LOOKING AFTER YOUR SKYLINE WITH QUALITY SERVICING & MAINTENANCE
Recommended Maintenance Schedule for NISSAN SKYLINE
*Must be maintained for warranty*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are our recommended intervals for standard maintenance of your skyline. Proper maintenance and upkeep of your skyline will help keep it running longer and quite possibly save you money by preventing costly repairs. Quality servicing and maintenance is vital for your skyline. Some items in the list should be performed by a professional mechanic.
Engine
Engine Oil
Replace every 3,000 miles or if oil temperature exceeds 120°C
Oil Filter
Replace every 3,000 miles
Drive Belts
Inspect every 30,000; Replace as needed.
Timing Belt Replace 60,000 miles
Catalyst Inspect every 12 months.
Turbo Boost Check
Inspect every 12 months.
Air Cleaner
Stock Air Cleaner Element
Replace every 30,000 miles
If Using after market Element
Clean and Oil every 15,000 miles
Ignition System
Spark Plugs
Replace every 15,000 miles
Spark Plug wires
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Replace as needed.
Cooling System
Cooling System
Inspect every 15,000 miles for leaks
Engine Coolant
Replace every 30,000 miles or every 12 months
(whichever comes first)
Fuel System
Fuel Filter
Replace every 30,000 miles
Fuel Lines
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Electrical System
Engine Oil Level
Warning System
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Engine Coolant Level
Warning System
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Brakes
Brake Hoses and Connections
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Brake Fluids
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Replace every 30,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
Clutch Fluid Level
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Brake and Clutch Pedal
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Parking Brake
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Power Brake Unit and Hoses
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Wheel Cylinder (including calliper) Inspect every 15,000 miles
Differential fluid Inspect every 15,000 miles
Disc Brakes
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Miscellaneous
Power Steering Fluid
and Lines
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Steering Linkages, rack
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Guides and Tie Rod Ends
Inspect every 15,000
Front Suspension Ball Joints
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Front Wheel Bearings
Lubricate every 30,000 miles
Rack Seal Boots
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Manual Transmission oil
Replace every 30,000 miles
Automatic Transmission Fluid Level (GTS)
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Rear Axle Oil
Replace every 30,000 miles
Exhaust system heat shields
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Seat Belts, Buckles,
Reactors and anchors
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Drive Shaft Dust Boot /Master cylinder cup & dust seal
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Recommended modifications to your Skyline
You need to start with a solid platform before trying to build power. First you need to make sure the vehicle is in good running condition before ever going out and modifying it. You need to do a tune up to help ensure the vehicle will run correctly.
Spark Plugs. Recommended are NGK Iridium plugs, NGK Racing plugs, DENSO Iridium plugs, TRUST Racing plug Iridium, APEX Racing plug Iridium, HKS SUPER FIRE Iridium plugs...
Oil Change /Filter change. Keep her happy. We use Valvoline Synpower, Royal Purple, Neo6, 76 Racing, Mobil 1, 5w/50, 15/50w, 10W/40 or 10/30w full synthetic. We have found 76 Racing to be the best, keeping temp & pressure very healthy. Oil Filter - OEM 15208-60U00, PH3682, OEM(R34) 15208-9E000.
76 High Performance Synthetic Engine Oils. SAE10W-30 and SAE20W-50
Turbo tested and specially formulated for today’s higher revving, hotter running engines with high quality synthetic PolyAlfaOlefin and ester base oils and a carefully balanced race-winning additive package. Approved to meet the stringent API SJ standard by the American Petroleum Institute. The 76 High Performance Synthetic oils can be used in any ‘modern’ high performance or race engine application and provides outstanding low temperature properties to assure oil pumpability and faster engine starting at extremely low ambient temperatures at the same time as it provides unbeatable protection at extreme high operating temperatures.
76 High Performance Engine Oils SAE10W-30, SAE10W-40, SAE20W-50
Turbo tested and specially formulated for today's higher revving, hotter running engines with high paraffin base stock 2 oils and a carefully balanced race-winning additive package. Approved to meet the stringent API SJ standard by the American Petroleum Institute. The 76 High Performance engine oils are specially suited for sports and racing cars with 'older' type of engine design. Wheter used in a race application or in a high performance road car it will give you excellent protection against engine sludge, varnish protection, scuffing and wear combined with a consistent oil pressure even under 'abnormal' oil-temperatures.
