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9s from an RB26 with a stock bottom end!

How far can we push it before something gives up?


The guys from Motive DVD have been developing their R32 GT-R for six years now, with the intention of testing which parts work and which don't as the power creeps up. They only change what needs changing, as it needs changing.

The team ended up taking the car further than expected on a stock bottom end, making 730 wheel horsepower (544kW), which some would argue is almost 900 engine horsepower (671kW). Even better, the car still runs – a lifted head and cracked block are all that's holding them up.

Well, that and the fact they were booted from the track for being too quick.

The 1993 R32 Skyline GT-R is still registered and regularly street driven, including on the school run. Its suspension is set up for handling, and the car has bigger front brakes, turning it into a proper all-rounder – and a true Godzilla.

The decision to go drag racing dictated a switch to drag radials, but the guys from Motive didn't want to deviate from the car's road focus and create a dedicated "street/drag" car. If they did, there's no doubt it would go faster again.

The RB26 is a "long-nose crank" version, taken from a crashed car at the start of 2011. A quick look at the bearings showed it was all stock, but far from perfect. Somehow, it has held together after hundreds of passes, six years of continued development and now, 35psi and 671kW.

A Nitto head gasket and ARP head studs were installed in 2014  – fine for 600whp, but insufficient for the huge boost pressure eventually used. This happened before the guys had done any damage to the bottom end, disproving a lot of "common faults" with the RB26.

The only failure they've had is a crack in the block, which was fixed with some JB weld. That's right, this car does 0-200km/h in under eight seconds and runs nines with a head gasket repair and JB weld on the block. As many people have commented, it simply won't die. It's a testament to the choice of parts from the guys at Croydon Racing Developments.

The team at Motive DVD gave us the specs for the car as it sits now.

Andrew from Motive DVD said the money saved by using such a basic engine combo is better spent on having an awesome transmission. A six-speed sequential from PPG is the thing dreams are made of.

So, where next for the Motive DVD R32 GT-R? We're told it's time to move into "Project Budget Hypercar".

The idea of this 25 year old car will be built to keep with hypercars around the track and in a straight line, all while doing the school run some days during the week.

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