Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (BNR32): specs, RB26 engine and what owners say

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) in dark gun gray metallic, AI illustration

Skyline GT-R R32 (BNR32) · 1989–1994

276horsepower

156mph top speed

2.6-liter twin-turbo RB26DETT, 280 PS (276 hp), 5-speed, all-wheel drive. Built for Japan; 100 went to Australia.

Why it's famous

GodzillaName
Australia’s Wheels magazine nicknamed the R32 GT-R “Godzilla” in its July 1989 issue. Autosport says the name stuck because the car smashed everything in its path on Australian tracks.
29 wins from 29 races in JapanRacing
The R32 was built to win Group A touring car races. In the Japanese Touring Car Championship it won all 29 races it entered from 1990 to 1993, and took the title every year.
Bathurst 1991 and 1992Racing
Jim Richards and Mark Skaife won the Bathurst 1000 in an R32 GT-R in 1991 and again in 1992. The 1992 win came after a crash in heavy rain stopped the race, and the crowd booed them. New rules then all but banned the car.
Initial DAnime
In Initial D, Takeshi Nakazato drives an R32 GT-R. Car Throttle calls it one of the most menacing cars in the series, though it is only lightly modified: a NISMO front bumper, Work Meister wheels and a custom exhaust.

Never sold new in the US. Never sold new in the US. Each car becomes legal to import under the 25-year rule once it is 25 years old by its month of build. R32 GT-Rs were built from August 1989 to November 1994, so every one has qualified since late 2019.

On this site: Its engine, the RB26DETT · Skyline GT-R R33 · Skyline GT-R R34

Plain text from the sources listed: no race photos, anime stills, logos or likenesses. Items marked "Not fully confirmed" rest on one weaker source. Every JDM car

Sources

R32 (BNR32) Skyline GT-R · 1989–1994

How fast is the Skyline GT-R?

Coupe, 1989–1994. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

Skyline GT-R

1989–1994

276 hp280 PS at 6,800 rpm, Japan’s gentlemen’s agreement figure (JDM)

The car that brought the GT-R name back after 16 years. 43,937 R32 GT-Rs were built in all. evo quotes 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds (Nissan’s claim).

Torque: 260 lb-ftat 4,400 rpm (353 Nm, JDM)
Top speed: 156 mphevo’s claimed figure; PistonHeads says 155 mph flat out
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, all-wheel driveATTESA E-TS sends power to the front wheels when needed; HICAS steers the rear wheels above 80 km/h
Weight: 1,430 kg (3,153 lb)curb, JDM

Sources

Skyline GT-R NISMO

1990

276 hp280 PS at 6,800 rpm, the same rated figure (JDM)

The homologation car for Group A racing. Bigger turbos with steel wheels instead of ceramic, extra aero, and no ABS or rear wiper. All were Gun Grey. Racing rules needed 500; 560 were built.

Gearbox: 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Weight: 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)30 kg less than the standard car

Sources

Skyline GT-R V-spec

1993

276 hp280 PS at 6,800 rpm (JDM)

Added in February 1993 to celebrate the racing wins: Brembo brakes, 17-inch BBS wheels, a retuned ATTESA system and the NISMO’s aluminum hood and front bumper. 1,396 built.

Gearbox: 5-speed manual, all-wheel driveretuned ATTESA E-TS
Weight: 1,480 kg (3,263 lb)50 kg more than the standard car

Sources

Skyline GT-R V-spec II

1994

276 hp280 PS at 6,800 rpm (JDM)

The last R32, from February 1994. The only change from the V-spec was wider 245/45R17 tires. 1,306 built.

