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Feb 25, 2017

Nissan Skyline GT-R Service Manual in English - R32, R33, R34

Nissan Skyline GT-R Service Manual in English


If you are doing any work on a 1989-1994 Nissan Skyline GT-R, then this Nissan Service Manual in English should be your Bible. Tons of information on the systems in the car. Most of the information will also work to help you out with the 1995-1998 R33 GT-R, and the 1999-2002 R34 GT-R.


A/C Heating system troubleshooting

A/C Heating system troubleshooting


Buy USA Legal R32 Skylines at Importavehicle.com!


Feb 19, 2017

R32 GT-R vs R33 GT-R Key


Now this is minor, but it is a real thing.  Sorry if it doesn't interest you. This is like big time GT-R Nerd stuff. Patrick pointed it out to me one day, as I never noticed.

R32 key on the left. R33 key on the right
Notice the difference?  The GT on the R32 key is recessed. On the R33 key it is raised.  The OEM R32 key is a KEY00-00108. The R33 key is a KEY00-00185.  The R33 key is available though normal channels - like here -

Genuine Nissan OEM part Blank Master Key KEY00-00185 has been discontinued and has been replaced with Nissan Key, Blank Master KEY00-RHR30.

KEY00-00108 superseded by KEY00-00185
KEY00-00185 showing 95 up R33 GT-R


Buy USA Legal R32 Skylines at Importavehicle.com!
Buy-R.com for Nissan Skyline GT-R and GT-R parts.



What Oil Should I Use in My Transmission? What Fluid Should I Use in My Gearbox?



Nissan's recommendations on fluid types.

If the car is 100% stock, then the recommended fluid for the 5 speed transmission  is a GL4 75-90. If you have a modified car, then I don't recommend staying stock. 


Transmission fluid - Don't try and fill it though the gear shifter. Though the gear shifter is the transfer case . GL4 75-90 4.1 liters (4.3 quarts) for the FS5R30A or 5 speed. The Getrag uses 1.8 liters.

The Getrag uses Nissan part KLD40-00004 transmission fluid or oil


Same question, asked two different ways.  What fluid for your Nissan Skyline GT-R Gearbox. There are two main boxes, stock FS5R30A 5 speed, and the V160 Getrag.

The 6 speed uses specific fluid Nissan part number KLD40-00004 ,  08885-01306 from Toyota, or we have used Redline High Temp ATF, and Royal Purple ATF.

GL-4 gear oils are typically recommended for spur and helical gears found in manual transmissions and transaxles operating under moderate speeds and loads. GL-5 gear oils are typically recommended for hypoid gears in automotive axles operating under high-speed, high-load conditions


For a modified car with a heavily loaded transmission (R32 GT-R, R33 GT-R and the Stagea 260RS), the ONLY fluid we recommend, after 25 years of working on Nissan Skyline GT-R, is Redline Shockproof Heavy Gearoil.

Here is the reason.

3rd gear sheared on a FS5R30A transmission. These are early and late transmission. 
An all wheel drive car puts loads into transmissions, that a rear wheel drive car will just never see.  These gears are expected to transmit the power from the engine to the ground. In a rear wheel drive car you will always have some slippage, which is much less in an all wheel drive car.

Redline Shockproof Heavy
  • Film thickness greater than an SAE 75W250, yet low fluid friction like 75W90
  • For heavily-loaded racing differentials and transmissions, problem gearboxes
  • Unique lubricant with solid microscopic particles offers low drag/high protection
  • Relatively low viscosity, yet cushions gear teeth under extreme pressure
  • Helps to prevent tooth breakage, resists throw-off
Redline does not recommend Shockproof Heavy in a synchro trans due to its extreme slipperiness.
  • Not recommended for most synchro applications due to the product's extreme slipperiness





Here is a truth though. If you don't run it in a FS5R30A, your transmission gears (3rd gear) won't last long enough to care what happens to your synchros. About 90% of the people we talk to with synchro issues, once they put some Shockproof Heavy in the trans, the problems go away.  While this may be masking the issue, the reality is again, the gears in the trans will not outlast the synchros when run hard.  If you sit in a parking lot with the hood open, in a lawn chair, then run whatever fluid your "boy" recommends. However if you bang gears in a Nissan Skyline GT-R with any amount of power, Shockproof is the absolute best thing you can do to ensure a longer life for third gear.

