1957-2006 Nissan Skyline Review

R31

Skyline R31

The HR31 Skyline of 1986 was a natural evolution on the HR30 shape. The design was slightly larger and squarer than previous Skylines.

The R31 Skyline was also produced in Australia, with a 3.0 L motor (RB30E) available in sedan or wagon form, as well as a four-cylinder version called the Nissan Pintara. The wagon had the same front style as the coupe and sedan—the only difference being that it lacked the four round brake lights that had been a consistent element of Skyline design. These cars were manufactured in Australia due to the heavy import laws which made it expensive to bring cars into Australia.

29,305 R31 Skylines were also manufactured and sold in South Africa in 4-door sedan form between 1987 and 1992. These were the last Skylines seen in South Africa. Power came from either the RB30E 3.0 straight-6 motor, RB20E 2.0 straight-6 motor or the CA20S 4-cylinder power plant.

The R31 Skyline introduced many new technologies and features. The HR31 was the first Skyline to be equipped with the new RB-series of engines. The R31 RB engines are often referred to as "Red Top" engines because of the red cam covers. There were three variants. The earliest series of DOHC RB engines used the NICS (Nissan Induction Control System) injection system with 12 very small intake runners, and a butterly system to divide the intake ports in half for better low RPM performance. Later versions used ECCS (Electronically Concentrated Control System) engine management, discarded the twelve tiny runners for six much larger ones (though they retained twelve ports on the head, so there was a splitter plate), and received a slightly larger turbocharger. The ultimate version of these motors was the RB20DET-R Group A homologation motor, found in the HR31 Skyline GTS-R (800 units built), which incorporated a much larger turbocharger on a stainless steel exhaust manifold, as well as a much larger front mounted intercooler boosting power to 210 ps (racing versions made 460 hp in Group A trim). Nissan’s RD28, a 2.8 straight-6 engine, introduced Diesel-power to the line-up. Another technological first for the R31 was the introduction of Nissan’s proprietary 4-wheel steering system, dubbed HICAS (High Capacity Active Steering). The R31 series were also the only models in the Skyline family to feature a 4-door hardtop variation. These models were generally badged as the Passage GT.

• 1800I - 1.8 L CA18(i) SOHC I4, 100 hp (75 kW)

• Passage GT - 2.0 L RB20DE DOHC I6, 155 hp (114 kW)

• Passage GT - 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 180 hp (132 kW)

• GTS - 2.0 L RB20DE DOHC I6, 155 hp (114 kW)

• GTS-X - 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 190 hp (140 kW)

• GTS-R - 2.0 L RB20DET-R DOHC turbo I6, 210 hp (154 kW)

• Pintara - 2.0 L CA20E I4, 102 hp (76 kW)

• GX, Executive, GXE, Silhouette, Ti - 3.0 L RB30E SOHC I6, 155 hp (114 kW)

• GTS1 - 3.0 L RB30E SOHC I6, 176 hp (130 kW)

• GTS2 - 3.0 L RB30E SOHC I6, 190 hp (140 kW)

• 2.0GL, 2.0GLE - 2.0 L CA20S I4, 106 hp (78 kW)

• 2.0SGLi - 2.0 L RB20E SOHC I6, 115 hp (85 kW)

• 3.0SGLi - 3.0 L RB30E SOHC I6, 171 hp (126 kW)

 

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R32

Skyline R32

The HR32 Skyline debuted in May 1989. It was available as either a hardtop 2-door or 4-door sedan/saloon. It featured several versions of the RB-series straight-6 engines, which had improved heads (the twelve port inlet was gone) and used the ECCS (Electronically Concentrated Control System) injection system. Also available were an 1800 cc 4 cylinder GXi model. Most models had HICAS four wheel steering, with the rear wheels being hydraulically linked to the front steering. The 2.5 liter version became one of the first cars made in Japan to feature a 5 speed automatic transmission. All 2 liter turbo and non turbo versions with automatic transmissions were 4 speed.

• GXi Type-X - 1.8 L CA18i I4, 91 hp (67 kW)

• GTE Type-X - 2.0 L RB20E I6, 125 hp (93 kW)

• GTS Type-X, S, J - 2.0 L RB20DE I6 155 hp (115 kW) (most common)

• GTS-25 Type-X, S, XG - 2.5 L RB25DE DOHC I6, 180 hp (132 kW)

• GTS-t Type-M - 2.0 L RB20DET turbo I6, 212 hp (156 kW)

• GTS-4 - 2.0 L RB20DET turbo I6, 212 hp (156 kW) 4WD

• GT-R - 2.6 L RB26DETT twin-turbo I6, 280 hp (206 kW) 4WD also NISMO, VSPEC and VSPECII variants

Also based on the Skyline platform were the A31 Cefiro and C33 Laurel. All 3 cars are very popular in Japan (and other countries to which they are imported secondhand) for drifting. In Japan, the CA18i engine in the GXi is sometimes swapped for an SR20DET (4 cylinder turbo), resulting in a lighter and better-balanced car than the factory six-cylinder turbo models.

Skyline R32 Rear

The GT-R returned with twin ceramic turbochargers, all-wheel steering, all wheel drive and 280 hp (206 kW) at 6800 rpm. The RB26DETT engine actually produced 320 hp, but it was unstated due to the Japanese car makers’ "gentlemen’s agreement" not to exceed 206 kW (276 hp). The engine was designed for 500 hp in racing trim, and then muzzled by the exhaust, boost restriction, and ECU. The electronic boost control had a small physical restriction in the control lines. It was marked in yellow so the new owner could remove it and enjoy a safe factory boost increase. The GT-R had Super HICAS, a more advanced computer controlled four wheel steering system using electric actuators.

The GT-R had a much larger intercooler, larger brakes, and aluminum front guards and bonnet. Other distinguishing features include flared front and rear wheel arches. More supportive seats were fitted, and the turbo boost gauge and digital clock were removed from inside the instrument cluster. The clock was replaced with a torque meter that indicated how much torque was being delivered to the front wheels (0%-50%). Oil temp, voltage and turbo boost gauges were fitted below the climate control.

The Porsche 959 was Nissan’s target when designing the GT-R. The chief engineer, Naganori Itoh, intended to use the car for Group A racing, so the design specification was drawn up in conjunction with a copy of the Group A rules. The Nordschleife production car record at the time of development was 8’45" - set by a Porsche 944. Nissan test driver Hiroyoshi Katoh reset the record with a time of 8’20". Best Motoring managed 8’22"38.

This model soon earned the name Godzilla, for its track performance. The R32 GT-R dominated JTCC, winning 29 races from 29 starts, taking the series title every year from 1989-1993. It took 50 races from 50 starts from 1991-1997 (latterly R33) in the N1 Super Taikyu. The R32 GT-R was introduced in the Australian Bathurst 1000 touring-car race to compete against Holden and Ford V8 saloons, winning in 1991 & 1992. However, the GT-R’s success sounded the death knell of Group A Touring Car racing; with the formula being scrapped soon after. JTCC was similarly blighted by the R32 GT-R, and splintered soon after, leading to the switch to the Supertouring category and also indirectly to the GT500 category of today.

When originally designed, the homologation rulebook mandated 16" wheels, so that’s what the GT-R got. This limited the size of the brakes, and the Nissan four pots weren’t really up to competition use. A later change in rules allowed 17" wheels, so in February 1993 the GT-R V-spec (for Victory) emerged wearing 17" BBS mesh wheels covering larger Brembo brakes. The clutch actuation changed from a push to a pull system, and the rear diff became active. A year later the V-Spec II appeared with a new sticker and wider tires.

Skyline R32 Interior

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