76 Super Motor Oils. SAE5W-20, SAE5W-30, SAE10W-40, SAE20W-50 and SAE30
Formulated with high quality base oils and a carefully balanced additive package designed to meet the demanding lubrication requirements of petrol engines. They provide easy starting at low temperatures, low oil consumption and excellent wear protection under all driving conditions. 76’s SAE5W-20 and SAE5W-30 grades are fuel efficient for improved fuel economy and meet new-car warranty requirements (as defined by ILSAC GF-2). All 76 Super Motor oils are approved to meet the stringent API SJ standard by the American Petroleum Institute but the SAE5W-20 and SAE5W-30 grades also meet the new API SL standard. It is also specially designed to cope with today’s demanding driving cycles such as short-trip and stop-and-go driving including usage in turbo engines.
Please view our maintaince page for further details....
Induction. All Nismo/Mine's demo cars run stock aribox & panel filter. The A'PEXi Power filter won top honors for being the filter able to generate the most power and the best air flow. The ARC aluminium box is one of the most durable air filters available and a really good performing one as well. The HKS SPF filters are also very good should net 10-13 BHP.
Exhaust / De-Cat- Standard exhaust systems are, by design, restrictive. Increasing the amount of exhaust gas flow is the first progressive step towards increasing engine performance and efficiency. Performance exhaust systems are designed to increase the mass and velocity of exhaust gas flow. This allows for a reduction in back pressure and thermal stress, thus unleashing engines potential for increased power, torque and response.
Fuel filter
Apexi ECU Power FC- My favourite aftermarket ECU. Stand alone, Plug and play. With the hand held commander and the boost control kit . Japanese market premium fuel is rated at 100+ octane. They use a different method of determining octane in Japan. Here in the UK - our premium fuel is 95 octane. Optimax 97. For all practical purposes 95/96 is as high as you will get in most petrol stations. Most people map their cars to optimse the ignition and fuel, this will give best economy on cruise. We highly recommend the Apexi FC.
Or in the mean time on stock ECU highly recommend using 76 racing Cool Blue 106 Octane racing fuel.
Designed to burn cleanly, give more torque and thrives at high revs. Can be used neat or blended with lower octane street fuels to upgrade 'super unleaded' petrol.
This is the fuel to have if you want to improve your qt mile times. Can safely be used in engines with up to 14:1 compression ratio (aluminium heads). Works excellent with both normally aspirated RB20 engines as well as RB25 + RB26 turbo charged engines.
Oil Catch Can - GT-R's rev high. They have oil squinters, run under boost, and generally move a lot of air/oil around in the motor. Oil lowers the effective octane of the fuel.
Gasket (Steel)
Ceramic Coating
Water Injection
Upgraded Intercooler
Pistons- Blitz, HKS, JUN... all Lightweight yet very strong, pistons are superbly designed and machined, perfectly balanced and suitable for high-power.
Cams- stock cams:
Int 60 8.58 mm lift 113 centre line
Exh 59 8.28 mm lift 125 centre line
JUN's camshaft profiling is superior to HKS, Trust or Tomei...They're more expensive than the HKS / Trust counterparts, but believe you get what you pay for. Most the BIG BHP demo cars in Japan use Jun camshafts as their weapon of choice.
Crankshafts
Fitting of oil cooler, for increased engine life. Oil cooler decrease maximum oil temperature approximately 20°C
Correct setting up of suspension;- Upgrading the suspension system can improve the way your car handles, and different systems are available, depending on whether for everyday use, drag racing or track events. Fully adjustable systems are ideal as they can be transformed from soft to hard quickly and easily. HKS Hipermax II are good, Öhlins suspension is better since well they are designed for B-road/track work so they give a much better feel and don't shudder as much. The Öhlins are stiffer but makes for a more comfortable ride as in when your going over bumps and such its more smooth and it isnt the crashing that you get with hiper dampers. Theres also greatly less body roll with the Öhlins setup. TEIN shocks with Eibach springs is considered to be one of the very reliable ones in the market. For a really good street suspension which is competent on the track then the Nismo S-tune is good. Or if you want a really good track suspension which is competent on the street then the Nismo R-tune excellent.
Transmission The synchros are not that durable. The internals of the R32/R33 are the same as the 300ZX twin turbo. Redline Shockproof Heavy Gear Oil. OS Giken transmission internal upgrades is good up to 700 hp.
Injectors - the standard GTR has 444cc injectors and produces around 450 BHP max on those injectors. As a very very rough guide, cc = bhp. 555cc for 555bhp...the same follows through for the 550cc, 600cc, 680cc etc MAX BHP should be 85% of injector size. Larger injectors make sure you get enough fuel through though and prevents any det and running lean.
