Archive
brand_RR: Dual HID Headlight Conversion Debut
After a number of years going relatively unchanged the GT-R’s headlights have now found their first significant upgrade. brand_RR recently debuted a new headlight upgrade which replaces the high beam bezel’s halogen bulb with a bi-xenon projector.
The headlights themselves receive extensive custom work to seamlessly adopt the secondary HID system. If no other modifications or custom painting is performed the results are comparable to what you would see on the Nissan showroom. Naturally however most people will want to do additional custom work while the headlights are under the knife. The white car shown is one such customer who optioned for nearly all of the available additions.
Aside from the bi-xenon dual HID conversion, brand_RR states that the following options are available:
– Painted inside assembly (white car shown has satin black painted assembly)
– Painted headlight surrounds (white car shown as satin black painted surrounds)
– CCFL illumination surround on each projector (not pictured)
– LED illumination surround on each projector with integrated amber turn signal activated switchback (installed on white car)
– Painted interior headlight assembly bezel (white car has our one-off carbon fiber conversion to this piece)
– LED headlight turn signal with white LED and switch to amber led when turn signal activated (not pictured)
The GT-R from the factory has a HID low beam capable of good lateral range however they are lacking in brightness and distance. brand_RR’s approach is to increase visibility by keeping the lateral range unchanged from the factory low beam HID and adding the second bi-xenon unit for straight ahead brightness and distance (and also it can switch to hi-beam mode). The photo below illustrates:
For further information the product can be found and purchased here:
GT-RR Debuts New Suspension Package
The guys over at GT-RR.com have furthered their brand_RR lineup of parts with this new suspension. GT-RR has a history of working with the top producers for their projects, having also worked on collaborative projects with Amuse and Cosworth. In this case they’ve enlisted two of the leading suspension component producers to partner with them on the project. JRZ was sourced to provide the desired specification shocks for the system. Swift Springs of Japan was included to provide the 8 springs which are included (main and assist springs on each corner).
GT-RR calls this suspension their Ultimate Spec. They label it that because they’ve taken what they consider to be the best of the shock and spring world and combined it with a variable ride height lift system. The result they say is the ultimate suspension for GT-Rs which are used on both street and track. The suspension allows 3 inches of lift at the push of a button which allows for a low ride setting but for instant clearance upon demand. There is a video of their 2012 GT-R using the lift system which can be seen below.
Swift Springs out of Japan has been supplying Nissan’s official GT-R Super Taikyu team with springs and also supplies for Super GT race cars. GT-RR has told us that Swift and JRZ has both had a considerable hand in determining the final specifications of this suspension.
You can find more information on this system as well other JRZ and Swift products at GT-RR.
Link: Suspension kit
Link: JRZs on GT-RR
Link: Swift on GT-RR
Widebody GT-Rs Part II: Abflug
In the last post, we brought you the new widebody aero from Axell Auto. In this next installment of GT-R Blog’s feature on widebody GT-Rs, we have the second wide aero kit that debuted at TAS 2011.
This second kit comes from Abflug, a Japanese tuner renowned for their creative and revolutionary aero designs. Their GT-R kit keeps that reputation alive with its large-mouth front bumper, wide blister fenders and R8-style ducting in the rear bumper.
The “kit” is currently being sold piece-by-piece, with FRP and carbon variations, depending on the part. Also available is a new high-mount rear wing that replaces the OEM wing, but retains the side base mounts.
For more photos of the car and information regarding all the individual pieces, please visit Abflug’s website.
Link: Abflug Website
Widebody GT-Rs Part I: Axell Auto
Tokyo Auto Salon saw the debut of what many consider the most radical aero parts for the GT-R ever in Axell Auto’s full widebody kit.
We can let the pictures do the talking…
Prior to their GT-R kit, Axell Auto had been primarily known for their modifications to Japanese luxury vehicles like SUVs and vans, but their GT-R kit is Axell trying their hand in the sports car realm. Axell’s fascination with the R35 started after the President of Axell purchased his GT-R and began modifying it with off-the-shelf parts.
The kit takes some styling cues from Tommykaira and features wide front and rear fenders, completely new front and rear bumper designs with a carbon fiber rear diffuser, rear wing and side skirts with functional brake ducting.
While pricing hasn’t been released, you can visit Axell’s website for pictures, video and more information.
Link: Axell Auto’s Website
In addition, Axell has enlisted GT-RR to be the first international distributor for the kit.
Link: Axell Auto on GT-RR.com
This post will be the first in a series regarding the recent widebody options that have been released for the R35. Look out for more in the coming week!
Breaking: GT-RR Tease Upcoming VR38 Crate Motor from Guess Who… ?
What does an Aston Martin One-77 have in common with a Nissan GT-R? Not much frankly, until now if the latest teaser from GT-RR is to be believed – and I’m told it certainly is. I’m under strict instructions not to say any more than what’s in this one page teaser but I’ve heard about this website called Google that is good at searching for information about things these days…
That said, this motor is also built in partnership with the same company that builds motors for the likes of these GT-Rs below so I may as well use this excuse to spam my favorite wallpaper sized photo from my collection…
More Info: See GT-RR.com Website for Contact Information
Power House Amuse R1000 90mm Race Spec STTI Mid Pipe for GT-R
When Power House Amuse launched their massive 90mm titanium exhaust system recently it got a lot of us thinking about just how best to move exhaust gas through this massive system with a relatively puny looking 80mm mid pipe. Little did we know they had this card up their sleeve the whole time.
