A Nissan
official says development continues on Nismo parts for the fullsize Titan
but won’t confirm if the company is any closer to announcing a Nismo-branded
Titan model for production.
Ken Zapp,
senior manager for specialty vehicles, showed off a cold-air intake for
the Titan in the Nissan booth at the 2005 SEMA Show. He also said headers
for the V8 will be coming soon as will an aggressive off-road Bilstein
shock package.
“It
(shock package makes a tremendous package, both on and off highway,”
noted Zapp.
The best
news is that Nismo engineers are in deep into designing a street suspension
package for the Titan. That will be the biggest step in developing a truck
worthy of boasting the Nismo decal on the quarter panel. The package includes
lowering springs, tuned shocks and possibly a sway bar. Engineers are
not looking at one kit for both the crew and King cab models, even though
they’re built on the same wheelbase. But rather they are testing
different setups to maximize performance for the different vehicles weights.
“We
don’t believe in a one size fits all approach,” added Zapp.
He also noted
the extensive testing needed to validate 20-inch wheels and other performance
parts for such a vehicle.
Perhaps the
most exciting possibility is a supercharger for the V8. Zapp said the
team has reached acceptable performance levels but wouldn’t give
a horsepower figure. He noted that the biggest problem is testing the
entire truck for durability, cooling and drivetrain reliability. The supercharger,
which will be a centrifugal design rather than Roots style, should be
able to earn a CARB EO number, making it street legal. However, Nissan
officials will be quick to note that such an improvement will lower tow
ratings.
In other
news from the SEMA Show, Nissan showed off its most recent entry in the
CORR series. The Titan, built by American Flyer Racing, has been in three
races this year with limited success. But the truck has also had three
different drivers, including road racing specialist and parttime NASCAR
shoe Boris Said. Carl Renezeder is expected to be in the seat fulltime
next year. The truck has a 715-horsepower engine built by Menards Engine
Development. Next to the CORR Titan was a red production-style off-road-modified
Titan that finished second in its class at last year’s Baja 1000.
Also at the
show was a “Rockn” Frontier from by RCH Designs. The body
is wrapped in a custom vinyl graphics to showcase Monster Energy drink
and has taken on a Goth-inspired pre-runner attitude with wild front fenders
made by Hannaman. The front bumper has been replaced by a Spencer Low
grille guard/winch mount/skid plate. Spencer Low also built the suspension
using Sway-a-Way remote bypass shocks. Other features include PIAA lights,
ARB snorkel, Warn winches, KMC bead-lock wheels, 36-inch BFG tires, 45-gallon
race tank, four Mastercraft bucket seats and Sony Xplod sound system with
12 speakers.