Fuel pump- *GTST pump is 135 litres per hour and supports 300 bhp at standard pressure
*GTR pump is 190 litres per hour and supports 420 bhp at standard pressure
*Bosch 910 pump is 200 litres per hour and supports 450 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 910
*Bosch 975 pump is 228 litres per hour and supports 500 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 975
*Bosch 984 pump is 228 litres per hour and supports 500 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 984
*Bosch 044 pump is 330 litres per hour and supports 730 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 044
*Bosch 040 pump is 235 litres per hour and supports 520 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 040
' Nismo replacement is 276 l/hr. Apex'i Replacement is 276 l/hr.
Turbos - HKS offer a number of different turbines for applications ranging from 280bhp to 1000bhp. Designed and constructed using the latest in turbine technology, HKS turbines offer the very best in power and response.
The GT turbos offer a balance between power & response by utilizing a ball-bearing center cartridge for increased boost response, a unique compressor wheel design to prevent efficiency drop and a turbine wheel design that produces low-end and high-end torque.
Clutch - Lots of power and 4WD. The fuse in the driveline is the clutch. You have a lot of possibilities here. Our recent favourite clutch is the Nismo & OS Giken twin plate clutch. Has a very nice feel, plus its a sprung hub, for that extra give in the driveline. The triple could not be recommended for a street car. It is extremely difficult to drive on the street. Nismo twin plate works well. HKS twin plate is fairly hard to drive, but you get used to it. It also makes a bit of noise. A triple plate is very difficult to drive.
Air Flow Meters - Stock ones max out at around 400 horsepower to the wheels. A popular replacement is the 300ZX meters. They are physically larger. 80mm vs 70 mm. The Z32 AFM is needed when you chase higher power on the GTST as the standard one can't cope with the measurement of the higher air flow.
Brakes -Brembo, AP Racing, Alcon, Project µ, Endless, Wilwood. The complete kits include brake lines, pads and brakets. The R34 GTR is a Big motor, with lots of momentum and only 320 mm 4 pots. Go for 6 pots. They might be more expensive but they last longer and you halt you to a stand still FAST...
Car washing- Keep your skyline clean at all time. Owning one is something special indeed. Be proud of your car. It's not just transportation, it's an extension of yourself. Your character is reflected in the way you treat it.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule for NISSAN SKYLINE
*Must be maintained for warranty*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are our recommended intervals for standard maintenance of your skyline. Proper maintenance and upkeep of your skyline will help keep it running longer and quite possibly save you money by preventing costly repairs. Quality servicing and maintenance is vital for your skyline. Some items in the list should be performed by a professional mechanic.
Engine
Engine Oil
Replace every 3,000 miles or if oil temperature exceeds 120°C
Oil Filter
Replace every 3,000 miles
Drive Belts
Inspect every 30,000; Replace as needed.
Timing Belt Replace 60,000 miles
Catalyst Inspect every 12 months.
Turbo Boost Check
Inspect every 12 months.
Air Cleaner
Stock Air Cleaner Element
Replace every 30,000 miles
If Using after market Element
Clean and Oil every 15,000 miles
Ignition System
Spark Plugs
Replace every 15,000 miles
Spark Plug wires
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Replace as needed.
Cooling System
Cooling System
Inspect every 15,000 miles for leaks
Engine Coolant
Replace every 30,000 miles or every 12 months
(whichever comes first)
Fuel System
Fuel Filter
Replace every 30,000 miles
Fuel Lines
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Electrical System
Engine Oil Level
Warning System
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Engine Coolant Level
Warning System
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Brakes
Brake Hoses and Connections
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Brake Fluids
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Replace every 30,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
Clutch Fluid Level
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Brake and Clutch Pedal
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Parking Brake
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Power Brake Unit and Hoses
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Wheel Cylinder (including calliper) Inspect every 15,000 miles
Differential fluid Inspect every 15,000 miles
Disc Brakes
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Miscellaneous
Power Steering Fluid
and Lines
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Steering Linkages, rack
Inspect every 15,000 miles
Guides and Tie Rod Ends
Inspect every 15,000
Front Suspension Ball Joints
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Front Wheel Bearings
Lubricate every 30,000 miles
Rack Seal Boots
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Manual Transmission oil
Replace every 30,000 miles
Automatic Transmission Fluid Level (GTS)
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Rear Axle Oil
Replace every 30,000 miles
Exhaust system heat shields
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Seat Belts, Buckles,
Reactors and anchors
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Drive Shaft Dust Boot /Master cylinder cup & dust seal
Inspect every 30,000 miles
Recommended modifications to your Skyline
You need to start with a solid platform before trying to build power. First you need to make sure the vehicle is in good running condition before ever going out and modifying it. You need to do a tune up to help ensure the vehicle will run correctly.
