Skyline GT-R

The R33 Skyline GT-R

Shown at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show, the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R went on sale in January 1995 and was built until 1998. Nissan kept the RB26DETT twin-turbo straight-six at 280 PS and the five-speed manual, and put them in a longer, wider body: the wheelbase grew to 2,720 mm from the R32's 2,615 mm. Drive is through ATTESA E-TS four-wheel drive with Super HICAS rear steering, and every R33 GT-R has Brembo brakes.

The V-spec added firmer suspension and ATTESA E-TS Pro with an active rear limited-slip differential. In Nissan's own pre-release test, the R33 GT-R lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:59.887, the first time a production car had gone under eight minutes there.

What R33 GT-R owners upgrade

The R33's RB26 responds to the same work as any other: turbo kits once the standard turbos run out, larger intercoolers, surge tanks from the intake range and camshafts, with exhaust manifolds to suit. Nismo, HKS, Tomei, GReddy, Mines and Top Secret all build for it.

The rear steering is a common target. Many owners take it out and fit adjustable arms in its place, alongside strut braces and stabilisers from the handling range. Aero kits and bonnets are popular too.

Genuine parts

R33 cranks have a better oil pump drive than the early R32's, so that failure is less of a worry. Age is the bigger enemy: the HICAS rear steering is known for faults, steering racks leak at the seals, under-bonnet wiring turns brittle, and solder joints in parts such as the airflow meters dry out. On the body, boot-lid struts fail, window seals harden and dashboards crack in warm climates. Rust starts in the suspension turrets, the boot lid and the rear arches.

Nissan added the R33 GT-R to its NISMO Heritage parts programme in 2018, starting mostly with hoses and lines, headlamp seals and window regulators: see Heritage parts for the R33, and our genuine OEM parts catalogue for the rest of the car.

Wheels

Every R33 GT-R left the factory on 17x9 +30 wheels with 245/45R17 tyres all round, on a 5x114.3 bolt pattern with M12 x 1.25 nuts. The full list of sizes is on the wheels that fit the R33 GT-R.