Focused on Function: Kalvin Malli's 1990 Nissan 240SX

Focused on Function: Kalvin Malli's 1990 Nissan 240SX

Photography by Evano Gucciardo (@evog)


With 50% of the Popular Vote, Kalvin Mailli is the Winner of the PASMAG Tuner Battleground Competition at Street Scene.

Kalvin Malli has owned many editions of Nissan’s famous 240sx - the 1990 one you see here being one of eight! After looking for a properly clean shell for three years to build, he finally found the right one in May of 2013, collecting dust in a barn for years. With just 67,000 original miles, original paint, and no rust at all, it was the perfect candidate for someone like Malli who truly loves the S13 platform.

Within the first three weeks of owning the car, he had an RB20 swapped in and running. It wasn’t long after engine swapping that he had a fuse box ruck, engine work, and wiring completed all by himself. His time spent building the car also allows Malli to create content for his YouTube channel, inspiring and educating other enthusiasts who might be timid to get their hands on some of the more complicated processes.

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0011 Evano Gucciardo DSC3603

Since then, his RB20 has been bolstered with the help of a Precision Turbo 5558 turbocharger. Along with the supporting mods, this bumps power to a respectable 380 horsepower. Keeping things focused on function, a set of lightweight 17-inch Enkei RPF1s are enlisted alongside Stance GR Pro+ coilovers, Voodoo13 billet tension arms, and ISR’s pro arm kit in the front and rear. Between the suspension arms and the RPF1s sits a Brembo brake conversion from a Cadillac CTS-V to bring the whole package to a stop.

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0015 Evano Gucciardo DSC3618

The entire car is kept simple and clean on the outside, with the most noticeable modifications being a pig-nose front lip, G2Carbon B-pillars, and a set of 180sx Kouki tail lights for extra JDM style points. Inside, you’re met with more G2Carbon trim, Corbeau seats, and a Nardi steering wheel, among other stylistic additions like P2M floor mats and Malli’s own custom gauge panels.

While the car is already looking like the dream for some, Malli says he is never really done, and has some plans up his sleeve to change things up even more. Keep an eye on his YouTube channel to follow along!

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0003 Evano Gucciardo DSC3547

Kalvin Malli is featured in PASMAG #153. Click HERE to order.


ESSENTIALS

Owner: Kalvin Malli
Vehicle: 1990 Nissan 240sx
Location: Victor, NY
Engine: Nissan RB20DET 2.0L Turbocharged I6
Horsepower: 437 whp
Torque: 300 lb-ft
Facebook: @kalvin.malli.7
Instagram: @kalvin_malli

ENGINE

  • Precision Turbo turbocharger
  • Megan intercooler
  • Raw Brokerage hoses
  • Tial (Q BOV, 38-mm wastegate)
  • K&N air filter
  • Custom (air intake, intake manifold, fuel rail, grounding system)
  • Sard fuel pressure regulator
  • Walbro fuel pump
  • Bosch injectors
  • NGK spark plugs
  • ECU Master

EXHAUST

  • ISR exhaust
  • CXRacing header
  • Custom down-pipe
  • Blast pipe exhaust type
  • Mckinney mounts
  • Custom screamer pipe

DRIVETRAIN

  • Competition Clutch (clutch, flywheel)
  • P2M shifter
  • Shaftmasters 1-piece steel drivetrain
  • J30 differential

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES

  • Cosmis XT-005R wheels - 18x9 +25 (f), 18x9 +25 (r)
  • Achilles Sport 2 tires - 235/40/18 (f/r)
  • Brembo Cadillac CTS-V calipers
  • 13.7-inch front rotors
  • 10-inch drilled/slotted rear rotors
  • Custom brake lines

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION

  • Stance GR Pro+ coilovers
  • Energy Suspension bushings
  • Solid PBM subframe bushings

EXTERIOR

  • JDM Type X Kouki (side skirts, rear spats, tail lights)
  • Auxbeam headlights
  • Dark Blue Metallic vinyl wrap
  • LED (headlights, marker lights)

INTERIOR

  • BLOX shift knob
  • Nardi Personal steering wheels
  • Custom (shift boot, gauge trim)
  • AEM gauges
  • Glowshift gauges
  • Corbeau A4 seats
  • P2M floor mats

AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS

  • Kenwood (head unit, sub amplifier)
  • Skar (6x9 speakers, 6.5 components, tweeters)
  • Stinger distribution block
  • Interstate battery

SPONSORS

  • P2M
  • G2Carbon

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0001 Evano Gucciardo DSC3506

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0002 Evano Gucciardo DSC3523

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0004 Evano Gucciardo DSC3568

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0005 Evano Gucciardo DSC3572

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0006 Evano Gucciardo DSC3575

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0007 Evano Gucciardo DSC3578

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0008 Evano Gucciardo DSC3587

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0010 Evano Gucciardo DSC3602

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0012 Evano Gucciardo DSC3606

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0013 Evano Gucciardo DSC3610

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0014 Evano Gucciardo DSC3614

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0016 Evano Gucciardo DSC3627

Kalvin Malli 1990 Nissan 240sx 0017 Evano Gucciardo DSC3635

Related Articles

PAS365 Podcast: SEMA 2024 Live - Part 2 PAS365 Podcast: SEMA 2024 Live - Part 2
Continuing our shenanigans from earlier in the week of SEMA 2024, we opened up the live stream for the second time this week to discuss more awesome...
Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009 Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009
The incredibly diverse builds and PASMAG features of 2009 were so good we couldn't keep it to just five that we dug out of the archives. This was...
VIDEO: PAS365 Rally 2024 - Vegas to Salt Lake VIDEO: PAS365 Rally 2024 - Vegas to Salt Lake
For the second time in 2024 - and the third time since our official PAS365 Rally launch last year - we gathered up some friends and new faces, planned...
Does Rivian's R1T Keep Up Off-Road? Team Venom Racing Think So Does Rivian's R1T Keep Up Off-Road? Team Venom Racing Think So
When it comes to off-roading - or frankly, trucks in general - EVs can be a bit of a hotly contested topic. Whether you care for EVs or not, it's hard...
Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2008 Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2008
2008 had some of our favorite wild throwbacks to date, and you guys loved the first 5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2008 so much that we're digging back...
5 Things Car Culture Needs More Of 5 Things Car Culture Needs More Of
Few things are in a state of constant flux as car culture, and the car community as a whole. While the car community is divided into countless niches...