1994 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS Build: A Filmmaker's JDM Passion Project

Harley Micah Lery

1994 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS

Instagram @toospooled

Photographer: Alexander Nguyen

Instagram: @ihatework_

1994 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS Build

Harley Micah Lery has spent most of his life behind a camera. At 40 years old, born and raised in Chicago, transplanted to Phoenix and now settled in Seattle, he works as a freelance videographer and treats filmmaking as more than a job. "If I don't have a camera in my hand every day, it's not a productive day," he says. But when he's not filming, his attention turns to anything with wheels, and that lifelong obsession eventually led him to this 1994 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS build, a car that's become the centrepiece of his garage and one of the most recognisable imports on the road in the Pacific Northwest.

Harley has owned more than 15 cars and trucks over the years, spanning classics, European machines, JDM icons and off-road builds, and he's modified nearly all of them. He even restored a 1959 Honda Cub, VIN #4009 out of more than 100 million produced, which now sits proudly in the middle of his living room. Cars, for Harley, have never just been transportation. They're a hobby, a creative outlet and, in some ways, an extension of the same storytelling instinct that drives his film work.

How the Obsession Started

Harley traces his love of cars back to childhood, when the SNES game Top Gear first opened his eyes to the automotive world. From the custom builds in Back to the Future II to the Porsches chasing across the screen in 1987's No Man's Land, he was hooked on anything with wheels. He collected die-cast models, Hot Wheels and RC cars, basically anything he could get his hands on.

By 16, he was a regular at the Scottsdale Pavilions Car Show, rarely missing a Saturday. Walking rows of classic American muscle, European exotics and import garage builds gave him endless inspiration, and it wasn't long before he was bringing his own cars out to be part of the scene. This was around 2001, right as the JDM scene in Phoenix was thriving. It's bittersweet for him now that the Pavilions show, once the longest-running weekly car show in American history, has ended, largely due to the rise of street takeovers in the area. Harley hopes that trend fades so enthusiasts can get back to what the culture is really about: sharing, admiring and celebrating the work people put into their builds.

Finding the Right R33

When the 25-year import rule finally made JDM legends eligible to bring into the U.S., Harley didn't have to think hard about which car he wanted. He'd always been drawn to the Skyline, and specifically the R33. He found his through an importer, NW SpeedWorks, who told him the car had been garaged for a decade. It had originally been female-owned, though her boyfriend had done some modifications along the way.

The engine bay needed work, but what sold Harley on the car was the interior. No cracks in the dash, no missing trim, everything intact and original. The Skyline itself had been an "urban runner," naturally aspirated from the factory, though the example he bought had already been fitted with a bottom-mount Mitsubishi diesel turbo by a previous owner. About two months after buying it, the engine let go. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Harley used the opportunity to swap in an RB25NEO, and that decision opened the door to a much deeper build.

A Long Line of Builds Before This One

Harley actually passed his driver's test in his sister's 1997 Saturn, the one with the quirky third door, but his taste for modification started even earlier when he secretly fitted airbag suspension to his dad's 1994 Chevy Blazer. His dad, as far as Harley knows, still hasn't found out.

His first car of his own was a 1996 Eagle Talon, and from there it was a steady slide into project after project:

A 1993 Nissan S13 240SX, a total beater with every panel a different colour and leaks everywhere, bought without permission and eventually abandoned in Tucson after it broke down. A 1999 Honda Prelude SH went all-in on style, with a pearlescent fade paint job, shaved body kit and door handles, carbon fibre trim and 19-inch magnesium wheels. A 2004 Pontiac GTO followed, built aggressively with a 4-inch custom side exhaust, body kit, supercharger, TEIN springs, twin 15-inch Alpine subwoofers and halo headlights.

Then came a 2002 Honda S2000 built for track use, running a T3/T4 turbo, upgraded suspension, a carbon Seibon hood and roof, a full suede interior and TE37 wheels. On the classic side, Harley fully restored a 1964 Chevy Impala SS in stock black paint with a red interior, 20-inch chrome wheels and a working factory air conditioning system, and a 1959 VW Bug went through a frame-off, rust-free restoration finished in metallic sage with a red interior and a chromed 1800cc engine.

Every one of those cars was a chance to learn something new, and the Skyline feels like the natural next step in that ongoing education.

Life With the Skyline

"My Skyline shines like a diamond," Harley says, and it's clear the attention it draws still means something to him. He builds his cars for himself first, but out of everything he's owned, this is the one that stops traffic. Whether it's parked or rolling down the street, people cheer, take photos and video, and stop him to ask questions. It's rare he can leave the house without someone approaching.

"It feels incredible when someone tells me I have their dream car, and I've even received compliments from the police," Harley says. "Moments like that make all the work and dedication feel completely worth it."

Advice for Anyone Importing a Skyline

Harley's biggest tip for anyone chasing their own Nissan Skyline R33 is simple: check for rust, especially around the strut towers. Documentation matters just as much. Review the car's history and any past damage before importing, and remember that the more modifications a car has already been through, the harder it's likely been driven. A cylinder compression test is non-negotiable before handing over any money.

