[Founded in the 1980s, MiNE'S is a Japanese tuning company that originally specialized in computer re-programming and sold off-the-shelf flashed ECUs. Turbocharged cars such as the Silvia, Lancer Evolution, WRX STI, and GT-R are their forte, although their naturally aspirated Z has also gained notoriety in recent years.
Although ECU tuning is still their primary focus, MiNE'S has over the years developed into a full fledged tuning shop that produces suspension, carbon bodywork, exhaust parts, and fuel system upgrades. Their white R34 Skyline GT-R is one of their most famous demo cars and ran a very quick 1:52.072 at Buttonwillow Raceway during a 2006 time attack event. MiNE'S followed that car up with another GT-R, one of the very first modified R35 GT-Rs in the world. With the R35 ECU cracked and tuning on Nissan's newest beast progressing, we caught up with MiNE'S CEO Michizo Niikura. - JL]
SCC: What is MiNE'S' core philosophy and primary tuning style?
MN: MiNE'S' philosophy is basically geared towards cars that I like. I like cars that do not destroy the essence of the stock vehicle, but instead enhance its performance. It's not just about achieving speed. There should not be any "tuning down" of a car either. AMG was once like that. Smart, fast, and beautiful.
I like a certain degree of restraint when tuning, too. For example, with no restraint and just an aim for outright power and speed, one would strip the car down and make a fast car without considering things like comfort, safety, efficiency, etc. MiNE'S seeks to make cars that are within the legal boundaries of the street and we also stick to the simple basics to enhance the driving, turning, and stopping ability of the base vehicle.
SCC: Does MiNE'S approach the tuning for a Z, Evo, or GT-R in the same manner?
MN: No. But only because the R35 Nissan GT-R is a very special car from how it was developed and built by Nissan. Its DNA traces back to the racing heritage of the R32, R33, and R34. Conceptually, the R35 is still very similar to the past GT-Rs. The R35 now has an all-aluminum block and the engine is a V6, but you cannot tune the GT-R without a profound knowledge of the past GT-Rs.
SCC: What makes the R35 GT-R a good starting platform for tuning?
MN: The R35 does not have the high potential for tuning like the previous GT-Rs because Nissan has already brought the power output close to the engine's limit. In comparison, there was much more power to be unlocked out of the older GT-Rs, up to the R34. The R35 already has plenty of power straight from Nissan. It's a fun car to drive but bringing the performance level of this new GT-R up to a higher level is not an easy task, for sure.
The engine is aluminum and very durable but it's designed to keep the RPMs low. It has a lot of power and uses the torque band very well. The transmission is basically an automatic so the engine is very well protected from driver error, unless you do something foolish with it.
Mine's does not plan to bring the horsepower level up to 600 or 700. We strive to make fast and beautiful cars. Not monsters with only one purpose. In Japan there are some people that say you can bring up the power infinitely. That isn't true. I think that even in the U.S. there are people that agree with me. It's a false assumption that, just because you crack the ECU, some enormous power and boost can be unlocked. It's just not that type of car. It's also balanced to be an extremely clean and fuel-efficient car. Even the four catalytic converters on board are designed to maintain a balance between cleanliness and engine performance.
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