When the Nissan GT-R debuted, it had totally amazed everyone in the automotive world. The 3.8-liter V6-powered monster has since carried on its legacy to being the beast it was born for and more, on both the road and the circuit, reigning the title as the budget supercar or the supercar killer, whichever comes first. One tuner that has managed to taunt the modern Godzilla, injecting even more anger into its bloodstream. Bugatti Veyron, please move away.
If you are not a stranger to the Russian’s insane DragTimes’s Moscow 500 Unlimited drag series, then you might have heard about AMS Alpha. The guys who’ve been constantly setting GT-R drag records on the strip, fiddling with the GT-R’s powerplant and drivetrain, simply to discover the final frontier of the monster. Just about any GT-R fitted with their packages have been humiliating opponents with bigger engines and higher horsepower to the finish line. And it is to our surprise that we actually have one on our shores, codenamed the AMS Alpha 9 GT-R.
Hailing from the still-fresh Miri Supercars Owners Club or MSOC, we managed to get up close and personal with one of these blisteringly-fast AMS monsters. To be honest, when we were told that this GT-R churns out 900hp, we were expecting it to resemble a purpose-built dragster, but no…
Aside from the very minimal AMS badges and decals, this could just be another GT-R. From the outside, the impressive black brushed metal wrap work to heighten the perceived performance, but gives no hint whatsoever of its terrifying potential. And that goes the same to its stockish interior. To the untrained eye, even the view of the engine bay doesn’t scream monstrosity, but is the true beating heart of the chaos.
The boys from AMS Performance flew in themselves, the remodeled VR38 and GR6 transmission into Miri specifically to morph the GT-R. Starting off from the engine, the added surge of boost derives from a pair of Alpha 9 billet wheel upgraded turbochargers, coupled with the Alpha Induction Kit and Tial Q blow-off valves, these simple, although massive additions easily outputs a reliable 450-500hp increase from the stock specification. Of course, with more power, comes greater appetite. The GT-R now gulps through a reworked juice supply via Alpha-designed fuel system with upgraded fuel injectors.
With over 900 galloping horses depending on fuel quality, engine cooling became a major concern, and so a change to Alpha’s front mount intercooler was crucial to prevent a Godzilla-sized meltdown. Finishing off with Mines’ 90mm mid-pipe and cat-less downpipes, the birth of a barely street-legal monster is complete. Of course, we should not leave out the protruding Endless brakes nestling behind the lightweight, one-piece forged Volk Racing G12 wheels. What would be the Godzilla’s claws are a set of semi-slick Toyo Proxes R888 tyres, which are the major component transferring all the new-found power to the ground.
Sounds a bit too much for a street car? Surprisingly, this GT-R is still very much usable through daily life. In fact, the owner uses this one as his daily commute. All thanks to the brilliantly concocted package that AMS had painstakingly developed .The GT-R is truly one of the greatest machines ever built, if given the choice between an Italian thoroughbred and this Japanese Godzilla on steroids, which would you prefer?
Car: Nissan GT-R 2012
Engine: 3.8-liter VR38DETT twin-turbo V6
Modification List
Engine: Full AMS Alpha 9 Performance Package which includes:
- Alpha 9 billet wheel upgraded turbochargers
- Alpha spec wastegate actuators
- Alpha front mount intercooler upgrade
- Alpha induction kit with Tial Q blow-off valves
- Alpha spec upgrade fuel injectors
- Alpha fuel system upgrade
- Alpha calibration map
- Alpha AMS Spec R35 GT-R 272° Camshaft set
- AMS VR38 Ferrea Single Valve Spring Kit
- Cobb AccessPORT tuning system
- Full Mines Exhaust system (90mm Turbo downpipe, midpipe, race version cat-back)
- 3.8-liter Shortblock with supplied core
- Total output – 950hp on 115 race fuel, 850hp on regular fuel
Transmission: AMS GT-R ALPHA 9+ Trans upgrade:
- PPg 1st gear set
- Shep Trans / Dodson 2.5 Clutch
- Dodson FWD retainer
- Dodson Mechanical lock #1
- Dodson Mechanical lock #2
- O-ring and seal upgrade kit
- Oil pump shaft upgrade with blueprint
- 6 magnet kit
- Billet B basket upgrade
- Stainless re-usable internal filter
- Reshimming and resealing rear differential with high temp oil seal
Tires & Brakes:
- Toyo Proxes R888
- Endless Mono-6 400 big brake system with MX72 brake pads
Suspension:
- Litchfield GT-R suspension kit
Interior:
- Stock
Exterior:
- Mines Carbon Fiber bodykit
- 20” Rays VolkRacing G12 Forged 1 piece wheel
