Dream Realized: Kit Chan’s 2017 Nissan GTR Nismo Journey

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Kit Chan

2017 Nissan GTR Nismo

Instagram: @CAL.R35

Photographer: Marvin Recinos

Instagram:  @mr2mivin

Performance Stats:600HP/481TQ

A Passion for Performance: Kit Chan’s GTR Nismo Story

At 40, Kit Chan is living every car enthusiast's dream. Hailing from the Bay Area, California, Kit drives a 2017 Nissan GTR Nismo. Supported by his wife and two daughters, Kit's story is one of dedication, love for Japanese cars, and the fulfillment of a lifelong passion.

The Beginning: A Love for Cars

Like many teens, Kit's love for cars grew out of necessity. At 18, he needed a car for commuting to school but had a budget of only $5,000. This led to the purchase of his first car—a 1996 Mazda Miata. As a manual sports car enthusiast, this Miata sparked a journey into the world of Japanese cars that would stay with him for life.

"If your first car is a Japanese manual sports car, there's no turning back," Kit explains. He and his friends, driving Civics, Integras, and S14s, would meet up at McDonald's and head to the canyons to test their latest mods. These moments, coupled with hours of watching Best Motoring and Touge battles, ignited Kit’s dream of owning a performance beast like the cars he saw in those battles.

From Miatas to GTRs: A Journey Through Japanese Icons

As Kit got older, his passion for Japanese cars deepened. After the Miata, he went on to own a Civic SI and a Subaru STi. His love for performance driving blossomed when he began tracking his STi at Thunderhill and Laguna Seca, solidifying his identity as a "track guy."

"Naturally, the next step after the STi had to be the ultimate dream: a GTR," Kit recalls. After years of driving and modding different cars, he finally landed his ultimate goal: a 2017 Nissan GTR Nismo.

The Build: Making a Dream Car Even Better

Even though the GTR Nismo is an incredibly well-tuned machine straight from the factory, Kit has never been one to leave a car untouched. His modifications focus primarily on weight reduction and fine-tuning performance for track use, shaving over 100 pounds with upgrades.

Modifications Include:

• Engine Upgrades: Top Secret carbon fiber hood, Nismo exhaust midpipe, HKS air filters, AMS intercooler, Top Secret oil catch can

• Interior Touches: Bride Zieg 4 carbon fiber seats, Top Secret carbon fiber steering wheel, RSW carbon fiber interior covers

• Exterior Enhancements: Narwhal Blue wrap, Top Secret carbon fiber hood, Jun Auto carbon fiber GT mirrors, Nismo carbon fiber fenders

• Suspension & Brakes: Nismo suspension, Endless Monoblock6 big brake kit

Kit's balanced fusion of street and track performance ensures that his GTR is not only a head-turner but also a car that delivers every time it hits the track.

Build List:

Engine Modifications:

• Top Secret Coolant Reservoir

• Top Secret Oil Catch Can

• Nismo Exhaust Midpipe

• HKS Air Filter

• AMS Intercooler

• Greddy BOV

• Top Secret Oil Cap

Interior Modifications:

• Top Secret Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel

• Bride Zieg 4 Carbon Fiber Seats

• Rampage Roll Cage

• Custom Carbon Fiber Door Handles and Trims

Exterior Modifications:

• Top Secret Carbon Fiber Hood

• Nismo Full Carbon Fiber Fenders

• Jun Auto Carbon Fiber GT Mirrors

• Inozetek Narwhal Blue Wrap

• Mine’s Carbon Antenna

Suspension and Wheels:

• Nismo Suspension

• Endless Monoblock6 Big Brake Kit

• 2020 Nismo Wheels

Owning a GTR Nismo: A Rare Experience

Owning a GTR Nismo is a unique experience. "It’s not every day you see one on the road. Before I owned one, spotting a GTR felt like seeing a unicorn," Kit laughs. Today, he owns one of fewer than 10 GTR Nismos in California, and it’s even rarer to see one that gets driven and tracked as much as his.

From hitting local Cars and Coffee events to track days, Kit’s GTR is a true blend of style and substance. "The more I push it on the track, the more I learn about its limits—and my own," he says. The joy of driving his dream car is something Kit cherishes every time he gets behind the wheel.

Future Plans: Pushing the Limits Even Further

As with any true enthusiast, Kit’s GTR Nismo build is ongoing. His future plans include upgrading the transmission to handle close to 700 horsepower and swapping the suspension for a more adjustable KW coilover setup.

"There’s always room for improvement, even with a car like this," Kit says. While his GTR Nismo is already a dream realized, he’s excited to keep refining it.

Shout Outs

Kit extends his gratitude to his car community and the teams that helped bring his dream car to life.

Special Thanks To:

• Norcal GTR

• Team Shabuya

• Modgarage21

• Lok's Wrap

Dream Car: The Next Big Goal

While Kit’s GTR Nismo is his current pride and joy, he admits that his dream car is a 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS in Purple. "Who doesn't want one?" Kit adds with a smile.

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