Latest News

Jun 28, 2018

R's Day 2018 : Auto Club Speedway in Fontana : Bluecar Prep


R's Day 2018 is coming to Fontana - Auto Club Speedway on October 6th, 2018.  http://www.rsdayusa.com/

2017 - SpeedHunters


Once again, the plan is to take the Bluecar out.  Since last year, we have been working on a few things for the car. It went to Hoonigan Donut Garage, but other than that just has a few street miles on it.

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

Doing some light changes. Part of it is done, some parts need to be worked on. 1250cc long nose injectors are in. Have a stock fuel rail that will have to go out to Alex Rodriguez to modify for a -8 feed and return. Have to figure out what fuel pumps I am going to run in this car. The NISMO has Frenchy's, but this car will probably go with some Walboros I bought before I purchased the Frenchy's setup.  Nistune with Flex fuel board is in. Need to install Innovate ECB-1.  Then switch the intake setup around a bit. Nissan/R35 MAF in HPI adaptors connected to the stock airbox.   Have some new suspension that hopefully gets here and installed in time.  Should make the car a little more compliant on the street.

Jun 27, 2018

R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R Buyers Guide: 1995 to 1998 : BCNR33

USA and California legal MotoRex R33 GT-R. 

The R33 GT-R debuted in 1995, and is probably the most popular body style in the US. Well at least it was back in 1998 until the R34 debuted for 1999. It's a larger, heavier car than the R32. The biggest GT-R, it is a bit of an odd one out. It is reported to be the first production car to run under 8 minutes at the Nurburgring, but I honestly do not believe that claim. 

The R32 and R34 use chassis code BNR.  The R33 uses chassis code BCNR. 

First off familiarize yourself with some Skyline GT-R Basics

RB26DETT Myths and Truths   | Advanced Notes | importavehicle.com | Buy-R.com | Maintenance Requirements for RB26DETT/R33 | R32 GT-R Service Manual in English | Setting Ignition Timing Super Hicas | ATTESA | Air Conditioning | Non GT-R Skylines


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

Early R33 with 97 up headlights and Nismo Wheels
From 1995-1998 there were 16,674 R33 GT-R's produced. About 1/3 the number of R32's.  There are three distinct versions of the R33. The Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3.   Series 1 are 1995. Series 2 are 1996. Series 3 are 1997-1998. 

The R33's RB26 had a few changes from the R32 engine, but overall near the same. It ran a little more boost. You would see about 11-12 psi peak. 

Series 1 Normal -5050
Series 1 Vspec - 4095
Series 2 Normal - 2291
Series 2 Vspec - 1203
Series 3 Normal - 1958
Series 3 Vspec - 1270
GT-R LM - 86
GT-R LM Vspec- 102
Total N1- 86
Autech GT-R - 416
Vspec (GB version) - 103

GT-R Magazine Registrations
1995- 8446
1996- 4093
1997-2708
1998 -1175

Last R33's, chassis number and colors
Normal     BCNR33-043740(11-9-98) QM1
Vspec       BCNR33-043743(11-9-98) KH3
Vspec N1 BCNR33-043012(2-20-98) QM1

R33 air inlet to the stock airbox.
Engine and Transmission

The R33 used a carry over version of Nissan's RB inline 6 cylinder engine powered the car. Iron block, aluminum dual overhead cam head. Sodium filled exhaust valves. Solid lifters. Six throttle bodies. Twin turbo. Oil cooled pistons. 73.7mm stroke with an 86 mm piston giving the RB26 2568cc of displacement. Short stroke, low torque, high revving. Stock most of the engines had ceramic exhaust wheels on the turbochargers, and saw about 0.8 bar of boost(500 mmHG, 11-12psi).

Behind the RB26DETT sat a 5 speed transmission, with internals shared with the Fairlady(300ZX). On the back of the transmission was the ATTESA transfercase, or the all wheel drive magic.

