The Nissan
Skyline R33 GTR was launched in January 1995 as the successor
to the legendary R32 model. The new R33 used the same 2.6 Liter
twin-turbo engine as the R32. And it shared the same 5 speed
manual gearbox, although the syncros were made stronger for
the R33. The weak oil pump drive collar in the R32 engine, which
was likely to fail in higher power applications, was fixed with
a wider collar. The intake camshaft on the R33 engine was also
improved making torque slightly higher.
Although
the Japanese law stopped the new R33 from exceeding the 280PS
of its forefather Nissan improved upon just about everything
else that made the R32 GTR into such a legend.
The GTR
Skyline race car was given the nickname "Godzilla"
in Australia, so crushing was its superiority over the Ford
and Holden V8's. It was inevitable that the governing bodies
of motorsport would soon find ways to legislate the formidable
GTR out of competition. The GTR Skyline continued dominate racetracks
around the world, claiming trophies wherever it went.
A proud
moment in history for the R33 GTR was when it took the production
car lap record at the Nurburgring in Germany. The stock standard
R33 blasted around the 13-miles and 172 corners of the circuit
in 7 minutes 59 seconds. If you know the Nurburgring circuit
you will understand how good that is.
The R33
GTR Skyline created a large market for unofficial aftermarket
performance parts, and an official one Nissan's own NISMO "Nissan
Motorsport" division. Although the GTR only came out with
280PS, Nissan's engineers designed the engine to cope with alot
more power.
