This 2022 GCC-spec Nissan GT-R R35 produces 1,588 WHP at 3.2 bar on approximately 70% ethanol using the Subzero Motorsport SZM1800 package.

It retains its full interior, complete exhaust and factory body, with no weight reduction, and remains daily driven in UAE.

This GT-R is a good example of what we mean when we talk about building a complete car rather than chasing only a dyno number.

The current specification includes:

SZM Stage 3 4.1L VR38 engine

SZM Stage 3 cylinder heads

Precision Next Gen 6670 twin turbochargers

Boost Logic Ultimate Race Intercooler

Boost Logic dual-injector intake manifold

T1 fuel system

SZM Stage 5 GR6 transmission

Full billet front differential

Full SPL Parts suspension setup

The current result is:

1,588 WHP at 3.2 bar on approximately 70% ethanol

And this is still a daily-driven GT-R.

From Stock Engine to SZM1800

We have been developing this particular GT-R for approximately three years.

It did not start as a 1,800 HP build.

Stage One — Stock Engine

The first major setup used Boost Logic BL1000X upgraded turbochargers while retaining the stock VR38DETT engine.

The car produced approximately:

855 WHP / 617 ft-lb

With full interior, full exhaust and no weight reduction, it ran:

9.86 seconds in the quarter-mile

with Dragy recording:

9.79 seconds

Stage Two — Built Engine

The next step was to build the VR38 while initially retaining the BL1000X turbochargers.

Power increased to approximately:

1,050 WHP

Again, the car retained its full interior, quite exhaust system and OEM exterior.

The quarter-mile result improved to:

8.69 seconds

Stage Three — SZM1800

The current configuration moves to the full SZM1800 specification:

1,588 WHP at 3.2 bar on approximately 70% ethanol

The complete engine and AWD drivetrain are now prepared for the next stage of the project.

SZM Stage 3 4.1L VR38 Engine

The foundation of the current setup is our SZM Stage 3 4.1L VR38 short block.

The package is designed for extreme-power Nissan GT-R R35 applications and is rated by Subzero Motorsport for up to approximately 2,200 HP when combined with the correct turbo system, fuel system and calibration.

This gives the current 1,588 WHP setup significant mechanical headroom.

The Stage 3 engine includes:

• Brian Crower EN40 billet crankshaft

• SZM-spec Italian RP Platinum connecting rods

• Diamond forged pistons

• 4.1L stroker configuration

• Upgraded bottom-end reinforcement

• Increased main-bearing stability

• High-cylinder-pressure sealing strategy

The objective is not simply to install forged pistons and rods.

At this power level, the crankshaft, main structure, block rigidity, head clamping and sealing strategy must work together as one system.

Why 4.1 Litres?

Increasing displacement to 4.1 litres improves the operating characteristics of the engine while retaining the VR38 architecture.

For this project, the additional displacement works particularly well with the Precision Next Gen 6670 turbochargers.

The target is not only peak horsepower.

The engine needs to provide the airflow, response and torque required for a heavy AWD street car that will also be launched hard from a standstill.

SZM Stage 3 Cylinder Heads

The engine uses our SZM Stage 3 VR38 cylinder heads, developed for sustained high-boost applications.

The package combines:

• GSC S2 billet camshaft (Instead of S3 for better idling)

• GSC high-pressure conical valve springs (Instead of extreme pressure springs) 

• GSC titanium retainers

• GSC +1 mm oversized intake valve and 6.6mm exhaust valves

• Bronze valve guides

• SZM C17200 beryllium-copper valve seats (INT + EXH) 

• CNC porting

• Combustion-chamber machining

• Water-jacket reinforcement (Epoxy) 

• SZM Jack Bolts

• 3 angle valve-seat machining

• Full shim and spring-height setting

At this power level, cylinder-head development is not only about airflow.

The heads must also control the valvetrain, transfer heat away from the valves and seats, maintain combustion sealing and remain stable under extreme cylinder pressure.

Beryllium-Copper Valve Seats

One of the key features of the Stage 3 head package is the use of SZM C17200 beryllium-copper valve seats.

The material is selected for its thermal characteristics, helping transfer heat away from the valve-seat area during sustained high-boost operation.

For a street car that will see repeated high-load use, managing valve and seat temperature is critical.

Precision Next Gen 6670 Twin Turbos

The current SZM1800 setup uses a pair of Precision Next Gen 6670 turbochargers.

The turbo system is connected to:

• 4-inch downpipes

• Boost Logic full exhaust

• Resonated Y-pipe

The resonated exhaust was chosen deliberately because the car remains daily driven.

At approximately 3,000–4,000 rpm, the exhaust measures around 90 dB, keeping the car manageable during normal road use.