Spark Plugs. Recommended are NGK Iridium plugs, NGK Racing plugs, DENSO Iridium plugs, TRUST Racing plug Iridium, APEX Racing plug Iridium, HKS SUPER FIRE Iridium plugs...
Oil Change /Filter change. Keep her happy. We use Valvoline Synpower, Royal Purple, Neo6, 76 Racing, Mobil 1, 5w/50, 15/50w, 10W/40 or 10/30w full synthetic. We have found 76 Racing to be the best, keeping temp & pressure very healthy. Oil Filter - OEM 15208-60U00, PH3682, OEM(R34) 15208-9E000.
76 High Performance Synthetic Engine Oils. SAE10W-30 and SAE20W-50
Turbo tested and specially formulated for today’s higher revving, hotter running engines with high quality synthetic PolyAlfaOlefin and ester base oils and a carefully balanced race-winning additive package. Approved to meet the stringent API SJ standard by the American Petroleum Institute. The 76 High Performance Synthetic oils can be used in any ‘modern’ high performance or race engine application and provides outstanding low temperature properties to assure oil pumpability and faster engine starting at extremely low ambient temperatures at the same time as it provides unbeatable protection at extreme high operating temperatures.
76 High Performance Engine Oils SAE10W-30, SAE10W-40, SAE20W-50
Turbo tested and specially formulated for today's higher revving, hotter running engines with high paraffin base stock 2 oils and a carefully balanced race-winning additive package. Approved to meet the stringent API SJ standard by the American Petroleum Institute. The 76 High Performance engine oils are specially suited for sports and racing cars with 'older' type of engine design. Wheter used in a race application or in a high performance road car it will give you excellent protection against engine sludge, varnish protection, scuffing and wear combined with a consistent oil pressure even under 'abnormal' oil-temperatures.
76 Super Motor Oils. SAE5W-20, SAE5W-30, SAE10W-40, SAE20W-50 and SAE30
Formulated with high quality base oils and a carefully balanced additive package designed to meet the demanding lubrication requirements of petrol engines. They provide easy starting at low temperatures, low oil consumption and excellent wear protection under all driving conditions. 76’s SAE5W-20 and SAE5W-30 grades are fuel efficient for improved fuel economy and meet new-car warranty requirements (as defined by ILSAC GF-2). All 76 Super Motor oils are approved to meet the stringent API SJ standard by the American Petroleum Institute but the SAE5W-20 and SAE5W-30 grades also meet the new API SL standard. It is also specially designed to cope with today’s demanding driving cycles such as short-trip and stop-and-go driving including usage in turbo engines.
Please view our maintaince page for further details....
Induction. All Nismo/Mine's demo cars run stock aribox & panel filter. The A'PEXi Power filter won top honors for being the filter able to generate the most power and the best air flow. The ARC aluminium box is one of the most durable air filters available and a really good performing one as well. The HKS SPF filters are also very good should net 10-13 BHP.
Exhaust / De-Cat- Standard exhaust systems are, by design, restrictive. Increasing the amount of exhaust gas flow is the first progressive step towards increasing engine performance and efficiency. Performance exhaust systems are designed to increase the mass and velocity of exhaust gas flow. This allows for a reduction in back pressure and thermal stress, thus unleashing engines potential for increased power, torque and response.
Fuel filter
Apexi ECU Power FC- My favourite aftermarket ECU. Stand alone, Plug and play. With the hand held commander and the boost control kit . Japanese market premium fuel is rated at 100+ octane. They use a different method of determining octane in Japan. Here in the UK - our premium fuel is 95 octane. Optimax 97. For all practical purposes 95/96 is as high as you will get in most petrol stations. Most people map their cars to optimse the ignition and fuel, this will give best economy on cruise. We highly recommend the Apexi FC.
Or in the mean time on stock ECU highly recommend using 76 racing Cool Blue 106 Octane racing fuel.
Designed to burn cleanly, give more torque and thrives at high revs. Can be used neat or blended with lower octane street fuels to upgrade 'super unleaded' petrol.
This is the fuel to have if you want to improve your qt mile times. Can safely be used in engines with up to 14:1 compression ratio (aluminium heads). Works excellent with both normally aspirated RB20 engines as well as RB25 + RB26 turbo charged engines.
