Nissan Nismo at SEMA
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.
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Perhaps the most exciting possibility is a supercharger for the V8. Zapp said the team has
reached acceptable performance levels but wouldnÕt 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.