I actually have a 97 Infiniti I30 (Cefiro). To the point. I saw a 2001 Calisonic R34 GT with a Quad turbo V6, 6 speed stick, AWD and 702hp, then began to drool. I also peeped a TwinTurbo GT-R model with a meager 460hp. I am wondering why are these things only available everywhere but the U.S?

Now, I am not a fan of the car necessarily, but I do like anything that can make BMW and Audi shut the #%& up. I have read enough to know the Infiniti G35 is supposed to be the reincarnation of the Skyline in America. But "where's the beef"! Everybody else got beef...

GM: Vette 5.7L V8 405hp
Ford: 'Stang Cobra 4.6L Supercharged V8 390hp
GT43.5 5.4L Supercharged V8 500hp
Dodge: Viper SRT 8.3L V10 500hp
Porsche: 911 turbo 3.6L V6 415hp
Nissan: 350z 3.5L V6 287hp (what?!)

REally, is there a reason why skyline power is not here in the U.S.?

legalization issues. the car doesnt comply with us standards......r34s dont have a v6 in them...they have an rb26dett which is an inline-6...GT what?? GTR, GTS, GT-T what? its a GTR for your info. 6 speed stick? wtf is that? you mean manual? i dont know about the quad turbo part because the calasonic tuned r34 is for track racing. all GTRs have AWD and AWS with the ATTESSA-ETS and HICAS systems. stock r34s 'supposedly' have 280 hp due to a gentlemans agreement between japanese and european manufacturers that they wouldnt release a car over 300 hp...if you test the GTRs for hp, youll find that they actually average in the low to mid 300s. 460 hp is nothing compared to the HKS tuned skyline which only has 1300 hp....or even yet the veilside tuned skyline at 1600 hp.

If you saw a V-6 R34 GTR, it was most likely a JGTC R34 GTR race car. They've continued the car in that form only, they last street legal GTR was rolled out in 2002. The R34 JGTC GTR has a twin turbo VQ30.

The VQ is Nissan's main engine now. The current Skyline/G35 is using this engine. The G35 gets only the VQ35 whereas the Skyline gets the VQ25, 30 or 35. But with the newest gen of the Skyline/G35, there is no 'beef,' Japan and the US didn't get the power it should have.

For the 280hp quote for the GTR's etc. It's a Japanese law that no car sold from the factory will be over 280ps. As most people know/learned, the GTR's make more then that. The law doesn't state exactly where the measurment is taken, and the engineers get to allow for power loss (road friction, wind, etc, etc.) so the come up with the magic number of 280ps! Amazing that it's exactly the legal limit!

Other models that are rated higher (400R, etc.) is because of a loophole. The law says 'from the factory,' so they technically sell the car (to Nismo in this case) they do all the mods, and then sell the brand new car that doesn't have the 280ps law apply to it.

legalization issues. the car doesnt comply with us standards......r34s dont have a v6 in them...they have an rb26dett which is an inline-6...GT what?? GTR, GTS, GT-T what? its a GTR for your info. 6 speed stick? wtf is that? you mean manual? i dont know about the quad turbo part because the calasonic tuned r34 is for track racing. all GTRs have AWD and AWS with the ATTESSA-ETS and HICAS systems. stock r34s 'supposedly' have 280 hp due to a gentlemans agreement between japanese and european manufacturers that they wouldnt release a car over 300 hp...if you test the GTRs for hp, youll find that they actually average in the low to mid 300s. 460 hp is nothing compared to the HKS tuned skyline which only has 1300 hp....or even yet the veilside tuned skyline at 1600 hp.

Thanks for the responce. You were able to shed some light, but let me say something up front. I do the research, and while don't follow this car, I don't jump on the forums without bringing quotable stats. The calisonic does have a V6 and it is just GT. Here's a link:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehicle.asp?car_id=3363&autoShowID=&vehicleTypeID=0
Referring to a manual transmission shifter as a "stick" or "stick Shift" goes back about 30 years, in the U.S. anyways. The previous generation coined the phrase "4 in the floor", meaning 4-speed manual transmission. Being aware of multi-generational auto enthusiast lingo will make your forum reading and posting experience more enjoyable.

It's interesting when people quote the "280hp" when it's actually "280ps" or 276hp. Not withstanding that but how detuned is say an R32 GTR from the factory given its standard parts? Very!

