Amazing R35 GT-R High Speed Crash Video!

Repost courtesy of a fellow R33 Skyliner, King Rat from Adventures in Motoring:

It looked like the black / dark grey R35 was embroiled in a street race with another car, which appears to be a seventh gen Honda Accord Euro R (CL7) or a Volkswagen Jetta Mark 5. This appears to be somewhere in Europe (and I was right - its Moscow).

The R35 was on outside lane during the race and must have ran out of space, as it tried to pass on the inside. Unfortunately, the R35 clipped a stationary vehicle at start of the video and it's right wheel came off (this wheel then rolls away and hits a Chevrolet Cruze on the opposite side of the road).

Upon clipping the car, the R35 swerves into the fast lane and barely misses hitting the Accord. Missing its front right wheel now, the R35 is out of control and smashes into a yellow car and subsequently after that, barrels into a row of stationary vehicles.

Surprisingly, a large part of the R35 survived intact (the left side anyway), as we can see it trundling out of the camera's view, intertia pulling it forward.

Well, what can you say? Clearly racing on public inner-city streets is a big no no, boys and girls.

Update: You can read all about it + pictures at http://www.performancecar.co.nz/news-5900/moscow-street-racing-claims-r35-nissan-gt-r-video 

"The latest addition to our ‘street racing isn’t cool’ file comes from Moscow, Russia where a late model Nissan GT-R exceeded its high limits at the wrong moment and stacked into three parked cars.

While most of us would give our left nut to own a R35 GT-R the driver of this one has no worries tearing through a city street at reckless high speeds. Onlookers claimed he was street racing and failed to flick the car left after passing another car from the right. The result is four damaged vehicles of which three are most likely written off, the worst being an innocent parked SUV that was flung into the air.

Unfortunately for the loose GT-R driver, CCTV cameras caught the antics from two different viewpoints meaning this street racer is fully nicked.

Check out the video of the GT-R crash below, and remember street racing isn’t cool".

R33 GT-R Update: Nismo 320km/h Speedometer Installed

 

Being an old car, the factory R33 GT-R speedometer needed replacing. There were certain tell-tale signs - some of the gauges weren't really all that accurate (the water temp needle for example) and the backlight wasn't as bright as it used to be or should be.

 Nismo to the rescue

Seeing as the car is now capable of reaching higher levels of speed (thanks to the newly rebuilt forged engine), it was time to install Nismo's version of the GT-R speedometer. The reasons being that the max speed limit on the Nismo unit is not stuck at a boring Japanese 180km/h and the rev counter goes all the way up to a whopping 11,000 rpms. Now I'm not sure if I'll abuse the car and push it to those limits, but at least the speed needle won't be bouncing off the 180km/h marker anymore.

And last but not least... When the sun goes down and your sitting in the dark - you turn the ignition key and flick on the headlight switch - at that very moment, you just can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and pride. It's almost like driving a brand new car, which is true to a certain extent.

Big shoutout to Miguel from NeweraParts.com for helping me with this upgrade.

Spare Engine Rebuild Update: Haltech Platinum Pro

Yesss!!! My Haltech Platinum Pro Plug & Play R33 Engine Management System (including a 3 bar map sensor) has arrived from Australia!!!

 
Decided to switch from my Apexi Power FC with Commander to the Haltech Platinum Pro, due to the following reasons:

• User definable X- & Y-axis for fuel, ignition and boost
• 32x32 high res mapping
• VE Tuning (Volumetric Efficiency)
• MAF (no longer have to balance air fuel mixtures correctly)
• Advanced intelligent knock control
• CAN communication (really works as promised!)
• Closed loop idle control
• Speed density (more power)
• Launch control 
• N-VCT (Nissan Variable CAM Timing Control)

Thats just a few of the Haltech's features. Full details: http://www.haltech.com/store/index.php/plugin-ecu-kits/platinum-pro-kits/platinum-pro-plug-in-nissan-r32-33-skyline-kit.html

The Power FC is no longer in production and is technically a 10 year old technology, reliant on AFM readings (which is a pain to balance for twin turbos) plus it only has 20x20 resolution, does not have a ignition cut feature (fuel cut only) = limited tuning features when it comes to modified higher horsepower engines.

Just got a GoPro HD Motorsports Edition camera!

In a much older entry, I blogged about the pros and cons of the GoPro and Countour HD ultra compact portable cameras.

So I was pretty stoked to find out that I got a GoPro HD Motorsport Hero Edition + GoPro LCD BacPac set (detachable viewfinder screen) as a birthday present! All thanks to my girlfriend! :)

Can't wait to use it on a drive!

Project Time Attack: Nissan S13 Coupe

 

In my previous blog post, I spoke of finding the right car to be turned into a time attack machine. After much deliberation and looking at several makes and models, I've narrowed the field down to one car and thats a 1990 Nissan S13 Silvia Coupe. 

My decision to go with a S-Chassis is primarily down to six factors, some of which were mentioned in the previous posting but will be further extrapolated here: 

• Good, affordable rear-wheel drive base to build up from

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive (FR) cars have a natural tendency to oversteer. Controlled oversteers can technically help you set faster track times but can be very difficult to control.This naturally happens as the rear wheels are used for acceleration, while the front wheels steer the car. Rear wheel drive (RWD) cars tend to balance towards 'oversteer' which sees the front of the car pulling to the inside of the corner (whilst the rear comes out). As some of you might well know from seeing drifters work their magic, some opposite lock, combined with acceleration, can help nip this problem in the butt. Therefore, if given sufficient grip, RWD is near perfect for track  - proof of this being that every major motorsport event in the world uses the FR layout. Even current most popular all-wheel drive (AWD) car in the world today, the Nissan R35 GT-R, has dropped its AWD system in favour of a FR setup, as Nissan seeks to dominate proceedings in the Super GT series. 

