Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Japan, Supercars, Nissan
Update on GT-R tuning front: BBS offering wheels, HKS nixes speed-limiter, more
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R in detail.
Despite a slightly rocky start, the aftermarket in Japan has fully embraced the R35 Nissan GT-R. We've already reported on the trials and tribulations owners have faced when trying to throw on some new hoops or attempting to get past the Nissan-imposed 111-mph speed limiter, but as we suspected, both issues have been resolved post haste by the auto-obsessives across the Pacific.
HKS has begun selling a standalone speed-limiter defeat that plugs into the ECU harness and removes the 180 km/h governor, and, unlike other solutions from MINE'S and Amuse, it doesn't involve reflashing the ECU. However, the VAC unit isn't cheap at 120,000 yen (around $1,200 US).Follow the jump for more of the latest aftermarket toys available for your Nissan GT-R.
Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)
Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R Details
BBS is producing a limited run of LM-DBK-P wheels, sized 20x9.5-inches up front (+40 offset) and 20x10.5-inches in the rear (+20 offset) for the GT-R and like the VAC unit, the cost of exclusivity is prohibitive, with the full set coming in over $5 grand and only sold in Japan. After attempting to contact BBS, we haven't been informed how the company is getting around the wheel-speed sensors, but it shouldn't be hard to port them over from the stock rollers.
Finally, MCR wasn't particularly fond of the fact that the paddle shifters on the GT-R stayed at the 9-and-3 position when turning the steering wheel, so it's created a new hub and carbon fiber paddles that turn with the wheel. It's not clear if the stock wheel with all its gizmos can be retained with the modified paddles, but they've fitted a Nardi wheel in its place for track duty. 
[Source: GTRBlog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sean Flanagan 5:17PM (3/25/2008)
It's ironic to me that someone would want the paddles to turn with the wheel. This is the biggest gripe I read/hear about with the usual flappy paddle gearboxes: you turn the wheel, and your hands struggle to hit the correct paddle.
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Fooman 5:48PM (3/25/2008)
actually on a track you want them to move with the wheel, like M's and F1 cars. You will not ever be shifting when you are in a place that requires you to move your hands, but in gradual turns, fixed padels are a problem. I've tracked my M3 smg with moves with the wheel, and tracked a infiniti g35 with fixed(identical to the gtr) and will take the non-fixed any day.
MikeW 7:02PM (3/25/2008)
The reason F1 has the paddles move with the steering wheel is that the steering ratio is insanely fast, and the steering wheel only turns one complete revolution at most.
and you happen to need to shift while pulling 2g or more acceleration (lateral and longitudinal)
For production cars, putting paddles to the wheel, or fixed to the column is more for effect, or for lazy people.
and it is kind of stupid because if the steering wheel is at 180 degrees relative position, does the computer compensate, or do you?
Just reach down to the fixed location, the center console.
All cars have power steering.
Jeff Banks 5:22PM (3/25/2008)
the catch? Consider your warrenty voided.
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Tourian 5:31PM (3/25/2008)
As is the risk when you mod any car on the planet.
paul34 6:45PM (3/25/2008)
You may want to read the Magnusson-Moss warranty act. You can't "void" a car warranty. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either very ignorant or is lying to you.
tenfifteen 10:43PM (3/25/2008)
Paul34 is absolutely correct. Magnusson-Moss is pretty clear about this. In twenty-five words or less; the manufacturer has to prove that your mod caused a failure in the component for which you are making a warranty claim.
Let's say you perform a mod that results in excess boost or compression, and you blow a headgasket. Probably you're screwed on that repair. But if you then remove the mod, Nissan can't then use it as a basis for future refusals to cover another blown headgasket, let alone unrelated subsystems. Something that defeats a top-speed governor could potentially cause an ECU failure, but that'd be about it.
Not that you need more power in this car, but the Nissan V6 scales pretty damned well from what I understand. When the tuners really start getting their hands dirty with this one, it's going to get nasty.
tenfifteen 10:52PM (3/25/2008)
Paul34 is absolutely correct. Magnusson-Moss is pretty clear about this. In twenty-five words or less; the manufacturer has to prove that your mod caused a failure in the component for which you are making a warranty claim.
Let's say you perform a mod that results in excess boost or compression, and you blow a headgasket. Probably you're screwed on that repair. But if you then remove the mod, Nissan can't then use it as a basis for future refusals to cover another blown headgasket, let alone unrelated subsystems. Something that defeats a top-speed governor could potentially cause an ECU failure, but that'd be about it.
Not that you need more power in this car, but the Nissan V6 scales pretty damned well from what I understand. When the tuners really start getting their hands dirty with this one, it's going to get nasty.
Jeff Banks 10:24PM (3/26/2008)
Did not know this...thanks for the replies.
Yar 5:55PM (3/25/2008)
3 items, thats a heck of an aftermarket.
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Red 6:24PM (3/25/2008)
There's a full list of aftermarket parts. Do a search.
Yar 9:02PM (3/25/2008)
I have been doing a search, I found an exhaust and brake package. Now we're up to 5 parts. Sweet. I'm going to go read my 450 page long GM Performance catalog now...
V 1:09AM (3/26/2008)
yar:
Yeah, it'll take you 450 aftermarket parts for your pos GM to get half the performance of the R35.
Rob 6:03PM (3/25/2008)
Nice that they got past that speed limiter..... and if your dropping 70G's (or more) on this car, $1,200 is well worth being able to use the car to its full potential .
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tankd0g 12:12AM (3/26/2008)
Now we can really step up the GT-R's placement on wreckedexotics.com, Lambo you're going down baby!
John R 6:28PM (3/25/2008)
It must really annoy JDM GT-R owners that the US GT-R aren't governed
As for the Nardi wheel, I guess the buttons on the stock wheel were redundant? Anyone know?
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r33 9:15AM (3/28/2008)
usuall stuff
cruise control and radio setting.
MCR is developing their own hardcore track car,so i guess is uneeded stuff anway.
StickShift 7:34PM (3/25/2008)
ironic that one of the most popular and eagerly awaited tuner cars in recent memory is designed almost specifically NOT to be tuned. you'd think Nissan would have kept the aftermarket in mind, or maybe even opened up and helped them develop compatible parts. what Ford did with the Mustang--sending complete bodies in white and prototypes to companies like Saleen and Roush to tinker with--is a fine example of what should happen when a car is going to be fodder for tuners and hot rodders.
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chris 7:56PM (3/25/2008)
Japanese companies don't make "tuner cars". They make performance cars that some companies choose to make aftermarket parts for. The only 'tuner car' I can think of is that WRX TR thing from a year or so ago, which was an America-only thing from what I can remember.
And all of the big Japanese tuning houses got R35s a few weeks before they went on sale so that the car would have a presence at either Tokyo Auto Salon or Motor Show whichever it was. The real big guys like Mine's even having some Nissan/NISMO people working on some stuff with them. They're fine with the likes of Mine's and HKS making properly R&D'd stuff for the GT-R, the anti-tuning stuff is to stop Joe Citizen from spending $5k on ECU and turbos and suddenly having an 800hp car he doesn't know how to drive.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:50PM (3/25/2008)
Alright. Fine then Chris. Next time someone talks about how the R32,R33 and R34 came with a mere 276HP but were designed with a block and drivetrain that could produce a lot more, you are the one in charge of explaining to the person how it wasn't to be tuning-friendly.