1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR Vspec - Connor Murphy

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1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR Vspec

Connor Murphy

Instagram:@fastf00dies

Photographer: Zack Hendershot

Instagram: @itwitchdaily

Performance Stats: 622hp/468tq 

My name is Connor Murphy and I am an Engineer. I was born and raised in New York but moved down to Florida a couple of years ago.  I like traveling, trying/cooking new food, and cars, hence my Instagram name. My other hobbies include traveling and remote control cars, and I'm trying to teach myself how to airbrush.

It was a combination of my Fathers/uncle Charlie's obsession with cars.  Whenever my father had any free time he would always be tinkering with his remote control cars.  We would go on Sundays and watch him race his RC cars. He would also watch every car show on TV and I would watch it with him.  I have learned so much from my father. My father and my uncle would always take me to the local car shows every Sunday morning. They would consistently talk about cars, whether it be normal cars are just RC cars., Just growing up around those 2 people made me "car crazy".  It also helped that my mother also had great taste in cars.  She once owned a supra. 

My Nissan obsession started way before I could even drive. When I would go to my uncle's place there was always a Datsun 240z sitting in front of it.  He was a huge Nissan fan who lusted after a 350z for most of my childhood. I would play Gran Turismo and he would watch.  He would always told me to pick a Nissan.

Fast forward to my last year in high school and my friend Austin asked me what my dream car was.  I said it was a midnight purple R34 GTR Vspecs. Now, Austin is way more obsessed with R34s than I was. He immediately said, "no you can't choose that! We both can't have R34s!".  Then I said "Okay I want a 1995 midnight purple R33 GTR Vspec." 1995 because that was the year I was born, midnight purple because that was my favorite color, an R33 because it was the underdog, and Vspec because it was that much more special.

Now fast forward again, to about 3 years ago.  I am scrolling through Instagram.  I saw a beautiful midnight purple r33 owned by Elvis (@snelvis) over at stance nation.  That made me obsessed with the r33 chassis.  I found out Elvis sold the car to a gentleman in SoCal named Jason.  I followed Jason(@apexapexapex) on Instagram, and one day he posted the car up for trade.  At the time I had an immaculate 1994 R32 GTR. 

I bought 1994 because It was the only GTR in my budget at the time that wasn't a  basket full of problems.  I offered my R32 GTR for trade and Jason said yes. I sent the R32 GTR over to SoCal and Jason sent the R33 over to me in Florida.  I could not believe that I had the car of my dreams in my possession The R33 GTR that I lusted for ever since I saw it., and the cherry on top was the fact that it was an original midnight purple 1995 R33 GTR Vspec.  The exact car I told Austin was my dream car 10 years prior.

If you enjoyed this car story why not read this ONE HERE

What made me customize the car was the fact that it was an almost 30-year-old car. My engine blew not long after I got it.  I was really forced to start the build then. I was lucky enough to be in a position where I could afford to build a GTR, and even more fortunate to build the exact GTR that I wanted.

Any GTR owner can tell you that ownership feels like a commitment.  With discontinued parts, price gouging, and the fact that these cars were never sold in the US make finding parts time-consuming and expensive.  On the bright side, driving the car makes it feel like all the headaches and pain were worth it. The car makes all the right sounds and is super smooth. Plus it has just the right amount of nostalgia. 

I went for a 90s-inspired build.  I bought most of my parts to emulate cars like the Mines r34. A lot of people slap a single turbo on, get rid of the ITBS and crank the boost. This, in my opinion, compromises how the car drives.  I went for a more response-driven build that mimics the linearity of the stock powerband.

What do you think of the Story?, leave your comments below Thank You.

