This Nissan with a Storied History Heading for Sick Summer
Drag-and-drive events can be a brutal proving ground for vehicles to live up to the “street” title. It’s not uncommon for most of the bigger events throughout the year to see everything from proven rides to brand new rides to be sidelined from those that thought they had everything ironed out and ready to conquer the drives between tracks.
In the case of Jeremy Ortiz, he’s hoping his first drag-and-drive appearance at Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes will go well with his scienced out and winning 1995 Nissan 240.
Jeremy’s 240 is well known to Street Car Takeover events in the Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio over the last few years, as he has successfully grabbed several first-place finishes in their ‘Street Racer Mild’ class. Now, Jeremy is looking to jump into the world of drag-and-drive.
“My biggest goal is to just finish my first drag-and-drive event,” said Jeremy. “I'm drawn to them because I think it's the ultimate test of a vehicle and program. To drive between tracks, make consistent passes and just survive is a huge accomplishment in my mind.”
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To tackle Sick Summer, Jeremy will bring a battle tested Nissan 240 that he’s owned since 2011. “I purchased ‘HYBRID’ completely stock from the original owner,” Jeremy admitted. “This was my first rear wheel drive car and I wasn’t sure what my plans were with it just yet.”
“Since then, the car has gone through a few different stages including N/A (naturally aspirated), turbocharged, six-speed manual, and automatic. In 2019 I decided to get serious about racing, and in our first year we became very successful competing in ‘Street’ type classes traveling around the Midwest to various events.”
Currently, the 240 model sports a Gen-3 5.3-liter LS engine, packed with Molnar connecting rods and crankshaft, Wiseco pistons and a BTR stage 3 turbo camshaft. The short block is topped with Brodix cylinder heads from Mike Lough with BTR ultimate RPM valve springs.
A Bullseye 88-millimeter turbocharger forces air through a Treadstone intercooler before it hits a Holley 92-millimeter throttle body and a BTR Equalizer intake manifold.
A Coan Turbo 400 3-speed transmission and converter sends the ponies to an Import.Drag Solutions bolt-in 8.8-inch solid axle with Weld 15-inch x 10-inch width wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson 275 Radial Pros.
With Sick Summer not too far from his Indianapolis, Indiana backyard, Jeremy is already making preparations. “I started building a trailer and custom hitch for it,” he said. I started testing to dial in this week, and hopefully start getting miles on the road here soon with my trailer in tow.”
He plans to compete in the 275 Street Race class, and is looking forward to the challenge. “It's also just something different than what I've been doing the last 4 or 5 years,” Jeremy said. “I really think the biggest challenge is just making it through the week. Everyone I've spoken with says it's the most over looked part of the event.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Lock It In Productions and Jeremy Ortiz.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com