With the ecu so conservatively tuned, boost restricted to .6 bar(8.7psi) they really do make around that figure. How ever remove the little brass restrictor plug out of the boost control line and it increases to around the 300hp. Change the exahust to a 3" straight through system, add another 18-20hp. Open the factory airbox inlet side maybe another 10hp. Now the ecu. Since you can chip them on the R32 which would be the same as putting in a Power FC, Link, etc here is where the gains are made. Take a look at my car. 450hp with pods, exhaust, electronic boost controller, and the factory ecu remapped. Nothing else was change.
I've since had the airflow meters reconditions, and added a new frontmount which is nearly twice as thick as the factory (600*300*100), now the car is running rich. Will be getting another retune and could see another potential 25hp possibly more depending on how much more timing we can run. :)

So now where's the beef? Umm the "new skyline" is nothing like the past generations. The 350Z well umm its N/A again nothing like the past gens. The past Skylines were JDM, Japanese Domestic Market aimed. Since the inception of the R32 they were built and holmolgamated to compete in the JGTC against Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Mitzi, and Subaru. They were designed around the right hand drive chassis and setup. So in that respect Nissan never aimed them at the US market which if they could do it again very wll may have. Who knows where it would have led.

Thanks for the responce. You were able to shed some light, but let me say something up front. I do the research, and while don't follow this car, I don't jump on the forums without bringing quotable stats. The calisonic does have a V6 and it is just GT. Here's a link:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehicle.asp?car_id=3363&autoShowID=&vehicleTypeID=0
Referring to a manual transmission shifter as a "stick" or "stick Shift" goes back about 30 years, in the U.S. anyways. The previous generation coined the phrase "4 in the floor", meaning 4-speed manual transmission. Being aware of multi-generational auto enthusiast lingo will make your forum reading and posting experience more enjoyable.

sorry bout bein a dick before, i was in a bad mood last night. we all have our good and bad days. if it was a v6 GT then it mustve well been a track car, just like the the nismo and some HKS models. and i got confused with the 'speed stick' term. i never heard that before...if you dropped the speed i wouldve been able to understand haha. i dont know that much about the track and a little bit about some of the HKS, veilside, and nismo tuned skys. i do know a ton about the street models, from vquick, razor and skylinesUSA. i am still learning about this machine, just like the rest of us.

I actually have a 97 Infiniti I30 (Cefiro). To the point. I saw a 2001 Calisonic R34 GT with a Quad turbo V6, 6 speed stick, AWD and 702hp, then began to drool. I also peeped a TwinTurbo GT-R model with a meager 460hp. I am wondering why are these things only available everywhere but the U.S?

Again, legal issues. The pre-V35 Skylines will not conform to US standards without some work.

I have read enough to know the Infiniti G35 is supposed to be the reincarnation of the Skyline in America. But "where's the beef"!

The V35 Skyline has plenty of 'beef,' considering it isn't the GT-R model. The V35 Skyline sedan and CPV35 Skyline coupe are probably among the best non-GT-R Skylines released in years. They even outperform the R34 GT-R in some areas. When the new GT-R actually does launch, you can bet it'll shake things up.

GM: Vette 5.7L V8 405hp
Ford: 'Stang Cobra 4.6L Supercharged V8 390hp
GT43.5 5.4L Supercharged V8 500hp
Dodge: Viper SRT 8.3L V10 500hp
Porsche: 911 turbo 3.6L V6 415hp
Nissan: 350z 3.5L V6 287hp (what?!)

:disappoin
I can see you do your research, but try looking at things from this perspective...

Chevrolet: Corvette Z06, 5.7L V8 405hp, $51,155
Ford: Mustang Cobra, 4.6L Supercharged V8 390hp, $34,750
Ford: GT, 5.4L Supercharged V8, 500hp $150,000(what?!)
Dodge: Viper SRT-10, 8.3L V10 500hp, $83,795(what?!)
Porsche: 911 Turbo, Turbocharged 3.6L V6 415hp, $116,200(what?!)
Nissan: 350Z, 3.5L V6 287hp, $26,809
Nissan: GT-R('08), Turbocharged 3.xL V6 ~450hp, ~$50-70k

All prices taken from www.caranddriver.com

...Nissan never aimed them at the US market which if they could do it again very well may have. Who knows where it would have led.

