A Blitz front-mount intercooler is present to help cool the intake charge, which is funneled into a stock RB26 throttle body. With the boost pressure regulated and pumped up by a Blitz SBC-iD boost controller and HKS external wastegate combo, proper fueling was deemed necessary. A Tomei fuel pump feeds Japanese premium fuel into a HKS fuel rail, through a SARD fuel pressure regulator and out a set of SARD 700cc/min fuel injectors.
With the Cedric sporting a Frankenstein heart of incredibly powerful proportions, Hamamoto had to make the necessary changes to make sure the car ran correctly. A custom three-row aluminum radiator is used to keep this driver's ed. car in one piece, complete with bright blue Samco silicone radiator hoses. A R33 Nissan Skyline transmission and matching OS Giken triple-plate clutch were chosen to harness the power of the modified RB26. Spinning a Skyline driveshaft into a Tomei limited-slip differential, this Cedric has all the tire-shredding power it needs to live up to its flashy green and red flamed valve cover.
Having set out on a mission to transform a Cedric into a fire-breathing, street legal, elderly scaring machine, Hamamoto refused to stop until every area of his Nissan had been touched. A KYB suspension, complete with front upper camber plates, was installed and dialed in. Combined with a urethane bushing set and custom reinforcement of the stock five-link suspension system, this Cedric is ready to give a truly "crazy taxi" ride.
Continuing an apparent trend, Hamamoto fit a set of R33 Nissan Skyline brakes on to his Cedric. Comprised of four-piston front and two-piston rear brake calipers, the larger and more capable braking system is more than ready to handle 500 wheel hp of Cedric-infused fury. Covering those binders are a set of 17-inch bronze TE37 wheels, wrapped in 225-width front and 275-width rear Yokohama tires.
Although the car has everything in common with a Japanese taxi, Hamamoto has infused it with more than its own share of hot rod Americana. On the interior, an Autometer Cobalt-series monster tachometer meshes with a Blitz boost and Defi oil pressure gauge. Flamed floormats, a chromed Grant steering wheel and vinyl Cobra Classic buckets seem to have more in common with a '32 Ford Duece, but they are easily balanced by a technically advanced and very Japanese Pioneer Carrozzeria navigation system.
As hard as it may to believe, the exterior has also received an extensive makeover, Hamamoto-style. The front lip spoiler, front grille and headlamps have all been custom modified to provide a more aggressive appearance. The rear fenders have been flared out to clear the 275-width Yokohama tires and the entire body has been covered in a custom black paint job. The smaller, rounder sideview mirrors again give a touch of hot rod, while the cut out for the front-mount intercooler does nothing but conjure up the mental image of a gaping maw.
Having accomplished his transformation of a driver's education car into a beastly turbocharged and tuned machine that casts an evil road presence, Hamamoto has definitely proven his and C&R Sports Racing Service's modification capability. The most ironic thing? Hamamoto estimates all his modifications to have cost in excess of $50,000, but his Cedric is rated in Japan to be worth about $5,000. Having chosen every part with his build, not the cost, in mind, Hamamoto has proven his dedication. But, every time he cruises down a street and gathers hushed whispers and glanced looks, Hamamoto knows that it was all worth it in the end.
Name. Yuji Hamamoto
Age. Thirty One
Hometown. Nagoya, Japan
Occupation. Engine Tuning Specialist
Hobbies. Racing
Build Time. Ten Months