Borla GTR Exhaust
Borla, a name in the sports car performance world that has earned a ton a respect has recently released the Nissan GTR Borla Exhaust. The Borla GTR Exhaust is a true dual exhaust system that keeps the exhaust from each turbo charger separate from the other turbo charger the entire length of the exhaust system (really cool). The system does remove two of the cats from the 4 cat GTR system which may inhibit the cars ability to pass emissions in certain states but unsure at this point if it will create a problem at all (we plan on installing this system on our “test” GTR later this year). The Borla GTR Exhaust is made from 100% Stainless Steel and is 2.25” in diameter. It features the “S” type aggressive mufflers (known as the “Stingers” in the Corvette world) and comes with the X pipe. Initial tests on the new Borla Exhaust for the Nissan GTR are showing increased fuel economy and horsepower increases of 7-12hp RWHP. Compared to some of the other Nissan GTR Exhaust systems on the market, at 3499.99 (MSRP) the Borla system is decent deal and appears to be worth every penny. The system looks absolutely stunning in person and we will post more pictures once we get it installed on our test GTR.
A few fun GTR Videos
Well, no real serious news on the Nissan GT-R R35 front today, so I thought I'd share some fun videos with all of you. The only common thread between these videos is the R35 GT-R, but I don't think you or I need anything more to enjoy a good video. Hopefully this weekend will produce some more interesting GT-R news for the blog, but until then, enjoy:
An un-official commercial, but a very awesome video:
Interesting car news, and another example of a very talented very famous and wealthy person driving a Nissan GT-R at around 4 minutes in. Pretty interesting info from the NBA Player, and a damn good looking GT-R:
A Swiss-tuned GT-R Pushing 610bhp on a dyno. I love the way this GT-R sounds here, very clean and mean:
A sub-titled Dutch review of the Nissan GT-R, pretty good review:
Nissan GT-R In North America World Challenge Race Series
Hopefully, this news means more dominance for the Nissan GT-R. The relatively new race group, Brass Monkeys, are teaming up with Nissan North American to bring the GT-R to the World Challenge Race Series this year to compete with Porsches, Corvettes, Vipers, and every other top end performance car under the sun. The Brass Monkey team, who won their first race competing in a Porsche GT3 and finished 3rd overall in the World Challenge Series last year, will be entering the series this year with two GT-Rs. The first will be driven by the veteran racer and two-time series winner Tony Rivera, the second by the wet behind the ears rookie Steve Ott. Here's to hoping the two have a great year with the great car! I can't imagine anyone racing a Nissan GT-R would have too much trouble doing well.
Official announcement below, from autoguide.com:
Brass Monkey Racing has announced plans to campaign a pair of Nissan GT-R cars in the 2010 World Challenge GT Championship with the support of Nissan North America, Inc.
The announcement signals a renewed interest for Nissan, which last participated in World Challenge with a Touring Car effort in 2005. The twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive Nissan GT-R racecars are currently under construction at Brass Monkey Racing’s Texas-based race shop and will make their North American debut March 26-28, in St. Petersburg, Fla., at the hands of two-time series race winner Tony Rivera, of Missouri City, Texas, and rookie Steve Ott, of Houston.
“We’re very excited to bring such an iconic car to the North American professional road racing scene,” Brass Monkey Racing Team Owner A.J. Brass said. “After such a successful season in 2009, finishing third in the Championship and winning in our very first race, we look forward to the challenge of bringing an entirely new platform to World Challenge. With Nissan’s assistance and great engineering and driving, we expect to contend for the 2010 Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships.”
“Nissan is very excited about the new Brass Monkey project,” Nissan North America Senior Manager – Motorsports, Wholesale and Collision Parts Growth Ron Stukenberg said. “This series aligns well with the performance of the GT-R and compliments the production attributes of the car. It’s great to have a Nissan compete in World Challenge after a brief hiatus. We look forward to having Tony and Steve at the front of the field in 2010.”
Brass noted that despite a compressed timeline to finish the new cars, they benefit from an already solid platform with the GT-R.
“Many of the cars in the series have serious modifications to the engines and drivelines from the stock vehicles,” Brass said. “The beauty of the GT-R is that it is an amazing platform to start with and we are able to utilize all of the stock internal components and drivetrain. With the exception of some of the approved series aerodynamic items and an effort to bring the car down to a competitive weight, the car will remain incredibly stock compared to most of our competition.”
Brass Monkey Racing was formed in 2009 with the support of Tax Masters. Its rookie season was a tremendous success, with Rivera, a relative unknown in professional racing, winning in the team’s very first attempt at Sebring in the team’s Porsche 911 GT3. He went on to win at Road America later in the season, finishing third in the Championship standings.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the 2010 season,” Rivera said. “I anticipate the Brass Monkey Nissans will become the most popular cars in the paddock because there is such an unbelievable following worldwide for the GT-R. My first racecar was a Showroom Stock B Nissan NX 2000, so it’s cool to be back in a Nissan – even though this one will be quite a bit different!”
