R33 Skyline - From Drifter to Track Monster

Welcome to our latest installment, where this time we’re taking a look at our stunning Nissan R33 Skyline. Starting out life as a GTST, the car has undergone significant changes throughout its lifetime. Its early years were dedicated to conquering the European Drift Championship in the early 2000s, followed by an impressive appearance at the Red Bull Drifting World Championship in California.

Over the years, the Skyline has undergone numerous transformations to further improve its performance. The original RB25 engines, although formidable, faced challenges as their power output was consistently pushed to new heights, leading to the need for further upgrades. So, amidst a trail of retired RB25 engines, the decision was made to bid farewell to the old heart and welcome a high-revving, small block Chevy V8 race engine. The small block Chevy V8 has earned its reputation among car enthusiasts as a powerhouse, renowned for its reliability and with a proven track record in various high-performance applications.

However, the changes don’t stop with the powerplant. The car sports a sequential race gearbox, a breathtaking aero package that would put a fighter jet to shame, enormous brakes and an array of other enhancements to complete the transition into the competitive realm of the Time Attack series, where it thrived and excelled for several seasons. With its consistent dominance, clinching multiple championships and securing the top spot numerous times a year, the Skyline boasts an awe-inspiring legacy in the world of motorsport.

Currently it is undergoing a lengthy engine rebuild following a snapped crank at Donington last year, but we can’t wait to see this monster out on track again soon. It’ll still be making an appearance at several shows this year (engine or not!) so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

Want to know more? Here’s the detailed breakdown of the spec:

Engine

6.7-litre V8 (410ci) ‘small block’ Chevrolet petrol engine, built by Ken Coleman of Engine Data Analysis using new bored and stroked Dart full-race engine block with billet angled 4-bolt main caps, Clevite H-Series race bearings, Scat connecting rods, Ross forged pistons and rings, Fluid crank damper, Pace dry sump system, Milodon oil sump, MSD ignition system, race ported AFR cylinder heads, magnesium rocker covers, Competition Cams roller valvetrain with Ultra Pro lifters, EDA rocker girdle, Roller valve springs with titanium retainers, 2.080in stainless inlet valves, 1.6in exhaust valves, Edelbrock intake manifold ported to cylinder heads, Pro-Form race carburettor, Fel-Pro race gaskets, EDA tooth belt drive, Cloyes timing chain and two-piece timing cover, ceramic-coated 3.5in Tony Law Exhausts single-exit system incorporating 4-1 exhausts manifolds and 2x silencers, Carter fuel pump, Apex Performance oil cooler kit by Aeroquip, Apex Performance power steering cooler by Aeroquip, Apex Performance radiator, Optima ‘Redtop’ battery, Apex Performance race engine mounts

Transmission

5-speed manual Tremec TKO600 gearbox, Apex Performance race gearbox mount, triple-plate race clutch, custom propshaft, Nismo 2-way LSD, GT-R driveshafts

Brakes

K-Sport 8-pot calipers, 380mm discs, Pagid RST pads (front), K-Sport 6-pot calipers, 330mm discs, Pagid RS-15 pads (rear), K-Sport hydraulic handbrake, brake bias valve

Suspension

BC Racing ER Series coilovers, Hardrace anti bump-steer rod ends on Tein steering rods, Hardrace camber arms, Hardrace traction arms, Hardrace front lower race arms with track control arm, Hardrace rear lower race arms, Apex Performance rear camber hub bushes, Apex Performance rear traction hub bushes,  Apex Performance HiCas removal kit, Apex Performance solid subframe bushes, Apex Performance differential bushes, Whiteline front and rear anti-roll bars, customised steering rack with Hardrace rack mounts.

Wheels and Tyres

9.5x18in (front), 10.5x18in (rear) BC Forged alloy wheels, 250/640/18 slick tyres

Exterior

RT Autobodies bodykit with custom front bumper with large undertray, carbon splitter and canards, sideskirts with running boards, bolt-on arch extensions, rear bumper, carbon-fibre bonnet with vent and power bulge, carbon-fibre bootlid, Simon McBeath designed carbon-fibre rear wing

Interior

Corbeau Revenge bucket seats, Takata 6-point 2in ‘Hans Device’ drivers harness, Takata 6-point 3in passenger harness, Sparco 345 steering wheel mounted on K-Sport quick-release boss, AIM digital dash, Racelogic VBox camera system, Apex Performance rollcage, Armtech battery cut-off, Lifeline Zero 360 fire extinguisher system (gas), fully stripped-out interior, flocked rollcage, smoothed and flocked rear floor