Well, I'll paint you a theoretical picture. I beleive that Godzilla would have forced some serious redesigns in American auto makers. I think many would rethink thier 6 cylinder philosophy. American makers have always favored the V8 for power, i.e. bigger is better. The American 6 cylinder that is naturally aspirated has no real power. Better designs are good for everybody. In truth, I beleive the powers that have woken up to the new world they live in, the Skyline might have brought the change 5-8 years earlier.

But mostly, I beleive that it would have mortally wounded the European car business. Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley et al are all chained to thier reputations and thus absorbitant price tags. Enter the dragon; a 450hp AWD predator with a $40K price tag. Granted markup will add $15K to the price. Then add a slew of Nismo parts the further enhance the performance. 'Goodnight govna. Make sure to tidy up before you let yourself out.'

:disappoin
I can see you do your research, but try looking at things from this perspective...

Chevrolet: Corvette Z06, 5.7L V8 405hp, $51,155
Ford: Mustang Cobra, 4.6L Supercharged V8 390hp, $34,750
Ford: GT, 5.4L Supercharged V8, 500hp $150,000(what?!)
Dodge: Viper SRT-10, 8.3L V10 500hp, $83,795(what?!)
Porsche: 911 Turbo, Turbocharged 3.6L V6 415hp, $116,200(what?!)
Nissan: 350Z, 3.5L V6 287hp, $26,809
Nissan: GT-R('08), Turbocharged 3.xL V6 ~450hp, ~$50-70k

All prices taken from www.caranddriver.com
I am comparing top rated cosumer-level sports car selling the in US. So, we need to adjust the price on the 2004 350Z to $31K for the performance package (Kelley Blue book). That makes the Cobra a close competitor with a similar legacy, and a 100 more horses.

As we all know, Nissan engines have more power than the paperwork indicates. So, as was pointed out by oi_boy, it may be a "gentleman's agreement" even in the United states to keep the power below a certain threshold. Seems a waste, though.

I am comparing top rated cosumer-level sports car selling the in US. So, we need to adjust the price on the 2004 350Z to $31K for the performance package (Kelley Blue book). That makes the Cobra a close competitor with a similar legacy, and a 100 more horses.


Why do you insist on including the Performance package? I'm comparing base prices. The Cobra is indeed a better performance value than the 350Z, even if it had the Track model trim. Still, that doesn't explain why you would include the other vehicles, the cheapest of which was over $50k.

Well, I'll paint you a theoretical picture. I beleive that Godzilla would have forced some serious redesigns in American auto makers. I think many would rethink thier 6 cylinder philosophy. American makers have always favored the V8 for power, i.e. bigger is better. The American 6 cylinder that is naturally aspirated has no real power. Better designs are good for everybody. In truth, I beleive the powers that have woken up to the new world they live in, the Skyline might have brought the change 5-8 years earlier.

But mostly, I beleive that it would have mortally wounded the European car business. Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley et al are all chained to thier reputations and thus absorbitant price tags. Enter the dragon; a 450hp AWD predator with a $40K price tag. Granted markup will add $15K to the price. Then add a slew of Nismo parts the further enhance the performance. 'Goodnight govna. Make sure to tidy up before you let yourself out.'


Actually I know. Born in Burlington Wisconson and liven in Northern Illinios for over 30years. I've owned and was weened on V8's. The bigger the better.

I do agree though had the R32 been released in the States (new) the American Motoring industry would have taken a huge bath, especially in the performance area. Consider for a while just how badly the Toyota Camery ate into Chevy, Ford, Dodge, and Chrysler's sales figures for small midsized cars. Considering the Camery was the #1 car for 5 straight years knocking Ford off it's pirch.
Come to think of it how badly would have the GTR ate into Mitizi's GTO,(VR4), Supra, and RX7 sales let alone Corvette, Mustang, etc.
Makes you wonder well at least it does me.

Why do you insist on including the Performance package? I'm comparing base prices. The Cobra is indeed a better performance value than the 350Z, even if it had the Track model trim. Still, that doesn't explain why you would include the other vehicles, the cheapest of which was over $50k.
Simply put, the Cobra is not the base Mustang. The Z06 is not the base model Corvette. The 911 turbo is not the base model. All of these are top of the line models. The 350Z doesn't really have multiple models, just different amenities. The performance package seems to be as close as I see to be a direct comparison.

