The Nissan
R34 GTR The R34 GT-R was released to an anxiously awaiting public
in January 1999.
Needless to say the overall performance was an improvement
on the previous heavier and larger R33 model. While many
loved the rounded and broad on road presence the R33
offered, the majority of GTR enthusiasts harked back to the
more nimble handling R32 which the factory acknowledged by
reducing the R34’s length by 7.5cm. This decrease in
dimensions contributed to a balance in handling akin to the
earlier R32 GTR.
With many other technical enhancements, the new R34 GTR is
the most popular Skyline GT-R ever.
The RB26DETT with an industry agreed power cap of 206kW at
6800rpm specified by Nissan, the true output was considered
to be much more by those in the know and probably closer to
250kW. A new stainless steel exhaust system with reduced
back pressure and re-specified camshafts for improved valve
timing making the engine more flexible with a better torque
curve and higher peak-output of 400Nm at 4400rpm. The new
smaller twin ceramic turbochargers reduce spool-up time with
a maximum boost of 0.4bar and use twin ball-bearings in the
water cooled turbo's to minimize friction. The transition to
full boost after 3500RPM creates slight lag but when the
RB26DETT is on song at 8000RPM its time to hastily shift to
the next gear. With six slots to find a home for at 8000RPM
the performance is certainly up with most acknowledged
supercars from Europe.
With initial acceleration 0 - 60 mph [secs]4.9 and up to 0 -
100 mph [secs] 12.3
The customary measure of a performance cars credentials the
1/4 mile [secs at mph] 13.7 at 103.5.
With a Curb weight of 1540kg (3395lb) the front Brakes with
300mm ventilated discs and 4-piston calipers, and the Rear
Brakes with 280mm discs with 2-piston calipers have no
problems in getting you back to legal speed very quickly
after stretching out the gearbox.
