Saying the words "Do-Luck" in certain ethnic communities one might unintentionally offend the elders. Pronounced Doe Raku, it's Japanese for a passion or a pastime-not the remotely similar pho restaurant expletive. The Ranch 99 parking lot experience that epitomizes the Chinese knockoff production has no doubt had a mixed blessing with the company name. In spite of this, Shigeru Ito seems completely unfazed, even pertinacious when he asserts that racing is at the heart of his company. Likewise, people know Do-Luck's OE fit and material quality. No one has ever actually accused Do-Luck cars of demonstrating form over function. If anything, that blame of fiberglass consumption can be placed on the rice-boy fraternity. Well, at least body kit sales help to fund racing.
To that end, current Do-Luck racing operations include domestic efforts at various circuits, along with teams from America and England swathed with Do-Luck. Last year marked exponential growth as UK team Sumo Power broke Brands Hatch track records with their 350Z and Evo IX. The Sumo Power lads also hit mid-8s at the Santa Pod drags with their "God of Wind" Fuujin R33-all using Do-Luck tuning and aero products. This year the Sumo Power team will be one of the first to challenge the Japanese on their home turf, Tsukuba.
The R34 GT-R that graces these pages is their street showcase car, which includes the trademark aero styling that is Do-Luck. This particular Skyline will race in the S-tire Class Time Attack series at Tsukuba.
All subtlety, tanuki, tokage and small children are lost within the confines of the front bumper spoiler and top hood diffuser, but a closer look reveals its functionality. The bumper frames a massively thick ARC 109mm 12-row intercooler and a carbon belly under tray. Complete with a NACA duct, the hood is composed of vacuum-molded carbon. Not only is it lightweight, it's also structural. Like the bumper, the front aero fender, side skirt and rear bumper spoiler/diffuser are all comprised of FRP. Downforce is addressed by Do-Luck's Type II carbon three-piece wing and drag coefficient by their aero mirror, which is also carbon. FRP tail lens covers finish off the aesthetics. Still, getting high on polymer resins only covers a fraction of the Do-Luck catalog.
Immediately noticeable upon popping the carbon hood is the enormous 1.0 A/R HKS TO4Z turbo that sits portside of the ubiquitous RB26, which feeds 1.4 bar to the ARC intercooler. Further up, the Nismo surge feeds port-matched Nismo-spec sextuple throttles. Turbulence gets encouragement from a PWR Enterprises 800cc charge and an HKS 272-degree cam lever against Nismo valves. On the exhaust stroke, the HKS 280-degree cam releases spent gasses spinning the HKS manifold, turbine and downpipe, ultimately flowing through an HKS hi-flow catalytic and a Do-Luck D-GrowKai exhaust.
Lets start on the bottom end by saying it's an HKS Stage 1 2.7-stroker kit. If the RB26 wasn't good enough, this one's been fitted with a complete HKS package including 4mm-plus stroke crank, H-beam connecting rods and 8:8 compression ratio, 87mm bore pistons. Known for its heat-resistant properties, the HKS pistons are coated in a nickel alloy.
Shigeru seems to ascribe to the old-school tuning ethos, as there's no V-cam here. A set of HKS adjustable camshaft pulleys was spotted after a close inspection of the engine bay. Delving further Do-Luck triple-core radiator and vacuum catch can display the company's aluminum-welding prowess. Finishing off our glimpse of the engine bay is an Okada Project coil with X-Power ignition amp and an HKS titanium strut brace. Fuel delivery is commissioned to twin Bosch fuel pumps fed through Earl's stainless hoses to a custom aluminum catch can. Downstream an HKS fuel rail with its PWR Enterprises injectors and Sard fuel regulator ensure that the RB is kept happy. Fuel management is administered by an HKS F-Con V-Pro Unit and boost levels by an EVC-Pro.
