The Soarer with the specifications from the manga “Shakotan Boogie”
The manga “Shakotan Boogie”, written by Michiharu Kusunoki and serialized in Weekly Young Magazine in 1986, had a great impact on vehicle lovers in Japan. Influenced by the manga, an owner built a real-life version of the Toyota Soarer that the manga’s main character “Hajime-chan” drove.
Equipped with the most powerful unit, the RB26DETT
One manga that had a huge impact on the vehicle-loving youth of the 1980s was the manga “Shakotan Boogie”, written by Michiharu Kusunoki and serialized in the Weekly Young Magazine in 1986. The reason why it enthralled street racer fans and the modification mania of the time was that the modified cars depicted in the manga all pursued reality.
The owner of the MZ11 Toyota Soarer 2.8GT shown here, Taku-san, is also from the generation that was hooked on the manga “Shakotan Boogie”. After restoring the unmoving Soarer he inherited from his uncle, he built an actual Soarer version with the RB26DETT engine that Hajime-chan used to drive. Its perfection completely exceeded the world of the manga.
Anyone who knows the world of tuning knows the greatness of the RB26DETT, the power unit of the R32 GT-R. Not only the engine, but also the drive system and electronic devices of the GT-R at the time were all state-of-the-art and amazing, and it was even said that the only enemy of the R32 GT-R in both the tuning and racing industries was the R32 GT-R.
Many people must have been shocked by the absurd idea of installing such a powerful engine in a Soarer in the manga “Shakotan Boogie”. Taku-san introduced here is one of them, and the content of that shocking story became an unforgettable memory, out of curiosity to see if he could actually build one ……, he decided to build a Soarer equipped with RB26DETT.
Equipped for the R32 GT-R from start to finish
It took about two years of repeated trial and error with the help of friends to produce the car. The 5M-GEU engine originally installed in the base MZ11 Soarer 2.8GT was unloaded, the suspension members were slightly modified to fit within its dimensions, and engine mounts were fabricated so that the RB26DETT could be installed. Of course, the turbine and other auxiliaries were also installed inside the Soarer’s body. The result is a very high degree of perfection and looks as natural as a stock engine.
Along with the engine conversion, the drivetrain was also modified significantly, using the R33 Skyline Type M 5-speed transmission and an OS Giken twin plate clutch. A mechanical LSD was also installed, but as for the differential, the stock carrier was left in place, so it was strengthened with a TRD mechanical differential for the Soarer.
Power steering and air conditioning for the R32
It is the character of Taku-san to want to do everything once they start working on various things. His desire to build was so great that he consulted a car shop he knew, thinking that if he was going to build one, he wanted to transplant all the comfort equipment as well. He told us that he requested the shop to make it possible to use the power steering and air-conditioning for the R32 GT-R, and they did so.
A closer look at the Soarer reveals that the seats have also been casually replaced with genuine R32 GT-R seats, and when the driver is seated in the driver’s seat, the air conditioning control unit is also genuine R32 GT-R, and the speedometer, tachometer and other gauges have also been replaced with genuine R32 GT-R gauges. The speedometer, revmeter, and other gauges have also been replaced with genuine R32 GT-R instruments, which is impressive.
Many of the parts have been made even better than in the manga
The exterior differs from the manga specifications in that an external lip spoiler, HID headlights, and 20 Soarer emblems have been added to the louver grille, and S130 Fairlady Z ducts have been set into the bonnet. The front wings have also been ducted and beaten out using steel plate processing, while the rear wings are also beaten out, and the tail lamp frames have been painted with a gloss finish. For the rear, the 2.6 twin-turbo emblems indicating the original RB26DETT production should also be noted.
Other than that, the suspension is a combination of Aisan Carfield original dampers and Cusco pillow upper & tower bar. The wheels are BBS RS rebarrels, 8.5J in the front and 9.5J in the rear, 15 inches wide.
Although it is hard to notice at a glance, the owner’s attention was drawn to the fact that the inside of the car was designed by Hajime-chan from the “Shakotan Boogie” manga. Moreover, he is very proud of the fact that he has made the car even more elaborate than depicted in the manga. Incidentally, this car has been officially approved as a modified car for adults, and the word “Kai” is also included on the vehicle inspection certificate. The parts installed are full of items from that time, so please take a look at the picture gallery and enjoy the nostalgia of the past.
translated by DeepL