Shop Talk for
Z-Car enthusiasts!

Click here to go to the Z Car Garage home page...Click here to go to the Z Car Blog home page...
Performance Parts for Nissan, Inifiniti and Datsun Cars
Search:

More Upgrades For Lee’s R32 Skyline

Filed under: Featured Cars and Projects,Performance,r32
by Alvin G @ 2:44 pm on January 8, 2021

 

We met Lehan in the summer of 2018 when he came to Z Car Garage with his newly acquired (KH2) 1991 Skyline GTR. After learning that these cars can be made smog compliant, he found this car locally (originally imported by our friend Sean and his team at Toprank International Vehicle Importers) and picked it up right away. We replaced the clutch and flywheel with an OS Giken TS2CD setup, replaced the rear main seal and fresh clutch hydraulics.

 

To fix an intermittent misfire we installed R35 coil packs ( a common RB26 upgrade) and replaced the front CV axle boots. Lehan’s goal for this R32 has been modest:
“I’ve changed the wheels and exhaust to more of my liking, replaced worn rubber parts and trim pieces, and added some Nismo bling. My goal with the car is to keep it looking mostly stock, but update the drivetrain to more modern tech, hence the Haltech ecu. In the future I may replace the 30 year old turbos but keep it to a modest hp gain, and replace the Attesa G-sensor with a digital unit. I will probably keep the HICAS system just because, and learn to drive with it on the track.”

 

Haltech ECU and Tuning

 

In March of 2019 we installed a Haltch Platium Pro Plug-in. It was set up to run MAP-based with the Haltech WB1 single channel wideband 02. We are huge fans of Haltech engine management. Rob performed street/dyno tuning tuned on 91 octane with baseline numbers of 260hp/253tq and with the Haltech making 337hp/280tq at the rear wheels:

 

Enjoy the dyno video!

Stoptech Big Brakes


All 90’s Nissan sports cars can benefit from larger brakes and Stoptech has got you covered. Another Norcal Skyline member Kurt W also had Stoptech brakes installed at ZCG, and he highly recommended them. Lehan’s R32 received ST40 calipers with 332mm rotors up front and ST22 caliper with 328mm rotors at the rear.

 

A few pictures of the brake installation:

 

The brakes look great behind the BBS wheels. During the brake upgrade we replaced all fluids: both diffs, tranny and transfer case.

 

Lehan took the R32 to a track day it performed admirably. He did experienced high oil temps, another common issue when tracking these cars. A new oil cooler will be installed next. Over all he’s please with the Skyline’s upgrades:

“Every visit to fix or update something just makes the car more awesome to drive. It feels much more lively and torquey after the tune. Best part is I can drive it as hard as I can knowing it’s been tuned safely and backed by modern engine management. It’s a similar feeling with the StopTech brakes on track – without it I would not have been able to push braking points. The steering feel and overall composure of the car is top notch, especially after the tune. I’m very happy with the car as is, but definitely looking forward to any future mods.”

 

Enjoying The Ride

 

Lehan has been driving the R32 everywhere including the track and autocross. We spotted him at the inaugural Fuel Supply Co. gathering earlier last year.

 

He even made it out to the Norcal Skylines Matsuri, an event we were lucky to attend 2019:

 

We love helping our local Norcal Skyline Owners repair, improve and enjoy their cars.

“It’s been awesome working with Rob and ZCG, and I’m really happy with all the work they’ve done. This is my first car with significant modifications, and I liked that Rob doesn’t push to have it done in a specific way. I also appreciate Rob’s effort to ensure the car is as best as it can be. I noticed some rubbing the week before a track day, and he was able to check that out on short notice, and offered to help if anything came up. True to that, I texted Rob about high oil temps the day of and he replied right away. I’m getting an oil cooler installed early Jan before the next track day.”

Thank you Lehan for your support and we look forward to working with you! More pictures in the gallery below:

…[read more]