Ott previously raced with Rivera with Brass Mitchell Racing, which later evolved into Brass Monkey Racing, in the 2008 Koni Challenge. Like Rivera, his roots are in SCCA Club Racing, where he finished on the podium at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Running a partial season in the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, he scored good results with Newman Wachs Racing.
“I’ve always wanted to run World Challenge because of the single-driver format and amazing cars,” Ott said. “To have an opportunity to be a part of the Brass Monkey Nissan team is incredible and I can’t wait to begin testing for St. Petersburg.”
Brass Monkey Racing and its Nissan GT-R World Challenge effort will have support from Nissan, Tax Masters, Stoptech, Penske ShocksSouth Side Performance and Seibon Carbon. For more information about Brass Monkey Racing, please visit www.brassmonkey.com.
My Money's on the World Performance Car of the Year to also be the World Challenge Series Car of the Year
Another GT-R versuses Luxury Sport Super-Car Video
Well, today is just a good day for videos of the GTR smoking super expensive European supercars, if you ask me. First we got it out dueling the Bentley Continental, and now here's a great video from Germany pitting its home-country superhero the 5.2L Lambourghini V10 Supercharged R8 versus the good ole' Nissan GTR. Well, the Audi R8 is an absolute machine with class and precision, but really, the results here should surprise no one. The GT-R's dominance just can not be questioned. A fun video (subtitled in English) and worth a watch!
Bentley Vs. Nissan
MotorTrend recently put the Nissan GT-R R35 up against a Bentley Continental Supersport. At first thought, this sounds like a ridiculous competition: the Godzilla super car versus a leather-wrapped luxury automobile, but upon further inspection the two vehicles are very evenly matched. Honestly, the Bentley puts up a great fight against the R35 as well, and is absolutely worth a watch, the end may even surprise some people.
Mine’s GT-R Products
Well, Mine's is and has been one of Japan's premiere vehicle performance tuning shops, and the work they have been doing with the Nissan GT-R R35 is absolutely incredible. They offer full dry carbon fiber body modification for the Nissan GT-R, as well as fantastic performance upgrade pieces.
Their full ESTA suspension kits offer some of the very best components available in one solid, well-tuned package, and the numbers on the Mine's Titanium VX II Pro Exhaust system for the Nissan GT-R are absolutely incredible. While the Mine's equipment is expensive, it is not like this for no particular reason. The reviews across the board on the Mine's products have been exceptional, and most people claim that the pieces themselves are more than worth the money spent on them.
I'm looking at purchasing one of the VX II Pro Titanium exhausts for myself now, after having seen and heard just how incredible a system it is.
The aerodynamic body pieces designed by Mine's are certain to cut down on track times as well. Coupled with their VX-Rom, VX II Exhaust, Super Catalyzer, and Improved Intake system, you're looking at getting 60+ HP on the GTR. Add to that some 200+ pounds weight reduction from all of their weight reducing products, and you're looking at making one of the most incredible cars ever produced a nearly unstoppable racing force. Mine's is certainly a good company to go with also, as their experience and name guarantee you're getting the very best of the best. Their GT-R R35 line was just finished, and is being carried in America by very few places. I found the Mines Nissan GTR Parts at Southern Car Parts for what appears to be less than any other competitor out there. The SCP guys also seem to have the entire Mine's product line available, as well as a number of other GT-R products, making them a certain go-to for future GT-R performance part purchases.
Mine's and the Nissan GT-R R35, a match made in heaven it would seem!
GT-R Drift Video
MotorTrend recently took a Nissan GT-R R35 out for a little fun, and decided to put it up against a couple of Scion tCs built specifically for drifting. While this is no fair comparison here, it is definitely a fun one. There's also something pretty incredible in watching Godzilla get sideways with a cloud of smoke coming off the tires. A very fun video, with a poignant note at the end about how vehicles built with a specific purpose in mind are awesome a feeling as there can be, and the GT-R definitely fits. I know this makes me want to open the garage, take mine out, and take it for a wild drive!
More on the FIA GT1 R35
Last week I wrote up a small article on the FIA GT1 GT-R r35, which had some good response. The vehicle is undeniably incredible, and as such, warranted a lot more internet searching on this end. I'm sure some of you did that as well. I came across some really great videos giving a better look and listen to the vehicle, and a chance to see just how incredible it is. Figured I'd link them up here to share with all of you. Seriously though, what do you think of the FIA GT1 R35? I think it looks pretty awesome, myself.