If we are going to compare base models, than we would pick the $19K Mustang with 3.8L V6 193hp. My 8 year old I30 will outrun that car. The corvette would be a 5.7L 350hp V8 ($41K), 911 is reduce to carrera with has 315hp 6 cylinder RWD ($68k). Viper? Well, a V10 is still a V10. But the 350Z is not billed as a bottom-rung car. In my opinion, to make it even, you pick the top performance models. I did, however, exclude half-million dollar 10 cylinder 911 with 605hp simply because of the price.

Thanks for the responce. You were able to shed some light, but let me say something up front. I do the research, and while don't follow this car, I don't jump on the forums without bringing quotable stats. The calisonic does have a V6 and it is just GT. Here's a link:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehicle.asp?car_id=3363&autoShowID=&vehicleTypeID=0


Before you get upset about his response, please check around for more reliable sites to quote.
I looked at the site you linked, and it is a JGTC (Japanese GT Championship) R34 GTR, the race team that runs it is Calsonic Skyline, it is indeed a GTR and only powered by the RB26DETT (In-line 6 Twin turbo). Here's JGTC's site:
http://www.jgtc.net/index_en.htm
Check out under race archive on the left menu and choose any race in 2001. Here's the round 5 link: http://www.jgtc.net/race/2001e/01r5e/015entry.htm
The Calsonic Skyline (#12) is the 4th down, a Nissan Skyline GTR.

Here's a reliable site with the 2001 season info:
http://racing.jbskyline.net/2001/
It mentions the two Nismo and the Calsonic GTR's engines:
'All three cars were updated versions of the BNR34 of the 2000 JGTC Season, which is 4600mm long and 1885mm wide (100mm more than the standard GT-R). Similar to the production R34 GT-Rs, the JGTC Race-car is powered by the twin-turbocharged RB26DETT.'

Now, the new JGTC GTR's (2003 and up) are powered by V-6s (VQ30DETT) but are again only twin turbo'd. Here's a link with specs and pics of Nismo's 2003 JGTC GTRs:
http://www.nismo.co.jp/M_SPORTS/entertainment/download/index.html

One of the side pieces of info to prove I have no life other then Skylines, you can tell just by looking at the pic from the site you linked that it had the inline 6 RB26DETT. Compare that one to the pic of both Nismo's 2003 GTRs. You'll notice that the 2003 Nismo has a lowered hood which causes the need for bulges over the tires to fit them. This is because it has the V-6 which allows for the lowered hood for better aerodynamics. That's a tell tale sign that can be spoted very easily, if you know to look for it.

Also, here's Calsonic's site:
http://www.calsonickansei.co.jp/race/index.html

Here's their 2001 Skyline GTR specs directly from them with the RB26 in-line 6 twin turbo engine:
http://www.calsonickansei.co.jp/race/report/2001/machine.html
Here's their 2003 Skyline GTR which uses the VQ30DETT V-6 twin turbo:
http://www.calsonickansei.co.jp/race/report/2003/machine.html

Again, compare the two and you can see the difference in the hood between the in-line 6 and V-6.

[quote]One of the side pieces of info to prove I have no life other then Skylines, you can tell just by looking at the pic from the site you linked that it had the inline 6 RB26DETT[/quote

so i was right about the 26dett :D

so i was right about the 26dett :D

Yes, on the 2001. But the 2k3 has the V6. GTES, I looked at the Calisonic site and must say my Japanese is not what it used to be. Was there ever at Quad Turbo? I guess that would be a VQ30DETTTT, or a VQ30DEQT, or a VQ30DAMN :naughty:

yea hahaha i didnt think they made quad turbos...maybe track cars? i dunno. youd like have to bolt turbos onto the turbos haha. 2003? was it a v35?

There haven't been any quad turbos used on Skylines factory, in the D1GP or JGTC. Who knows if someone ever did a custom one, I doubt it because for the engine size, you'd waste much more power trying to spool them up, then the power you get from them. I have seen a picture from an auto show of a super and turbo charged RB engine! Now that'd create some power!

Anyways, yeah, the GTR is still being made, only for the race teams in the JGTC. It is the old R34 GTR (that was discontinued from street production in 2002) with the modification of having a twin turbo VQ30 and the hood/body mods to equip it.

