Who are the best R35 GT-R Tuners, Litchfiels or GTC etc
Who are the best R35 GT-R Tuners, Litchfiels or GTC etc
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I need more

Original Poster:

5 posts

173 months

Monday 10th October 2011
quotequote all
After much deliberation I have decided to purchase a 2009 GT-R. I considered many cars in the £35,000 - £55,000 bracket before deciding that a GTR was for me. I previously had a Ferrari 360 which was a real pleasure to own but I found it to be slightly lacking the power department. (It didn’t blow me away) I then sold this for a daily driver and bought a 911. This is only 300bhp so is really lacking and I need my power fix again. Hence the GT-R decision!

The main issue I have is the exhaust note, It’s Just to tame. Also, I know before long I will want to up the BHP. (This was not an option in the 360 unless you want to spend £££££)
I had my eye on Litchfield’s stage 1, 2, 3 etc. upgrades but I’m not 100% convinced. I also have looked at the GTC packages that look similar.

I would be interested to know if anyone has used either company (or any others) and what their feedback was?

guy10

90 posts

241 months

Monday 10th October 2011
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Hi There

You also want to think about the gearbox software upgrade. It transforms the gearbox to resemble the 2011 car (You may remember Clarkson on TG declaring it a "fantastic new gearbox" - it's actually the same box with different software.) I have a cobb accessport from Ben at GTC for my 2009 GTR and I think the latest version comes with the upgraded gearbox/launch control software. The last time I was at Litchfield's getting it serviced Iain was just finalising the ecutek equivalent.

As for using each company - they're both great customer-focussed companies, and when you need to get your new GTR serviced you should definitely try Litchfields - much more user friendly than Nissan

Guy

juggers

391 posts

186 months

Monday 10th October 2011
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Litchfields are definitely one of the top dogs for GTR tuning however another Severn valley motorsport they have some crazy cars out there!

I need more

Original Poster:

5 posts

173 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. I think Litchfield’s are closest (me being Sussex based) so they were looking like the favourite. I think they only supply the miltek exhausts though? I have heard some better, more aggressive systems out there so I would be interested to know of any that people would recommend some alternatives.

Also, GUY10 makes a good point. I hear that the UK spec cars (09/59/10) don’t have launch control, is that correct? If so, would the gearbox software update fix that issue?

Diamond blue

3,279 posts

223 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
Both GTC and Litchfields are excellent.
But def. go to Litchfields for servicing (every 6 months) I think there are louder Miltek titanium systems available now too from Iain.
You will find the Litchfield and Cobb updates take minutes and are very effective. It will , in that state of tune (550hp or so) blow the 2 cars you've mentioned out of the water
Stage 3 at Litchfields is around 600 and its silly quick in that state of tune.
More than that costs rather bigger dosh (But nothing like Ferrari money)
For some the temptation to go more and more is addictive and SVM come into the picture for that. Think KK dem is running 1200 bhp!!! (Bit green though)

chris neeves

137 posts

188 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
go for it ! i'm running a litchfield stage 6, just shy 750hp... it starts with y pipe and tune and ends... well i don't think it ever ends.... coming from the ferrari or the porsche the std gtr is a reasonable step forward in performance, and tuned cars can be just... insane..

Litchfield provides a complete service, maintenance and tuning experience. Very professional, you won't go wrong there.. Don't believe the hype either surrounding some other gtr tuners. At the end of the day they all give you the same end result and get there pretty much the same way.. I'm playing with the latest ecutech software, dongle and cable so can do everything a Cobb can do plus more and for a fraction of the price... it should be officially released soon so if you get a std car but want to play around yourself the cobb device is not the only option.. Also the milltek with decat turbo downpipes is proper angry at high revs, and sounds better than the titanium exhausts in my opinion. better is of course subjective, but generally the titanium systems i have heard are just the bit too much for me..

get yourself over to gtroc forum for good advice and abuse. Good Luck


chuntington101

5,733 posts

259 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
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Anyone over here have the AMS stuff installed? I hear their ALPHA 10, 12 & 15 packages are , well, amazing! lol

mrmr96

13,736 posts

227 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
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chuntington101 said:
Anyone over here have the AMS stuff installed? I hear their ALPHA 10, 12 & 15 packages are , well, amazing! lol
I was going to recommend AMS too.

guestGTR

160 posts

209 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
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I have an 09 BlackEd , serviced and tuned @ Litchfield so im probably a bit biased .. but IMHO Litchfield are the best out there .... GTC are just part suppliers , SMV have some very good big power conversions and have the trade mark holes in the bumper for the R650 to R950 upgrades.. However Litchfield have done some very impressive power upgrades but don't tend to shout about it on the forums ...
So....

For servicing Litchfield ..(alot chaeper than HPC)
For modding Litchfield or SMV

for Parts Ltchfield , SMV , GTC ..

ta.



john_r

8,354 posts

294 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
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Go and have a good read on the GTROC forums.

