[cmeisenzahl]

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=103372
"Supercar Tuner: Top Secret Nissan Skyline GT-R
Performance Reaching to the Sky: Craving power, handling
DINO DALLE CARBONARE
Published Date: 10/24/05

For a car that was officially sold only in Japan, Nissan’s Skyline GT-R has enjoyed an unprecedented global cult following.

It started back in 1970 when the first version of the Skyline was built. Known as Hakosuka (hako is “box” in Japanese, suka is short for “Skyline”) for its boxy, four-door design, the GT-R was solid fun if not an overwhelming performer, with a 2.0-liter straight-six good for 160 hp. A two-door follow­ed, then a few years later a sportback, of which only 197 were made.

There was a gap in Skyline production, then in 1989 Nissan put the GT-R badge on a Skyline once again with introduction of the BNR32. That’s when the fun really started.

The new-generation GT-R packed an advanced variable awd system and a rev-happy twin-turbo straight-six, a combination that made for a very successful race car. The BCNR33 model came in 1995, then the final incarnation, the BNR34 you see here, in 1999. The latter is the car everyone lusts after, not for its puny 280 horses, but for the potential the motor has to make big power.

You see, the 2.6-liter straight-six was slightly over-engineered by Nissan, as it had to serve as the basis for race engines running high boost levels and power outputs in the region of 550 hp. So the Nissan guys didn’t take any chances; they made it almost bulletproof.

Tuners drooled.

Enter Top Secret. One of the better known aftermarket tuners in Japan, Top Secret has a reputation for high-power tuning and for building successful drag, race and drift cars. The two Skylines featured here, both 1999 cars, are fully tuned by the master himself, Mr. Nagata, owner of Top Secret.

The BNR34s are similar in specification, but one runs a single-turbo conversion, the other, a twin-turbo setup.

Even if the stock engine block is plenty strong, Top Secret starts fresh on an N1 racing block with thicker cylinder walls, a perfect base for high-boost applications. Both engines are bored and stroked to 2.8 liters while extensive work goes into the head, assuring the best possible performance at high rpm. After all, both these cars pull in excess of 9500 rpm.

<b>The single-turbo conversion is the more civilized of the two, developing a mighty 650 hp with buckets of torque (470 lb-ft). But for the full monty, you have to sample what a twin-turbo 800-hp setup feels like on the road (it makes 560 lb-ft of torque).</b>

Forget your Ferrari Enzos and Porsche Carrera GTs. In a straight line there aren’t many cars that can keep up with the acceleration fury a modified Skyline of this caliber unleashes. Figure around 3.0 to 3.5-second 0-to-60-mph times.

Still, it’s not all about straight-line speed. The Skyline GT-R has been a successful race car due to its advanced awd, which sends torque to the front wheels only when needed. Around the twisty stuff these GT-Rs feel like rwd cars and—thanks to the aftermarket suspension—grip and adjustability are near-amazing. Traction is another area where Skylines win hands down. Not many cars can put so much power down when exiting corners.
Which leads us to wonder how Nissan can top the BNR34. Everyone is curious as to what the new GT-R will look like and how it will perform. With a 2007 release imminent and a high probability the new car will make it to the United States, the upcoming GT-R prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show is the most eagerly anticipated iteration yet."

[Doofy]

A friend has three of them (a GT-4, a GT-S, a GT-R), one pumped to around 600 bhp.
They're reasonable.

The BCNR33 model came in 1995, then the final incarnation, the BNR34 you see here, in 1999. The latter is the car everyone lusts after, not for its puny 280 horses, but for the potential the motor has to make big power.

Not quite true. Everyone tends to lust after the R33 because it handles better than the R34. You can get the same amount of power out of it as the R34, no problem.

[Railroader]

The Chevy Cobalt beat it in the Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge.

Full article:http://www.northpeel.com/br/wheels/s...-3604808c.html

Cobalt SS Supercharged wins Tuner Challenge
ROBINSON/BEINTEMA

Timing is everything, and the timing of the new Cobalt SS Supercharged's introduction couldn't be better.

As Chevy's new sport compact performance car debuts in dealer showrooms, it already has a record-setting pedigree. Driver John Heinricy piloted a race-prepared Cobalt SS Supercharged on a challenging road course at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, besting both the legendary Nissan Skyline and the new Volkswagen Jetta by more than seven seconds.

The Cobalt SS, which is based on Chevy's new factory-built front-wheel-drive Super Sport, posted a time of 1:58 around Buttonwillow's #13 track configuration, which was fast enough to eclipse the marks set by the All-Wheel-Drive, twin-turbo Skyline (2:05) and the nitrous-charged Jetta (2:07).

A television crew from Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge was on hand to direct the day's competition at the track. The Street Tuner Challenge chose three vehicles representing North America (Chevrolet Cobalt SS), Europe (Volkswagen Jetta) and Asia (Nissan Skyline) and followed each team throughout a 13 week build competition.