Gearbox: 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Weight: 1,480 kg (3,263 lb)

Sources

The engine: Nissan RB26DETT

2.6-liter inline-6, twin-turbo

LayoutInline-6, DOHC 24-valve, iron block, aluminum head, belt-driven cams

Output280 PS (276 hp) at 6,800 rpm, 353 Nm (260 lb-ft) at 4,400 rpm in the R32

Bore x stroke86 x 73.7 mm, 2,568 cc

TurbosTwo turbos in parallel with ceramic turbine wheels; NISMO and N1 engines used steel wheels

ThrottlesSix individual throttle bodies instead of one

Engine's YouTube owner tone 52/100 (videos about the Nissan RB26DETT in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Nissan RB26DETT engine page →

Known issues

Oil pump drive failureOutlet report
Wikipedia says early R32 engines had the crank surface that drives the oil pump machined too small, which can make the pump fail at high rpm. PistonHeads calls failing oil pump drives a persistent RB26 problem that ends in terminal engine damage, and says to look for about 2 bar of oil pressure at idle and 4 bar higher up.
Fix: Later engines got a wider oil pump drive (Wikipedia says from the Series 3 R32; PistonHeads says from February 1993). Aftermarket collars and spline-drive kits also fix it.
Ceramic turbine wheelsOutlet report
The stock turbos run about 0.8 bar. PistonHeads warns that pushing them past about 1.0 bar can make their ceramic wheels fail and wreck the engine, and that neglect or poor upgrades can make the turbos break apart.
Coil packs and misfiresOutlet report
PistonHeads says misfires usually come from a failing coil pack or a bad plug, and the coil loom can cause trouble too. Replacements are cheap.

Engine sources

What owners say on YouTube

51This car's YouTube owner tone, out of 100 · videos about this generation only (the engine's tone above covers every car with that engine)

Owners praise

Looks11%

Handling and steering9%

Power and acceleration6%

Interior and seats6%

Owners complain about

Fuel pump / fuel system5%

Share of the 158 most-watched Skyline GT-R videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

Launching my R32 until it breaks (Skyline Test #1)WhistlinDiesel · 6.3M views

The Worlds Best Nissan Skyline R32 GTR | 4KTHE-LOWDOWN.com · 2.2M views

A Dream Morning in Japan — 7AM Drive in My R32 GT-R...niiii · 1.8M views

Should you buy a Skyline GT-R?

YouTube likes the 1994 best (52/100).
Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the Skyline GT-R yet.
Never sold new in the US, so NHTSA has no owner complaints or recalls for the Skyline GT-R. Imports: check the car's history and paperwork before you buy.

All sources (8)

Quick answers

How fast is the Nissan Skyline GT-R?

The R32 (BNR32) Skyline GT-R makes 276 hp and 260 lb-ft. Top speed: 156 mph (evo’s claimed figure; PistonHeads says 155 mph flat out).

What engine does the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) have?

The R32 (BNR32) Skyline GT-R (1989–1994) uses the Nissan RB26DETT, a 2.6-liter inline-6, twin-turbo.

Why is the Skyline GT-R famous?

Godzilla: Australia’s Wheels magazine nicknamed the R32 GT-R “Godzilla” in its July 1989 issue. Autosport says the name stuck because the car smashed everything in its path on Australian tracks. 29 wins from 29 races in Japan: The R32 was built to win Group A touring car races. In the Japanese Touring Car Championship it won all 29 races it entered from 1990 to 1993, and took the title every year. Bathurst 1991 and 1992: Jim Richards and Mark Skaife won the Bathurst 1000 in an R32 GT-R in 1991 and again in 1992. The 1992 win came after a crash in heavy rain stopped the race, and the crowd booed them. New rules then all but banned the car.

Was the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) sold in the US?

No. Never sold new in the US. Each car becomes legal to import under the 25-year rule once it is 25 years old by its month of build. R32 GT-Rs were built from August 1989 to November 1994, so every one has qualified since late 2019.

Spot a mistake or have an idea? Tell us

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (BNR32): specs, RB26 engine and what owners say

Why it's famous

How fast is the Skyline GT-R?

The engine: Nissan RB26DETT

Known issues

What owners say on YouTube

Owners praise

Owners complain about

Most-watched videos

Should you buy a Skyline GT-R?

Quick answers

How fast is the Nissan Skyline GT-R?

What engine does the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) have?

Why is the Skyline GT-R famous?

Was the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) sold in the US?

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