Hoonigan Energy Lives On at the LZ Compound

There’s been a recurring comment lately—people saying our Behind the Build series feels like the old Hoonigan Build Breakdown days. So for this episode, we decided to fully embrace that energy.
We linked up with Micah Diaz and Gary King Jr., two drivers with completely different builds but equally strong personalities behind them. The result? One of the most fun, raw, and story-driven episodes we’ve done yet.

  • Hoonigans Compound

Michas Chaser

Micah’s Chaser is everything you want out of a grassroots drift car—with a twist.
It’s a four-door, fully caged chassis running four bucket seats, making it the ultimate “party car” both on and off the track. Under the hood sits an unopened 1JZ VVT-i, paired with a top-mount Garrett turbo setup—simple, reliable, and proven.
The setup is dialed without being overcomplicated:

  • BC Racing coilovers
  • FDF angle kit + Rear Arms
  • Radium fuel system + fuel cell
  • Big Derale fans for cooling

This isn’t a car that was overbuilt—it was refined. Micah picked it up already solid and made the right changes to keep it fun, functional, and consistent on track.

MICHAS CHASER PARTS

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Chase Bays - Hydro Handbrake
Chase Bays - Hydro Handbrake
$445.00
BC Racing Coilovers - BR Series Coilover for 92-00 TOYOTA CHASER JZX100/90 (C-07-BR)
BC Racing Coilovers - BR Series Coilover for 92-00 TOYOTA CHASER JZX100/90 (C-07-BR)
$1,661.00
SERIALNINE - Subframe Bushing Kit | Chaser / Mark II / Cresta JZX90 / JZX100
SERIALNINE - Subframe Bushing Kit | Chaser / Mark II / Cresta JZX90 / JZX100
$522.00
SERIALNINE - Differential Bushing Kit | Chaser / Mark II / Cresta JZX90 / JZX100
SERIALNINE - Differential Bushing Kit | Chaser / Mark II / Cresta JZX90 / JZX100
$487.00
Koyo 96-00 Toyota Chaser JZX100 2.5L Inline 6 Turbo w/ Manual Trans Radiator
Koyo 96-00 Toyota Chaser JZX100 2.5L Inline 6 Turbo w/ Manual Trans Radiator
$842.00
FDF Raceshop - JZX100 Chaser / Mark II / Cresta Rear Toe Arm
FDF Raceshop - JZX100 Chaser / Mark II / Cresta Rear Toe Arm
$358.00
DERALE - 12'' High Output Single RAD Pusher/Puller Fan with Standard Mount Kit - 13-1/8''W x 13-1/8''H x 3-1/2''D (16924)
DERALE - 12'' High Output Single RAD Pusher/Puller Fan with Standard Mount Kit - 13-1/8''W x 13-1/8''H x 3-1/2''D (16924)
$350.00
FDF Raceshop - Chaser / Mark II / JZX100 / Cresta JZX90 Rear Upper Control Arms
FDF Raceshop - Chaser / Mark II / JZX100 / Cresta JZX90 Rear Upper Control Arms
$752.00
FDF Raceshop - JZX100 CHASER / MARK II / CRESTA REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS
FDF Raceshop - JZX100 CHASER / MARK II / CRESTA REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS
$459.00
FDF Raceshop - JZX100 Chaser / Mark II / Cresta Rear Traction Arm
FDF Raceshop - JZX100 Chaser / Mark II / Cresta Rear Traction Arm
$421.00
NRG - Quick Release Gen 2.0 - Black Body / Mexicali Ring (SRK-200BK-MEXICALI)
NRG - Quick Release Gen 2.0 - Black Body / Mexicali Ring (SRK-200BK-MEXICALI)
$202.00
ECU MASTER - ADU5 — REV.2, IP65
ECU MASTER - ADU5 — REV.2, IP65
$2,201.00

Garys R34

Gary’s R34 isn’t just a drift car—it’s a timeline of his life.
Originally RB-powered, the car now runs an LS swap, but what makes it special is where that engine came from. The LS traces back to his grandfather’s Corvette, giving the build a level of sentimental value you don’t see often in drift cars.
And the setup? It’s as wild as its history:

  • S14 front subframe conversion
  • Wisefab R34 angle kit
  • Sikky Swap Kit
  • GKTech suspension components
  • BC Racing coilovers

This car has lived many lives—daily driven, supercharged with a Magnuson setup, sprayed with nitrous, and pushed through multiple engine failures. Today, it runs a simple LS2, but the long-term vision is bigger: rebuild the original family motor and bring it back stronger.

GARYS R34 PARTS

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GKTech - NISSAN STEERING SHAFT EXTENDER
GKTech - NISSAN STEERING SHAFT EXTENDER
$96.00
Haltech iC-7 7in Color Display Dash Kit
Haltech iC-7 7in Color Display Dash Kit
$1,661.00
Koyo 00-02 Nissan Skyline GTR 2.6L Turbo Racing Radiator
Koyo 00-02 Nissan Skyline GTR 2.6L Turbo Racing Radiator
$777.00
Sikky Manufacturing - Nissan Silvia (RHD) LSx Swap Headers – 1 7/8″ 304 Stainless Steel (SM-HDR005SS)
Sikky Manufacturing - Nissan Silvia (RHD) LSx Swap Headers – 1 7/8″ 304 Stainless Steel (SM-HDR005SS)
$1,712.00
Haltech Elite 1500 ECU w/Plug and Pin Set
Haltech Elite 1500 ECU w/Plug and Pin Set
$2,340.00
BC Racing Coilovers - DS Series for 99-02 Skyline R34 GTR Coilovers (D-08-DS)
BC Racing Coilovers - DS Series for 99-02 Skyline R34 GTR Coilovers (D-08-DS)
$2,237.00
Wisefab - Nissan R34 Front Drift Angle Lock Kit (WF340)
Wisefab - Nissan R34 Front Drift Angle Lock Kit (WF340)
$3,543.00
Fuelab Fuel Upgrade Filter Accessory Kit - 290mm Tall
Fuelab Fuel Upgrade Filter Accessory Kit - 290mm Tall
$772.00
Fuelab Dual 340 LPH E85 Pump Fuel Surge Tank System - 290mm
Fuelab Dual 340 LPH E85 Pump Fuel Surge Tank System - 290mm
$1,320.00
Radium Engineering Competition Catch Can XL VTA/VTE
$436.00
Antigravity Q85/Group 35 Lithium Car Battery w/Re-Start
Antigravity Q85/Group 35 Lithium Car Battery w/Re-Start
$1,320.00

MORE THAN JUST BUILDS

What makes this episode stand out isn’t just the parts list—it’s the people.
There’s history between Micah and the Drift HQ crew, and you can feel it throughout the episode. From jokes and roasting to genuine storytelling, it captures what drifting is really about: community, progression, and passion.
And of course, we couldn’t end it without letting both cars rip at the LZ Compound.

This episode is a reminder of where drift culture came from—and where it’s going.
The influence of Hoonigan’s Build Breakdown era is undeniable, but what we’re seeing now is the next evolution. Same raw energy, new stories, and a new generation pushing it forward.