Some quick history...
E-BCNR33 aka R33 GTR was produced from 1995 - 1998 and was the 4th Generation of the GTR. All GTRs were AWD and featured the tried and proven RB26DETT inline 6, ceramic turbine wheel equipped twin turbochargers. It was conservatively rated at the same hp as the previous R32 at 276hp, but torque swelled slightly to 289 ft lbs tq. The R33 model gained some weight over the previous R32 model, which was the lightest of the RB26 powered GTRs. (3400ish lbs for the R33, vs 3150ish lbs for the R32) The factory engine, can be pushed easily to 600 flywheel hp without serious internal modifications. The R32 (1989 - 1994) models are highly sought after by drag racers, due to the weight factor.
My time in Japan was when these cars (R32 models) were only 2 years old. And they ruled the streets at the local street races in Hachinohe. My recommendation is this, do your research around your base area, for what local speed shops specialize in GTRs and do your best to find one that's not abused. Unfortunately, by now, that's going to be as hard as finding a Buick or Fox body Mustang that's never been abused. IOW, almost impossible. But, if you find a nice one, try to find one that has tasteful mods, steer clear of ones with huge monster single turbo upgrades because they will be dogs and will require huge RPMs to get the turbo spooled. Think quick spooling at low rpms for fun on the street. If you could swing it, I'd be looking for a Mine's tuned R32, as they are one of the most revered GTR tuners in Japan. But the reason you want to do your homework about your local shops, is you want someone that knows exactly what they are doing with a GTR, vs a hack shop that might have worked on a couple over the years. Just like a Turbo Buick, search out the gurus and go from there.
Also, keep this in mind, unfortunately, you will not be able to legally ship and register your prized GTR in the US. Nor legally be able to drive one on the streets. From what I was told, by a lot of the top Nissan performance shops around the country last year, all R32 and R33 GTRs are actively being tracked and sought out to be taken off the streets in the US. I have heard way too many horror stories, of GTR owners that have been notified that their cars must be taken off the street and or have been confiscated and crushed by the man. This is truly sad as these cars are incredible machines.
Here's a couple of vids to get you more acclimated to the GTRs.
First, a Mine's tuned R34 GTR. One of the most impressive GTR videos ever made IMO.
Here is a CRD tuned R32 GTR.
Here are all the current model GTR's battling it out at Tsukuba.
And lastly, here are a couple of the 0-400 meter Battle Drags from way back in 1998.
Remember, this was stuff done back in '98. Not that impressive when compared to what's being done with the current R35 GTR, but still very impressive non the less.
Lastly, enjoy your Skyline, you definitely want one with the RB26DETT motor, no matter which model you get, but just have fun. Don't pass up a GTS that's had a RB26DETT swapped into it either. The GTS models were RWD only cars, so just keep that in mind. I only wish I could have owned an R32 when I was there, but they were way too much money and a lowly E2 could not own a 2 year old GTR back then.
HTH
Patrick
Jokes aside they do sell off old postal trucks/jeeps to the public so I would assume RHD is legal.
