R-34 vs. z16

[IPD]

i guess i can see that. still...it doesn't compute in my mind. people were spending $20,000+ importing those things. i don't think the 3/s is a $20,000 worse car...

[sergechronos]

It's all perception. For most Americans, their first exposure to the Skyline was via Gran Turismo, or maybe Initial D, depending on what circles you floated in. The fact you couldn't get it in America just sort of added to the appeal factor for people because it seemed so exclusive, even after you were allowed to import them that meant the people buying them had tons of money.

Factor in the Skyline being used in a variety of racing series (thus the generation of parts from big time R&D departments for racing that trickled down), plus the same motor or variations there of being used for almost 20 years means that some parts and knowledge is applicable across the whole spectrum, as well as the ability to adapt and modify older parts into newer vehicles and vice versa. Similar to the Civic, or even the Fox Body Mustang, both platforms that also used the same motors and parts for very long periods of time and were used in racing that now have massive amount of R&D money thrown at the platform.

The 3/S doesn't really fit into that mold. The bad reputation from the transmission/transfer case problems hurt it, as did the perception that they're massively heavy. Additionally, the VR4 was pretty much tuned to the fullest extent of the parts that were on it, so any upgrading of say, your turbos means that you have to upgrade the whole fuel system. Compared to a Supra which came with a bigger fuel pump, and 440cc injectors, the VR4 is pretty much at the edge of it's capabilities out of the box. Toss in all the stuff like AWS and the ECS which had a tendency to fail, and the car just got a reputation for being a fat, slow, expensive money pit that was always broken. The 3000GTs relatively short run didn't help bring the cost of parts down, and the lack of usage in racing didn't help either.

As the Skyline, Supra and even the RX7 & 8 all started in the late 70s and early 80s and kept fairly similar power trains as the previous generations, they just have a lot more to draw from. Then you look at the American vehicles available at the time as well with the Mustang, Camaro and Vette getting their usual support and the years of aftermarket support, really the GTO was kind of doomed from the beginning when you consider it all. The only way the GTO could've truly succeeded would've been for Mitsubishi to have either kept the same powertrain as the Starion/Conquest (which also didn't sell terribly well), or given it the same powertrain as the Evo or Eclipse GSX (unlikely), or to have shifted support away from the Evo and to the GTO to get it competing against the Skyline and Supra in racing series. The 6G72 motor didn't come about until 87 in the Caravan and even then it was a SOHC. The DOHC version was in a relatively small number of vehicles during the existence of the GTO, especially here in the states. Given the lack of carry over for parts between the various 6G7 motors, essentially introducing a new motor for a new car created a crapton of problems and made things even more expensive.

Let's not forget though, the 3/S platform lasted about as long as the Supra, and the only reason the Skyline line continued was because they ditched the I6 and turbos and went with a standard V6, no turbos and turned it into what was more or less a luxury car (Infiniti G35).

[J-Groove]

Easy, our cars were built to compete against the GTR..the R32 that is. Then Nisan came out with the R33, the 3SGTO had a bump in boost and still outperformed the car. Look at a stock vs stock for a 3SGTO, an R32 and a R33 you will see our cars are more capable (stock).

Then Nissan brought out the R34, this is now 3 generations past the 3SGTO and is a far superior car stock for stock.

-John

[vr4tune]

They made the mr. Ok so... drop aws, MAYBE you got the sport wheels and the brakes. Thats all a z15 is. Oh. Brake deflectors.
All the gtr factory sport versions were full upgrades rather than just a few extra parts.

So compared to Nissan the GTO was neglected in factory aftermarket support.

From the phone.

you forgot the titanium shift knob for faster shifting.

[AdamVR4]

The gtr is far superior imo . If I had the chance to own one , I would .

This contribution was strong to very strong.

I know virtually nothing about the R34 and this thread didn't change that at all.

[sergechronos]

you forgot the titanium shift knob for faster shifting.

And the MR badges. For horsepower of course.

[stealthee]

It's simple. The 3000GT/GTO was available in the US, the Skyline was not.

[keo92stealth]

It's simple. The 3000GT/GTO was available in the US, the Skyline was not.

This is true . Should have imported this instead of the 300zx.

[keo92stealth]

This contribution was strong to very strong.

I know virtually nothing about the R34 and this thread didn't change that at all.

Adam I love the 3s platform . But if I could afford any gtr 32 33 or 34 I would . I mean everything is there . Aftermarket support wise. What cant you buy for these things . Yea its expensive as shit but if you could afford a skyline in general who cares . And besides the drivetrain and engine in it is the shit . One of the best I6 motors of all time wity exception to the 2jz. the rb26 is legendary for sure . And besides the fact that skylines were running 8s on street dot approved tires 15 yrs ago and ran 7s around the same time .

Again adam , this is my opinion .

[mehrshadvr4]

Adam I love the 3s platform . But if I could afford any gtr 32 33 or 34 I would . I mean everything is there . Aftermarket support wise. What cant you buy for these things . Yea its expensive as shit but if you could afford a skyline in general who cares . And besides the drivetrain and engine in it is the shit . One of the best I6 motors of all time wity exception to the 2jz. the rb26 is legendary for sure . And besides the fact that skylines were running 8s on street dot approved tires 15 yrs ago and ran 7s around the same time .

Again adam , this is my opinion .

that's exactly what's wrong with this platform. people who can't afford their dream cars or anything buy 3/s.