NAME: Ryan Collins
AGE: 19
OCCUPATION: Butcher
LIVES: Taranaki

Hi Ryan, this is a pretty damn tough street car. Why did you decide to go for a late-model Skyline when starting the build?
Like a lot of people, I’ve always wanted a Skyline. Everyone in New Plymouth seems to have the older R32 shape ones so I wanted to be different. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the R32, in fact that’s why the R34 appealed to me in the first place it looks like a butchered up R32.

The engine bay has had some fairly decent hours spent on it. Did you always intend to go this far in terms of modification?
No, not really. At first all I wanted to do was a front mount and boost controller, but when I put those in it ran like sh*t because the computer couldn’t handle it. After a while someone told me about Link engine management systems and things just spiralled out of control from there. I did not intend to go for all this power, but after you start installing enough aftermarket parts, you really have to look into rebuilding the motor.

Even though 450hp at the wheels is a fair dose of power for a street car, by the looks of your spec list the motor can handle a lot more.
Yes, that was the idea. This current tune is on fairly low boost of 17psi, so it’s very reliable yet still provides a good amount of power.

I know this is predominantly a streeter, but do you intend to put all that power to use on the track at any stage?
Originally I built it purely for street use but now I would like to take it to the track. I’ve also got an R32 skid-hack to learn in, so I’ll thrash that around until I get my skills up a bit more, then I’ll bring out the 34 and see how it goes.

It must really get up and move when you put your foot down.
Yeah, it goes pretty hard once it’s on full boost; the speedo climbs like that of a GT-R.

But, unlike a GT-R, I’m guessing traction must be a bit of an issue for you.
It is, yes, but I don’t mind. Skylines were not made for going straight let’s leave that to the grip lovers.

I assume you have spent such a considerable amount of money on it do you regret it? An R34 GT-R could probably be had for not much more money.
Yeah, I have spent a lot coin on it. But even if I did buy a GT-R, I would have still had to spend money on that to get the same amount of power as I have now. Plus, GT-Rs are not rear-wheel drive, are they?

Did you ever consider just swapping the RB25 to an RB26?
I did at first, yes. But after I started the RB25 build I just didn’t stop, and at a certain point there is no turning back. Maybe one day I will just put a 26 in my R32, but the RB25 is staying in my red car.

Fair enough. What is your favourite thing about the car?
I love the sound of the external wastegate it sounds insane.

Is there anything you don’t like about the Skyline?
To be honest, no. It’s late model, pretty straight and hasn’t had a particularly hard life, so it’s still a very nice car to drive.

Where to now for the 34?
Well, not a lot really. But before I put it on the track I will install some adjustable arms so I can fiddle with the suspension geometry a bit more. But for now I just like driving it.

Thanks for showing us your very cool streeter Ryan, and good luck on the track when the time comes.

1999 Nissan Skyline GT-T (R34) – Specifications

Engine: Nissan RB25DET 2.5-litre NEO DOHC 24V, balanced/blueprinted bottom end, CP forged pistons, forged rods, ARP rod bolts, ACL Race Series bearings, ported/polished R33 RB25DET head, oil crank drive, custom Kelford camshafts, Kelford cam gears, GReddy valve springs, HKS head gasket, ARP head studs, GReddy intake manifold, A’PEXi air filter, Garrett GT3540 turbocharger, GFB blow-off valve, custom intercooler, custom intercooler piping, DDT stainless steel exhaust manifold, 38mm Tial external wastegate, Sard fuel regulator, 650cc Sard injectors, extended oil pump, Bosch 044 fuel pump, Walbro 500hp fuel pump, alloy surge tank, custom fuel rail, Splitfire coils, HKS plugs, 3.5-inch stainless exhaust system, custom screamer pipe, Link G3 engine management system, alloy radiator, custom painted rocker covers
Driveline: Strengthened R34 5-speed gearbox, Nismo triple-plate clutch, Nismo flywheel, factory viscous LSD with non-turbo ratio
Suspension/Brakes: HKS Hipermax coil-overs, front strut bar, factory 4-wheel discs
Wheels/Tyres: 19×9.5-inch rear DTM rims, 19×8.5-inch front DTM rims, Dunlop SP Sport tyres
Exterior: Carbon fibre bonnet
Interior: Piston gear knob, DVR tachometer, Pioneer head unit, Pioneer 860 amp, 6×9-inch Pioneer speakers, 2×10-inch Pioneer subwoofers, JVC carbon 6-inch front speakers
Performance: Dyno Power — 445hp (332kW) @ wheels (17psi boost on pump gas)

Ryan Collins – Driver Profile

Age: 19
Location: Taranaki
Occupation: Butcher
Length of ownership: 18 months
Build time: 12 months
Thanks: Ross, Tony and everyone else at Dobson’s Dyno Tune, and my dad, Phillip

Words: Peter Kelly Photos: Adam Croy

This article is from Performance Car issue 154. Click here to check it out.