The Ultimate R33 Nissan Skyline GTS25T-M Build: A Veteran’s Story

From Modesto With Boost: A Veteran, A Dream, and an R33 Skyline

Jeff Gerrard

1994 R33 Nissan Skyline GTS25T-M 

Instagram: @MaverickHeloPilot

Some guys buy a Skyline. Others fight for one. If you’re from California — especially the emissions-tight Central Valley — you already know this story starts with a battle. But for Jeff Gerrard, retired US Navy veteran, helicopter pilot, husband, father of five, and lifetime gear-head, the fight was half the fun.

Jeff’s life has been a blend of horsepower, service, and organized chaos since the beginning. His first car? A 1966 Chevy El Camino with an M&R Racing 383 Stroker and a Muncie M22 Rock Crusher. From there came a ’95 Integra GSR, VW Corrado VR6, 2005 Volvo S60R, a fully-bolted 2022 Subaru WRX, and now his two pride-and-problem children:

• A 1994 R33 Nissan Skyline GTS25T-M, fully converted to GT-R trim

• A wonderfully ugly but brutally effective 2005 Chevy SSR with a C5 Z06 LS pushing 405 whp

But the R33?
That one hit different.

Why the R33 Skyline? The Black Sheep Choice

Jeff won’t shy away from it — he’s proudly part of the “R33 is the best-looking Skyline” minority. And honestly? There’s something refreshing about someone who isn’t afraid to love the so-called black sheep.

AWD? Nice, but not necessary.
Twin-turbo? Cool, but not essential.
RWD and a willingness to send it sideways? Now we’re talking.

After spotting this R33 in a SoCal listing, Jeff traded his extensively modded 2022 Subaru WRX and dove headfirst into Skyline ownership. What followed was a year of wrenching, tuning, drifting as therapy… and clashing with California law enforcement like it was a competitive sport.

Building a Weapon: Inside the RB25DET Neo Upgrade Path

If you’re going to own a Skyline in California, you might as well make it worth the trouble. Jeff’s RB25DET Neo build reads like a blueprint for reliable high-power street cars:

Engine Fortification

• RB25DET Neo
• N1 oil pump
• MLS head gasket
• ARP studs, mains, and rod bolts
• King bearings
• Tomei timing belt

This bottom end is basically a fortress. If you’ve ever owned an RB, you know these upgrades are essential insurance policies — especially if you’re flirting with 600 hp territory.

Boost System

• Rev9 turbo manifold
• Holset HY35 turbo
• EX44 wastegate
• Custom fabricated screamer pipe
• Kakimoto exhaust

Holset setups continue to surprise people. Affordable, fast-spooling, and brutal when tuned right — and Jeff’s build proves it.

On E85, it pumps out 510 hp.
On 91 pump gas, 435 hp — which is honestly impressive given California fuel is basically sadness with octane.

Fueling & Electronics

• DeatschWerks 1000cc injectors
• Walbro 450 flex-fuel pump
• Radian fuel rail & hanger
• Innovative flex fuel sensor
• Wiring Specialties Pro harness
• Haltech Elite 2000 ECU
• AEM wideband + gauges
• NZ Wiring trigger kit

This setup screams reliability. Nothing kills an RB faster than half-done wiring or weak fueling — Jeff’s build avoids both.

Cooling & Reliability

• Mishimoto radiator

Simple. Effective. Mandatory.

Drivetrain & Driving Feel

• Spec Stage 3 clutch
• Greddy turbo timer
• Greddy steering wheel + NRG quick disconnect

Suspension & Handling

• GKtech camber kit (-5 rear, -3 front)
• Michelin Pilot Sport Pro tires
• Work ZR10 18x10.5 wheels

Jeff likes his camber aggressive, functional, and unapologetic — and honestly, it suits the car’s attitude.

Exterior & GT-R Conversion: Turning a GTS25T-M Into a Street Monster

• Full GT-R front clip
• GT-R shifter
• Garage Danger carbon canards
• Carbon Fiber Diablo wing
• Custom front splitter + rear diffuser by @Con10der8

This isn’t a clone — it’s a tribute, a transformation, and a middle finger to anyone who thinks RWD Skylines aren’t real Skylines.

The Ongoing Battle: California vs. Jeff’s Skyline

Owning an R33 in California is basically a subscription to stress.

Between “fix-it tickets,” roadside inspections, and the state’s aggressive stance on imported vehicles, every drive becomes an adrenaline sport. But Jeff? He handles it with humor, persistence, and a Navy veteran’s stubbornness.

“Sometimes drifting is cathartic depending on my mood,” he says — which, honestly, explains the camber.

What’s Next? The 600hp Plan

This build isn’t done — not by a long shot.

Currently being wrapped at Flawless Works in Modesto, Jeff has waiting:

• Front + rear widebody fairings
• Rear valance set
• Hub spacers to maintain his negative camber stance
• Possibly a bigger turbo to crack the 600 hp mark

The RB25 is already internally fortified, so—realistically—the engine is ready. It’s just a matter of airflow and bravery.

Shoutouts

• Hector and crew at Flawless Works, Modesto, CA
• Ronnie at Family Truck & Auto Repair in Oakdale, CA

Every great build has a support team, and these shops helped keep Jeff’s Skyline alive through California’s gauntlet.

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