He's also seen plenty of buyers devalue their cars with flashy kits, wraps or paint jobs. His advice is to keep things subtle. Retro-modding has its place, but stock or lightly modified usually holds up better in the long run. Buying from reputable importers, rather than gambling on eBay listings or unverified sellers, goes a long way too. And no matter what the car costs upfront, expect to spend at least that much again in upkeep, parts and maintenance. That's simply the price of owning something you love.

What Makes This Skyline Different

Beyond the fact that it's a genuine R33, what really sets Harley's car apart is what's under the hood. At car shows, popping the bonnet draws a crowd almost instantly, and the most common reaction he hears is some version of "Greddy everything." The engine bay is built around a Greddy intercooler, front plenum and intake, paired with an HKS exhaust and coil packs, and tuned through a Haltech Elite ECU. Most recently, Harley added a custom headlight duct modification with an integrated LED halo insert, a detail he believes makes his car the only one of its kind in the world.

Full Build Specification

Engine and Drivetrain Modifications

• RB25det NEO engine, 45,000km
• OEM R34 wiring harness
• OEM battery cables, water pump, head studs, radiator fan and timing belt
• Competition Stage 2 clutch
• Greddy front plenum, intercooler, intercooler piping, oil cooler, oil relocation kit, braided oil lines, radiator cap and intake
• HKS Silent-Flo exhaust and Super-Fire coil pack
• Outsider Racing DBW throttle and gas pedal
• Mishimoto radiator
• ISR radiator hose kit
• Haltech 2500 Elite ECU and manual boost controller
• Walbro 450 fuel pump
• HI 1050 injectors
• Tomei braided fuel lines, fuel rail and fuel gauge
• Phase2 Power steering belt
• Steel oil cap
• Red Elvis powder coated valve covers
• Garrett G30-660 RR .83 turbo with reverse super core
• Artec V-band turbo manifold
• Ceramic coated headers
• Custom charge pipe, exhaust pipe, screamer pipe and intake pipe
• AN fittings, hoses and braided lines
• Funk turbo blanket
• Upgraded CAS
• Frenchy's power steering kit
• Megan engine mounts

Suspension Modifications

• BC Racing coil-overs
• Blitz strut tower brace

Brakes, Wheels and Tires

• Upgraded front brake calipers
• Nissan 300ZX front brake pads and rotors
• GKTech lockout and Hicas delete

Interior Modifications

• Momo Mod 78 steering wheel
• OMP quick release hub
• NRG heavy shift knob, Hicas steering hub and horn delete plate
• Cube solid shifter
• Black fabric headliner
• OEM black v2 centre console, v1 arm rest and v3 brake cover
• OEM GTR pedal covers
• Defi DIN gauges
• Drakes dual gauge pod
• AEM air/fuel and boost gauges
• RAV trunk struts
• Fitment trunk carpet
• Restored dash fascia

Audio and Video

• Alpine rear speakers
• Kicker front speakers
• Continental USB radio
• Full Dynamat sound deadening throughout the interior

Exterior Modifications

• 12,000K lights and ballasts
• OEM white rear valance, grille, side skirts, rear spats, smoked turn signals and window wipers
• Spoiler King rubber spoiler
• WokeU Skyline glow panels
• Cupra front lip
• Hyper-dipped copper painted wheels
• Rainier film 25 percent tint
• Thaitan 5-year ceramic coating
• Boosted intake headlight duct
• Dan's custom LED halo insert

The Team Behind the Build

No build like this comes together alone. Laurence, owner of Intec Racing in Kent, WA, handles the tuning. Maurice, owner of Taskar Garage in Seattle, WA, is Harley's personal mechanic. Ekaphon, owner of Thaitan Glossworks in Anacortes, WA, takes care of detailing, and Cruz, owner of Skreet Garage in Renton, WA, handles bodywork.

What's Next

Harley isn't finished with the Skyline yet. Next on the list is an upgrade to the rear brakes, a new set of five-spoke wheels, a transmission built to handle the car's torque, and shaving the hood washer nozzles for a cleaner look. "It's the little details that really make a difference," he says. He's not planning to sell anytime soon, though he admits everything has a price.

Looking further ahead, a few more project cars are already on his radar, including a 1988 E30 M3, a 1972 Datsun 240Z and a 1963 VW Type 3 Notchback.

As for the JDM scene itself, Harley describes himself as something of a loner within it. The scene in Washington is sparse, with the Pacific Northwest leaning heavily toward Subarus, Teslas and Jeeps. He's the type who shows up, lets the car speak for itself, and enjoys the culture on his own terms rather than through a club.

His dream car remains a 1967 Toyota 2000GT, admittedly a long shot, but as he puts it, it's nice to dream. And for anyone else deep into a build of their own, Harley leaves them with this: "When life gives you lemons, trade them in for a turbo."

For more owner-built JDM and import features, check out our featured builds section, browse more Nissan project cars, or explore other engine swap features from the Stance Auto community.

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