So, as that pretty much spells it out, no RB engines have been produced since they ended in 2002 also.

Simply put, the Cobra is not the base Mustang.

You're missing the entire point. I'm comparing base prices for those particular cars, not prices for the base models.

The base price for the Mustang Cobra was $34,750, the 911 Turbo was $116,200, etc.

Even if the Track model 350Z was used(~$34k), it would still be considerably cheaper than most of those cars, with the exception of the Cobra.

Oh, it has been done, oi_boi. Maybe not on this car, but there other master engine builders out there.

http://www.hoon.tk/tech_tips/qtv81.html

http://www.lambocars.com/framed/diablo/affolt2.htm

You're missing the entire point. I'm comparing base prices for those particular cars, not prices for the base models.

The base price for the Mustang Cobra was $34,750, the 911 Turbo was $116,200, etc.

Even if the Track model 350Z was used(~$34k), it would still be considerably cheaper than most of those cars, with the exception of the Cobra.

Yes, I realize that it's a less expensive car. I also realize that the consumer has been trained to beleive that it costs crazy money to churn power. I also realize that the high price have very little to do with the car, i.e dealer, distributor, manufacturer, uncles' cousin, etc. I, also realize that the VQ Nissan engine can produce considerably more power than they do in a stock configuration. My VQ30 has 30-50 more horse milling around under hood that some fairly minor changes would release. Then with a new VQ35 we only add another 30hp? Then why build it. Just use the Vq30dett and be done with it. Which brings me back to beginning. There's no way I beleive that the Vq35 has less power than a Carrera. To me Nissan is playing the role of the smart kid in the class that acts like they're not. Maybe, it's so the other kids don't look stupid. The other kids being Chevy, Ford and Chrysler. I just don't believe you should expect less car just because it doesn't carry a rediculous sticker price.

Yes, I realize that it's a less expensive car. I also realize that the consumer has been trained to beleive that it costs crazy money to churn power. I also realize that the high price have very little to do with the car, i.e dealer, distributor, manufacturer, uncles' cousin, etc.

Then why are you comparing the 350Z to cars that aren't even close to its class? A Z06? Yeah, right. Even a standard C5 easily outguns a 350Z.


I, also realize that the VQ Nissan engine can produce considerably more power than they do in a stock configuration. My VQ30 has 30-50 more horse milling around under hood that some fairly minor changes would release. Then with a new VQ35 we only add another 30hp? Then why build it. Just use the Vq30dett and be done with it.

You're right about the potential of the VQ. The VQ30 we both have is capable of well over 400hp in race trim, normally aspirated. The VQ35 race motors are making about 450, and probably have room for more.

The problem is, the 350Z wasn't built to be Nissan's be-all, end-all supercar. It was built as a throwback to the original Z: A simple, normally aspirated two-seater sports car with balanced performance and a reasonable price. In Nissan's sports car lineup, it's in the mid-pack.

Add a VQ30DETT-a motor that is not available in production form by the way- and you drive up the cost and complexity of the car. You'll have the $40k Z32 300ZX all over again. You'll also begin intruding on the GT-R's territory, considering it is supposed to get a twin turbo VQ of a similar displacement(possibly 3.2L).

Which brings me back to beginning. There's no way I beleive that the Vq35 has less power than a Carrera. To me Nissan is playing the role of the smart kid in the class that acts like they're not. Maybe, it's so the other kids don't look stupid. The other kids being Chevy, Ford and Chrysler. I just don't believe you should expect less car just because it doesn't carry a rediculous sticker price.

The 287hp VQ35 in the 350Z does produce less power than the 320hp 996 Carrera. Big deal. You are getting less car in the 350Z, compared to a 996 Carrera, but not by much, and the price/performance ratio is very good. Just accept the Z for what it is.

I can see the mid-pack thing if you consider all Nissan produced cars on all continents. If you consider just the United States, the Z is it.

In conclusion: Nissan has acheived greatness and is poised to dominate a great many markets. It, of course, may be more profitable to stay just under the surface and merely mold the course of events. They have produced some powerful engines over the last decade with the VQ30 making the 10 best list 7 times. We all share the pride of owning a well built Japanese car and using to run others into ground. Maybe, one day, they will learn as we have. Until then, take care of yourselves, and each other....

bye