Loads and loads of modding advice, tuners, parts, etc.

It's easy and relatively cheap to get to 550bhp'ish without stressing the drivetrain, however much more than that and you are looking at some serious mods to maintain cooling and drivetrain temps if you go on track.

Diamond blue

3,279 posts

223 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
john_r said:
Go and have a good read on the GTROC forums.

Loads and loads of modding advice, tuners, parts, etc.

It's easy and relatively cheap to get to 550bhp'ish without stressing the drivetrain, however much more than that and you are looking at some serious mods to maintain cooling and drivetrain temps if you go on track.
All good advice, its probably the best community of tuners, owners and specialists of any high performance car and its a brilliant platform to build on.
They are very much compromised on a track by quickly getting too hot so spending money on improving cooling (and brakes too) well worth it. Stock, the car could give anything a run for its money but not for very long. That GT3 RS will still be hammering away at the same (slightly slower) pace when the GTR is back in the paddock cooling down.
Litchfields can do it all, great lads and good value for money to.

I need more

Original Poster:

5 posts

173 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for all the comments. I’ve been looking into the COBB remap tool also. It seems that that is a worldwide recognised system that seems to have been well tested for the GTR. The Cobb also interests me because of the gearbox software. I’m not sure if it is any more useful over the Litchfield equivalent?

I do love the sound of the GTC titan exhaust! I was thinking about getting that exhaust from GTC then taking the car to Litchfield’s for some other bits and pieces. I assume that the car does not need to be only modded by them with their exhaust system or they won’t touch it?



bazza1000

294 posts

175 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
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Litchfield's - they got on the GTR tuning scence from the very first minute, very good results from their upgrades from what I've seen.

chris neeves

137 posts

188 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
I need more said:
Thanks for all the comments. I’ve been looking into the COBB remap tool also. It seems that that is a worldwide recognised system that seems to have been well tested for the GTR. The Cobb also interests me because of the gearbox software. I’m not sure if it is any more useful over the Litchfield equivalent?

I do love the sound of the GTC titan exhaust! I was thinking about getting that exhaust from GTC then taking the car to Litchfield’s for some other bits and pieces. I assume that the car does not need to be only modded by them with their exhaust system or they won’t touch it?
I have the gearbox software via EcuTech, so don't believe the hype. COBB is not the only option. The Titan is a nice sound, but a decatted milltek sounds awesome aswell. iain will fit any exhaust i am sure, and will touch any car.. he also supplies Cobbs i believe if asked.

As for getting hot, i track regularly and not normally a problem unless a very hot day. They won't blat around a track all day like a GT3 but for me i am quite happy to go out for 15-20mins, do a couple of cool down laps and rest for 1/2 hour or so, so not really an issue.

davidd

6,666 posts

307 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
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So, forgetting power upgrades for a second, what is the easiest way to upgrade my 09 gtr gearbox software??

Mastodon2

14,152 posts

188 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
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I was going to suggest Iain Litchfield, after seeing the job he did on the Renault F1 team boss's car, looked absolutely stunning (white with a carbon bonnet and studded gold wheels, which I usually hate) and had 750bhp, which he claims was reliable and not over-stressing the engine - though obviously it would be under more stress than a standard one!

Zed Ed

1,146 posts

206 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
quotequote all
For a nice track toy , I'd go for;

580 bhp
Forge tranny cooler, and perhaps a rear diff cooler
Upgraded brakes

Watch your exhausts or you will be limited on track days

I need more

Original Poster:

5 posts

173 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
quotequote all
To me, the 600 number feels right.... Fair point re the track days.

Once I make the purchase (and a few mods later) I plan to take a little trip to the nurburgring to really put it through its paces I also hope to stretch its legs on an autobahn.

Has anyone been there with their beasts yet? Would I be able to put in a competitive lap or will I be forever swerving around tourist buses??

Zed Ed

1,146 posts

206 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
quotequote all
For a nice track toy , I'd go for;

580 bhp
Forge tranny cooler, and perhaps a rear diff cooler
Upgraded brakes

Watch your exhausts or you will be limited on track days

john_r

8,354 posts

294 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
quotequote all
I need more said:
To me, the 600 number feels right.... Fair point re the track days.

Once I make the purchase (and a few mods later) I plan to take a little trip to the nurburgring to really put it through its paces I also hope to stretch its legs on an autobahn.

Has anyone been there with their beasts yet? Would I be able to put in a competitive lap or will I be forever swerving around tourist buses??
Errr, so your first trip to the Ring will be in a 600bhp GTR and you want to put in a 'competitive' lap?

[sarcasm]This can only end well...[/sarcasm]

Based on your post above and out of interest, what performance cars have you had before and have you actually passed your driving test yet? wink