Fluids

Engine Oil - 10-30 for a street car, 10-60 for a street track, 15-50 on a track car - 4.5 liters
Oil Filter - OEM 15208-60U00 OEM R32  AY100-NS007  K & N HP-2008 MOBIL M1-208 
WIX 51361 OEM(R34, smaller filter) 15208-9E000
Cooling System - Approximately 9 liters. Gycol or Water?  Depends where you live.
Front Differential (F160) - GL5 85-90 1 liter - (1 quart)
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)
Transfer Case - Nissan Automatic Fluid Type D 1.8 liters (1.9 quarts)
Rear Differential(R200) - LSD GL5 80-90 1.5 liter(1.5 quarts)


Engine Lubrication and Cooling Fluid Capacities for R33 Nissan Skyline

Engine Oil Capacity (quarts)
Item RB20E/RB25DE RB25DET RB26DETT
H Level 4.2 4.3 4.8
L Level 3.2 3.5 3.7
Oil and Filter Change ~ 4.4 ~4.8 ~4.9

Coolant Capacity (liters)
RB20/RB25DE/RB25DET RB26DETT
Capacity ~9 ~9.2

Engine Oil Pressure(kg/cm2, psi)
RPM Idling 2000 6000
RB20E ~1.0, 14 ~3.8,54 ~4.8,68
RB25DE ~1.0, 14 ~3.3,47 ~5.3,75
RB25DET ~1.0, 14 ~3.5,50 ~5.6,85
RB26DETT ~1.5, 21 ~3.0,43 ~4.6,65

  • Std Brembo R32/R33/R34 rotors are 324 x 30 mm front
  • Std Brembo R32/R33/R34 rotors are 300 x 22 mm rear
  • Vspec N1 Brembo R34 rotors are 322 x 22 mm rear

 

  Turbos


Missing ceramic exhaust wheel


The turbos on the R33 are the same/similar to the ones fitted to the R32 GT-R. That means ceramic exhaust wheels, and fragile at high boost or if you knock on the engine. 



Specifications R32 vs R33 vs R33 vs R34




Car
R32 GT-R (early)
R33 GT-R (normal)
R34 GT-R (normal)
R35 GT-R (early)
Length
4545 mm (178.9 in)
4675 mm (184.1 in)
4600 mm (181.1 in)
4650 mm (183.1 in)
Width
1755 mm (69.1 in)
1780 mm (70.1 in)
1785 mm (70.3)
1900 mm (74.9 in)
Height
1340 mm (52.8 in)
1360 mm (53.5 in)
1360 mm (53.5 in)
1370 mm (54 in)
Weight
1480 kg (3265 lbs)
1530 kg (3373 lbs)
1540 kg (3395 lbs)
1737 kg (3829 lbs)
Wheelbase
2615 mm (103 in)
2720 mm (107.1 in)
2665 mm(104.9 in)
2780 mm (109.4 in)
Front track
1480 mm (58.3 in)
1480 mm (58.3 in)
1480 mm (58.3 in)
1590 mm (62.9 in)
Rear track
1480 mm (58.3 in)
1480 mm (58.3 in)
1490 mm (58.7 in)
1600 mm (63 in)

Vspec vs Normal GT-R R33 GT-R
Vspec Rear differential R33/R34 GT-R
R33/R34 A-LSD rear differential components

Vspec or victory specification debuted in the R32 GT-R in 1993, and ran through 1994.  The Vspec II debuted in 1994. In the R32 that meant Brembo brakes, 17 inch wheels, stiffer suspension, some ATTESA reprogramming. Other than those parts, the engine, transmission were all the same. No power advantages, all braking and handling advantages.   In the R33, Nissan introduced an active rear differential (A-LSD) in the Vspec versions of the R33 GT-R.  This active rear differential works by locking the rear differential upon throttle application. If your foot is off throttle, the differential is open, making turning a little easier. As you start to put the power down, the differentially progressively locks.  We have seen some people say that the Vspec can vector torque, which it can not. It is just a lockup.

R33/R34 A-LSD circuit diagram


Along with the rear differential upgrade, the Vspec got ATTESA Pro, stiffer suspension. No power or braking upgrades on the R33 GT-R.  All the R33 GT-R got Brembo brakes front and rear.

