Custom Nissan Skyline GT-R Is a Rolling GReddy Performance Catalog
Hunting down classic GReddy goods for the ultimate R32 “retro-mod” has paid off.
When Jeff Perez picked up this 1991 Nissan Skyline GT-R, it began as most projects do with a set of wheels and an intake system. What's it's turned into after eight years of hunting, gathering, and wrench turning is a virtual rolling catalog of GReddy performance and TRUST goods, some of which are long discontinued.
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Love At First Drive
In 2016, Jeff nailed down this R32 from the folks at Speedworks NW in Kirkland, Washington. Dead set on bringing it home, he bought a one-way ticket to the Pacific Northwest, came face-to-face with the car, then spent the next 19 hours cruising it home. Almost entirely original, the only aftermarket addition was a Veilside exhaust.
That included modification was soon supplemented with a GReddy intake and Nismo wheels and he was content for the time being. Then, a deal he just couldn't pass on resulted in a pair of GReddy T51Z turbos being added to the bay. "That was the first stage of upgrades, and everything spiraled from there," he says. "As my search progressed, I was more attracted to GReddy and old, discontinued TRUST parts."
Reliving the '90s
Putting some attention toward the car's exterior, Jeff picked up a complete GReddy Gracer aero kit, which is still available today, but the adjustable rear wing is a very rare find and one he admits took a few years of searching and quite a bit of patience to track down. "Throughout the years I was always searching online for the parts to complete my build," he says. "It eventually became a period correct build based on the Legendary Speed King GReddy RX."
In tribute to the RX, Jeff added vinyl to the doors and, along with the stencil on the intercooler and Trust decals, the GReddy colors are applied to the grill. Outside the GReddy touches are Bomex Type 2 side mirrors and a vented JapSalon J-Tune hood, both of which add to the aero and help round out a bolder appearance for the beloved R32 chassis without smudging its boxy presence.
HKS Hipermax V coil overs allowed a useable, respectable ride height to be achieved and with GReddy shock tower bars mounted fore and aft, and a Do-Luck cross bar tying the center of the body together, handling is improved. 265/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S are wrapped around Panasport's G7 C5C2 for a classic look.
Doubling Up
Though that first GReddy turbo score was a major one that helped shape the future of the build, Jeff found something to replace it. "The second stage of the engine build was the GReddy top mount turbo kit," he adds. "I was so happy to get this because the GReddy RX actually used this kit. I always wanted top mount twins because so many epic builds in Japan ran them in the '90s."
Big peak power numbers weren't a concern for this build as its intended to be a driver and a pair of GReddy TDO5H 18G turbos mounted topside maintain the car's lower and upper RPM performance and help provide an easy 400 hp that remains reliable and street-friendly. As expected, all of the ancillary goods are GReddy branded, including their Type C waste gate, blow-off valve, intercooler and charge piping, fuel rail, couplers, lines, and even the brand's labeled vacuum hoses and zip ties are used.
Cabin Collabs
Sink into one of the GReddy x Bride collaborative Euroster II seats with Trust harnesses and there's plenty of nostalgia to offset some of the modern bits peppered throughout the cockpit. The Trust steering wheel, updated with GReddy titanium hardware and another collaboration with Works Bell's quick-release hub, is fitted with a classic GReddy Remote Switching System button to select high or low boost without taking your hand off the wheel.
A series of Nismo gauges sit in the center stack under a tablet that displays engine vitals. Just to the right, a GReddy Turbo Timer serves as a blast from the past in digital form and is mounted under their Informeter data logger. Brand new GReddy shift and handbrake boots combine with a diamond-shaped GREX shifter from yesteryear.
Insiders Appeal
Spot an R32 in the wild and even if you've seen them time and time again, it's a big deal. This car will get the looks and the attention from those passing by but only the truly dedicated will recognize the flow, pick it apart, and fully understand exactly what went into building something that honors the 1990s tuning front so well and does so without feeling forced or overbearing.
Some additional parts will be added to the R32 in the near future but the direction remains the same. Jeff adds, "There are a few things I still need to install that I have on hand. I obtained a Top Secret center gauge pod, so there will several gauges like the '90s. Then the GREX Alcon front and rear brake kits, a GReddy intake plenum, and a roll cage will complete the build…for now."
The Trust, GReddy, Grex, Gracer Connection
Jeff's catalog build is heavy on the GReddy and TRUST products, but you'll also notice Grex, and Gracer mentioned as well, and that's because they all fall underThe TRUST Company LTD. Founded in the late 1970s in Japan, when Trust tuning goods began being developed and officially sold in the U.S. in the mid '90s, the name GReddy, or "Great" and "eddy," as it refers to a swirling effect in fluid dynamics, was established.
Today, GReddy Performance Products is a staple in the tuning community, researching and developing performance parts for JDM and USDM-spec vehicles and building high-end demo cars often displayed at SEMA. Their Irvine, Ca, headquarters has also opened its doors to host countless community happenings that include car meets, open house gatherings, and holiday food collection events to assist the less fortunate.
1991 Nissan Skyline GT-R
OwnerJeff Perez
Instagram @bnr32.jp
EngineGReddy top mount turbo manifold, TD05H 18G x2, Type C wastegate, fuel rail, intercooler, piping, blow-off valve, radiator and pipe, cap, stays, coolant overflow tank, Kevlar cooling panel, GTT3 turbo timer, Informeter data logger; TRUST PE-TiR exhaust, oil cooler; GREX oil filter relocation kit; Injector Dynamics 1000cc; Tomei fuel pressure regulator; AEM 320lph fuel pump; Leask-Spec oil catch can; Haltech Elite 2000
Power400whp
DrivetrainNismo Coppermix twin plate clutch, flywheel
SuspensionHKS Hipermax V coil overs; GReddy front and rear shock tower bars; Do-Luck cross bar
BrakingHawk pads
Wheels & TiresPanasport G7 C5C2 17x9.5 +6; Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 265/40
ExteriorGReddy RX livery, GRacer front bumper, side skirts, rear spats, variable adjustment wing; Bomex Type 2 mirrors; JapSalon J-Tune hood
InteriorGReddy x Bride Euroster II; GReddy x Works Bell hub; TRUST steering wheel, racing harnesses; GReddy Ti wheel hardware, shift boot, brake lever boot; GREX shift knob; Nismo floor mats
Thank YouMarvin who was the first person to shoot my car and has been there since day 1. Thanks to Kenji at GReddy for reaching out and getting me evolved with them for different events and helping me get my parts. Shoutout to all the cool people I've met in the car community throughout the years.