An 800-horsepower Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 built by a Japanese enthusiast nearly two decades ago gave two automotive YouTubers a frightening introduction to Osaka’s nighttime driving scene.
In a May 8, 2026 video, DailyDrivenExotics joined Steve Hammes of Steve’s POV to examine a heavily modified Skyline owned by a longtime Japanese car enthusiast named Tokichi. The car combines an extensively rebuilt engine, handmade Kevlar bodywork, and an unusual exhaust arrangement.
The Skyline reportedly produces about 800 horsepower from a modified 2.8-liter engine. Its owner has spent years developing the build, including multiple engine failures before arriving at its current configuration.
The hosts eventually took the car onto Osaka’s elevated expressways, where its acceleration left them visibly shaken. The encounter also introduced viewers to a second R34 GT-R equipped with a Nismo-built engine and a remarkably clean Nissan Silvia S15.
A Handmade Skyline
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Tokichi explained that he and his friends originally built the Skyline roughly 17 years before the filming. He had previously worked on the earlier R32 and R33 generations before turning his attention to the R34.
One of the car’s most unusual features is its handmade Kevlar front end. Rather than purchasing a commercial body kit, Tokichi reportedly created his own molds to fabricate the panels.
Underneath, the car features a flat underbody, while its interior has been stripped to two seats. The rear compartment contains a large camera mount dating to the era when recording driving footage required bulky camcorders rather than compact action cameras.
Its modified RB-series engine displaces 2.8 liters, compared with the factory RB26DETT’s 2.6 liters. The owner described a progression of engine builds, with repeated failures preceding the current setup.
For perspective, Nissan’s factory specifications list the R34 GT-R at 276 horsepower, making Tokichi’s claimed output nearly three times the official factory figure.
The car also features a large exhaust outlet routed through the rear compartment, external wastegate plumbing, and a substantial fuel system with a surge tank. A surge tank helps maintain a consistent fuel supply during demanding driving conditions.
Another Rare GT-R
Tokichi also showed the visitors his wife’s white R34 GT-R V-Spec, which features a Nismo S1 engine.
Unlike the aggressively modified blue Skyline, the white car retains a more conventional appearance and a considerably more comfortable interior.
The V-Spec was already an important upgrade over the standard GT-R. Nissan equipped the performance-oriented version with specialized suspension tuning, aerodynamic components, and an active rear limited-slip differential.
The Nismo S1 engine adds another layer of interest. Rather than focusing exclusively on peak horsepower, Nismo’s S-series engine philosophy emphasizes careful assembly, engine response, and balanced performance.
The comparison between the two GT-Rs showed how differently enthusiasts can approach the same platform: one built for extreme performance and the other focused on a refined driving experience.
An Osaka Night Drive
The group eventually headed onto Osaka’s elevated expressways, a setting closely associated with Japan’s modified-car culture.
Tokichi’s blue Skyline immediately demonstrated why his passengers had been warned about its performance.
After the drive, the hosts described the experience as frightening, with one comparing its intensity to high-speed laps at Germany’s Nürburgring. The conversation later suggested that the car had not even been operating at its maximum boost setting.
The group also encountered a white Nissan Silvia S15, another celebrated Japanese performance car. Introduced in 1999, the S15 was the final generation of Nissan’s Silvia and is particularly popular among drifting enthusiasts because of its rear-wheel-drive layout and extensive aftermarket support.
The video closes with a broader discussion about Japan’s automotive heritage and the growing number of collectible Japanese vehicles leaving the country for overseas buyers.
For American enthusiasts, the R34 is particularly relevant because cars manufactured at least 25 years ago can generally qualify for a federal exemption from certain vehicle safety import requirements. That has opened the door for more R34s to enter the United States as individual vehicles become eligible.