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It took a year to complete, but it was
well worth the wait, as Go-san successfully
swapped in an R35 Nissan GT-R engine
that still fits within the original engine
compartment under the passenger seat and
center console. In order to make the twin-turbo
V-6 work without tearing out or modifying
the entire chassis, a HiAce transmission and
drivetrain were used. With more than 600 hp
needing to be transferred, the transmission
was upgraded to another HiAce tranny out of
the turbodiesel model then strengthened with
OS Giken components. Getting everything to
mate up properly was the most difficult part,
which involved cutting and combining the
front and rear sections of the bellhousings
from the HiAce and GT-R transmissions. It was
an insane task, but when all was said and done,
Go-san had created a supervan!
With GT-R DNA pumping through
the van’s bloodstream, Go-san shifted
his efforts toward the rest of the build in
order to make it look the part of a monster.
The most notable upgrades are the over-
fenders, which accommodate the 19-inch
wheels. Some minor chassis improvements
come by way of custom Final Konnexion
coilovers and AP Racing big brakes—two
very important modifications, as Go-san
explains he doesn’t just drive his HiAce fast
in a straight line but also quick around the
corners. A pair of TRUST intercoolers was
modified to sit in plain sight within the front
bumper, and a URAS rear wing along with
quad tailpipes offer a hint that there’s more
to this HiAce than meets the eye.
Go-san concluded that his GT-R–
powered HiAce has surpassed all his
expectations. Next, he wants to share it
with the world, which is one of the reasons
why he ripped out the backrow of seats
in favor of four Recaros. He’s ready to play
Uber XL on some of Japan’s most popular
circuits; even legendary driver Keiichi
Tsuchiya has requested to take it out for
a spin on Tsukuba Circuit. Not too many
people can say that about the Drift King, but
Go-san can with his supervan.
Typical rear van seats aren’t going to cut it when Go-san hits
the Wangan, so he mounted Recaro seats, which match the
rest of the interior.