Interior Differences

Steering wheel
R33 early steering wheel. 1995. Looks like a pillow

1996 up R33 Steering wheel shape. Looks much better than the pillow



First Date of Production

  • 1st model 1-6-1995
  • Vspec 1-6-1995
  • 2nd model 1-22-1996
  • LM Limited5-21-1996
  • 3rd model 2-3-1997
  • Autech 40th Anniversary12-8-1997
  • Last regular R33 - BCNR33-043740 (QM1 ) 11-9-1998
  • Last Vspec R33 - BCNR33-043743 (KH3) 11-9-1998
  • Last Vspec R33 N1- BCNR33-043012 (QM1) 2-20-1998


Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 prices when new

 1-6-95
  • GT-R    4,7850,000 yen
  • Vspec   5,290,000  yen
  • N1        5,990,000 yen 
 1-22-96
  • GT-R    4,825,000 yen
  • Vspec   5,330,000  yen
  • N1        5,990,000 yen 
 5-21-96
  • LM Limited    4,998,000 yen
  • Vspec LM Limited   5,503,000  yen
 2-3-97
  • GT-R        4,885,000 yen
  • Vspec       5,390,000 yen
  • N1            5,998,000 yen
12-8-97  
  • 4 door Sedan  4,985,000 yen


Colors
BCNR33
#AN0 - Super Clear Red
#BN6 - Deep Marine Blue
#KH3 - Black
#KL0 - Spark Silver
#KN6 - Dark Grey Pearl
#LP2 - Midnight Purple
#QM1 - White
#BT2 - Champion Blue (Le Mans)
#KP4 - Sonic Silver
#AR1 - Super Clear Red II
Total built by color at GT-R Registry


Suspension and Alignment settings for Nissan Skyline GT-R. R32, R33, and R34. 

R32 GT-R Specifications and Production Information

R33 GT-R Specifications and Production Information
R34 GT-R Specifications and Production Information
RB26DETT Information
ATTESA Information




How to bleed the Nissan Skyline GT-R ATTESA - all wheel drive system

Buy USA legal Nissan Skyline GT-R at importavehicle.com


ATTESA is the all wheel drive system in the Nissan Skyline GT-R.  Hicas is the rear steering. We can't say how many times a week we see people confusing these two different systems.

The ATTESA system is also several different parts. There is a control side, and the actual transfer case. The fluids in the control side, and the transfer are separate. Nissan says Nissan special power steering fluid in the control side, and Nissan Fluid Type D in the transfer case.  (We normally use Redline High Temp ATF in both systems.)

Nissan Skyline GT-R Fluids


 
In order to get the best performance out of the ATTESA system, it should be bled. Often after a clutch swap, it is not bleed correctly.




  • Locate oil reservoir in trunk and check level. The top line is the full mark. This one is above the high mark.

  • Locate air bleed connector. In an R34 its in a panel under the dash. In and R32/R33 its in the drivers side kickpanel. Connect and disconnect this wire to run the ATTESA pump.

  • Under the car on the transfer case, below the driveshaft, above the line going to the transfer case is a 10mm bleeder screw.

  • Open and close the air bleeder to bleed air out of the system,while connecting and disconnecting the air bleed connector.



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






Jun 26, 2018

Blue Information Plate on Nissan Skyline GT-R


A while back I noticed a car we had, had a additional 3 digit code on the blue information plate on the firewall.  I asked Mark over at GT-R Registry if he knew more about the code.

