Latest Nissan Skyline Tuning options.

"The Skyline is the limit"

In this article we will take an overview of the Skyline range and look at the differences between them.

For specific tuning tips please join us in the forum and chat with our growing number of Skyline owners about the tuning potential for your model.

The R-series indicates generation, R32 was 1989-1994, R33 was 1994-1998 and R34 was 1998-2002.

The main differences between the generations are visual, although engine, drivetrain, suspension, interior, etc received updates as well.

Generally speaking the newer the model the greater the tuning potential.

Some of our members have added large turbos and used an RB30 block to achieve immense power figures. Otherwise you can buy a 3.0-litre kit from OS Giken, or just satisfy yourself with a bore an stroke upgrade from either HKS (2.8), Tomei (2.8), JUN (2.7 ) or GReddy/Trust (2.7). Water injection will also keep the reliability of the engine in high boost applications.

As far as Nissan Skyline tuning goes you really need to decide what you want from the car. Although it is possible to create an all rounder you will do better setting the car up for a specific situation. We have a stunning example of a stripped out Drag racing Skyline and another setup with trackdays in mind.

If you cut corners in your tuning project you will certainly regret it later. Over enthusiastic boost settings will often burn the piston rings and it is easy to forget how specialised these high performance engines are.

In this article we will take an overview of the Skyline range and look at the differences between them. For specific tuning tips please join us in the forum and chat with our growing number of Skyline owners about the tuning potential.

The engine designations indicate the cc so the RB25 is 2500cc and the RB26 is 2600cc. With a stroker kit and a rebore you can increase the cylinder capacity of the engine.

All cars sporting the GTR badge are 4WD unless converted, including the R32.

There are many different models within each generation, the most common ones being:

R32 GTS-T
Powered by a RB20DET (2.0-litres, 24V I6, single turbocharger) making 216 hp. 4WS and RWD with 5-speed manual gearbox.

R32 GTR ('89-'94), V-spec, V-spec II, V-spec N1
Powered by a RB26DETT (2.6-litres, 24V I6, twin turbochargers) making 280 hp. 4WS and 4WD with 5-speed manual gearbox.

R33 GTS-25T ('94-'98)
Powered by a RB25DET (2.5-litres, 24V I6, single turbocharger) making 250 hp. 4WS and RWD with 5-speed manual gearbox. See our R33 GTS Tuning project review.

R33 GTR ('95-'98), V-spec, V-spec N1
Powered by a RB26DETT (2.6-litres, 24V I6, twin turbochargers) making 302 hp. 4WS and 4WD with 5-speed manual gearbox.

R34 GTT ('98-02)
Powered by a RB25DET NEO (2.5-litres, 24V I6, single turbocharger) making 280 hp. 4WS and RWD with 5-speed automatic transmission.

R34 GTR ('99-'02), V-spec, V-spec II, V-spec II Nür, M-spec, M-spec Nür, V-spec N1
Powered by a RB26DETT (2.6-litres, 24V I6, twin turbochargers) making 320 hp. 4WS and 4WD with 6-speed manual gearbox.

All four generations have the circular tail lights. These are equal size on R32's and R33's, with the outer light being bigger on R34's. On the R32's the rear turning indicators are mounted between the tail lights in each pair, on the R33's they are mounted below and on R34's they are inside the inner tail lights.

Nissan supplied no new cars in the UK. An agent of theirs, Middlehurst, supplied 100 R33 GTR's and 80 R34 GTR's loaded with extra equipment such as leather interior, extra oil and fluid coolers, etc. All other cars are imports to the UK.

The Nur Spec models have forged pistons and are considered the ultimate Skyline for tuning up.

The N1's are basically the pure racing versions, and the Nür-models basically inherited their engines. This means uprated oil pump, water pump, engine block, pistons, conrods, crankshaft and turbochargers.

The N1 engines are basically more efficient and reliable than the regular engines, but they can take about the same power - except the turbochargers (which have steel internals instead of ceramic) and the block itself.

The Nür ones are the ones usually considered the most desirable since they have better spec in standard version and they were manufactured in limited series (750 examples of V-spec II Nür and 250 examples of M-spec Nür). No wonder, they're also the most expensive examples and hardest to come across.

There are other characteristics that differ between the various models of the R34 GTR, but one could say that the Nürs are basically regular V-spec II's and M-spec's equipped with N1 engines.

When buying a Skyline beware of molested examples. Sadly many are badly modified and sold just before major work is required. If well looked after, the Skyline is very reliable and can tolerate extensive tuning before you need to upgrade the internals.

The range of tuning parts is phenomenal. Focus first of all on the handling and braking. Then research the turbo upgrade options, internal engine mods like porting, gas flowing etc. Fast road cams, induction kits and sports exhaust all add to the power gain and the final step should be a remap with a boost controller and uprated diverter/wastegate control.

So which are the best models for tuning?

First off, TorqueCars wouldn't consider any other model than a GTR if we wanted to do some serious tuning to the engine. As for generation it's a little bit trickier... Many consider the R34 GTR the best car to start with, but with an engine from a R32 GTR.

The engine blocks used in the R32 are stronger than the ones in the two latter models. It is worth noting that the R34's have a better base engine, but if you're going to tune it you'll replace all the updated parts sooner or later in any case.

The RB26DETT have very strong internals, and usually it's not power that kills them. The engine is quite sensitive to vibrations, which cause the oil pump to malfunction and you will be looking at replacing your bearings before long. Another weak point is the bolts for conrods and pistons.

A Danish guy ran an excess of 700 PS @ flywheel with redline at 9.000 rpm during a whole season - including track days and drag strip events - with basically standard internals. He had just upgraded bolts, bearings and crank damper pulley.

Now were just talking about a fairly reliable engine here. There are rumours about some crazy Australians running more than 800 PS @ flywheel with completely standard bottom end, but then the engine will not last long, especially if it is driven hard.

Most people satisfy themselves with 550-600 PS @ flywheel, and as long as the tune is good and you're somewhat moderate with revs, it should hold pretty good. One of our members told us about a guy who ran his R32 GTR three seasons with 550 PS, and when something finally broke, it wasn't the engine internals but the gearbox!

For a fast road car TorqueCars would suggest you keep the power figure to around 550 bhp. We know some of our members have switchable remaps allowing them a fast road and track day settings and this seems to work very well indeed.

Join us in our Nissan Skyline forum to discuss tuning options in more detail.

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This article is flagged for an update, so please pass on specific tips below that I can include. All articles, and content was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder. Some outlines are just too general so I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. This entry was filed under Nissan. You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members.

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