Fs5R30A Transmission in a Nissan Skyline GT-R. Third gear is the 2nd gear from the top. Notice the mismatch of the two gears. 

We first came across Redline Shockproof Heavy Gearoil after breaking two 3rd gears in a 500hp R32 GT-R in a week.  While at Nissan North America, while they were still in Gardena, we spoke to Frank Honsowetz casually about our issue.  He mentioned in the Nissan race trucks, they used to break transmissions all the time over the jumps. Once they put Shockproof Heavy in the transmissions their failure rate went way down.

So we tried it. Once we started using it, our transmission failures decreased greatly. Not two in a week anymore. We still broke some transmissions, but the rate was much lower.

Onto years later, racing a front wheel drive car. We would break a trans every couple months of "normal" track use. More often depending on who was driving. In that car, we swapped out to Shockproof Heavy, and in a year of SCCA Pro racing, only broke one transmission, in two cars, in a thirteen race season.   While doing differential testing, the differential company asked us to use their fluid. First time out, we popped the transmission.  Switched the fluid back to Shockproof Heavy, and no further failures.

Any car that I run hard now, If I can use a gear oil in the transmission, the ONLY thing I will use is Shockproof. Any other fluid is setting myself up for failure. If I break it with Shockproof in it, then I need to have a look at those failures and fix them, before filling it up with Shockproof again.


Nissan Skyline GT-R Transmissions and Upgrades
How to Install a 6 Speed Getrag Transmission in an R32/R33
Push vs Pull Clutch



Buy USA Legal R32 Skylines at Importavehicle.com!
Buy-R.com for Nissan Skyline GT-R and GT-R parts.




Feb 18, 2017

R34 N1 Super Taikyu Engine Breakdown : What is Inside this Racing RB26

R34 Super Taikyu car. 
When we planned to race a Nissan Skyline GT-R in SCCA World Challenge GT back in 2006, we got a good amount of spares with the two cars.  Taking apart the RB26dett engines, we learned some things.  The NISMO built, Super Taikyu versions of the RB26 were a little bit special. At about $19,000 each, they came dynoed, with turbos, MAF, and ECU. Power was just a little north of 450 horsepower at the engine at about 1.1 kg/cm2 boost.

These pictures are about 11-12 years old now.  So nothing new or break through here. However we would like to show how NISMO does some things on the RB26. These are a few of the interesting things. Stay tuned for more later.  Someone sent us some pictures of the JGTC RB26, and those things are really interesting.

Notice the EGT sensors on each exhaust manifold

Super Taikyu cam cover baffle plate vs stock on the top

Extra fitting for catch can drain

Nissan Skyline GT-R Convertible


Nissan Skyline GT-R Convertible
We own this car. Saw it up for sale, and had to have it. We didn't build it, but it is a funny conversation piece.  One of our friends had it, and we ended up winning the bid on eBay.  It is a 240SX convertible, a S13. KA24DE powered with R32 GT-R look on the front and rear.  The car looks pretty funny parked next to our real R32 GT-R. We had some repair parts for it, as it looks good from far, but far from good, however the parts were destroyed in the fire we had last year. Front bumper, corner lights, and some interior bits. Plus some engine parts to put it back to near stock.

Some people have suggested RB swapping it, but where would be the fun in that? Its better to have this convertible LHD thing with the KA4LYF.




Toprank Importers specializes in importing and selling JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars. From Nissan Skylines to Toyota Chasers, vehicles over 25 years old are legal to import. In addition to JDM cars, we can also import cars from other countries, Show or Display vehicles, and race cars.

Financing Available http://toprankjdm.com/Finance  Nationwide Shipping Available Please contact us for details. 844-523-2233 or sales@importavehicle.com

All vehicles are As/Is No warranty. Imported vehicles can not be registered in http://toprankjdm.com/California California (http://toprankjdm.com/California) until brought into California compliance. Please check all local state laws for information on title and registration. 25 year old vehicles are exempt from FMVSS requirements. Vehicles over 21 years old are exempt from EPA compliance requirements for importation. 
Insurance for JDM/Imported Vehicles (http://toprankjdm.com/Insurance)
Right Hand Drive (RHD) http://toprankjdm.com/RHD
California legalization of imported vehicles (http://toprankjdm.com/California)
Parts and Maintenance for Nissan Skyline (http://toprankjdm.com/Parts

Find Your Car - Looking for a car we don’t have in stock? Looking at a car that will be legal in the future? We can help you find, buy, and legally import a vehicle to the USA. Learn more  http://toprankjdm.com/Find

