NISMO QX80 R-Spec front three-quarter view in ZSM shop with wide-body kit and bronze wheels

NISMO / Infiniti USA SEMA QX80 R-Spec — Past Project

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NISMO QX80 R-Spec front three-quarter view in ZSM shop with wide-body kit and bronze wheels
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec front three-quarter view in ZSM shop with wide-body kit and bronze wheels
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec rear view showing custom quad exhaust and diffuser
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec QX80 R-Spec badge and custom exhaust tips close-up
  • Custom fabricated QX80 upright with modified steering geometry on workbench
  • Close-up of TIG welded upright modification with adjustable ball joint
  • Second angle of TIG welded upright modification showing weld quality
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 7
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA show floor final build photo
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 8
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 9
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 10
  • Custom twin turbo system with Garrett turbos and stainless exhaust piping on workbench — angle 1
  • Custom twin turbo system with Garrett turbos and stainless exhaust piping on workbench — angle 2
  • Close-up of TIG back-purged stainless exhaust welds on turbo outlet pipes
  • Twin turbo exhaust system low angle showing weld quality and pipe routing
  • Custom stainless exhaust header collector welds with rainbow heat tint from back-purge TIG welding
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 16
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 17
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 18
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 19
  • Close-up of back-purged TIG weld on stainless bung and V-band flange — angle 1
  • Close-up of back-purged TIG weld on stainless bung and V-band flange — angle 2
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA build detail photo 27
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA build detail photo 28
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA build detail photo 29
  • Close-up of back-purged TIG weld on stainless bung and V-band flange — angle 3
  • QX80 R-Spec rear bumper at SEMA showing custom dual exhaust tips and R-spec badge
  • Complete Garrett twin turbo assembly with custom stainless manifold and downpipe on workbench
  • Wastegate and turbo inlet piping detail with boost control solenoid
  • Turbo compressor outlet and intercooler cold-side piping connection detail
  • Custom stainless exhaust piping with rainbow heat tint from TIG back-purge welding
  • Garrett turbo with custom stainless downpipe and flex section on workbench
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec front three-quarter view in ZSM shop with wide-body kit and bronze wheels
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec rear view showing custom quad exhaust and diffuser
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec QX80 R-Spec badge and custom exhaust tips close-up
  • Custom fabricated QX80 upright with modified steering geometry on workbench
  • Close-up of TIG welded upright modification with adjustable ball joint
  • Second angle of TIG welded upright modification showing weld quality
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 7
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA show floor final build photo
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 8
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 9
  • NISMO QX80 build detail photo 10
  • Custom twin turbo system with Garrett turbos and stainless exhaust piping on workbench — angle 1
  • Custom twin turbo system with Garrett turbos and stainless exhaust piping on workbench — angle 2
  • Close-up of TIG back-purged stainless exhaust welds on turbo outlet pipes
  • Twin turbo exhaust system low angle showing weld quality and pipe routing
  • Custom stainless exhaust header collector welds with rainbow heat tint from back-purge TIG welding
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 16
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 17
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 18
  • Custom stainless exhaust fabrication detail photo 19
  • Close-up of back-purged TIG weld on stainless bung and V-band flange — angle 1
  • Close-up of back-purged TIG weld on stainless bung and V-band flange — angle 2
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA build detail photo 27
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA build detail photo 28
  • NISMO QX80 R-Spec SEMA build detail photo 29
  • Close-up of back-purged TIG weld on stainless bung and V-band flange — angle 3
  • QX80 R-Spec rear bumper at SEMA showing custom dual exhaust tips and R-spec badge
  • Complete Garrett twin turbo assembly with custom stainless manifold and downpipe on workbench
  • Wastegate and turbo inlet piping detail with boost control solenoid
  • Turbo compressor outlet and intercooler cold-side piping connection detail
  • Custom stainless exhaust piping with rainbow heat tint from TIG back-purge welding
  • Garrett turbo with custom stainless downpipe and flex section on workbench
NISMO / Infiniti USA SEMA QX80 R-Spec — Past Project

NISMO / Infiniti USA SEMA QX80 R-Spec — Past Project

$0.00
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ZSM Custom is honored to have been part of one of the most ambitious builds ever brought to SEMA — the Infiniti USA QX80 R-Spec project, led by MotoIQ and built with NISMO Parts USA. This wasn’t a show car with a pretty wrap. This was a full engineering exercise: a GT-R VR38DETT engine transplanted into a full-size luxury SUV, fabricated to function, not just impress.

Most of the work happened after hours — starting at 6 PM and running until 3 AM or later. Night after night, the ZSM team pushed to meet the SEMA deadline without cutting corners. The result speaks for itself.

ZSM Fabrication Scope

  • Engine mounts: Removed OEM QX80 motor mounts from the frame and fabricated new custom mounts to position the R35 GT-R VR38DETT engine in the chassis
  • Twin turbo system: Modified the OEM GT-R manifold to accept aftermarket Garrett turbos; fabricated high-flow wastegate recirculation back into the custom exhaust
  • Full custom exhaust: Designed and TIG welded a complete stainless steel exhaust system, back-purged throughout for maximum weld quality — inspired by the R35 GT-R layout
  • Intercooler end tanks: Fabricated from scratch using Garrett cores; designed and built the entire cold-side intercooler piping
  • Symmetrical intake system: Fabricated twin air intakes feeding both turbos, designed for symmetry per the MotoIQ vision
  • Steering rack relocation: Modified the chassis to clear the VR38 engine, then relocated the steering rack and corrected steering geometry by modifying the uprights
  • Frame modification: Modified the frame rails to clear the one-off NISMO Parts USA 24” wheels
  • Electronics integration: Welded and modified engine components to ensure full OEM-compatible electronics function with the QX80 interface

The Team

This build was a collaboration between ZSM Custom, MotoIQ (led by Martin G. and guided by Mike Kojima), Infiniti USA, and NISMO Parts USA. Garrett Motion supplied the turbocharger and intercooler cores. Presented at the SEMA Show.

Interested in a custom fabrication project? Contact ZSM Custom to discuss what’s possible.

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