No Fear Gears

Another technological marvel of the GT-R besides its high-output engine is the component that enables it to accelerate so seamlessly, its dual clutch GR6 transmission. Once considered a weak link in the driveline, the GR6 had been strengthened with Dodson Motorsports gears and clutch packs. Assembled by Sheptrans as a Stage 5 box, it can handle over 2,000 hp. While quite the feat of engineering, the transmission is ultimately just a bunch of gears and clutches. Like the engine, without a good computer to control it, the transmission can’t reach its performance potential. Fortunately, the transmission control module can be dialed in for line pressure, shi timing and more, while interacting with the M1 ECU. To monitor and log every aspect of the transmission’s function, Palo incorporated a MoTeC C185 dash logger in the trunk. The dash logger, which samples at up to 1,000 times per second, also monitors suspension travel to help improve the suspension settings for proper squat and launch. It will soon interact with the M1 to provide traction control.

Innovation Station

Palo incorporated several solutions to complement the unique and custom engine component layout. Since the dual turbocharger layout prompted the use of a compact radiator at the front, he incorporated a custom rear-mounted secondary heat exchanger to keep engine temperatures in check, especially since he planned to race in the half-mile and the mile. He also plumbed in a Magnus Motorsports dry sump system with a Peterson scavenge pump to defend against oil starvation under launch conditions when oil slosh is most likely to occur.

Linear travel potentiometers were fitted at all four corners to measure any movement in the suspension.

Seeking Records

The GT-R has shown great promise at the few outings that it has competed in. It went 219 MPH at the Austin half-mile event while making 1,550hp, and has qualified in the top five at the last two Texas Invitationals. The first trip to the track with the current setup was in August at The Shootout in Ohio. This was the GT-R’s first appearance at a quarter-mile event in two years. With the boost dialed down, Palo’s first qualifying pass was an 8.02-second e.t. The second and third passes were 7.90- and 7.91-seconds, respectively. These were impressive numbers with the power dialed down and the launch still in need of refinement. But Palo is a competitor, and knowing that he was o pace from the record motivated him to go back to the drag strip just three weeks later. On August 30, he ran a 7.696-second pass at 187.89 MPH followed up by a 7.72-second pass at 189.36 MPH. While these are scorching time slips, they’re still not the record. Palo plans to dial in the launch control further while turning up the boost to go for the quarter-mile record. That is, once he returns from making a run at the record at the next Texas Invitational in October.