1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec Series 3 — Garage Active
- Original Midnight purple car
- Built in Japan by Garage Active
- Fully forged RB26
- 750HP
- $450K+ total build cost
Vehicle Overview
Before it ever received its latest round of mechanical development in the United States, this R33 was already a serious Japanese-built GT-R.
The car was originally transformed in Japan by Sakamoto-san and Garage Active, one of the most recognizable names in modern Skyline GT-R construction. Starting with an already desirable 1998 BCNR33 V-Spec Series 3, Garage Active carried out the exterior transformation that defines the car today: their complete widebody conversion, carbon-fiber roof conversion, carbon aero, extensively finished engine bay, custom Midnight Purple paintwork, and the unmistakable Active aesthetic. The car was subsequently displayed at Tokyo Auto Salon, giving it genuine Japanese show-car provenance rather than simply being a stateside recreation of the style.
Garage Active has become particularly known for taking the traditional GT-R formula and pushing it into almost restomod territory. Sakamoto’s cars retain the unmistakable identity of a Skyline while exaggerating the proportions, stance and details into something far more radical. To us, there is almost an RWB-like philosophy to it: you immediately know what the original car is, but you also immediately know who built it.
After coming to the United States, the car wasn’t reinvented—it was mechanically evolved around the Garage Active foundation. HD Werks undertook a comprehensive mechanical and interior build approaching $160,000, including a fully forged RB26, modern HKS single-turbo system, V-Cam, extensive fuel and oiling upgrades, MoTeC M150 management, C1212 digital dash, PDM integration and a completely reworked interior. Final calibration was handled by RAV Performance.
The result is essentially two builds in one: Garage Active’s Japanese craftsmanship and styling combined with a modern, no-expense-spared American mechanical program.
While we’re some of the biggest fans of untouched period Japanese builds, every once in a while a modern build catches our attention. If you’re looking for the ultimate show-car R33 GT-R, this is about as complete as they come. To our knowledge, it is the only genuine Japan-built Garage Active R33 currently in the United States, and it has since received nearly $160,000 in additional mechanical and interior work from HD Werks.
The finished car is almost surreal in person. The heavily customized Midnight Purple paint is slightly richer and more purple than the original Nissan finish, wrapping Garage Active’s dramatically widened R33 bodywork. The same level of finish continues into the engine bay, which has been completely painted rather than retaining the comparatively utilitarian factory matte-black treatment. Even the underside of the hood has been finished to an almost glass-like standard.
Garage Active’s full-carbon GT-R builds now occupy an entirely different end of the market, with builds beginning around $600,000 and extending toward seven figures depending on specification. This car takes a slightly different approach: a composite Garage Active widebody combined with a carbon roof, carbon aero and an extensive mechanical program. With approximately $450,000 invested, we believe it represents a tremendous opportunity at roughly half the cost of attempting to replicate a comparable car today.
Interior
The interior received the same attention as the exterior and drivetrain. HKS reclining bucket seats were incorporated into a completely retrimmed cabin, with the rear seats and door cards finished to match. Alcantara and leather extend throughout the interior, even down to the carpeting.
At the center is a MoTeC C1212 digital display, transforming the traditionally analog R33 cockpit into something approaching a modern supercar. The configurable display provides virtually every important engine parameter along with a reverse camera, six individual EGT channels, G-force data and multiple selectable layouts.
Rather than feeling like a modified 1990s Skyline, stepping into this car feels like getting into a modern interpretation of what an R33 GT-R could have been.
Engine & Driving Experience
The RB26 was comprehensively rebuilt and forged by HD Werks, with final tuning performed by RAV Performance. Nearly every major system was reconsidered, with the MoTeC M150 sitting at the center of the package.
The electronics provide an enormous amount of control and protection while enabling features including rolling anti-lag, two-step, selectable boost maps, 2WD mode and keypad control of vehicle and dash functions.
The HKS 6290 single-turbo system delivers the unmistakable T51R-style induction sound enthusiasts associate with the wildest Japanese GT-R builds. A custom titanium HD Werks downpipe feeds the Garage Active exhaust, giving the car the characteristic RB26 growl at low rpm before turning into a completely different animal under load.
Power is approximately 700 WHP / 750 HP, giving the car performance to match its appearance without turning it into an unusable dyno build.
Tuning Menu
Engine
Bottom End
- Forged H-beam connecting rods
- ACL coated main bearings
- ACL coated rod bearings
- Tomei oversized oil pump
- Tomei oil pan / sump baffle kit
- ATI harmonic damper
- ARP head stud kit
- ARP crank/balancer bolt kit
- Tomei 1.5mm metal head gasket
Timing System
- HKS timing belt
- New idlers
- Water pump
- ARP idler studs
Cylinder Head
- Ferrea +1mm intake valves
- Ferrea +1mm exhaust valves
- Solid bucket conversion
- GSC shimless bucket-compatible valve springs
- Supertech valve guides
- Full cylinder-head machine work
- Decking
- Cleaning
- Valve job and setup
Valvetrain
- HKS Step 2 272° exhaust camshaft
- HKS V-Cam Step 2
- HKS crank-angle sensor conversion
- PRP adjustable cam gear
Oiling
- Koyo oil cooler
- Oil-filter relocation
- GReddy oil-block adapter
- PRP head-drain oil/coolant kit
- HD Werks custom oil-cooler plumbing
Induction
- NISMO intake manifold
- Remade USA ITB and plenum setup
- Custom titanium intake piping
- HD Werks -12AN catch-can system
Turbo System
- HKS 6290 single-turbo kit
- Walton divided exhaust manifold
- Walton 60mm wastegate
- Turbosmart PowerGate 50
- Turbo-speed sensor
- HD Werks custom titanium downpipe
- HD Werks custom hot-side piping
- Custom turbo coolant/oil lines
- TiAL black blow-off valve
Fuel System
- Dual Walbro 450 pumps
- Radium dual-pump hanger
- PTFE fuel lines
- Aluminum hardlines
- Fuel-pressure regulator
- Flex-fuel sensor
- Stainless fuel filter
- Custom-anodized fuel rail
- Injector Dynamics 1700cc injectors
- HKS fuel-delivery rail kit
Engine Management & Electronics
- MoTeC M150 ECU
- MoTeC C1212 digital dash
- MoTeC keypad
- MoTeC LTC lambda controller
- PRP coil conversion
- PDM integration
- Six-channel EGT monitoring
- Turbo-speed monitoring
- Rolling anti-lag
- Two-step
- Selectable boost settings
- Selectable 2WD mode
- Reverse-camera integration
Chassis / Footwork
- PRP HICAS-delete kit
- HKS Hipermax suspension
- R35 GT-R Brembo brake conversion
- Whiteline sway bars
- HD LMGT2-style wheels
- 19×10.5 +15
- Yokohama Advan Neova AD09
- 295/30R19
Garage Active / Exterior
- Japan-built by Sakamoto-san / Garage Active
- Garage Active full widebody conversion
- Carbon-fiber roof conversion
- Carbon aero components
- Custom Midnight Purple finish
- Fully painted and detailed engine bay
- Garage Active exhaust
- Tokyo Auto Salon display history
Approximately $450,000 invested.
SERIOUS INQUIRIES CALL/TEXT DANNY @ (786) 291-3622
- More photos and information available upon request.
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- Can Ship (Insured) Anywhere Worldwide if Needed.
- Located in Miami, Florida 33126
- Financing Available with Approved Credit
- Trades Always Welcomed (UP or DOWN)
