Power By The Pound

With Radium Engineering components supplying the fuel and a Haltech 2000 wired in, the GT-R now makes a very comfortable 512 horsepower with room to grow should Phil get the urge to boost higher. Currently transferring power through an OS Giken-built 5-speed, an upgrade to a Getrag 6-speed from an R34 model is likely to take place in the next few years.

During the Skyline build-up, a process that Phil says only took around two months, considerable effort was put into making sure the car could handle its updated power output. Ohlins Road & Track coil overs were joined by a SPL rear camber arms, Nismo front tension and rear lower control arms, as well as new inner and outer ball joints. The HICAS system was deleted in the name of stability and air cups were brought in to assist the chassis over street hurdles.

A Taste For Timelessness

After witnessing that R33 in person for the very first time in stunning Midnight Purple, there was little doubt that Phil's would settle for anything less. The exterior mods remain subtle and tasteful, based on but a handful of changes that include Nismo side skirts and wing blade, Ganador mirrors, and a Top Secret rear bumper diffuser that leaves ample space for the titanium exhaust finisher to poke through. Regamaster Super Forged in Bright finish are the wheel of choice, fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

That simple approach carried over to the interior where Crank Motorsports' R34-style buckets and a Nismo cluster, steering wheel, and matching floor mats were brought in. A Wend Lab can-bus gauge display that replaces the factory clock went in and, of course, a touch of Tomei with their shift knob. The feel is OEM+ and the look is guaranteed to never grow old.

"The support from the community, especially the GT-R community, is truly amazing," he says. " I've gained so much more knowledge and friendships along the way. And this is just the beginning, I cannot wait to meet many more GT-R enthusiasts. I'm very satisfied with how the car is right now so I guess the rest is just enjoying it and driving as much as possible."

1997 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec

OwnerPhil Nguyen

Instagram @p.ngyn311

EngineTomei Nismo engine mounts; 2.8L stroker, 77.7mm forged billet crank, 87mm pistons, H-beam rods, 262 cams, single valve springs, ARMS MX 8260 turbo x2, wastegate, turbo manifold, downpipe, test pipe; Supertech 1mm oversized valves; rebuilt ITBs and intake manifold by Remade in USA; HKS intercooler, piping, HKS Super Turbo exhaust system; Muse carbon inlet pipes; GReddy air filters, radiator;; Radium Engineering fuel pump hanger, fuel rail, fuel line brackets; Walbro 525lph fuel pump; ID1050 injectors; Haltech 2000

Power512hp/460tq

DrivetrainOS Giken built 5-speed transmission; Nismo Super Coppermix twin plate; Nismo transmission mount

SuspensionOhlins Road & Track coil overs; StancePart air cups; SPL rear camber arms; Nismo front tension arms, rear lower control arms, rear brace, rear Hicas delete kit, front inner and outer ball joints; Mine's titanium shock tower bar; zinc hardware

Wheels & TiresRegamaster Super Forged 18x9.5 +12; Michelin Pilot 4S 275/35

ExteriorMidnight Purple LP2; Nismo side skirt, carbon wing blade; Ganador mirror; Top Secret rear diffuser

InteriorCrank Motorsport R34 GT-R style seats; Nismo steering wheel, gauge cluster, floor mats; Tomei shift knob; carbon fiber trim; Wend Lab can-bus gauge

Thank YouSpecial shout outs to the love of my life my wife, who would never say NO to all of my financial mistakes. Without her support for this expensive hobby, I don't think I will ever be able to do what I want with my cars like today. Karim for finish the build in a short amount of time. Brendan for taking care of my car like his own. And lastly to Marvin, all of this would never have happened without your help.