When it comes to past feature cars, one common question arises: did the owners keep them? Often, builds are dismantled for parts, especially after several years, for various reasons.
However, some owners, like Patrick Soliman, hold onto their projects. One such project is his RB26 swapped 2000 GT-X, which he bought nearly a decade ago. Since then, he’s clocked many miles on it, leading to an engine swap.
Starting with a project car from the 1970s poses its challenges, especially finding rare parts. Patrick scoured salvage yards and hunted online for specific Nissan parts that would work with his Kenmeri.
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“After three years of trips to the junkyard and lots of online purchases,” Patrick recalls, “I finally got the car to run, steer, and stop.” Despite reaching 350 whp, persistent issues with the engine arose, leading to a major decision: Replacing old SR20 engine with a R33’s RB26DETT. Patrick’s expertise came into play as he fabricated custom mounts and crossmembers for the swap. Once up and running, issues with the dual turbo set up prompted a switch to a single Precision 6262 mounted using a Hybrid Performance turbo manifold.
Inside, the Recaro LXB seats remain, updated with new upholstery and matching rear seats. Some panels received updates, but the classic ’70s layout remains intact.
Previously featured wearing SSR Techno Phantom wheels, Patrick has since moved on to Riverside Super Rivers in 15×10 in the front and 11.5’s in the rear. Those are able to fit thanks to the Restored.jp Works-style flare kit with matching front lip. It was a look he specifically chose to step away from the GT-R clone look that owners often apply to their GT-X models. Matador Red Metallic with some added pearl covers the entire car, inside and out.
In conclusion, Patrick’s dedication to his RB26 swapped 2000 GT-X showcases the passion and effort enthusiasts put into their projects. Despite challenges, his perseverance resulted in a stunning classic with modern performance upgrades.
Source: @bosopat (Instagram)
Images: @mr2mivin (Instagram)