Words: Trent Hetherington | Pics: Matyas Fulop
Few vehicles have the ability to snap necks as violently as the R34 GT-R. Whether it be due to the brutal acceleration on tap pinning its occupants to their seats, or the fact that people can’t help but lose focus on what they’re doing when one invades their presence, the GT-R is a car that leaves an unforgettable impression on anyone fortunate enough to occupy the same space as one. Chris Coroneos’ GT Auto Garage built and tuned R34 GT-R V-Spec is no exception to this. In fact, it’s examples like Chris’ car that really reinforce this view.
The ‘Blue Shark‘ GT-R is arguably what a textbook street-going GT-R should be. Finished in stunning Bayside Blue, the colour that everyone associates with the R34, it has an array of subtle aero additions to the exterior that compliment the already menacing look of the R34 without being over the top. Luckily it has the performance to match: a blisteringly quick 350 all-wheel-kilowatts coupled with a capable suspension and braking setup.
It’s important to note that power was limited on the dyno due to a slipping clutch, so you can be sure that the car will pull more in the future (at the time of writing the car has since been fitted with an NPC twin plate clutch rated to 1000hp, so rest assured that the next time the car sees the dyno, things will get interesting!).
Chris’ GTR makes its power thanks to an RB26DETT N1 crate motor fitted with Tomei cams, a Tomei 1.2mm gasket kit and a Nismo R1 turbo kit (full spec list at bottom). It’s refreshing to see a GT-R still fitted with a parallel turbo setup once in a while, but because of this the power remains useable and impressive right throughout the rev range, which is perfect for a street driven car. Engine management is taken care of by an HKS FCOV V Pro Ver 3.3, while boost is controlled via an HKS EVC.
To make sure the throaty N1 crate motor stays well lubricated under any conditions it may face, an Accusump has been used along with a Nismo oil pump and HKS oil cooler kit. On the intake side of things, charge temps are cooled by an ARC 105mm twin entry intercooler feeding a Nismo plenum. Engine temperatures are kept in check thanks to an ARC radiator. Godzillas are thirsty beasts by nature and Chris GT-R likes to drink. To satiate the beast, there are a set of 680cc HKS injectors fed by a Bosch 044 pump in a surge tank and a Walbro in-tank pump that both feed fuel into the HKS twin entry fuel rail. Fuel pressure is maintained thanks to a HKS regulator.
To put the power to the tarmac, Chris employed the aforementioned NPC twin plate and a carbon drive shaft rated to 2000hp. It has so far proven adequate in transferring all of the RB26DETT’s oomph to the medium compound Hankook Z221 265/35/18 tyres, wrapped around wheels that you’d be considered tasteless NOT to like – VOLK TE37 SLs in 18×10.5 +15. A HKS Torque Split Controller sends the power to where it needs to be to get the GT-R off the line as quick as possible.
Furthering the capabilities of this GT-R are a set of HKS Hypermax III Sport adjustable coilovers, Ikeya adjustable upper and lower control arms and a HKS strut brace. You can tell that Chris is partial to HKS and why wouldn’t he be? This build is one of quality and that is exactly what HKS parts offer. Slowing the Bayside Blue beast up from the heartstopping speeds it’s capable of are a gorgeous set of Endless brakes – 6-pot calipers and 370 mm rotors on the front backed up by 4 pot calipers and 330 mm rotors on the rear.
In the cabin where the action takes place, things are kept simple and purposeful, just the way they should be. A Bride Zeta III seat mated to a Bride seat rail keep Chris strapped in tightly. A Sparco suede steering wheel mounted on a quick release boss kit keeps the GT-R pointed in the direction he wants it, while a 320 km/h Nismo instrument cluster keeps him informed of how quick he’s going. A HKS Kansai half cage tops the GT-R off. The cage looks great and is there for a purpose should things go pear shaped.
The stunning Bayside Blue V-Spec exterior is complimented with Nismo GT LED lights, Nismo B pillar carbon garnishes, a Nismo carbon rear spoiler blade, a Night Rider rear wing extension of 50mm and electric Ganador carbon mirrors.
Chris’ car is exactly how it should be. Every part is quality and geniune, complimenting the car perfectly. From the engine and drive train to the interior and exterior, everything improves the GT-R to make it that much better. It is easy to see how much time went into selecting the best parts for the job, and the attention to detail is obvious. Hats off to Chris and the team at GT Auto Garage for putting together a jaw dropping GTR.
Specs
Engine/Management:
RB26DETT N1 crate motor
Nismo oil pump
Nismo plenum
Tomei Metal gasket 1.2mm kit
Tomei Camsharfts
ARP Headstuds
ARC 105mm twin entry intercooler & piping kit
ARC radiator
ARC oil catch tank
ARC air separator tank
ARC air diversion panel
HKS 680cc injectors
HKS twin entry fuel rail
HKS fuel regulator
HKS oil cooler kit
Ross balancer
Bosch 044 fuel pump /surge tank setup
Walboro intank fuel pump
Custom GTauto carbon BMC intake
Accusump
Electronics
HKS FCOV V Pro Ver 3.3
HKS EVC
HKS torque split control
Drivetrain:
NPC Twin plate clutch (Rated 1,000hp)
Carbon driveshaft (Rated 2,000hp)
Turbos & Exhaust
Nismo R1 turbo kit
HKS dump pipes
HKS front pipe
HKS Super turbo exhaust
Suspension & Brakes:
HKS Hypermax III Sport adjustable coilovers
Ikeya Formula adjustable lower arms
Ikeya Formula adjustable apper arms
Endless 6pot 370mm front racing caliper kit
Endless 4pot 330mm rear racing caliper kit
HKS strut brace
Wheels & Tyres:
VOLK TE37 SL 18×10.5 + 15
Hankook Z221 265/35/18 (medium compound)
Exterior & Interior:
Sparco suede steering wheel/quick release
Bride Zeta III seat & Bride seat rail
Nismo white 320km instrument
HKS Kansai half cage
Nismo GT LED lights
Nismo B pillar carbon garnish
Nismo carbon rear spoiler blade
Night Rider rear wing extension 50mm
Ganador carbon electric mirrors
NISMO MFD II
Shift light
Words: Trent Hetherington