N12 GTM - MODIFICATIONSThis skyline started off with a healthy 278bhp and 265ft lb torque when I took ownership, this was the rated power from MGT's hub dyno. I had the power run done after a full service including cambelt and water pump, whilst at it to future proof the car for the duration of my ownership I had the addition of an uprated headgasket, the car was only modified with the following at this point:
So where did it all begin, around my birthday where I recieved a Gizzmo MS-IBC from my old man, a HKS SSQV 3 from the other half (Thanks Annie xx) and I'd purchased a HDi GT Spec FMIC Kit. After running the car at 0.85 bar boost and making 301bhp the original nissan clutch started to give way. New Clutch Please RSP....and then some!That was the first time I visited RSP, I'd called up and booked the car in for their RSP400 clutch kit, and on my arrival they informed me they had sold the last one and only had the RSP500 kit in stock. The guys did me a deal and put the RSP500 kit in for the same price, brilliant service and I'd only had to drive 3 hours each way for it. Whilst there I enquired about the RSP stage 1 chip tune, so off Richard went to plug it into my car and run it up on the dyno. The result an increase of 6bhp taking the car to 307bhp. Not much of a gain on my set up. So next came the custom remap option, I asked Richard to show me what I could have power wise if I went custom remap route, and within an hour he came back with 353.5bhp and 310ftlb. I was over the moon and asked for the invoice, the drive home was incredible, within a few weeks the car had been transformed with the following:
Happy with my new power level I decided to just enjoy the car for a few months, a new set of tyres with the addition of some tracking work and adjustable suspension arms and quite a few other red bits, and all was good. Until, that moment when I started to hear the exhaust blowing, it started off quite and then over the course of a week got progressively worse. After hearing many horror stories about snapped manifold studs I qot a quote from RSP for the work and found myself being convinced into further upgrades to make the most out of the labour and to ensure a more solid set up. The goal 400+ bhp, my target for the car has always been 450bhp as I think more than that in a rear wheel drive car will be a waste, 450bhp with supporting handling modifications and breaking support and the car should be a lot of fun.. Stage 2 Please RSPSo I started sourcing parts, first an R34 GTT turbo for hybrid, this has the advantage of having a slightly larger turbine housing and so flows better than the R33 turbo higher up the revs. So with that sent over to RSP I started my search for other parts needed. FiveoMotorsports provided the 550cc injectors whilst a guy on ebay provided me with a Z32 Air Flow Meter and plug from his 480bhp S13 drift car, the added bonus was the HKS SPF filter that came with it. I booked the car back in with RSP and me and the other half took a trip down to Ropely, we arrived around 8:25am, yes it was an early start for the 3 hour drive. Around 9:30am the car was on the ramps and the work started, the first job investigating the blowing, turns out it was just the turbo to manifold gasket so I saved myself some money. If I'd of known that a month earlier I might not of carried on with the additional upgrades. But once the work was carried out and mapped the car was producing 430.2bhp with 375ftlb torque, and had the additional modifications:
The car was now completely transformed, the power delivery when on boost was savage and I'd never been in anything so quick in all my years of driving and being a passenger, the skyline smile I originally had grew so much I started to get face ache. If I'm honest, I prefered the responsiveness of my stage one tune, but the rush you get when the turbo comes on song, more than makes up for the delay in getting there. Need Some More Upgrades - ReliabilitySo as I've increased the power further I thought it would be best to address a few key areas, specifically cooling, braking, and electronics, and so I added the following to the vehicle:
During the upgrades I've also done a few little projects with 3M carbon wrap, installed two 60mm cheap gauges (boost & Oil Temp) into an Indigo-GT a pillar pod replacement trim. Upgraded the stereo and speakers, and even sourced all the carpet panels for the boot, including the lid. Full Spec List:
RB25DET - twin-cam turbo (T28/3 Turbo) (245 to 250 hp and 319 N·m std) Details - 2.5 L (2498 cc, bore: 86.0 mm, stroke: 71.7 mm) Optional Extras: Air Con, Passenger Air Bag, ABS Modifications Exterior: Original Nissan R33 GTR Front Bumper, Original Nissan R33 M Spec Rear Spats, Original Nissan R33 M Spec Side Skirts, Original Nissan R33 GTR Boot Spoiler. Interior: Indigo-GT Twin A Pillar Gauge Panel, Dragon Gauges Boost and Oil Temp Gauge. Apexi Turbo Timer, Gizzmo MS-IBC, Razo Gear knob, Replaced Leather Handbrake and Gearshift Gaiters, dash carbon 3M wrapping.. Wheels / Tyres: 8.5x18” Alloys with Toyo T1R’s all round. Suspension: Monza F1-R Coilover Kit, Race Spec rear upper adjustable camber arms, Driftworks Front Adjustable Camber arms, Drift works Adjustable Tension Rods, Rear GTR Strut Brace.. Engine: HKS 1.6mm MLS Stopper Head-gasket, NGK Iridium 8 Plugs, Nissan Water Pump, Nissan Cam belt, Cometic Inlet Manifold Gasket, HKS Hi Power Silent Stainless exhaust including De-Cat. HKS SSQV 3, Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump, HDi GT Spec FMIC Kit, HKS Super Power Flow Filter, RSP Modified ECU, Custom RSP Remap @1.25 bar (432.4hp), RSP500 Clutch Kit (Exedy Stage 2 – Uprated pressure Plate.). |
N12 GTM's FUTUREWell with a car like this there will always be future plans, due to the economic climate and the cost of motoring these days, I decided to get the car off the road for a transformation before the next summer. I wanted to turn my 430hp daily driver into a track weapon / weekend toy. I'm sure a new website detailing the build process will surface at some point, but for now I will leave you with the parts list that I've brought in the last 4 - 6 months:
I'm sure there are various other bits I've missed off the list(Exterior modifications), but you will have to wait and see, I also have a bunch of styling products to go on the car, before the full respray and possible graphics wrap. |