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Thread: Nissan R391

  1. #1
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    Nissan R391

    Couldn't find it on here so thought i'd add it

    Nissan R391

    A little bit of history, by John Galt

    Typically, Nissan ran eight cylinder twin turbo motors on their Le Mans vehicles, and turbo charging has always been one of the companies specialties, winning worldwide acclaim with several of the turbo charged entries in the Z-series. However, when it came to the R391, Nissan decided to forego their traditional strategy of using turbo motors and instead work with a much larger naturally aspirated engine. The motor in question was given the badge, "VRH50A", and was an eight cylinder 5.0 liter motor, which was supposed to match the power of the traditional turbo motors, while maintaining an increased amount of reliability and consistent power throughout all RPM ranges.

    Everything seemed promising for Nissan coming into the actual competition, but racing would prove a far different matter than what many expected. Nissan entered three cars in the 1999 Le Mans; two R391's and one Courage chassis with an older generation turbo charged motor. Of the three cars, only the Courage would actually finish the race, as one of the R391 suffered an accident, destroying the car and injuring the driver. The other R391, despite holding it's own at fourth place, suffered a crippling mechanical failure, taking it out of the race permanently. Of course, the race was not a complete disaster for Nissan, and the company still managed to make 8th place with the Courage. However, in terms of the 391, it was a disappointing development, especially for a car that had such high expectations.

    However, the R391 would later reclaim it's honor at the Fuji 1000km event. This time, a newly fixed R391 would take first place, beating out all rivals, even those that had overcome the car at the 1999 Le Mans. It is important to note, though, that competition at the Fuji race was very limited, and Nissan's main competition came from Toyota. This is not to cast shadow over the victory however, as it was Nissan's only first place win in their entire Le Mans program.

    However, the R391's victory was to be it's last, and following the Fuji race, Nissan retired both the car and it's entire program, leaving NISMO to handle performance aspects related only to strictly production vehicles.

    Even though Nissan may have had a less than stellar record racing in the Le Mans, their cars nonetheless represented some very advanced technology and some of the best the automotive field had to offer at the time. The R391 should be a car looked back on fondness and remembered for it's powerful win and the amazing potential that the car had, as well as the innovative and new ideas that went into creating it.

    Quoted from - associatedcontent.com

    Specs

    900kg
    5L V8 DOHC
    Length - 183.2 in.
    Width - 78.7 in.
    Wheelbase - 108.3 in.
    Front and Rear Double Wishbone suspension
    600hp @ 7500 RPM
    That's all i know

    got some pics as well
    Attached Images Attached Images
    May the downforce be with you

  2. #2
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    Couple more pics
    Attached Images Attached Images
    May the downforce be with you

  3. #3
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    Was there ever a road car developed for this, or since the rule changes in 98, they decided not to make one?
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sledgehammer View Post
    Was there ever a road car developed for this, or since the rule changes in 98, they decided not to make one?
    Nope that wasn't a GT1 car (unlike the R390). That was a full on prototype.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
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  5. #5
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    My favorite fact about the car has got to be the fact that it made Toyota GT-One completely winless in its entire lifetime....since it beats it at Fuji 1000km....
    University of Toronto Formula SAE Alumni 2003-2007
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  6. #6
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    i love this car thanks for info and images

  7. #7
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    There were 2 roadgoing versions made. One sits in a museum in Ginza.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BmwNeoType View Post
    There were 2 roadgoing versions made. One sits in a museum in Ginza.
    maybe you are thinking of the R390
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  9. #9
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    This is as much a road car as an Audi R10 or Ferrari 333SP or any LMP cars.....
    University of Toronto Formula SAE Alumni 2003-2007
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by RacingManiac View Post
    My favorite fact about the car has got to be the fact that it made Toyota GT-One completely winless in its entire lifetime....since it beats it at Fuji 1000km....
    You've inspired me to look up the race history of the GT-One. It finished 2nd at Le Mans twice did it not? Was it not a very fast and formidable car?

  11. #11
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    2nd once, in 1999. I love the car, just I thought it was pretty funny it never actually won a single race despite the huge following of the car. I am sure Toyota thought they could win the Fuji 1000km....Toyota as a whole have finished 2nd 3 times at Le Mans I believe(92 with TS010, 94 with 94C-V, and 99 with the GT-One).
    Last edited by RacingManiac; 02-07-2009 at 11:02 PM.
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by RacingManiac View Post
    2nd once, in 1999. I love the car, just I thought it was pretty funny it never actually won a single race despite the huge following of the car. I am sure Toyota thought they could win the Fuji 1000km....Toyota as a whole have finished 2nd 3 times at Le Mans I believe(92 with TS010, 94 with 94C-V, and 99 with the GT-One).
    and in 1999 they lost because of a puncture at the 23th hour iirc.
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    and in 1999 they lost because of a puncture at the 23th hour iirc.
    Indeed Wiki taught me this.

    Also it is not twenty thirth hour, it is twenty third hour next time - not being a dick but just helping you so you know Leon.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kitdy View Post
    Indeed Wiki taught me this.

    Also it is not twenty thirth hour, it is twenty third hour next time - not being a dick but just helping you so you know Leon.
    and the funny thing it that I already new it was 23rd
    your corrections are always welcome.

    and never blindly trust wiki, they say the 8C uses the same engines of the California, just as an example.
    Ferrari California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

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  15. #15
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    yeah someone should go change that right now, its a bit of an embarrassment. I love wiki but sometimes its not on top of its game
    -Fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless.

    -I thought the blacks in Baltimore were bad, shit, they’re nothing compared to these fags you got here in San Francisco…haha.

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