Twin 60 mm Downpipe Wastegates

A quieter exhaust system can introduce additional backpressure at high flow levels.

To address this, we incorporated an additional 60 mm wastegate into each downpipe.

The wastegates begin opening from approximately 10 psi and above, providing an additional exhaust path as flow increases.

The purpose is simple:

reduce exhaust backpressure without removing the street exhaust system.

This allows the car to remain relatively quiet during normal driving while still flowing efficiently at high boost.

Charge-Air Cooling

Charge-air cooling is handled by a Boost Logic Ultimate Race Intercooler together with our SZM intercooler piping system.

At boost pressures exceeding 3 bar, charge-pipe sealing and connection strength become increasingly critical. For this reason, we use V-band clamps throughout the entire charge-piping system.

Fuel System and Dual Injectors

Fuel delivery is handled by a SZM Spec T1 fuel system.

The engine also uses:

• Boost Logic dual-injector intake manifold

• SZM fuel rail kit

• Injector Dynamics ID750 fuel filter

Interestingly, the car still retains the factory fuel feed and return lines.

We do not replace an OEM component simply because the modification list is extensive.

If a factory component can perform the required job reliably within the complete system, there is no reason to modify the car unnecessarily.

SZM Stage 5 GR6 Transmission

Producing nearly 1,600 WHP is only useful if the drivetrain can transfer it.

The car therefore uses our SZM Stage 5 GR6 Transmission Package.

Our current Stage 5 specification is designed for extreme-power street cars, drag racing, roll racing and high-speed applications, and is rated for approximately:

2,400 HP / 1,600 TQ

The package includes upgrades across the entire GR6 system rather than relying on a clutch upgrade alone.

Key components include:

• Dodson ProMax 12 main clutch

• SZM ETS FWD 11/11 upgraded clutch with Freeloader Plate

• SZM 300M primary input clutch shaft

• Albins 1st–6th gearset

• Albins secondary billet shaft

• SZM billet mid plate

• SZM billet thrust plate

• SZM billet oversized transmission oil pan

• SZM shift-fork set

• Albins HD drop gears

• Albins FWD shaft and pinion

• SZM billet rear differential cover with transmission brace

• LSD Wavetrac rear differential

Complete AWD Drivetrain Reinforcement

This particular car goes further again.

Additional upgrades include:

• Upgraded rear axles

• SZM bellhousing 300M billet shaft

• SZM billet bellhousing Version 2

• SZM spec billet front differential case with HD ring and pinion 

• SZM billet bellhousing yoke

The goal was to reinforce the complete AWD drivetrain before pushing the car harder from a standstill, rather than discovering the next weak point one component at a time.

Full Billet Front Differential

At this power level, the front differential cannot remain an untouched supporting component.

The car uses our full billet front differential package.

Together with the upgraded FWD components, rear axles, reinforced GR6 and rear differential support, the system is designed to handle repeated high-load AWD launches.

Drag Setup and AWD Control

For normal road use, the car runs Toyo tyres.

For drag racing, the owner uses a dedicated 15-inch wheel and tyre setup.

The rear brake system has been converted to provide clearance for the 15-inch drag wheels, while the front retains its carbon-ceramic brake discs.

The car also uses:

• T1 line lock

• Syvecs AWD controller

This allows controlled burnouts, proper tyre preparation and improved drivetrain management before launching from a standstill.

At this level, producing power is only half the job.

Traction and drivetrain control determine whether that power becomes a quarter-mile result.

Full SPL Parts Suspension Setup

The car also uses a full SPL Parts suspension package.

For a high-power AWD GT-R launching from a standstill, tyre contact and suspension geometry are critical.

Alignment, wheel control, tyre response and drivetrain behaviour all need to work together.

The suspension is therefore treated as part of the complete performance package rather than as an independent modification.

Cooling for Daily Driving in Dubai

Despite the extent of the build, the owner still daily drives the car.

That means the cooling system must also work in Dubai traffic and UAE summer temperatures.

The car uses:

• Dedicated GR6 transmission oil cooler

• Auxiliary transmission cooler fan

• Auxiliary engine oil cooler fan

• Radium coolant tank

These upgrades do not improve the headline dyno figure.

They improve how the car behaves during everyday use, particularly at low road speeds and high ambient temperatures.

SZM Breather System

The engine uses our Subzero Motorsport breather system with integrated drainage.

Importantly, the installation does not require any bumper cutting.

Despite the extent of the engine, turbo, fuel, cooling and drivetrain modifications:

No chassis or body cutting was required.

The car remains a clean 2022 GCC-spec GT-R.

