There are plenty of Skyline GT-Rs that run fast times at the drags and on the
race circuit. But get up close to some of ‘em and you’ll be shocked how rough
they are – shoddy aftermarket workmanship, add-on bits’n’pieces that don’t fit
properly, tired paint and sometimes rust...
Well, if there’s one thing you can be certain of, it’s that Derek Pingel’s R33 GT-R
V-spec is an absolute show stopper. This baby will run as fast through the
twisties as any other GT-R and is presented in what can only be described as
‘better than new’ condition.
And that’s no surprise given it’s been so lovingly cared for and has
travelled only 24,000km since new!
Derek purchased this R33 V-spec a few years ago with just 7000km travelled in
Japan. It was
as close to brand-new as you could get and, being current model at the time,
Derek paid a substantial AUD$90,000 for the beast.
The car arrived in
Australia without
a scratch and, once ADR’d, Derek was free to hit the road in his new Japanese
supercar. The previous owner had already installed a 90mm cat-back Trust exhaust
system to let the RB26DETT breathe but it wasn’t long before Derek had offloaded
the car at a friend’s place for some further tweaking.
We’re not talking about your average friend here – we’re talking about Mark
Motson of Motson’s Turbo and Suspension in
Brisbane!
Mark released intake restriction with a pair of K&N pod filters on cast
alloy adaptor pipes and whacked on a pair of AVO roller-bearing turbos rated at
350hp each. These turbines bolt to a pair of AVO high-flow dump pipes, which
merge into the existing 90mm exhaust system.
The standard ECU won’t allow maximum performance to be extracted from these
mods so Mark converted to a Link plug-in computer complete with electronic boost
control. With the Link set to deliver up to 1.4 Bar (20.5 psi) of boost there’s
some serious charge-air heat generated. Thankfully, there’s an AVO upgrade
intercooler – a unit which is renowned for its cooling capacity. An intercooler
spray kit is also fitted just to be sure the engine receives nice, cool air.
Engine life is ensured by an AVO oil/air separator and oil cooler kit, complete
with braided lines.
With these mods, Mark Motson estimates the RB motor is making somewhere under
600hp (448kW). Serious grunt! At this power level the standard injectors and
pump are running absolutely flat-strap. A Malpassi rising rate fuel pressure reg
is the only change to the Nissan fuel system.
The electronic-controlled ATESSA AWD driveline remains factory except for a
heavy-duty clutch by Motson’s.
Derek is an experienced open-wheel race driver and knows there’s a lot more
to making a fast car than cranking up the power output.
The already secure handling of the R33 V-spec (which is less oversteery than
the R32) has been fine tuned with Tein lowered springs, which we’re told are
relatively compliant by Japanese standards. This compliance helps the tyres
stick on rough road surfaces and gives progressive handling characteristics.
Interestingly, the standard HICAS rear-steer system has been removed to
eliminate the twitchy feel that previously existed at high speed. Cornering grip
is improved by running 3 ½ degrees of negative camber at the front and 2 ½
degrees neg at the rear. Note that Mark Motson custom fabricated the camber kits
for each end.
Sticky tyres make a world of difference to on-track times so it’s no surprise
to see 255/40 DOT approved Bridgestone RE540S at each corner. There are mounted
on 17 inch Racing Hart alloys. Behind the rims you’ll find the standard V-spec
Brembo calipers with Endless NA-Y pads. These pads provide a noticeable
improvement in stopping performance and are relatively low dust.
Not that you’ll find a speck of dust anywhere...
Take a close look at the photos to appreciate the condition of this GT-R.
When we arrived for our photo shoot the car was stored in an inflatable ‘bubble
capsule’ which prevents dust settling on the body. Oh, and it also stops anyone
peering through the windows with grubby hands...The blemish-free body is standard
fare with the addition of a N1 front lip.
Inside, Derek has given the car Nizmo instruments (including a 320 km/h
speedo), twin fire extinguishers and a battery isolator. The standard
wrap-around sports seats prove fine for street/street sprint duties.
The car has been thrown into a few Queensland
streetsprint events and there was no problem taking
outright honours in three or four of them... Unfortunately, it’s hard to relax when
you’re behind the wheel – the sheer monetary value of the car means it’s
difficult to really ‘cut loose’. These days, both Derek and Mark pedal a
built-for-street-sprint Ford Escort (which will be covered in an up-coming
article). The Skyline now lives in its bubble capsule!
And that, readers, is why this magnificent GT-R is being offered for
sale.
At AUD$70,000 you’ll need to do better than trade-in your rusty VB Commodore,
but think of it this way – you’ll be paying about half what it owes the current owner...
Do you want a pig or do you want perfection?
Contact:
Motson’s Turbo and Suspension
+61 7 3277 7766
http://www.motsons.com.au/
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