As stressful as things may be in the Formula Drift pro/am series, Gonzo Drift keeps smiling. Sitting fourth in points, The Uprising in Omaha was supposed to be a test and tune day. Gonzo’s S14, brandishing a brand new steering rack, was being put to the test.
Gonzo has a curse with American V8 motors. He’s managed to blow-up 4 in the past 4 years. Omaha was another notch in the bedpost, with another paperweight now sitting in the garage bringing that tally to five. During the event the LS3 motor, pushing around 600 horsepower, gave its last run. A blown motor at this stage in the series meant missing the last event of the season in St. Louis and losing position in the standings.
This hunk of broken metal is the fifth LS engine the Gonzo Drift S14 has destroyed in its history of pro/am drifting. After plenty consideration Gonzo decided to go back to the S14’s JDM roots and run the mother of all Japanese engines, a 2JZ. More commonly found in the MKIV Supra, the 2JZ going in to his car will be lightly built and tuned for reliability, yet still pumping out close to 650 horsepower.
Originally planning to spend more time this winter working on other aspects of his car, Gonzo now has a new motor to build and tune. Putting all the work aside, he’s looking forward to getting out this winter in his truck and drifting some empty parking lots.
Zach Stevens - Life on Four Wheels 