Facebook post

"On a small percentage of R32 plates, there is an additional 3 digit number next to the Trim code. In the sample it is 203 and the model code is KBNR32RXFSLMAA which means standard (no rear wiper). However as you can see there is a rear wiper (not the best example as the wiper itself has been removed but you can see that there was a wiper there). The reason is because of the 3 digit number, called the personal code.
For series 1 cars, if the first digit is 2 it is audioless (no factory stereo), middle digit is always 0 and for third digit, 2 = fender mirrors (pictured), 3 = rear wiper (as per our example) and 4 = fender mirrors and rear wiper.
For series 2 and 3 cars, if the first digit is 2, it is audioless, second digit is always 0 and third digit could be 1 for electric mirrors or 2 for fender mirrors.
Because this data doesn't appear to be stored in Nissan FAST, it is not available on GTR-Registry.com. It also means that the number of cars without a rear wiper from factory cannot be accurately counted and therefor I have updated the Option code statistics page as well: http://gtr-registry.com/en-bnr32-vin-table.php…"



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




Jun 25, 2018

7.00 @ 199 mph. KingR32 : So Close to 6's



R35's have done it. So far no other all wheel drive car has run a 6 second, all wheel drive pass. However KingR32 from Maatouks Racing in Australia is knocking right on the door. With a 7.00@199 mph pass this last weekend.   Good luck boys, 0.1 and 1 mph for 6's at 200 mph.


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




Jun 19, 2018

Lost Nissan Skylines, A $335,000 Lawsuit, An Empty Warehouse: Has A Well-Known JDM Importer Skipped Town?



We can warn people until we are blue in the face. We can tell them to watch out for Florida, and Florida based importers and cars, but again and again, the same things happen.  Jalopnik writes an article on Steve McCarty and Rivsu Imports.

The allegations against Rivsu come at a precarious time for America’s import scene. For years many of the most desirable Japanese imports were totally illegal to import, barred (with a few exceptions) by our archaic 25-Year Import Rule. It helps explain why this scene is so private, so reliant on word-of-mouth communications, so willing to give a long leash to businesses running with very little communication. The complex legalities and expensive nature of importing lended to the scene a lot of sketchy businesses, fraudsters, outright liars and fly-by-night shops.

Four years ago we warned people about their business actions. When we pointed out they didn't have a dealer license, they went dark for a few months, and came back with one. Then they went through a revolving door of suppliers of cars.  No inventory, trying to sell and store cars that were not legal for years.  They basically had no clue on how to run a car importing business, and this proves it.

Watch out for clueless importers!



Back in 2011 Steve had his illegally imported R33 seized by ICE.  At that time, he asked us for advice, which he failed to heed.  Since he had his car seized, we called him and "his boys" idiots. They didn't like that much.  Years later, Steve tried to deny ever asking for my help. Screenshots even existed in 2011, Steve.



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

The next shitstorm is the Midnight Purple R34 GT-R's that are currently tied up at JK. The owners of the vehicles as far as we know, have the title documents to the cars. However money is owed to JK, and based on passed experiences with JK, they may never actually get the OBD II working on the cars.  We have a functioning system that we are currently in the final stages of testing. Our prices aren't cheap. We don't give things away. We plan on being in business a while.

Functioning OBD II on an R34 GT-R. 
As they say, those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.  Too many illegal car importers out there in Florida, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere that will get that hard life lesson soon enough.




Transfer case Internal Parts R32, R33, R34 GT-R. How the ATTESA System Works to Split Power

R32 GT-R ATTESA system Transfer case internals

Transfer Assembly 33100-23U00 (Alt 33100-05U00)
Chain- Front Drive, transfer 33152-05U00
Shaft-Drive, Center - 33120-05U25 (Alt 33120-05U00)
Hub Assy- Clutch, transfer - 31550-23U00 (Alt 31550-05U00)
Shaft-Drive, front - 33151-1P400 (Alt 33151-05U00)
Pump Assy-Oil, transfer 31340-05U02 (Alt 31340-05U01)
Plate assy-drive, transfer (7 per car) 31532-05U00
Plate- driven, transfer (12 per car) 31536-1P400 (Alt 31536-05U00)

The transfer case in a Nissan Skyline GT-R transmits power to the rear wheels though a direct coupling to the transmission.  Internally to the transfer case, there is a clutch pack that is driven from the main shaft.  When the ATTESA system puts hydraulic pressure on the clutch pack, through the ATTESA pump, power is transmitted though a chain in the transfer case to the front drive section, then through a prop shaft to the front differential




More information about the ATTESA system, Nissans all wheel drive featured in the Nissan Skyline GT-R.


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