When do these JDM vehicles start to turn 25 years old?
Japanese (JDM) cars turning 25 years old in 2023 and beyond (https://toprankjdm.com/2023)

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Oct 1997 = Oct 2022
Nissan Stagea 260RS Nov 1997 = Nov 2022
Mitsubishi Evolution V Jan 1998 = Jan 2023
Nissan Skyline R34(non GT-R) May 1998  May 2023
Nissan Silvia S15 Jan 1999 = Jan 2024
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34  - Jan 1999 = Jan 2024


How to Buy and Store an R34 GT-R in Japan until 2024 (http://toprankjdm.com/BuyR34)







Buy USA Legal R32 Skylines at Importavehicle.com!
Buy-R.com for Nissan Skyline GT-R and GT-R parts.

NISMO Parts for Nissan Skyline GT-R - R32


NISMO 16 inch wheels
OEM NISMO logo sticker for R32 GT-R


Old style NISMO logo

A couple of the NISMO parts that I have on my NISMO R32 GT-R.  These were not stock parts, rather aftermarket parts.   The old style squared off and triangle logo was used on the NISMO R32, and the 400R.


Old logo NISMO floor mats
NISMO steering wheel
NISMO dead pedal
NISMO seat vs normal seat
"NISMO, a short form of "Nissan Motorsports," is the performance brand for Nissan, and is one of the company's purveyors of innovation and excitement. NISMO offers products featuring innovative technology and high performance to a wide range of customers for street use. NISMO cars provide exciting driving experiences with motorsports-inspired aerodynamics and styling, enhanced handling characteristics and unmatched agility."

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/us-united-states-nissan-company-logos/photos/nismo-logo
NISMO triple meter for R32 GT-R. 1.2 kg/cm2 boost gauge

Feb 7, 2017

Nissan Skyline GT-R and Nissan GT-R Paint Color Codes

  
All* the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R colors at Toprank Importers

Here is a list of the paint codes, and some picture examples of each, that I could dig up.  Here are the color codes for the R32, R33, R34, and R35 GT-R. These include the special colors, and even the most frequently requested like Bayside Blue- TV2.












White or 326 Crystal White wasn't offered as an original color on the R32 until August 1991, however according to the data that GT-R Registry has, there were eight series one cars in white. These cars may have been test cars, or media cars, maybe very special orders?

However from August 1991 up, there were 8047 made, totaling 18% of the production run, 2nd most popular color overall.  Right behind the super not rare - KH2, or gunmetal grey.

If you are looking to buy or import a Nissan Skyline GT-R check out Toprank Importers, or Toprank Global




Bayside Blue (TV2) R32 GT-R. Not an original color for the R32. 


BCNR33

Feb 1, 2017

How Many MotoRex Nissan Skyline GT-R?


Mr. Kamil Nieznany asked the question about how many MotoRex R33 existed, here is the most complete answer we can come up with.  Updated 7/20/18 - added one R34 updated 1/8/19 added two R34 Updated 1/15/2020

For the first time, we actually went though our lists of chassis numbers and counted how many Nissan Skylines, and Skyline GT-R's were imported and federalized by MotoRex.  These two lists, while mostly complete are missing a few cars- probably around 20.  We have 111 chassis numbers on our two lists.



The most popular car during MotoRex's time was the R33 GT-R.  The R33's were produced from 1995 to 1998, with an early, middle, and late configuration.  We show 62 R33, all models, with the majority being GT-R.  The actual number is probably around 65-70 including a couple cars from G&K, JK, and US Specs.



The next most popular car imported by MotoRex under VCP-17 was the R32 GT-R.  The 1989-1991 R32 GT-R are now over 25 years old, and legal to be imported to the US, exempt from FMVSS requirements.  The R32 GT-R were produced 1989-1994.  MotoRex imported around 34 all model R32 according to our chassis number lists.  Total federalized for the USA, was probably near 40 on the R32.



That leaves the R34 Nissan Skyline GTR, which was produced 1999 to 2002. There were 14 R34 GT-R federalized by MotoRex according to our lists. A few more have shown up over the last few years

R32 ~34 cars
R33 ~62 cars
R34 ~15 cars
Total of about 111, although we have heard the actual number was about 120 cars.



Buy USA Legal R32 Skylines at Importavehicle.com!
Buy-R.com for Nissan Skyline GT-R and GT-R parts.