Snowy's Production Sports R35

[Snowman]

I thought I'd start this thread up partly to show what we are doing in our build, but also to get some idea's and advice from the many smart people on here along the way.

The car itself is one of the original handful 2007 JDM GT-R's.

The car was purchased brand new by Russ (giant) in Japan late 2007 and shipped to Australia where it was originally set-up for Tarmac Rallies. Cage, race seats, custom cat back exhaust, Works Bell shifters and the early Cobb system. It was only raced a couple of times and then it basically ended up in a shed collecting dust.

You can see Russ' initial build thread here: http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/233474-r35-prep-for-rally-tas/

I've since purchased the car from Russ in this state and initially was planning on doing Targa in it. However I've since change my mind and am now working towards building it into a circuit racing car for our local Production Sports series which will pit me against cars such as Porsche Cup GT3 cars and other older GT series cars (Moslers, Ferrari 360 Challenge and 430GT etc). The main races themselves will be 1hr timed events.

We are limited with the mods we can do. Engine must remain 3.8L but is otherwise free (free means we can do what we like in terms of allowed mods). Turbo's must remain factory spec, exhaust is free from turbo back, suspension is free, brakes are free, gearbox is free, panels / aero are free of construction type but must remain factory in shape.

We can run slicks but wheel widths must not exceed more than 44" in total. (So could run 18 x 11 square in theory).

The engine when I got the car was pretty fubar (had been broken and repaired badly mostly due to a lack of parts back then) so we now have a stock new motor in the car. We will look at pulling down the old motor soon and building it up.

The original gearbox had also been broken and repaired badly so this has now also been replaced with a brand new but stock 2012 gearbox.

We have also now updated the Cobb with TSM software and are using an SD tune (just pump 98 for now but will be running race 105 in the future).

Replaced the exhaust with an Acrapovic system, dodson dump pipes and DBA spec turbo inlet pipes.

Updated the turbo's with genuine IHI specV cores.

Custom AMS intercooler piping.

HKS fuel pumps.

HKS Trans cooler

We've put in KW 3 Way competition shocks, dodson front upper arms and hardrace arms on the rear of the car. We've also put in Whiteline swaybars. We've also upgraded the wheel studs to ARP's to deal with the extra loads applied by slicks.

Panels so far we have oem spec carbon bonnet, boot, wing, front guards and side skirts. We will be getting molds made shortly to make up some fiberglass doors and lexen windows. I'll put up details of that when it's done. Current weight sits at 1700kgs with the aim of getting the car to under 1600kgs.

We've also had to custom fabricate up some mounts for the Aerocatch bonnet latches and a rear tow point (since they weren't standard in 2007)

There's still plenty more to be done before it's first race in July so I will try and keep this updated as we go along. The main focus over the next few weeks is set-up and engine and brake temps and seeing what if anything extra we will need to do to look after them. Any thoughts on this is welcome! We are only running 15psi currently whilst we only have the stock motor / gearbox in the car so power is well down on what we know we can make. But here's the car as it sits right now after it's first shake down run a few weeks ago.

[Snowman]

Roof's been done.

[ssxRicho]

So when's the first event?

[DJRIFT]

Good to see something other than targa or time attack in here

Good job

[Snowman]

First event is July 19-21 @ Sandown as part of the VSCRC Sports Cars round.

Car is currently off at Jenny Craigs to get light-weight doors and lexan window's made up.

Local company Raceglass is making them up as I've decided to go the fiberglass route rather than full carbon fiber spec as long term it may end up being a lot cheaper.

http://www.raceglass.com.au/

[Snowman]

We've also recently added an Aeromotions R-static wing. Initial impressions were very good although I feel we have to improve the down-force at the front now especially in higher speed corners where I was starting to get a fair bit of front end wash-out. But Aeromotions have done a fair bit of development with this wing specifically on the R35 and the instability I felt at the rear of the car at PI was definitely gone.

[Leroy Peterson]

Terrific photo and a great car. look forward to seeing it out on the track again.

[Roy]

You missed the apex!

[Snowman]

I know! I did it regularly on that corner. It's that front end push I was talking about...

[Snowman]

Some small updates.

Rear diff cooler has been installed.

Have also got a brake water spray kit to help with the brake temp issues. We also have some extra brake cooling ducts being fabricated which I will post up when they are done. But for now this is the kit ready to be installed.

Finally in a bid to shed some weight we have decided that instead of putting on some light weight doors and windows we'd just completely remove them!

[stevena]

Lol that's cool.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Oh wow! Nice base to start with looks the goods.... Will enjoy watching this one!

[Snowman]

New rims for that race car look have arrived care of Import Monster. 18 x 11 rears and 18 x 10 fronts. Will hopefully get them on the car this week.

[Roy]

...Red wheels. One step closer to being ready for the circus!

[Snowman]

They are green wheels Bris. Are you color blind or something?

Oh wait....

[Marlin]

Great stuff Snowy..... Keen to watch many fasts!

[Roy]

They are green wheels Bris. Are you color blind or something?

Oh wait....

I may be dumb., but I aint blind! ... You keeping the leather dash? Only car on teh grid with leather dash and stereo!

[Snowman]

Leather dash is staying. So is the aircon! I'm pretty sure I will also be the only car with aircon

I also have some new buttons. I don't know what they do but they look cool!

[essay]

I'll see you your buttons and raise you with my LED's and toggles. Hopefully yours are slightly more functional...

Good luck with your projects Snowy

[Duncan]

Good to see an R35 giving a proper shot at racing, the targa spec ones have not been competitive.

Will it be your first race in about 3 weeks or have you done some racing before. There's nothing quite like sitting on the grid waiting for the lights to go out...

Either way, Good luck!