The R32 GT-R arrived in 1989 like a shock to the system. Built with one singular purpose, dominating Group A racing, it didn't just compete. It rewrote the rulebook entirely. 29 races. 29 wins. The "Godzilla" moniker wasn't handed to it; it was earned by systematically dismantling every European rival that tried to stand in its way. Decades on and the R32 remains one of the most sought-after JDM imports on the planet, and for good reason.
This particular example is a 1994 model that arrived at Torque as a personal import from Japan. It crossed over with an auction grade of 4 and 69,400 miles on the clock. Solid provenance for a car of this age and significance. What happened next is where things get interesting.
Already Wearing Some Quality Mods
Before our workshop even touched it, this R32 landed with some genuinely desirable hardware already fitted. BBS LMs on all four corners. Brembo brake calipers front and rear. Ohlins suspension. An HKS muffler. A Mines front pipe and Mines strut brace. Whoever had this car in Japan clearly had taste. It was already a long way from stock and a great foundation to build from.
Body and Aero
The R32 GT-R has always had a clean, purposeful shape. Understated compared to what came after it but no less aggressive when you know what you're looking at. Already having NISMO aero fitted from Japan, we freshened it up in the bodyshop and gave it a full detail.
The BBS LMs that came over from Japan were refurbished back to showroom condition. Clean, original, correct. That's exactly how it should be done on a build like this.
The Engine Build: 465bhp from an RB26
This is where the build gets serious. The RB26DETT is already one of the greatest engines ever produced. The brief was simple: extract serious power, do it reliably and back it up with a proper tune. 465bhp is the result. Here's exactly how it got there.
The factory turbos were swapped out for a pair of Garrett GT2860-7 ball bearing turbos. A well-proven upgrade for the RB26 that delivers meaningfully stronger midrange and top-end power compared to the standard ceramic units, with the durability to back it up under sustained boost. Feeding those turbos are a pair of Apexi Power Intake filters: clean airflow, iconic underbonnet presence and a soundtrack that makes the whole thing feel alive.
Fuelling the extra demand are uprated Deatschwerks injectors and an AEM high-flow fuel pump. Non-negotiable on a build chasing numbers like this. Boost control is handled by a Link 3-port boost solenoid, giving the tune precise authority over exactly how much pressure those Garretts are pushing.
Engine management is a Link G4X ECU, paired with an NZ Wiring cam trigger kit to give the Link the accurate trigger signal it needs to manage the RB26 properly. The G4X is one of the most capable standalone ECUs available for this platform: flexible, tuneable and built to handle serious power levels without compromise. New coil packs were also fitted as part of the build to ensure clean ignition across the board.
On the exhaust side, the customer specified a Tomei Expreme de-cat pipe to free up flow from the turbos back, working alongside the Mines front pipe that came over from Japan. The Tomei HICAS lock kit was also fitted, a common mod to avoid future problems with the HICAS system.
With everything in place the car went on our dyno for a full session and tune. The result: 465bhp. As any R32 owner will tell you, that's more than enough.
Drivetrain
Power means nothing without the ability to put it down confidently. A NISMO Super Copper-mix twin plate clutch was fitted to handle the torque the tuned RB26 is now producing. NISMO's Super Copper-mix spec is engineered specifically for high-performance and motorsport use: strong engagement, impressive durability and full confidence to floor it without second-guessing the drivetrain.
Interior
The car arrived from Japan already sporting a set of cool Mines gauges which were kept in place. They suit the build perfectly. To finish the cockpit the customer added a NISMO competition 350mm leather steering wheel and a full NISMO five-piece floor mat set. Subtle, correct and completely in keeping with the rest of the car. It's the kind of interior that rewards you every time you drop into the seat.
Servicing
Before any of the performance work began the car went through a full mechanical refresh. Fresh oil and filter, replacement water pump, timing belt and thermostat. The kind of work that doesn't make the headlines but matters enormously on a high-powered import. You build on solid foundations or you don't build at all.
Full Modifications List
| Category | Part | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turbos | Garrett GT2860-7 Ball Bearing (x2) | Replacement for factory ceramic turbos. Strong midrange and top-end gains with improved durability |
| Intake | Apexi Power Intake Filters (x2) | Clean airflow into both Garrett turbos with that signature Apexi soundtrack |
| Engine Management | Link G4X ECU | Full standalone management with NZ Wiring cam trigger kit for accurate signal input |
| Trigger Kit | NZ Wiring Cam Trigger Kit | Paired with the Link G4X for precise engine timing data |
| Exhaust | Tomei Expreme De-Cat Pipe | Works alongside the existing Mines front pipe for a full free-flow exhaust setup |
| Steering | Tomei HICAS Lock Kit | Eliminates the factory four-wheel steering system on a tuned car |
| Boost Control | Link 3-Port Boost Solenoid | Precise boost control integrated with the Link G4X tune |
| Fuelling | AEM High-Flow Fuel Pump + 800cc Deatschwerks Injectors | Matched to the power output to ensure consistent fuelling under load |
| Ignition | New Coil Packs | Full replacement for reliable ignition at increased power levels |
| Clutch | NISMO Super Copper-Mix Twin Plate | Built for high-performance use. Handles the tuned RB26 torque output with full confidence |
| Aero | NISMO Aero Kit + Full Body Refresh | Fitted and finished through the Torque GT body shop |
| Wheels | BBS LMs (Refurbished) | Came from Japan. Restored to showroom condition by Torque GT |
| Brakes | Brembo Calipers | Arrived from Japan already fitted |
| Suspension | Ohlins Coilovers | Arrived from Japan already fitted |
| Exhaust (rear) | HKS Muffler | Arrived from Japan already fitted |
| Exhaust (front) | Mines Front Pipe | Arrived from Japan already fitted. Retained and paired with Tomei de-cat |
| Chassis | Mines Strut Bar | Arrived from Japan already fitted |
| Gauges | Mines Gauges | Arrived from Japan already fitted. Retained |
| Steering Wheel | NISMO Competition 350mm Leather | Fitted by Torque GT to complete the interior |
| Interior | NISMO Five-Piece Floor Mat Set | Fitted by Torque GT |
| Power | Dyno Session and Full Tune | 465bhp verified on the dyno |
| Servicing | Oil and Filter / Water Pump / Timing Belt / Thermostat | Full mechanical refresh before performance work began |
Build Your Own R32 GT-R
The R32 GT-R is a landmark car. A mechanical David that became a Goliath. An engineering achievement that still stands up today and still rewards you every time you get behind the wheel. Owning one is already a statement. Building one properly is something else entirely.
This is exactly what Torque GT exists to do. We source the cars directly from Japanese auction, handle the entire personal import process from Japan to your driveway and when you're ready to build our workshop and parts store are right here waiting for you. One roof. Every service. No compromise.
If you've got a Skyline project in mind, or any other JDM build, get in touch and let's talk it through. We'll find you the right car, bring it over properly and help you turn it into exactly what you want it to be.