The new exhaust components are known as “R1000 GT-RR SPL STTI†and are produced by Amuse in Japan using their proprietary STTI (super tough titanium/Ti) material. This Y pipe which was developed in collaboration between GT-RR.COM and Amuse takes the successful design of Amuse’s prior R1000 No. 2 Y Pipes and increases the size 10mm larger to maximize power in higher boost GT-R applications. As a result this new racing system has twin 80mm pipes transitioning into 90mm.
Each order is painstakingly produced by hand in Japan using nothing but 100% titanium. The usual details that Amuse are world famous for can be seen here; including: hollow titanium hangers, superbly controlled heat-treating, and not only exterior polished welds, but deburred and polished interior welds for reduced turbulence.
– GT-RR.com
According to the guys at GT-RR who have fitted up the first one to their own car, the Amuse 90mm mid pipe offers a aggresive exhaust note without any noticeable drone inside. While the race version shown here does not come with any catalytic converters, these may be optioned and you should contact the guys at GT-RR for more info there…
Link: Amuse 90mm STTI R1000 No. 2 90mm RS Mid Pipe @ GT-RR.com
Power House Amuse and GT-RR Launch R1000 Titanium Exhaust
Powerhouse Amuse Japan has developed a special exhaust using GT-RR’s collaborative specifications for worldwide market sales. The new exhaust is known as the “R1000 GT-RR SPL STTI†and is produced by Amuse in Japan using their proprietary STTI (super tough titanium/Ti) material. The exhaust which was developed in collaboration between GT-RR.COM and Amuse takes the successful design of Amuse’s prior R1 Titan Extra STTI model and increases the size from 80mm to 90mm to maximize power in higher boost GT-R applications. Additionally, after considering GT-RR’s research, adjustments to sound tuning were made and the result is a more prominent supercar appropriate tone.
The design utilizes Amuse’s highly effective twin horizontal resonators for sound control but does not use any other resonators on the piping. As a result of the new design, the R1000 GT-RR SPL STTI exhaust yielded surprising results during Amuse Japan’s dyno test. After repeated testing, the new special exhaust has produced 21 horsepower more than the previous Amuse exhaust system on the very same GT-R.
For more information on the fabrication and attention paid to detail, or to order the R1000 STTI exhaust, hit up the link below to go straight to the GT-RR.com website…
Link: Amuse R1000 GT-RR SPL STTI Exhaust @ GT-RR.com
Tommy Kaira LEDs Selection for the Nissan GT-R
Tommy Kaira has been known to focus on the small details that make their complete cars extra special and for the GT-R they’ve certainly not strayed from this path. The LED light up GT-R front emblem was actually on display at Tokyo Autosalon in January but since then they’ve been working on a more finished looking production version as well as LED rear side markers, LED door kick plates and LED front winkers.
These units are OEM finish and made in Japan, pricing isn’t 100% official yet so I won’t post it up here, head over to your local Tommy Kaira dealer’s website to get more info. I’m really liking those door sill plates though….
Link: Tommy Kaira Website
Link: Tommy Kaira Parts Lineup @ GT-RR.com
Top Secret Launch Turbo Upgrades and More for the Nissan GT-R
Just launched are a batch of new parts out of Japanese tuning house Top Secret including the latest high flow ball bearing turbo upgrade.
Let’s check out the turbos first. The Top Secret turbo upgrades are said to be good for around 600hp while maintaining streetability and standard spool characteristics by using ball bearing cartridges. The standard housings are utilized and honed out to fit the larger internals. You can see a comparison of before and after below and a dyno chart from Top Secret in the photo gallery below.
Up next is the Top Secret Super Suction Kit which replaces the OEM compressor side cast piping with a larger 56mm internal diameter stainless versions. It works well with the Super Induction Kit, sold separately, but works with the stock intake system just as well.
Then we have the Top Secret Oil Catch Can, a custom unit with a 2 litre capacity. It’s internally baffled, is 180x180x65mm in size and is fitted with a level gauge.
Lastly we have a Top Secret Bonnet Damper Kit, something simple that many thought Nissan should have included with the GT-R to begin with. These gas struts make the hood support obsolete and are a great idea for those who like to work on the car themselves. They’re even covered in a cf-look wrap.
For more info and pricing, head on over to the official Top Secret distributor, GT-RR and check out the entire range of Top Secret gear….
Link: Top Secret Parts @ GT-RR.com
Cusco Release Front and Rear Sway Bars for Nissan GT-R
Respected leaders in the aftermarket suspension industry for JDM cars, Cusco have been relatively quiet on the GT-R scene so far under the Cusco brand. They’ve been providing to other brands and playing a background role though so they have the experience to back them. Now they’ve gone public with the first direct to market product, these new Cusco Stabilizer Bars for R35 GT-R.
Up front we have a hollow construction anti-roll bar which is 115% stiffer than the OEM model and 35mm in diameter. It’s designed to reduce body roll in corners and improve steering response and sells for about $440. It’s non-adjustable but, being hollow, it should shave a bit of weight off the stock one.
In the rear is a solid bar which is 185% stiffer than the standard rear bar while being only 16mm in diameter. It’s priced at $400.
Good products at sensible prices, hit up GT-RR.com to get your set…
Link: Cusco Sway Bars @ GT-RR.com
Featured Items