Build List: 

Engine

• Built Bottom end 
• Manley Forged H beam Connecting Rods 21mm
• 21mm x 2.250” x .20” 9310 Steel Wrist Pins Cp Psions Straight Wall Chamfered Edge 
• ACL Race H Rod Bearings
• ARP ARP2000 RB26 Main Stud Kit
• CP Forged Pistons for RB26 Engine
• Nissan N1 oil pump 
• Supertec Racing N1 Oil Pump Backing Plate
• Supertec Racing Spline Driven Oil Pump Gear Conversion Kit
• Supertec Billet Oil Pump Gear
• ½ Fill block for stiffening purposes
• Extended Leask Spec Oil Pan
• Tomei Oil Restrictors
• Oil Filter Relocation

Head

• HKS 272 Step 1 Cams 
• Tomei Solid Valve Lifter Set for RB26
• Tomei Valve Springs and Retainers B-Type 11.50mm Lift
• Tomei 35.65mm Intake 31.15mm Exhaust +1mm Racing Valves
• BC Valve Guides
• Valve Seals
• Tomei Head Gasket
• HKS Timing Gear Set
•  ARP Head Stud

Force Induction

• x2 Garrett 707160-5 turbos
• Upgraded turbo water and drain lines
• Powder Coated intercooler piping
• Heat-wrapped turbo manifold
• x2 Vintage ARC Blow Of Valves
• MAC Boost Solenoid 

Fueling

• FIC 1200cc Injectors
• HKS Fuel Rail
• Tomei Fuel Pressure Regulator
• Hellcat Fuel Pump
• Haltech Fuel Sensor
• Upgraded AN fuel lines

Exhaust

• Tomei Titanium Equal Length Downpipe
• Leak Spec Titanium Catback

Misc Engine

• Leask Spec Catch can system
• Custom Midnight Purple Carbon Fiber Cooling Panel
• Full Midnight Purple I Engine Bay Paint
• CNCed Brake Line Holder
• Powder-Coated Brake Line Brackets 
• Powder-Coated Turbo Crossover Piping 
• Powder-Coated Valve Cover
• Upgraded R34 GTR Engine Badge 
• ARC Intake Box
• Tomei Timing belt

Transmission/Clutch

• Nismo Super CopperMix Twin Disk Clutch
• Nismo 10% Short Shifter

Interior

• Old Logo Nismo white face gauges with matching triple meter
• Nismo Aluminum Shift Knob
• Repainted (OEM) Dash insert
• Series 3 OEM Shifter boot and shifter bezel
• Mid Logo Nismo floor mats
• LED Gauge Cluster & Triple Gauge Upgrade

Breaking

• Endless Rotors
• Endless Brake Pads

Suspension

• Nismo Lower Control Arms
• JRZ coil overs
• Steering rack spacers
• SPL Upper Control Arms

Wheels and Tires

•  Rays Nismo LMGT4 wheels 
• Toyo Tire R888 

Exterior

• Nismo Side Skirts
• Series 3 front lip
• VSpec Rear Spats
• Series 3  Bi-xenon headlights with new lenses

Who did the work?

Roberto and his team at RAV Performance did the engine work and tuning. RAV single-handedly saved this build. I was burnt by a shop before I took it to Roberto.  I cannot thank Roberto enough!

Future Plans:

My future plans are to eventually add VCAM to the car and a Getrag 6-speed. I also would like to do a ground-up restoration of the chassis sometime far into the future just to satisfy my OCD.

Advice/Tips:

My advice to anyone who wants to own a GTR is to make sure to start with a clean example.  Usually, if the GTR is cheap there are probably many problems to fix.  Spend the money to start with a close-to-stock car if you can.  Another piece of advice is to build a relationship with a shop you trust...you will be visiting there a lot.  

Shout Outs:

Shout Out to Tina Kang, Barry Murphy, Charlie Kohler,  Austin Genchi, Jim Smith, Roberto(@ravperformance), Gabe(@gabednconfusedgtr), Jason (@apexapexapex), Chase (@oneoffcustompaint), Captivated Coatings (@captivated_coatings), and all the friends I made throughout this build.

Looking for a new club? Check these out HERE

What I love to do is share this car with people who truly appreciate it.  The fact that America never got this car makes it that much more special to enthusiasts.  Making someone's day just by letting them sit in it or even taking them for a ride makes me feel like I am giving back in a way.

Dream Car:

This car is still my dream car.

Please leave your comments on my story in the comments section at the bottom of the page, Thank you.

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