Power. That’s the word that sums it up as I take you on one final visit to two incredibly special cars Alec and I shot during our Speedhunting trip to the Philippines.
It didn’t take long to realize that when it comes to tuning and building cars, our Filipino friends don’t do things by halves. With Japan’s most punchy all-wheel-drive monsters at the heart of the project, only the best parts and upgrades were chosen to elevate these two legendary cars to a level of performance that would be a dream come true in the JDM motherland itself.
And as if that wasn’t enough, we were lucky enough to capture them on the streets of downtown Manila, something that’s becoming increasingly difficult to get away with in big cities these days. That alone made the experience even more memorable.
Let’s begin by giving due respect to the senpai of the pair: the R35 Nissan GT-R. Despite debuting in 2007, the GT-R has always been relevant, largely – or completely – thanks to the aftermarket.
And that’s exactly the route Autoholic Garage, the shop behind both builds, took when crafting their 1,200+hp street beast. They handpicked top-tier tuning parts to transform the GT-R into something truly extraordinary.
But before we break it all down, I want to take a moment to reflect on something that crossed my mind while putting this post together.
As we approach the end of 2024, I believe we’re living in an important era for Japanese performance cars and tuning. With Nissan set to retire the GT-R by 2025, the automaker’s financial troubles, and a potential merger with Honda on the cards, it’s unclear when – or if – Nissan will release a successor to the R35.
Then there’s the GR Yaris. A complete surprise from Toyota, this car has become a beacon for enthusiasts since its 2020 debut. Now, with the recently released kouki version and the Corolla joining the GR lineup, these are the most important Japanese performance cars on the market today.
And the best part? They’re tuneable. These are cars we can fiddle around with and extract more power, speed, and performance from. We’re living in a golden age, and it’s something we should celebrate because who knows how much longer it’ll last?
Fast forward to 2030 – will I still be able to make this statement? Will the EV revolution be fully underway by then? What performance offerings will Nissan and Toyota have left for us?
But I digress. For now, let’s enjoy these cars to the fullest, and with builds like these, it’s hard not to. Autoholic Garage has transformed this GT-R with a full exterior makeover, starting with a Top Secret Super GT-R 1100R aero kit and a Voltex Type 7 GT wing.
The pumped exterior adds instant aggression, with acres of carbon fiber, setting off the custom bronze metallic paint and highlighting every angle.
But it’s under the vented hood where things get really crazy…
While the VR38DETT’s V6 layout doesn’t show off upgrades as easily as, say, an RB26DETT or 2JZ-GTE, there’s no hiding the fact that this engine was completely stripped, rebuilt, and reworked with quality components. The result? A massive 1,252hp at the wheels – potentially around 1,500hp at the crank.
The engine build started with a Toby Lee-built 3.8L short block, paired with a Switzer E1K-X turbo kit and a long list of supporting mods to ensure the insane power is delivered reliably. The BoostLogic intake manifold changes the look of the VR while feeding the engine with plenty of air cooled by ETS intercoolers. The Syvecs ECU handles engine management, controlling everything from boost to ignition maps, while six 1,700cc/min Bosch-based Injector Dynamics injectors ensure optimal fueling.
Inside, the upgrades are just as impressive. The Momo/Top Secret steering wheel takes center stage, flanked by Recaro RS-G front seats and a dry carbon rear seat delete.
But what caught my eye the most was the MoTeC C127 dash display, which replaces the R35’s aging OEM analog meters and adds a distinctly race-inspired vibe to the cabin.
This street-legal beast is a true all-rounder, with a 9.3-second quarter-mile time and a 2:03 lap at Clark International Speedway, proving that it’s as comfortable shooting down a drag strip as it is out on track.
Now, let’s move over to the GR Yaris – a car that arrived over a decade and a half after the R35, packing half the capacity and half the turbos.
But as we all know, you can’t let size be a factor when judging a car. I’ll never forget watching Nobuteru ‘NOB’ Taniguchi in 2021 at Tsukuba, piloting the Garage G-Force GR Yaris to a 58-second lap, putting it on par with the fastest R35s. That was a simple stripping of the car, MoTeC engine management, and a selection of tuning parts. That time has since dropped to 56 seconds, putting the GR Yaris’s tuning potential into sharp focus.
Autoholic Garage didn’t hold back here, either, starting with a full TOM’s aero kit.
The look is further enhanced by Garage Vary carbon hood vents and a sinister satin black finish. The TOM’s front bumper grille section adds a more aggressive profile while channeling more airflow to the intercooler and heat exchangers.
Handling was clearly a priority in this build. Three-way adjustable KW Variant 4 coilovers with remote reservoir tanks at all four corners, Cusco sway bars, control arms, and a host of Gazoo Racing upgrade parts give the Yaris a razor-sharp feel. Spoon rigid collars line it all up perfectly. The wheel and tire setup is as JDM as it gets with black Advan GTs and Advan Neova AD09s, while the AP Racing Pro5000R brake package is ready for street and track duty.
Autoholic Garage got sneaky under the hood, where things almost look stock. But hidden under the HKS carbon engine cover is a Goleby’s 600hp turbo kit, Kelford Stage 2 cams, and a complete fuel system upgrade. Supporting mods include a Weldspeed intake manifold, HKS intercooler, and oil cooler, as well as AEM methanol injection, and a MoTeC M142 ECU.
The result? 390hp at the wheels – close to 600hp at the flywheel – not bad for a stock block!
A TOM’S center exit exhaust finishes it all off.
Inside, the rally-inspired touches continue with a Yokohama Advan steering wheel and a tall CAE short shifter that gives the Yaris a sequential shifter vibe.
The Recaro Pro RMS seats, paired with red SCHROTH Racing 4-point harnesses, complete the race-ready look, while a Gazoo Racing rear seat delete sheds unnecessary weight.
This ballistic Yaris is only a few seconds off the GT-R’s pace at Clark International Speedway, posting a 2:08 lap time, once again hinting at how potent these little 3-cylinder GRs are.
Our trip to the Philippines introduced us to one of the most incredible car cultures we’ve ever encountered. We met car enthusiasts who truly live and breathe their passion, welcoming us as friends. We’ve only scratched the surface of what the country has to offer, so I’m already looking forward to our next visit.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
Additional Images by Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
