Busy Day! ItalDesign Event, Nismo Omori, and Daikoku PA

at Daikanyama T-Site

So since my GT-R normally lives on top of the car lift, and it is somewhat of a hassle to get it out of the garage (move my Elgrand; move my Lexus IS-F; move my Skyline Nismo), lately for me it has to be a special occasion before I can be bothered to do so.

But today was such a day!

My friend Andrea Porta at ItalDesign had invited me to his company's world premier of their newest book which has the theme of engineers with ideas: "ItalDesign Engineers of Ideas"

The event was at the gigantic Tsutaya store/parking lot in Daikanyama, Tokyo, called Daikanyama T-Site.  Longtime readers will recall that I was on hand with my R33 GT-R when ItalDesign launched the GT-R50 in the very same parking lot back in 2018. 

Anyway, this time Andrea reached out to me (probably because he knows I don't drive the R enough) and gently asked if I could make time for this event - but I had to bring the R. A bit confused, as I heard that all the other cars were going to be ones that were actually designed by ItalDesign, but I figured it was a great excuse to get out and hang out with fellow car nerds but of the non JDM variety.

After checking out the cars for a couple of hours, we headed inside for an hour long presentation of the book's contents, as well as an update on what we can expect ItalDesign to be doing going forward.

As I was learning that ItalDesign had been influential in the design of objects other than cars, such as Seiko watches and Nikon cameras, I got a text message from a fellow R33 owner, SHOHEI.  He asked if we could meet up at Daikoku, since last I saw him (at Mine's and then also at Umihotaru) he had been itching to take photos of my car.  I was agreeable, but he proposed meeting up at Daikoku at 1400.  But the ItalDesign event ended at about 1230... what to do, since it was only a quick 30 minute drive from Daikanyama to Daikoku?

Well, why not go to where I always like to go - Nismo Omori? Maybe I could kill some time there...

When I arrived, some kids from Finland saw my car and got excited, so I talked to them for a bit... (Eetu? Sorry...)

Inside Nismo Omori Factory, I found this Tomica display

I need to talk to someone about putting a Tomica of my car in here...

And then a couple of mildly interesting cars:

But sadly nothing R33 related. Luckily, SHOHEI volunteered to stop by Nismo first before Daikoku...

SHOHEI in green about to take some photos of our cars

I think this is the first time I have compared a KL0 v KR4 silver car in daylight!

Both silvers are awesome! Especially as both have the new Veleno LED headlights!

After talking to some guys at Nismo, it was off to Daikoku, finally.  I took this photo of SHOHEI taking some photos but he was also kind enough to later send me some samples of his work as well.

Yeah ok but WOW check out his photos:

I guess he likes using filters, or Photoshop, but heck they look good. Thanks SHOHEI!!

Also thanks to SHOHEI for giving me a couple of new ideas for future mods....!!!! 

Cars and Coffee Okinawa, Part 2

So here in Part 2, I want to take a look at these three 33 GT-Rs that I found at the event.

First, let's look at this custom colored 33 - owned by our friend "Nismo" Jefferson, he is quite active in the local Okinawan car scene, with his own Facebook channel where he shows off some pretty interesting things he's done to his car. Check out the folder called "King Midas Kaiju-R" (Kaiju-R is the name of his car!)

Most important mod is the ClubR33 sticker, obviously...

"Nismo" was making minute changes on his ECU map that day

I don't understand the rubber ducky thing but...

Since he's a much better photographer than me, let me share some photos he took recently. Really shows off his custom color scheme, I think!! Check out how different lighting results in different shades of the color! Especially the front lip!

Most amazing are these infinity tailights he installed - check out that 3-D effect!!!

Next is this white machine owned by Jay - unfortunately I probably won't be able to check it out next time I'm in Okinawa as Jay is moving to Guam at the end of the month, but those of you in Guam, you are forwarned! 

The car's complete spec and history is long, so I had to ask Jay himself - but basically his obsession started when the stock turbine disintegrated after the boost line came apart - he admits he did not have an external boost controller.  He says he saw the boost gauge a bit erratic, and was going to borrow an external controller to try to diagnosis it, but the ceramic wheel came apart before he could do so.

The ceramic pieces went into the engine/combustion chamber and destroyed it. So of course, he got a new/upgraded block from the Nismo Heritage Parts program.  While he was rebuilding, he decided to improve everything - so he started with an N1 oil pump, and Spool spline drive kit machined into the crank.  The crank is an Eagle billet/lightweight knife edge crank - balanced and checked by NAPREC (they did all the machining work).

