Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Supercars, Nissan
Mines planning Nissan GT-R upgrades for North America
The introduction of Nissan's GT-R in North America isn't just a milestone for the automaker, but for the tuners in Japan that stand to profit from one of the largest aftermarkets in the world. MINE'S has been developing parts in Japan since 1985 and have been one of the preeminent R32, R33 and R34 tuners over the past two decades. They've already gotten their hands on the new R35 GT-R and according to a few comments by Mr. Niikura from MINE'S, they plan on bringing both ECU upgrades and other parts to the U.S. market in 2008.
Our comrades over at the GTChannel videotaped the brief interview with the man behind MINE'S and also had the opportunity to watch the tuner's GT-R and its GT500 counterpart spend some time at the Tsukuba circuit. Click those hyperlinks to check it out.
[Source: GTChannel]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Will 11:14AM (12/08/2007)
The GT-R's from Mine's have always been impressive, intelligently modified for performance and clean looks. I'm pretty excited at the chance to see them running around on American streets.
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Danny Boy 11:23AM (12/08/2007)
I hope they don't ruin the quality with quantity. Yeah, it would be neat to seem parts and stuff. But keep in mind, that who ever buys them now will do so because they know the potential. My fear is that people with huge bank accounts will be purchasing not only the car, but the parts just so say, "I can and you can't" In about 2 years the aftermarket will go insane with this car. I predict, and hold me to it Autoblog. Next year, or the year after, the car at SEMA that will be featured will be the GT-R.
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Kookr 11:45AM (12/08/2007)
IIt doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that the GTR will be an aftermarket gold mine.
Clinton Sosnoski 11:28AM (12/08/2007)
Niiiiiice, My Gran Turismo 2 fantasy is that much closer to being fulfilled
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davidK 11:56AM (12/08/2007)
So much for that un-breakable ECU huh.
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David W. 12:14PM (12/08/2007)
I would be surprised if Mines didn't have factory support, they've been working together forever haven't they?
Franz 12:14PM (12/08/2007)
Now this is good news. Mines has always been famous for quality, hard hitting upgrades for the GT-R. Stock appearance and incredible performance along with excellent power delivery has always been the name of the game. I'd definitely give them a look.
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Franz 12:22PM (12/08/2007)
This car is gonna be a tuners wet dream come true. I'm sure it's gonna give a few of the lesser ones nightmares as well. lol
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bert 4:49PM (12/09/2007)
On the contrary I don't think so - it's all volume sales, and if the GTR is only 1500 units a year, well that dictates the max income a given tuner can earn from selling modifications. When you figure reverse engineering an ECU might take a hardware/software engineer who's time is worth $100k+ $USD a year, you then have to jack up your prices. That's why exhausts for 911 turbos cost $4000 dollars when they cost a few hundred bucks to actually manufacture. So I'm guessing expensive parts and not a lot of cars out there will stagnate the GTR aftermarket for a few years.
Franz 1:54AM (12/10/2007)
Bert:
It's a good thing auto manufacturers and tuners aren't short sighted like you. In Japan, despite projected sales of only 200 units a month, the advance orders on the car had exceeded 2300 in two months. And that's not counting projected US or European sales. And let's not forget that this is just an initial, first year production run. If the demand for this vehicle grows, then more than likely you'll see an increase in production over the following years. It's not always smart and safe to play the wait and see game. I'm sure most tuners realize this and will be trying to get their products on the shelf first. That's what competition in the aftermarket is all about. Success in the market place will favor those who have the quality products on sale first.
HotRodzNKustoms 12:43PM (12/08/2007)
I'd be interested to see what the standard modifications intake, exhaust, and a chip (ok reprogrammer or reflash for you pricks) will yield as far as power is concerned.
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EJ25RUN 1:43PM (12/08/2007)
with Mines position and respect for skyline tuning, this can only go great!
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:13PM (12/08/2007)
What the hell is wrong with the door on that car? It doesn't even come close to lining up at the bottom!
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Carlos 6:21PM (12/08/2007)
It's the light reflecting off of it that makes it look uneven. Also this car is going to be the biggest pita to tune, I can guarantee that, and the weak link is going to be the drive train.
Franz 6:44PM (12/08/2007)
It does look weird, but typically manufactures give tuners pre-production vehicles. Build flaws and fit issues are common in those. I've seen that on several tuner cars from several manufactures.
jboze84 8:19PM (12/09/2007)
Nice FC in the background!
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shutokoR33 3:29PM (1/27/2008)
just remember the car won't be under warranty if you tune it like before/ my sister has a 1000hp R34 that's under warranty. she just got her R35 i can expect nissan will be telling her no if she wrecks it
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