Further inquiry reveals that 740 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque (72kg/meter) shred pavement via an HKS triple clutch. Its spline is attached to the Nismo Getrag transmission and corresponding differentials-all cooled by ARC oil heatexchangers. This beast's dancing feet are addressed with HKS Hyper Max dampers with 14kg springs all around and Do-Luck ACS blade sways. Super Pro chassis components replace the front control arms and the rear lower shock mounts, while bolstering the transmission cross-member. Up front Ikeya Formula pieces substitute the upper and lower control arms and the tie rod ends with spherical bushings. Off-track farming excursions will be kept to a minimum thanks to the 355mm rotor with Alcon mono-six four-pot brakes, which lie under the 18x10.5J Do-Luck Double-Six wheels wrapped in 265/35R/18 Z-rated Toyo R1 tires.
Other chassis devices are found by exploring the passenger compartment and trunk. A Do-Luck floor support bar, rear crossbar and rear tension set box up the frame. Made of oval tubing the tension set offers rollbar-type chassis stiffening without much compromise in cabin space. Sitting in the AAR full bucket seat gripping the Nardi rudder controls, I notice tucked neatly in carbon panels are the HKS EVC boost controller, F-Con V-Pro and A/F Knock amp. The center console also features a trick Grid Motion controller, which coerces the car's g sensor, so that the AWD ATTESSA system induces oversteer and understeer as desired.
Desire is the reason most car guys set out to customize rides but many lack the discipline to do it right. We think that Shigeru-san's creation has the right balance of go-fast parts to match its looks. As for the rice boxes at your local Mitsuwa, imitation is, as they say, a form a flattery.
Do-Luck BN R34 Skyline
Power Output:740 HP; Torque: 520 LB-FT
Engine
Arc Intercooler
Bosch Twin Fuel Pumps
Do-Luck Custom Aluminum Fuel Catch Can
Do-Luck D-Growkai
Do-Luck Triple-Core Radiator
HKS 272-Degree Intake Cam
HKS 2,770cc Stroker Kit (8:8 Compression Ratio,77.7mm Stroke)
HKS 280-Degree Exhaust Cam
HKS 87 Dia Bore Nickel-Plated Pistons
HKS Adjustable Camshaft Pulleys
HKS Catalytic Converter
HKS Evc Pro
HKS F-Con V-Pro Unit
HKS Fully Counterweighted Crankshaft
HKS H-Beam Connecting Rods
HKS M45 Spark Plugs
HKS Power Flow Filter
HKS T04z Turbine (1.4kg/Cm Boost)
HKS Turbo Exhaust Manifold
HKS Wastegate
Okd Project Ignition Coil
Power Enterprises 800cc Injectors
Sard Fuel Pressure Regulator
X-Power Ignition Amplifier
Drivetrain
ARC Differential Cooler
ARC transmission cooler
HKS triple clutch
Suspension
Do Luck Acs Blade Sway Bar
Grid Motion Controller
Hks Hyper Max Damper With 14kg Springs
Ikeya Formula Front Lower Arms
Ikeya Formula Front Upper Arms
Ikeya Formula Rear Upper Arms
Ikeya Formula Tie Rod Ends
Super Pro Front Control Arms
Super Pro Rear Lower Shock Mounts
Super Pro Transmission Cross-Member
Alcon Monoblock Six-Pot Fronts
Alcon 355mm Rotors
Alcon Four-Pot Rears
Exterior
Do-Luck Aero Fender
Do-Luck Carbon Aero Mirror
Do-Luck Carbon Belly Cover
Do-Luck Front Bumper Spoiler
Do-Luck Rear Bumper Spoiler
Do-Luck Side Skirts
Do-Luck Taillight Cover
Do-Luck Top Hood Diffuser
Do-Luck Type Ii Three-Piece Wing
Interior
Aar Seats
Do-Luck Floor Support Bar
Do-Luck Rear Cross Bar
Do-Luck Rear Tension Set Rollbar
Grid Motion Control
Teamtech Four-Point Harness
Wheels & Tires
Do-Luck Double-Six Forged 18x10.5j
265/35RZ18 Toyo R1