Nissan Pulsar GTI-R: JDM Consumers Information — JDMbuysell.com

February 4, 2022

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When considering of sizzling hatches, most individuals don’t even embrace Nissan’s model. The mighty Pulsar GTI-R was solely produced for 4 years from 1990-1994. The only function of the GTI-R was to satisfy homologation wants in order that Nissan may enter the FIA Group A rally.

This little compact automobile had all of the markings
of a rally automobile. It was a light-weight, compact, AWD, 3-door hatchback with a
turbo four-cylinder engine accompanied by a five-speed guide transmission. Beauty
touches reminiscent of a functioning hood scoop and rear spoiler informed onlookers that
this automobile was a bit of extra particular than only a common Pulsar.

The SR20DET engine produced an astonishing
227 hp and 210 lb. ft. of torque. With a weight of solely 2,400 lbs, the GTI-R
may do 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which means that it may compete with the
Porsche 911 of that point. It’s no surprise that some referred to as it the mini GT-R.

Sadly, the Pulsar GTI-R was by no means provided in North America, however since it’s over 25 years previous, now you can personal this understated little hatchback for as little as $4,500. We now have created an in-depth purchaser’s information to present you as a lot info as potential earlier than pulling the set off on this rally impressed sizzling hatch.

Execs and Cons

Execs:

Nice energy to weight ratio
SR20DET has plenty of potential
Nice dealing with
Functioning aero
Cheaper than a GT-R

Cons

Small manufacturing numbers
The transmission is susceptible to failure
Costly to keep up
Is usually a little tight for larger individuals
Exhausting to search out one which hasn’t been abused

Frequent Points

Like most 90’s JDM vehicles, the GTI-R is susceptible
to rust. Most circumstances report rust within the rear quarter panels and its often not
simply floor rust; the issue goes a lot deeper than that.

One other frequent concern that almost all house owners had was transmission points. As everyone knows, most of those vehicles didn’t keep inventory. When you flip begin including energy, the inventory parts start to fail as a result of they weren’t meant to carry that a lot horsepower, and the transmission is often the primary one to point out indicators of failure through the enter shafts breaking.

Lastly, not an costly concern, however a quite common one is the clutch pedal mounting bracket. The mount holding the clutch to the bulkhead appears to present means with out warning. That is resolved by merely simply welding the bracket again to the bulkhead, making it 10 occasions stronger than the manufacturing facility setup.

Common Costs

This little pocket rocket can fetch a
fairly hefty value these days, because of their rarity. The GTI-R will be had for
as little as $4,500, and the costs goes all the best way as much as $20,000 for a chief
instance. Nevertheless, the common costs hover someplace between the $12,000 to
$15,000 mark, so its not a automobile for somebody on a decent funds, but it surely positive is a
blast to drive.

Listed below are just a few examples of the most affordable and the most costly ones presently obtainable on JDMbuysell.com:

View all Nissan Pulsar vehicles listed for sale.

Comparable Options

As everyone knows by now, there are a number of sizzling hatches from the ’90s that evaluate to the mighty GTI-R. Not all of them are turbo, AWD fashions just like the true wolf in sheep’s clothes the GTI-R is, however they might give this automobile a run for its cash.

Fashions and Specs

Because the GTI-R was Solely produced for 4 brief years (1990-1994), there was just one era. Nevertheless, there have been three totally different fashions produced in that timeframe. We might be going over these fashions on this part.

GTI-RA

This model was additionally referred to as RA/Alpha/Highway/Luxurious. The GTI-RA was the most typical of the frequent of the bunch, because it was designated for the road. It got here with normal street automobile choices reminiscent of energy home windows. A/C, and ABS. Someday in 1992, Nissan determined to do one thing fairly odd. They eliminated a number of the inside items that had been strictly provided within the GTI-R and changed them with off-the-shelf, common Pulsar elements. To at the present time nobody is kind of positive why they did that.

GTI-RB

The GTI-RB was additionally known as RB/Base/ Beta/Rally/Homologation. If the common GTI-R was not mild sufficient, the RB model had the frequent luxuries like the ability home windows and mirrors, ABS, and A/C eliminated to avoid wasting an additional 30kg. This model was designed with motorsport in thoughts, and due to this fact a close-ratio gearbox was provided as an possibility. Consumers had the choice so as to add on Nismo goodies reminiscent of a restricted slip differential and an upgraded suspension as effectively, making it the last word manufacturing facility rally automobile. The one factor that gave the RA away on the skin was the shortage of color-matched exterior door mirrors.

Sunny

The Sunny was nearly an identical to the conventional GTI-R, and it was meant for the European market. The one distinction was that it misplaced a complete of seven hp attributable to a barely totally different ECU map that was used to make up for the decrease octane gasoline provided in Europe on the time. There have been each LHD and RHD variations of the Sunny. Exterior sensible, the one distinction was the modified bumpers wanted with a view to accommodate the bigger European license plates.

Manufacturing Numbers

Though solely 5000 vehicles wanted to be constructed
with a view to qualify for the FIA Group A, Nissan noticed the recognition of the GTI-R
and continued to construct them for the following three years. In the long run, just below
15,000 autos had been constructed.

Pulsar GTI-RA = 13131
Pulsar GTI-RB = 701
Pulsar Unknown = 10
Pulsar GTI-R TOTAL = 13842
Sunny GTI-R LHD = 668
Sunny GTI-R RHD = 103
Sunny GTI-R TOTAL = 771
GTI-R TOTAL = 14613

FAQ

Was the GTI-R provided in LHD configuration?

Sure! In Europe the GTI-R was named the Sunny and was offered in each RHD and LHD configurations.

Is the GTI-R dependable?

Sure and no. This particular version Nissan Pulsar was designed to be a race automobile first, and a daily street automobile second. That being stated, they could be a little finicky and we’d not advocate utilizing the GTI-R as a each day driver, however fairly as a weekend automobile.

Are spare elements straightforward to come back by?

Sure. Being a Pulsar on the core, substitute elements are plentiful and simple to search out.

Was the GTI-R provided in North America?

Sadly, no. The GTI-R was by no means offered in North America, though LHD fashions had been offered in Europe, however they’re changing into more and more tougher to search out.

Is it troublesome to drive a RHD car?

Under no circumstances. Inside per week you’ll really feel proper at house within the GTI-R’s drivers’ seat.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Pulsar#GTI-R
https://www.whichcar.com.au/options/1990-nissan-pulsar-gti-r-fast-car-history-lesson
https://www.drivingline.com/articles/1990-1994-nissan-pulsar-gti-r-the-forgotten-hot-hatch/
https://performanceforums.com/boards/discussion board/normal/general-discussions/94130-nissan-pulsar-gti-r-s-pros-cons
http://www.gtiroc.com/index.php
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/matter.asp?t=938584
https://www.autoweb.co.uk/topeleven/top-12-hot-hatches-from-the-90s
https://www.importavehicle.information/2017/03/nissan-pulsar-gti-r-buyers-guide.html