• Easy to get power out of the Nissan SR20DET engine

The SR20DET is a highly tuneable engine and its popularity is based on the motor's ability to produce power on the cheap. Also, the SR20's all alloy block, alloy heads, twincams, 16 valves and an intercooled T28 turbo, indicates that the engine possessed technology that was ahead of its time. This makes it a good engine to use in amateur motorsports.

• Option to retro-fit parts from other Nissan models

Something I've learned and come to appreciate after months of GT-R ownership is that, Nissan parts are highly interchangeable. Not only does this feature exist between cars that belong to the same family tree but also with other Nissan cars that were made on a different production line. This is also inter-generational feature - S13 can for example, make use of newer parts that were a standard feature on later model Silvias like the S14 and S15. 

• Massive amount of aftermarket parts

Testament to the popularity and longevity of the SR20DET, the engine enjoys tremendous aftermarket support and is fully backed by all major Japanese tuning houses. Even till present day, its easy to procure new aftermarket parts for an S13, as these items are still in production.

• Huge supply of halfcuts and spare parts that are already in Malaysia

This has to do with the fact that the SR20 was used to power many of Nissan's cars since the early 1990s. Hence, a large supply of halfcuts and parts have made their way onto Malaysian shores. Production numbers of the S13 alone, is staggering - some 251,410 units were built from 1989 to 1998.

• Proven track platform

Furthermore, the track capabilities of the S13 Coupe have been amply showcased at Sepang by Yoong (Ee Yoong Chern) and his HKS Garage R Hiper S13. The car lapped a best time of 2.26:5 at last year's Time to Attack Sepang and was ranked 4th overall. I got to know of Yoong through the Malaysian Skyline fraternity as he owns a R33 GT-R as well. You should see him drive it up Ulu Yam.

These following pics were taken prior to delivery of the car. I purchased the vehicle for a song and it came equipped with some goodies (widebody kit / S15 five lug conversion / R32 GT-R brakes / half cage though). The body is also very straight.

The S13 is currently undergoing a major make over - all of its consumables have been a changed, a JIC adjustable suspension installed, a new S14 gearbox bolted in, a Nismo GT LSD for the rear and lastly, 17" Work +5 offset rims with new tyres to help it steer better. I'm hoping it'll be ready for this weekend, so I could join a jaunt up Gohtong Jaya with the Italia Auto boys.

Ignore the drift, ricey bits. Those will be rectified in due time and a 2.2 stroker kit + Haltech ECU + cams + disco potato will be going into that SR20DET:

New Project: Time Attack Car

With the R33 GT-R rebuild nearing completion, its time to to start a new project. It has always been my intention to purchase, rebuild and track a car. Basically, I'm looking for a road legal track car to carry out time attack runs in Sepang International Circuit (SIC). Now the next question is, what car to get?

Unlike in Australia, the UK or the States, we Malaysians are shafted when it comes to used cars. In Australia for example, you could purchase a decent road legal Nissan S13 or S14 for as little as RM10,000 - RM15,000 ringgit. Due to the high Malaysian import tax on cars (300% import duties on all foreign cars), used car prices are similarly affected. What this means is that a used S13 or S14 will probably cost three times as much in Malaysia a compared to a similar car in Australia. This makes it a challenge for the average person to pursue his or her motoring dream, to build a drift machine or to own a dedicated track car.

We now move on to the question of what make and model would be suitable for a time attack car. I've narrowed it down to a few budget (and not so budget) vehicles, seeing as this should be cost saving exercise. After all, a time attack car would require a further outlay of money in order to make it track ready.

And here are the contenders with their pros and cons:

 

  Nissan S13 Silvia Coupe

Pros

• Good RWD base to build up from
• Easy to get power out of the Nissan SR20 engine
• Option to retro-fit parts from other Nissan models
• Massive amount of aftermarket parts
• Huge supply of halfcuts and spare parts that are already in Malaysia

Cons

• Can be expensive to purchase
• Difficult to find one in good condition and tastefully modified
 

Honda Integra DC2

Pros

• Light weight
• Rigid chassis
• Loads of aftermarket parts available
• Plenty of halfcuts and spare parts that already in Malaysia

Cons

• Its a FWD, meaning the front wheels have to not only steer the car but also slow it down
• A bit expensive to produce big power being an N/A car
• Parts can be expensive

 Mazda MX-5 (First Gen / NA)

Pros

• Extremely capable chassis
• Engine responds well to mods, especially when turbocharged

Cons

• Manual units are rare in Malaysia
• Turbo kit has to be sourced from abroad (costly)
• Not as many halfcuts and spare parts compared to the other cars on this list
• Cars in good condition still command high prices
• Standard 1.6 N/A engine is gutless and seriously lacking in torque

Subaru WRX GC8

Pros

• Great AWD race car platform
• Capable car even in stock form
• Option to retro-fit parts from STI models

Cons

• Expensive to purchase
• Finding one in good condition is difficult
• Parts aren't cheap
• Stock GC8 WRX gearbox is crap
• Full STI conversion costs a lot of money
• Can be expensive to get big power out of the Subaru EJ engine

 Mitsubishi Evo II to VIII

Pros

• Amazing AWD race car platform
• Very capable even in stock form
• Some models are 'race ready' (i.e. Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition)

Cons

• Very expensive to purchase
• Difficult to find genuine Evos in good condition
• Will be expensive to produce big power after a certain point

So which car to get? Find out in the next blog posting!