Based on the admissions of previous conversation with Skyline owners, I was told to beware of Abbey Motorsports. For some reason, one feels compelled to spend more money than initially planned. Such is the range and attractiveness of their stock.

One thing I have learned since buying this car, although easy and hugely rewarding to modify and tune, the aftermarket parts available are not cheap. There are some fantastic things available for the car, some useful (Greddy intercooler for £1100) and some not so useful (upgrade to the Multi Function Display Kit £1000). The key is actually having a target to where you want to be. If I continue to shift my goal posts, not only will I never reach a target, but the car will refuse to reward me in my constant quest to better it.

To start with, I want to be able to put my car on the track. This will include free-flow exhaust, brake upgrade and oil-coolers. Abbey promised to fit me a Trust downpipe and cat replacement unit (I already have a Nismo backbox and centre section). The results of this are fantastic, both sound and turbo responsiveness have been markedly improved.

Before, whilst the car made a suitably gruff noise, it did feel a little restrained. Now, it is so loud, I actually have been forced to drive with a little sympathy when overtaking, such is the brutal volume of the powerplant. There are points when passing not only the 4000rpm point, but also at 7500rpm where it climaxes into a scream which sounds not unlike certain Italian exotica. It really is addictive. Fuel consumption has dropped dramatically, but this is down to my selfish nature and my compulsive 1st and 2nd gear bursts. Near any low built walls (many Subaru owners will understand this) the reply from nearby brickwork is music. A welcome change from my 2 previous cars which, although powerfully vocally, had as much character as a big-end bolt. Not only am I rewarded with a singing exhaust now, but also a pyrotechnic one. I have missed the pops and crackles of a slightly rich engine (Evo’s ECU is so clever it compensates all changes and makes for a very efficient car, stealing it of any mischief), but now the Skyline lets off pops and bangs of such ferocity, I can feel the explosions through my feet and my arse. Great family fun.

I have also been granted access to an extra 0.2bar. The car has always been fast, now it’s trying to cost me my license. It’s SO fast, things like overtaking are over literally as soon as they’ve started. This thing has unbelievable power bearing in mind its 1600kg weight. Abbey Motorsport now hazard a guess at about 380BHP, perhaps 400BHP even. It’s a different kind of speed though. Very different to the Evo and Subaru’s (although, dare I say it, faster – much faster), the car is no longer suited to the quick 100m sprints from the lights to the bottom of the road, because by the time you’ve hit 100 metres in the Skyline, you’re only just starting to cook. Gears are so long you can just sit in 2nd in town, enjoying the music from the engine and the exhaust. 3rd is easily good for 100MPH (allegedly!) and we’ve still got three gears to go. It is a gargantuan car, country lanes are now a frightful experience. Where the Evo would revel in those tight twisty and slippery conditions, I force the Skyline to tiptoe, even subconsciously braking into the hedge when other cars approach, such is it perceptive bulk. But where it looses ground on the tight (and dangerous) B road, the Skyline now comes into its own on A roads. Long, sweeping, wide continents are a good start. Joining motorway’s from sliproads have never been so much fun.

I’ve booked Donington for next month. I hope it will give me a good opportunity to learn the car and open it up to its full potential, something I haven’t really been able to do on roads.

Let’s hope I don’t fail the sound tests.