Suspension and Brakes

Once the engine combination eclipsed the “S-tuned” configuration, it was only a matter of time before the suspension would also need another round of upgrades. In fact, the current state of suspension tune was actually reached through a number of staged upgrades. The goal was the minimization of compliance, the addition of necessary adjustments and the adjustability and tuning of the suspension to maximize cornering at the track.

Up front, M’s Factory adjustable upper camber links allow the front camber to be corrected for the adjusted ride height and tire combination. Fitting the massive 295/30ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires on 18×10.5-inch Volk Racing CE28n wheels left little room for error. All of the fenders needed to be “rolled” to accommodate the massive rolling stock. NAMS bump steer correction tie-rod ends, NAMS roll- center correction spacers and TEIN pillow tension rods (allow caster adjustments) along with a Cusco 24mm front sway bar allow the suspension to do its job. Custom Eibach Springs and Ground Control Advance Design double-adjustable dampers set the spring rates, damping rates and suspension frequency in the front. NAMS hinge pillar braces and a HKS Kansai chassis brace kit work with the Nismo strut tower braces to eliminate chassis flex.

At the rear, the same massive wheel and tire combination is used. NAMS lower control arms, NAMS traction rods, Cusco adjustable camber links and a Cusco 27mm rear sway bar work with custom Eibach Springs and Ground Control Advance Design double-adjustable dampers. All four tires get a workout thanks to the Nismo 1.5-way front LSD and the Nismo two-way rear LSD. As soon as the 500 plus horsepower is channeled from the engine through the Nismo twin-plate clutch and to the tires, this GT-R accelerates in any direction that it is pointed.

Of course, doubling the horsepower of a car without addressing the braking system would be irresponsible. To be sure that this Nissan could pull on the reins, a set of StopTech brakes was installed at all four corners. A 355mm rotor with four-piston caliper setup was chosen for the front, while a 328mm two- piston caliper solution was chosen for the rear. According to Steve, this Stop Tech setup outperforms the aftermarket F40 setup he used in the past (333mm front / 300mm rear rotor setup).

The Bottom Line

To match its capabilities on the track, a few subtle upgrades have been made to the Skyline’s styling. A Nismo aero kit (side skirts, rear lip spoiler, hood lip spoiler and intercooler ducts) is joined by a GLAD front lip spoiler. Nismo graphics complete the look of the vehicle.

To date, the GT-R has already improved its track times by more than eight seconds (from 1:38 to 1:30 at the Streets of Willow Springs). With some more tuning and some more power, Steve hopes to knock another five seconds off his best lap times. A new 2.8-liter short block, a D-Jetro fuel injection solution and a six-speed sequential gearbox, should provide the necessary punch for a knockout on the track. Stay tuned