"ACL race bearings, with ARP main studs, and TOMEI head gasket. Pistons are Manly Turbo Tough and upgraded CP/Carillo wrist pins.  Brian Crower H-beam rods..  Pistons were 86.5mm bore and with the crankshaft (77.7mm) makes it a 2,741 cc engine. The head is brand new, also from Nissan, and NAPREC machined it to clear the cams. Their High Response Kit comes with new valves, seals, valve guides, and I believe oversized intake valves, polishing, etc. Dual Supertech valve springs, titanium retainers, and TOMEI 272 10.25mm lift cams. TOMEI gears and belt.  PRP crank trigger kit (eliminates CAS).

Turbo is BorgWarner SXE-369.  6 boost manifold, Turbosmart 50mm wastegate. Greddy 4" intercooler and radiator.  New R32 GT-R transmission from Nissan, forged OS Giken internals, cross-cut. X clutch twin ceramic clutch from Australia.  R35 coil kit from PRP. Haltech 2500 ECU and all Haltech sensors."

He estimates HP between 650-750 and he is going to try to dyno it when he gets to Guam. Probably a water/methanol combo when in Guam, and when he is finally back in the USA, E85.  Chasing 800/850 hp!

Finally, the newcomer to the Okinawa car scene is this gorgeous series 2 AR1 33 owned by Ryan.  

Ryan told me he's been saving since high school to buy his dream car, and this is it!  He just got it a few months ago so he is currently educating himself and plotting how to preserve/modify/improve his car.  However, one of the first mods he put in were some Ohlins DFV Road and Tracks, and having ridden in the car, I can vouch that they are doing their job.   He's also installed a Tomei Expreme Ti titanium exhaust, which of course I am very familiar with.   When I followed him in my rental I didn't see any flames shoot out of the rear which means the engine is running near normal, but Ryan tells me he has some plans in that area. 

Can't wait to see what he decides to do.

Anyway, next time I am in Okinawa I'l be hanging out with Nismo and Ryan again - hope to meet some others next time.  Jay - good luck in Guam, and keep me posted on your next mods!!

Thanks to the guys I met at Cars and Coffee Okinawa for their hospitality!

Cars and Coffee Okinawa, Part 1

I love the fact that in this day and age thanks to social media, wherever I go, I usually happen to "know" someone local to the area.  This was no different - and that is why I found myself invited to this monthly car nerd event, held in a shopping center parking lot near Okinawa's "American Village" a shopping center/tourist attraction, checking out the local car community (lots of Americans!) and their rides.  Of course, this blog being all about R33 GT-Rs I will save the best for last but to say the least, I was super impressed with what I saw.

Let's start with some Toyotas - was going to check them out:

But I was quickly distracted by this nice NISSAN - I especially like the number plate:

Sorry, let's check it out from a better view. You can see others were getting some nice photos too.

Sadly, I only saw 2 FDs there. Sorry Russ.

On the other hand, the Subaru contingent was out in full force:

Some more Toyota things. And a cute first gen Miata! (and yeah that was the local police, begging people NOT to leave, but to stop idling the engines... noisy for some locals I guess...)

Ok call me old but I actually like the shape of this Supra better than the Mark IV.

And of course, no car meet in Japan would be complete without at least one ITASHA. Unfortunately it had to be a Nissan, this twin turbo Z32...sigh...

I did like how clean this grey Z32 was, however.

Ok now here is a weird threesome. Anyone know what these are?

Ok this was awesome. 

As was this:

Looked like something for everybody:

This was the sleeper of the day. Again, nice job with the license plate!

Marred only, in my opinion, by these replica TE37s.

Still, I think I could be persuaded to buy one as my next family car. The luggage capacity of an SUV, four wheel drive, but stick shift and turbocharged RB!

So I was checking out this bayside bluish Soarer...

And then noticed:

Anyone know what this is? Looks pretty, but I have no idea how well it functions. I mean it LOOKS like it would function well, but what's up with the crown logo? But I DO appreciate the super clean rim!

And yes there was much more. Sorry to all those who I did not get - maybe next time?

In my next post, I will take the liberty of talking more about those 3 R33 GT-Rs at the top of the page. They all have different stories but all were impressive in their own ways. 

Some of you may be wondering? What about other GT-Rs? Well, I did not see a single R32 GT-R or R35 GT-R, at least at the meet. And yeah there were a couple of BNR34 as well, but strangely everyone was ignoring them. Seriously I am not making this up.

Finally - if you happen to be in Okinawa this year, here is the schedule.