Dyno Result: 1,588 WHP at 3.2 Bar

The current SZM1800 setup produced:

1,588 WHP
3.2 bar boost
Approximately 70% ethanol

The result was achieved during the UAE summer.

We could push the combination harder, but there is no reason to chase the final dyno number in high ambient temperatures simply for the sake of a figure.

Our intention is to continue development during cooler winter conditions.

The next dyno target is approximately:

1,700 WHP

That is where we expect this particular Precision 6670 combination to operate.

The current 1,588 WHP figure should therefore not be interpreted as the maximum capability of the setup.

It is simply where we chose to stop during summer.

Quarter-Mile Progression

The same car has progressed through three major stages:

Stage One

855 WHP / 617 ft-lb
Stock VR38 + BL1000X turbos
9.86-second quarter-mile
9.79 Dragy

Stage Two

Approximately 1,050 WHP
Built engine + previous turbo setup
8.69-second quarter-mile

Stage Three

1,588 WHP at 3.2 bar
Current SZM1800 specification

The complete engine and AWD drivetrain are now prepared for the next objective.

Next Target: A 7-Second Daily-Driven GT-R

The next target is clear:

Run a 7-second quarter-mile.

But the objective is not simply the number.

We want to achieve it:

• Without weight reduction

• Without removing the exhaust

• Without stripping the interior

• Without converting the car into a dedicated drag car

The full interior stays.

The resonated street exhaust stays.

The daily-driving equipment stays.

The body remains untouched.

The only changes at the track are the components required for traction and drag preparation, such as the dedicated wheel and tyre setup.

We are not trying to build the lightest possible GT-R capable of running seven seconds.

We want to run seven seconds in essentially the same complete car the owner drives on the street.

What Is the SZM1800 Package?

The SZM1800 package is a complete high-power Nissan GT-R R35 build designed around the engine, turbo system, fuel delivery, cooling system, GR6 transmission and AWD drivetrain working together.

On this particular 2022 GT-R, the combination includes:

• SZM Stage 3 4.1L VR38

• SZM Stage 3 cylinder heads

• Precision Next Gen 6670 twin turbos

• Boost Logic Ultimate Race Intercooler

• Boost Logic dual-injector manifold

• T1 fuel system

• SZM Stage 5 GR6 transmission

• Reinforced AWD drivetrain

The current result is 1,588 WHP, with approximately 1,700 WHP planned in cooler conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Nissan GT-R still daily driven?

Yes.

The car retains its full interior, complete street exhaust, factory body and daily-driving equipment.

Additional engine-oil and transmission-oil cooling were installed specifically because the car is driven in Dubai traffic and UAE summer temperatures.

How much power can the SZM Stage 3 VR38 support?

Subzero Motorsport rates the Stage 3 4.1L VR38 short-block package for up to approximately 2,200 HP when paired with the correct turbo system, fuel system and professional calibration.

How much power can the SZM Stage 5 GR6 transmission handle?

The current SZM Stage 5 GR6 package is rated by Subzero Motorsport for up to approximately 2,400 HP and 1,600 TQ.

Why use two 60 mm wastegates in the downpipes?

The car retains a Boost Logic resonated exhaust because it is daily driven.

The additional 60 mm wastegate in each downpipe provides another exhaust path at higher boost, helping reduce unnecessary backpressure while retaining the quieter street exhaust.

What is the quarter-mile target?

The next objective is a 7-second quarter-mile pass while retaining the full interior, complete exhaust and road-going configuration.

Built, Tuned and Tested by Subzero Motorsport Dubai

What makes this build interesting is not one individual component.

It is how the complete system works together.

The Stage 3 4.1L engine provides the mechanical foundation.

The Stage 3 cylinder heads provide the airflow, valvetrain control, thermal management and sealing required at high boost.

The Precision Next Gen 6670 turbochargers provide the airflow.

The Boost Logic intercooler and SZM intercooler piping manage the charge-air system.

The T1 fuel system, dual-injector manifold and SZM fuel rail system provide the fuel.

The Stage 5 GR6 transmission, billet front differential and reinforced AWD drivetrain transfer the power.

The T1 line lock, Syvecs AWD controller, SPL suspension and dedicated drag setup help put that power to the ground.

And the additional oil cooling allows the car to remain usable in daily traffic.

That is the philosophy behind this SZM1800 GT-R:

1,588 WHP. Full interior. Full street exhaust. No weight reduction. No chassis or body cutting. Daily driven in Dubai.

A complete Nissan GT-R R35 engineered to make the power, control it and put it to the ground while remaining a proper street car.

Engineered, built, tuned and tested by Subzero Motorsport in Dubai, UAE.