The GM Performance Division in collaboration with Chevrolet, GM Powertrain, GM Performance Parts, and GM Design led the Chevy program.

Powell Motorsports, in Blackstock, Ont., provided vehicle preparation and logistical support for the successful assault on the time attack.

The final time attack race served as the build completion and the culmination of Speed Channel's taping.

[CMYKid]

I laughed at 'Jetta'. Then I read 'nitrous' and the whole thing became even more ridiculous.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Railroader

The Chevy Cobalt beat it in the Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge.

Bear in mind that the Skyline is probably twice the size of that Chevy, so on a small or narrow track it wouldn't have a chance against something like that Cobalt - Skylines tend to like their road space.

[teknopimp]

it's just what the world needs right now.

[smacintush]

It's ugly.

[turtle777]

$ 20.

-t

[Doofy]

Commies.

[Mastrap]

Who?

[Nexus5]

Its ugly, ridiculous and totaly useless in an country where you have to drive this car at an maximum speed of 60 mph.

nexus5.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Nexus5

Its ugly, ridiculous and totaly useless in an country where you have to drive this car at an maximum speed of 60 mph.

Which is why Nissan never bothered to make them in LHD.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Nexus5

Its ugly, ridiculous and totaly useless in an country where you have to drive this car at an maximum speed of 60 mph.

nexus5.

What country is that?

In the Michigan (USofA) we have a top speed limit of 70 MPH.

[euchomai]

Originally Posted by Railroader

What country is that?

In the Michigan (USofA) we have a top speed limit of 70 MPH.

I got some 75 mph highways in Oklahoma, quite a bit faster than the 60 the other guy is speaking about too. 70 is the most common though on the majority of the highways.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by euchomai

I got some 75 mph highways in Oklahoma, quite a bit faster than the 60 the other guy is speaking about too. 70 is the most common though on the majority of the highways.

Now that I think about it, we might have some 75 MPH limit highways too.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Now that I think about it, we might have some 75 MPH limit highways too.

How fast have you gone in your trains?

P.S. do trains with racing stripes go any faster than regular trains?

P.P.S. sometimes I think you don't like me. You better do something about that, you wouldn't want to give the wrong impression. I suggest paying me a compliment, or perhaps putting on some sort of public display of affection.

[OldManMac]

There are no 75mph roads in MI. Only 11 states have speeds faster than 70, and they're all only 5mph faster.

http://www.motorists.com/issues/speed/StateSpeeds.html

[Tesseract]

Originally Posted by KarlG

There are no 75mph roads in MI. Only 11 states have speeds faster than 70, and they're all only 5mph faster.

http://www.motorists.com/issues/speed/StateSpeeds.html

I seem to remember a stretch of highway in Montana with speed limit at least 80 ... maybe my memory deceives me? Or was this changed within the last 5 years or so?

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by besson3c

How fast have you gone in your trains?

P.S. do trains with racing stripes go any faster than regular trains?

P.P.S. sometimes I think you don't like me. You better do something about that, you wouldn't want to give the wrong impression. I suggest paying me a compliment, or perhaps putting on some sort of public display of affection.

Uhhh... you're the one following me around. I think you have things quite backwards. Seek therapy.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Tesseract

I seem to remember a stretch of highway in Montana with speed limit at least 80 ... maybe my memory deceives me? Or was this changed within the last 5 years or so?

Wasn't it "safe and prudent" or something like that with no actual posted speed limit in rural areas?

Originally Posted by KarlG

There are no 75mph roads in MI. Only 11 states have speeds faster than 70, and they're all only 5mph faster.

http://www.motorists.com/issues/speed/StateSpeeds.html

Thanks for the info! My memory was bad.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by besson3c

P.S. do trains with racing stripes go any faster than regular trains?

Only if those stripes come on it from the factory. It realisticly ads 10hp.

Stripes added on afterward don't do anything.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by besson3c

P.S. do trains with racing stripes go any faster than regular trains?

Only if those stripes come on it from the factory. It realisticly ads 10hp.

Stripes added on afterward don't do anything.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by besson3c

P.S. do trains with racing stripes go any faster than regular trains?

Only if those stripes come on it from the factory. It realisticly ads 10hp.

Stripes added on afterward don't do anything.

[besson3c]

Guys,

I think Railroader hates me.

[besson3c]

Guys,

I think Railroader hates me.

[nredman]

Originally Posted by besson3c

Guys,

I think Railroader hates me.

doesn't everyone just kidding

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by besson3c

Guys,

I think Railroader hates me.

Nope. Turn that frown upside down.

What I hate is your constant attempts to derail threads and your sad attempts at humor.

But I don't hate nobody.

ps. there are girls here too.