We don’t only feature fully modified vehicles in NZ Performance Car magazine — the mildly modified daily drivers get a look in too! It doesn’t matter what it is, if you’re passionate about it, modify it, and drive it to work every day, we’ll showcase it.
- Name: Troy Griffin
- Location: Papamoa
- Occupation: Glazier
- Make/model: 2000 Toyota Mark II (JZX110)
- Engine: Toyota 1JZ-GTE, six-cylinder, 2500cc, GReddy intercooler, 2.5-inch exhaust system
- Drivetrain: R154 five-speed, locked diff
- Interior: C’s Garage roll cage, Bride Zeta three-seat, Nardi steering wheel
- Exterior: Vertex bodykit, Origin canards
- Suspension: HKS D’Nob-spec coilovers, Cusco sway bars, Cusco upper arms and RCAs, Hey Man knuckles
- Wheels/Tyres: (F) 18×9-inch (+6) Work Meisters, 18×10-inch (+18) Work Meisters, (F) 235/40R18 (R) 265/35R18 Nitto NT05s
NZ Performance Car: Hey Troy, this isn’t the first Toyota JZX you’ve had in NZPC; what model is this one?
Troy Griffin: As you know, I have a huge interest in the Toyota JZX family. This one is a JZX110 Mark II, which is newer than my JZX100 but shares the same 1JZ-GTE engine — my number one engine choice.
We understand your JZX100 is your daily — what is this one used for?
Yep, the JZX100 is my street car, but I needed a car that I could thrash around on a track and not worry about as much as I do with the JZX100. The JZX110 is specifically built as my drift car so I can get out there and enjoy my hobby: drifting.
Did it take many upgrades to get the JZX110 to drift?
The car already had decent power, but the factory handling was not up to scratch for drifting. A few mods were made so I could get her sliding on the track, such as HKS coilovers, Cusco sway bars and upper arms, RCAs, and Hey Man knuckles.
What are your future plans for it — more power?
I want to upgrade from the factory turbo as I would like some more power, and the car’ll be getting a full respray and a full set of graphics to give her that drift look.
Do you plan on entering Demon Energy D1NZ, or any other competition-style drifting, or will you stick to grass-roots stuff?
For now, I will be sticking with grass-roots drifting as it gives me the chance to practise alongside my mates without the huge pressure of being judged. But you never know what the future holds.
Thanks for chatting to us, Troy. We look forward to seeing your driving progress, along with the build.
This article was originally published in NZ Performance Car Issue No. 227. You can pick up a print copy or a digital copy of the magazine below:
