purchase my S13 as a bit of a challenge. It was a rolling shell, and I really wanted the opportunity to actually build a car myself.”

Starting with a bare shell, she sourced an engine and gearbox and managed to get the car running within nine months, something she is still proud of.

At the time, the S13 was one of the most popular platforms for drifting, and that was exactly where the build was headed.

“It was already widebody too, so I wouldn’t feel bad if I damaged it while learning.”

A practical way to approach learning how to drift.

The Vision

Sez did not initially know the name for the style she was building toward, but the goal was always clear.

A clean and simple OEM+ look.

Something refined enough for the street but still capable when pushed on track.

“This car was built to be a practical street car that had the ability to go on track.”

The Setup

The build itself is intentionally simple, a formula that works well for both street driving and drifting.

Engine

SR20DET
Garrett GT2860RS turbo

Power

226kw

Suspension

BC Gold coilovers
Full adjustable arms

Wheels

R33 GTR wheels

Interior

Bride bucket seats
Nardi steering wheel
Aftermarket gauges
Apple CarPlay
New carpet
New headliner

Her favourite modification?

“The bucket seats.”

The Turbo Life

Like most builds, it did not take long before the upgrade bug appeared.

The best modification so far?

“TURBO!”

And the upgrade that made the biggest difference?

“Turbo upgrade 🤣”

The Reality of Building Cars

Every project car owner knows the truth. Builds are never truly finished.

Sez sums it up perfectly.

“I think the most difficult part of any build is the fact that it’s never complete. There is always something else broken or something new to buy.”

For her, most setbacks have been the same challenge many enthusiasts face.

Money.

But that has never stopped the build from evolving.

More Than Just a Car

For Sez, Lilo is not just a project.

It represents something much bigger.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully put into words what this car means to me. It helped carry me through some of my darkest moments, introduced me to an amazing community, and started my drifting journey.”

Through this car she met friends, discovered drifting, and experienced opportunities she never expected.

Some moments are simply unforgettable.

“My favourite moments will always be learning to drift in this car. Until you’ve drifted an S13, whether on track or the street, you don’t realise how perfectly suited they are for it. The car just glides.”

Phase 2

The car is now entering the next stage of its life.

After recently undergoing rust repairs and a full respray, the next steps include refreshing the engine and installing a Haltech ECU before getting the car retuned for street driving.

The project continues to evolve.

Just like every great build should.