#DreamBuild The Nissan Skyline GTS-R AKA: FrankenSkyline

Welcome, to what is something that I’ve wanted to do since I declared to myself that the R34 was no longer my baby, what is my baby is the Nissan Skyline GTS-R a car that is so underappreciated that even though only 800 cars were made prices for these cars fetch around £20K. So, here are some facts about a stock GTS-R its RWD but that’s soon to change, it uses a RB20DET-R straight six producing 210HP, which back in the late eighties was what you’d expect from a sports car. That RB20 is also going to go, as is the interior, gearbox and pretty much all of the innards of the GTS-R. Sounds interesting? If so read on and see what becomes of the GTS-R.

Replace The Innards

My ever growing mechanical knowledge tells me that you can’t drive or use the shell of a car so, I’ll have to use the innards from a younger distant relative of the GTS-R, if you’re thinking a RB26 from the R32-R34 generation you’re wrong. What I will be using is the VR38DETT from a Nissan GT-R along with its AWD system, suspension, brakes and gearbox. But I don’t want this thing to be too overpowered so I’ll be going back to the original series-one GT-R which can be had for £33K, that means roughly 478HP that’s double the original figure and 28HP more than a Group A spec GTS-R! To do so I’m going to have to lengthen the original frame of the GTS-R buy 6mm, widen it by 205mm although some of that may be hidden thanks to fender flares. Then extend the wheelbase by 165mm so it’s going to be a very tricky job.

Paying Tribute

For this whole build I want to pay respect/tribute to every performance Skyline so I’ll be using different parts from different Skylines. For example, I’ve always loved the look of the Kenmeri Skyline interior so I’ll steal a dash from the Kenmeri, but use the gauges from the GT-R and that screen with GranTurismo graphics. If none of that stuff fits, then I’ll have to replicate the interior of the Kenmeri just with bigger dimensions and slight changes from myself.

Re-Branding

Another thing I’d like to do is rebrand the Skyline GTS-R as a Skyline GT-R so I’ll take the badges from a Hakosuka Skyline GT-R, which was the first ever GT-R.

Stealing More Parts...

Also the wing mirrors from a C210 2000GT-EX Skyline which mount onto the front fenders would look absolutely mad and would suit the style of a R31 very well.

'Can I Borrow Your Wang Please Mate'

Performance Skylines, have always had one thing throughout their time which is a wing, whether it’s a small lip from a DR30 or a big fat gaper like the one from a R34 GT-R. The wing for my build will be taken from a R32 GT-R with the aftermarket option of the ducktail as the R32 wing is subtle enough to still flow with the lines of a R31.

Aftermarket Parts

As for the headlights and taillights I’ll be using aftermarket options with LED’s and Xenon’s, for the taillights two LED units would be needed.

Colour Change

This one was a difficult option, as I originally intended to go for red, but since I wanted to make this a tribute build, I want to use the colour of a Skyline. There were two options that I originally came to which were the Midnight Purple from a R33 and the Bayside Blue from a R34. Finally, the decision to go with Bayside Blue was made.

More Rebranding

As for some more model rebranding, with me wanting to rebrand the car as a Skyline GT-R, I love the old retro fonts used on eighties cars so what better to use that the DR30 RS-Turbo font for some Skyline GT-R decals down the side.

New Socks...

Wheels have also been a consideration, but since I don’t really like the wheels put on many Skylines I’m going to go with the RS Watanabes which suit the look of a R31 perfectly, either in dark bronze or black. If you have any other wheel choices that would look good please put them in the comments.

Thanks For Reading (This Part's Important)

That concludes, the first series of Generations Of… I’m sure that you guys want to see more from this series so there will be a community question about the next series. I’m thinking about doing a Euro car this time round like the BMW 3-Series, Porsche 911 or Volkswagen Golf.

Till Then…

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