Close-Up: Auto Gallery Yokohama – GT-R R32 Heart Attack!

.

A few years ago, if you were to have asked someone stateside if they knew what Auto Gallery Yokohama was, you’d probably get a blank stare.  Or perhaps someone would say that it’s an automotive museum in Yokohama; which, per se, wouldn’t be a bad guess.  Bottom line is that no one would know who they were or what they did.  Actually, around 3 years ago, even I wouldn’t have known much about them.  My first exposure to their now iconic battle-spec R32 was in an Option magazine a few years back.  It was a panning shot of the Skyline blazing down the straight of Fuji Speedway.  Since then, the just about every part of the car has gone through a massive amount of changes.  The bottom line remains the same though; to be the fastest.  And in many ways AG-Y has succeeded in doing so.  The car constantly breaks records at Fuji and holds respectable times around Tsukuba.  For a private company, there is no doubt it holds it’s own in a fight against the big dogs (see what I did there? – NDF!).  I recently stopped by Auto Gallery Yokohama’s garage to see for myself the car that I’ve been dreaming about for years and get an up close and personal look at it’s heart.  Click past the break for more.

.

Let me preface this with the fact that we stopped by at the least convenient time for the owner and employees.  This was pretty much the week right after HKS Premium Day at Fuji Speedway, where once again, the AG-Y R32 was smashing times left and right; capturing the quickest time of the day before having some engine trouble (1’43″661).  It’s no surprise though, the car is basically made specifically for Fuji; each turn and straight taken into consideration in the settings.  Anyway, the shop was just about to throw a party for it’s customers and employees, and we walked in right in the middle of them setting up.  Tables, chairs, cases of beer, fireworks, lights, party favors, and other crap was everywhere.  In fact, they were using the lift with the R32 on it as a ceiling!  So, needless to say, I felt a little put out to ask them to move it.  Kindly enough, the owner (whose name escapes me at the moment) accommodated me to the best of his ability.  Removing wrapping from the lift, moving chairs and lowering it just enough for me to get on a stool and get detailed shots of the engine.  The engine that I love so much.

.

.

Kind of gives you an idea of what I was working with…party crashing Auto Gallery style.  He’s always wearing a red jumpsuit…nevertheless…

.

.

.

Before the lift came down I was sure to grab shots of the side exit exhaust.  Limiting the distance that the exhaust has to travel has it’s benefits, and with the exhaust and wastegate shooting out the passenger door, it doesn’t have far to go.  I love the yellowing of the paint from the heat.

.

.

There she is, the heart of the beast; the powerful RB20….ha, just kidding.  Although the RB20 modified valve covers might give you that impression, the AG-Y R32 has the heart of a lion.  None other than Godzilla itself resides in the bay; the RB26DETT – minus a ‘T’ however.  Up until recently, the HKS bottom-ended, now 2.8 liter RB had run a massive HKS T51R turbine.  In the search of faster times it appears they are trying something different in the form of a Garrett turbo bolted up to the top mount instead of the HKS unit.  As I was staring at it awhile I suddenly realized that they no longer run the HKS V-Cam system.  Perhaps they realized that the gained low-end power isn’t needed as much in a car that spends most of it’s time in the higher rpm range?  Or maybe they went an entirely different route; this car changes quite often.  I’m really not sure, and my Japanese isn’t good enough to have conversations about power bands or torque curves yet.  I’m working on it.

.

.

.

The massive turbine and it’s beautifully welded piping.

.

.

Particular attention was paid to make the smoothest flow possible for all piping.

.

.

.

The RB pumps out power to the tune of close to 900hp, and that is no joke.  The ATS carbon clutch and LSD has the massively violent job of transferring the power to the AG-Y custom built S690RS close-ratio transmission.  On the inside, a Tilton pedal assembly answers the calls of your beckoning right foot.

.

.

Okay, Okay;  last one I swear!

.

.

I remember when I first saw this car, it was just a cool R32 with a side-exit exhaust.  Now, with it’s blistered fenders, it’s massive SARD GT Wing, and it’s aero heavy front end, the seriousness of the whole thing has been increased ten fold.  I’m diggin’ the Minkara decal!  I wonder where I can get one of those…I spend hours a day browsing that damn website.  Oh, speaking of decals;  I gave the shop a few NDF decals, and, this may have been a joke, but the owner said he’d put it on the side of the R32 haha…I’m not holding my breath, but if I see some Narita decals on the AG-Y R32 in the near future I’m going…to…well, tell everyone about it I guess.  I don’t know…it’d be cool though.

.

.

.

Before we left them to their partying, of which I would have liked to attend because the beer they had looked great at the moment, I snapped a few pics of the Skyline’s in their yard.  We had little time and many places to get to, so off we went.

.

.

Although I wanted to shoot the car outside, in full view, I am super stoked that I got to see it up close; and even touch it a little (creepy I know).  This car is ever evolving, and to see it in it’s most powerful state to date is really special to me.  Putting this post together, and looking back at the photos was really enjoyable to me.  In fact, it’s already been an  hour or so!  I need to get to sleep.  I have a long weekend ahead of me and an even longer week to follow.  I’ll be out on the East coast for work and may or may not have the time and ability to update the site.  I’ll do my best though because I have a ton of stuff I want to share with you guys.  Hope you enjoyed the close-up of the AG-Y R32 and, as always, thanks for visiting!

.