Oil Catch Can - GT-R's rev high. They have oil squinters, run under boost, and generally move a lot of air/oil around in the motor. Oil lowers the effective octane of the fuel.
Gasket (Steel)
Ceramic Coating
Water Injection
Upgraded Intercooler
Pistons- Blitz, HKS, JUN... all Lightweight yet very strong, pistons are superbly designed and machined, perfectly balanced and suitable for high-power.
Cams- stock cams:
Int 60 8.58 mm lift 113 centre line
Exh 59 8.28 mm lift 125 centre line
JUN's camshaft profiling is superior to HKS, Trust or Tomei...They're more expensive than the HKS / Trust counterparts, but believe you get what you pay for. Most the BIG BHP demo cars in Japan use Jun camshafts as their weapon of choice.
Crankshafts
Fitting of oil cooler, for increased engine life. Oil cooler decrease maximum oil temperature approximately 20°C
Correct setting up of suspension;- Upgrading the suspension system can improve the way your car handles, and different systems are available, depending on whether for everyday use, drag racing or track events. Fully adjustable systems are ideal as they can be transformed from soft to hard quickly and easily. HKS Hipermax II are good, Öhlins suspension is better since well they are designed for B-road/track work so they give a much better feel and don't shudder as much. The Öhlins are stiffer but makes for a more comfortable ride as in when your going over bumps and such its more smooth and it isnt the crashing that you get with hiper dampers. Theres also greatly less body roll with the Öhlins setup. TEIN shocks with Eibach springs is considered to be one of the very reliable ones in the market. For a really good street suspension which is competent on the track then the Nismo S-tune is good. Or if you want a really good track suspension which is competent on the street then the Nismo R-tune excellent.
Transmission The synchros are not that durable. The internals of the R32/R33 are the same as the 300ZX twin turbo. Redline Shockproof Heavy Gear Oil. OS Giken transmission internal upgrades is good up to 700 hp.
Injectors - the standard GTR has 444cc injectors and produces around 450 BHP max on those injectors. As a very very rough guide, cc = bhp. 555cc for 555bhp...the same follows through for the 550cc, 600cc, 680cc etc MAX BHP should be 85% of injector size. Larger injectors make sure you get enough fuel through though and prevents any det and running lean.
Fuel pump- *GTST pump is 135 litres per hour and supports 300 bhp at standard pressure
*GTR pump is 190 litres per hour and supports 420 bhp at standard pressure
*Bosch 910 pump is 200 litres per hour and supports 450 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 910
*Bosch 975 pump is 228 litres per hour and supports 500 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 975
*Bosch 984 pump is 228 litres per hour and supports 500 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 984
*Bosch 044 pump is 330 litres per hour and supports 730 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 044
*Bosch 040 pump is 235 litres per hour and supports 520 bhp at 73.5 PSI # 0 580 254 040
' Nismo replacement is 276 l/hr. Apex'i Replacement is 276 l/hr.
Turbos - HKS offer a number of different turbines for applications ranging from 280bhp to 1000bhp. Designed and constructed using the latest in turbine technology, HKS turbines offer the very best in power and response.
The GT turbos offer a balance between power & response by utilizing a ball-bearing center cartridge for increased boost response, a unique compressor wheel design to prevent efficiency drop and a turbine wheel design that produces low-end and high-end torque.
Clutch - Lots of power and 4WD. The fuse in the driveline is the clutch. You have a lot of possibilities here. Our recent favourite clutch is the Nismo & OS Giken twin plate clutch. Has a very nice feel, plus its a sprung hub, for that extra give in the driveline. The triple could not be recommended for a street car. It is extremely difficult to drive on the street. Nismo twin plate works well. HKS twin plate is fairly hard to drive, but you get used to it. It also makes a bit of noise. A triple plate is very difficult to drive.
Air Flow Meters - Stock ones max out at around 400 horsepower to the wheels. A popular replacement is the 300ZX meters. They are physically larger. 80mm vs 70 mm. The Z32 AFM is needed when you chase higher power on the GTST as the standard one can't cope with the measurement of the higher air flow.
Brakes -Brembo, AP Racing, Alcon, Project µ, Endless, Wilwood. The complete kits include brake lines, pads and brakets. The R34 GTR is a Big motor, with lots of momentum and only 320 mm 4 pots. Go for 6 pots. They might be more expensive but they last longer and you halt you to a stand still FAST...
Car washing- Keep your skyline clean at all time. Owning one is something special indeed. Be proud of your car. It's not just transportation, it's an extension of yourself. Your character is reflected in the way you treat it.
