Drift Tengoku — September 2004 · Page 27
Page 27 — English translation
Until now the GT-RS lineup was for SR engines. The bolt-on RB25DET choices were GT2535 and GT2540, with maximum outputs around 330–380 horsepower. The RB-specific GT-RS was developed to reach 400 horsepower. It is not merely the Silvia GT-RS adapted to the RB exhaust manifold: a dedicated compressor housing was designed, showing HKS's commitment to the RB. HKS says it targets high power without sacrificing low-speed performance.
Will this new turbo transform RB25 drifting? RB owners must be curious about the new GT-RS. A bolt-on, actuator-controlled turbo adding 100 horsepower was previously hard to imagine.
Our Drift Tengoku Cefiro has stuck with increased boost to explore the stock turbo's limits. But hearing '400 horsepower, modest cost, and no obvious external change' makes us think about secretly replacing it and abandoning that policy! A little clarification, though: simply saying a bolt-on turbo gives 400 horsepower...
...the original injectors and airflow meter are just sufficient, but changing the head gasket is safer, and at least basic intake/exhaust upgrades, including the intercooler, are needed to achieve 400 horsepower. Engine-management calibration appropriate to the increased output is essential. The real question is whether the delivery suits drifting.
Everybody knows a bigger turbo can make more power. But can 400 horsepower be fully exploited on a tight, technical course? Will it allow more tire grip and higher entry speeds and actually improve drifting?
On the next page, Drift Samurai drives it to find out.
Besides the GT-RS turbo, the HKS Skyline has an HKS 1.6 mm metal head gasket and upgraded fuel pump. These are described as essential for increasing RB25 output, especially at 1.4 kg/cm² boost. Other parts include a Racing Suction intake, Silent Sports exhaust with metal catalyst, S-type intercooler, and an F-[model incomplete] control component. Some product names are damaged in the OCR.
Captions and page details
Turbo swap: go all-out!
What is the RB-specific GT-RS turbo?
Study time
400 ps specification
GT-RS turbo for RB20/RB25: ¥249,900, including upgraded actuator. Applications: HCR32, ECR33, ER34 and WGNC34; verify exact chassis designation against the scan.
A ported shroud is incorporated!
Packed with advantages!
A fresh design: compare it with the previous model
Can you see the difference?
A major undertaking for the company
A painstaking design!
The ported shroud means the openings on the intake side. It is found on high-power turbos such as the T51R and GT30. The article says it reduces compressor surge and improves response. This feature could be incorporated because the design is new...
More compressor capacity than the GT2540!
On the left is the GT2540 compressor housing. Compared with the GT-RS on the right, you can see the difference in thickness. Increased capacity raises maximum horsepower.
...that's the advantage of a new design.
Could you explain clearly what makes it so impressive?
More power than the Silvia GT-RS!
On the left is the GT-RS for the SR engines in the S14/S15. The RB GT-RS has an enlarged diffuser—the circular part of the compressor housing—and larger blades, both contributing to more power.
For RB engines
For SR engines
For RB engines
For SR engines
...is not quite enough explanation. Certainly...
450
Matsuoka Skyline, ER34 + GT-RS: output characteristics
400
Power, ps
Boost: 1.4 / 1.2 / 1.0 kg/cm²
Torque, kg·m
60
350
50
300
250
40
200
Boost 1.4 kg/cm²: 409 ps. Boost 1.2 kg/cm²: 396 ps. Boost 1.0 kg/cm²: 385 ps.
30
100
150
20
50
Engine speed, rpm
10
0
7000
6500
6000
5500
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
0
2000
The eagerly awaited new RB-specific GT-RS turbo!
Mr. Matsuoka, HKS public relations
Newly designed for the RB25DET! The slightly smaller GT2530 Kai is also brand new!
GT-RS output characteristics; HKS Stagea test vehicle, WGNC34
GT-RS
Power, ps
450
400
RS
HKS
GT2530kai
Standard
350
300
GT-RS
250
200
395 ps at 6,400 rpm; boost 0.9 kg/cm²
50
150
100
7000
6500
6000
Engine speed, rpm
5500
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
0
2000
A bolt-on turbo gives another 100 horsepower!? Then surely the driving becomes much more aggressive, too?
Next page: a full-throttle drift-driving test!
About this issue
ドリフト天国 (Drift Tengoku), September 2004, is a Japanese drifting magazine. This archive preserves 316 scanned pages in their original right-to-left reading order, including the covers.
English translations are available through the outlined text areas. Hover over a box on desktop, or tap it on mobile. The original photographs and Japanese lettering remain visible on the scan.
Reading the magazine
Use the page buttons or page number to navigate. On mobile, drag with one finger to move the page and pinch with two fingers to zoom. On desktop, drag a corner to turn a page. The zoom controls allow a closer look at the scans.