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This past weekend cool weather and clear skies prevailed, which provided us with an opportunity to begin
dialing in Shin’s R35 GTR. After a long and somewhat bumpy upgrade path (thanks to some sub-standard work
done by a previous 'tuner' whose name we shall not mention) the project is finally nearing completion.
dialing in Shin’s R35 GTR. After a long and somewhat bumpy upgrade path (thanks to some sub-standard work
done by a previous 'tuner' whose name we shall not mention) the project is finally nearing completion.
Along the way, a host of upgrades were performed on the GTR, with a focus on maximizing the power
potential of the engine while maintaining full streetability and reliability. At the centerpiece of the build lies the
VR38DETT, which has been punched out to a nice and even 4.0 liters of displacement. As part of the T1 Stage 2
treatment, the rotating assembly was balanced and blueprinted as the block was fitted with big-bore forged
pistons and billet connecting rods. The cylinder heads were treated with the T1 Stage 2 upgrade package as well,
which consists of a full valvetrain upgrade and a proper port-and-polish job. JUN camshafts are employed to
handle the valve opening and closing events, with ARP L19 studs holding the heads in place.
potential of the engine while maintaining full streetability and reliability. At the centerpiece of the build lies the
VR38DETT, which has been punched out to a nice and even 4.0 liters of displacement. As part of the T1 Stage 2
treatment, the rotating assembly was balanced and blueprinted as the block was fitted with big-bore forged
pistons and billet connecting rods. The cylinder heads were treated with the T1 Stage 2 upgrade package as well,
which consists of a full valvetrain upgrade and a proper port-and-polish job. JUN camshafts are employed to
handle the valve opening and closing events, with ARP L19 studs holding the heads in place.
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The task of turning wasted exhaust energy into horsepower is managed by the HKS GT800 turbo kit,
supplemented with a GReddy Titanium exhaust system. Fueling needs were addressed by adding the T1 Stage
4 Fuel System, which consists of triple in-tank Walbro 400lph Fuel Pumps, Injector Dynamics 2000cc Injectors,
T1 GTR Fuel Rails, Weldon Fuel Filter, and upgraded lines and fittings. Tuning duties are handled with the ever
-ubiquitous Cobb AccessPORT.
With the objective of running mid-to-low nines in true-street trim, the engine was tuned on standard E85
pump gas. The net result was 834 awhp on the state-of-the-art Mainline All Wheel Drive dyno, with torque
peaking at 763 ft/lbs. Datalogging EMAP (exhaust manifold backpressure), we were also able to verify that the
HKS turbos are at the limits of their power-producing capabilities.
Once the engine was tuned on the dyno and transmission programming was perfected on the street, the
final phase of dialing-in the GTR was to be done on the drag strip. So we headed to the Dallas Raceway for a
few quarter-mile shakedown runs. Straight off the highway and into the gates, the car was tech’d and staged.
When the hammer was dropped the GTR squatted, clawed for traction, and flew down the quarter in 9.69
seconds at 145 mph. Not bad for it’s very first run. A slight tweak of the Launch Control program prior to the
second pass netted an improvement of a full tenth of a second, and an e.t. of 9.59 @ 148 mph. With the sun
setting and the test-and-tune session coming to a close, we were able to squeeze in one last pass before the
track closed for the day. The result: 9.54 @ 145 mph, which securely places it amongst the fastest GTRs in the
country. And as timeslips stack, we fully expect e.t.s to fall. Be on the lookout for this beast…
In the meantime, check the video coverage:
final phase of dialing-in the GTR was to be done on the drag strip. So we headed to the Dallas Raceway for a
few quarter-mile shakedown runs. Straight off the highway and into the gates, the car was tech’d and staged.
When the hammer was dropped the GTR squatted, clawed for traction, and flew down the quarter in 9.69
seconds at 145 mph. Not bad for it’s very first run. A slight tweak of the Launch Control program prior to the
second pass netted an improvement of a full tenth of a second, and an e.t. of 9.59 @ 148 mph. With the sun
setting and the test-and-tune session coming to a close, we were able to squeeze in one last pass before the
track closed for the day. The result: 9.54 @ 145 mph, which securely places it amongst the fastest GTRs in the
country. And as timeslips stack, we fully expect e.t.s to fall. Be on the lookout for this beast…
In the meantime, check the video coverage:
Credit to Andre at ASLPhotography.net for the amazing photos.
