Koyama-san selected the ATTESA E-TS AWD system from a R32 GT-R because frankly, it's less complex than a R34 with all of its additional electronic bells and technological whistles. The front differential case is from a JDM M35 Nissan Stagea AWD and the front subframe was liberated from a V35 Skyline AWD (our G35). The front axles are one part BNR32 Skyline and one part M35 Stagea. The Z33 rear axles were spared the ignominy of the scrap heap, but the front and rear suspension arms were plucked from a PY50 Nissan Fuga (think Infiniti M) and the front upper arms are JUN adjustable units. Zeal Super Function R coilovers, Endless Racing binders and Advan rollers complete the footwork. With all of this fabrication and parts bastardization you'd think Koyama-san would just drop in an RB26 rather than force this drivetrain to bump uglies with a VQ.
"The front of the car would be very heavy if I put an RB26 in a 350Z," according to Koyama-san. "I have developed tuning for the RB26 motor and I don't want to follow other shops which have built 350Zs with RB26 motors. The VQ engine is the principal motor for Nissan," he added. "To develop the engine tuning is very difficult. You must grasp everything about the motor in order to build good tuning engines and that's why I've been building some tuned VQ motors and 350Zs recently."
Koyama-san has proven his mad skills in VQ tuning, having dropped three versions of the mega-powered Stream Z. From this tuning menu he chose the JUN 3.8L custom stroker kit with meaty Cosworth slugs hung on JUN rods. There are all sorts of other sticky-icky JUN items inside the motor such as the prototype camshafts. Flanking the banks of the VQ is a matched set of Trust TD05H turbos. The radiator gets its lean on V-mount style and the dual intercoolers sit on each corner in a hearty attempt to suck in as much fresh air as possible. Sitting atop this mighty combustible is JUN's prototype surge tank intake manifold that could only get more blingy if someone were to spell out JUN in Swarovski crystals. The VQ needs a custom bellhousing to make the Hollinger six-speed sequential gearbox work, as it was originally intended for an R32 GT-R. Finally Koyama-san lists the custom Cusco front differential as one of the hardest pieces to fit onto this puzzle. When all is said and done this incredible hybrid lays down 838 hp with 694 lb-ft of torque.
The massive medley of Nissan parts and the hardware required to send all of this power to two extra wheels must surely pack on the pounds. To this end every unnecessary item was ditched (even the BOSE audio system!). The bare naked Fairlady was stitch-welded and a 16-point cage was added along with lighter-than-an-Olsen-twin carbon fiber hood, doors and hatch. The net result is a car that weighs 2,860 lb (impressive considering the stock Z weighs in at some 3,300-plus pounds).
In its maiden outing at the latest Option2 Time Attack, Kinoshita-san broke the Z in proper like with a 0:57.9-second trip around Tsukuba circuit. Koyama-san thinks the Z can reach a 55-second Tsukuba lap by altering the suspension settings and gear ratios.
But with the AWD VQ, is Koyama-san trying to build a new GT-R? "The Hyper Lemon 350Z is not my vision of what the next generation GT-R should be like," Koyama-san insists. "This Hyper Lemon 350Z is just one of my tuning styles for the Z33." We like your style, Koyama-san.