Motul is driven by innovation. The automotive world is currently undergoing massive changes, yet the core of innovation still happens on the racetrack. NISMO, the performance division of Nissan, has been pushing the limits at the track for nearly 5 decades.
Decades of valuable experience and mutual drive for excellence is one of the reasons why Motul and NISMO became close partners in 2003. Since then, this partnership has yielded an entire range of lubricants dedicated specifically to NISMO’s performance engines. The NISMO Competition line of engine oils was custom tailored to handle rigorous conditions of competitive motorsports, all while allowing NISMO engines to reach their full potential.
Maverick Engineering at Its Finest
The story of NISMO begins in the late 1960s when Nissan took over Prince Motor Company. This relatively small car manufacturer appeared on Nissan’s radar when its engineers decided to take the engine from Nissan Gloria and install it into a much smaller Nissan Skyline. Needless to say, the larger 2.0-liter inline-6 block made a massive difference in the light Skyline, allowing it to do things that even Nissan engineers couldn’t have anticipated.
The car was put against Porsche and other top-tier manufacturers in the 2nd Japan Grand Prix GT-II Race in 1964 where it held its ground, surprising everyone in the industry. No titles were won on that day, but the swapped Skyline took every position from 2nd to 6th place.
Following a successful demonstration on the track, Nissan continued to produce souped-up Skylines, debuting the GT-R badge in 1969. It wasn’t until 1984 that the company decided to create a separate motorsport division called the Nissan Motorsports International Co. Ltd, or NISMO for short.
Modern NISMO cars share the very same spirit that allowed the original Skyline S54 to achieve its glory. However, times have most definitely changed. Modern engines such as the world-famous VR38DETT are anything but simple. NISMO master craftsmen at the Yokohama factory put these motors together by hand. Everything is running on tight tolerances and has to pass strict quality controls. Lubrication is a massive factor in such complex, boutique motors.
No Room for Error
Motul was chosen by NISMO to develop a line of lubricants that matches this company’s strict requirements. The result was the NISMO Competition series of lubricants, each formulated to meet the needs of very specific NISMO models. In fact, some of these oils were developed alongside their matching NISMO engines.
A good example of just how much effort went into developing this line of products is the 2183E 5W-40. This lubricant was tweaked every time the VR38DETT engine underwent any significant changes. The 2183E was an integral part of NISMO engine design as that was the only way to fully guarantee a high level of performance on and off the track.
Polyolester Technology
Mineral oils are more or less a thing of the past when it comes to high-performance applications. Group 5 synthetic ester-based lubricants such as Motul 300V are taking the lead in providing the highest levels of protection to modern engines. The NISMO Competition line of lubricants uses a Polyolesters mix, which gives these oils the necessary properties to handle engines such as the VR38DETT.
The use of Polyoesters was deemed to be the only way for the VR38DETT to achieve peak power output and sustain high-load applications for prolonged periods of time. Other engine oils from the NISMO Competition line also use esters as their base, which greatly improves performance compared to anything else available on the market.
Low Friction, High Lubricity
What makes NISMO Competition stand out is the low friction and high lubricity that is found in all formulations within this lineup. Motul engineers have worked together with NISMO to develop a formula that would provide excellent protection during cold starts when the oil hasn’t yet reached its operating temperature.
This is where esters come into play. Motul’s Ester technology gave birth to oil formulations that are naturally attracted to metal. In other words, these oils form a long-lasting protective film around every internal metal surface, which remains there until the next time you start your car.
Knowing that most normal engine wear and tear happens during those few seconds of the cold start, such protective properties are a true game-changer when it comes to prolonging engine service life. With that said, let’s take a look at each of the NISMO Competition products in our offer.
NISMO Competition 2212E 15W-50
The 2212E 15W-50 formulation was created specifically for turbocharged engines such as the legendary RB26DETT and all of its variants that were found in R32, R33, and R34 Skylines. Being high torque engines, the RB family requires a lubricant that can withstand such massive shearing forces.
Advanced anti-shear properties guarantee good film integrity on cold starts, but also when the engine is experiencing maximum load. The 2212E 15W-50 will maintain these levels of protection even in systems fitted with NOS.
NISMO Competition 2193E 5W-40
The 2193E 5W-40 is a Motul NISMO Competition oil custom-tailored to the latest generation of Nissan’s performance engines — the VR38DETT. Everything from its Polyoester mix to its 5W-40 viscosity was carefully selected to ensure the best possible operating environment for this high output engine.
The 2193E is recommended for use in R35 Skyline, both on and off the track. Oil change intervals depend on use, ranging from 1,800 miles for track use and 6,000 miles for standard road use.
NISMO Competition 2108E 0W-30
The 2108E 0W-30 NISMO Competition formula introduces the lessons learned on the Skyline to other vehicles within Nissan’s current offer. This formula is recommended for use in vehicles that utilize Nissan’s VQ35DE, VQ35HR, and VQ37HR such as 350Z, 350Gt, Skyline V35/V36, and a whole range of Infiniti models.
Motul has used the Double Ester technology in this oil, which gives it high oil film resistance that doesn’t change even under extreme temperatures. The 0W-30 viscosity allows the 2108E to flow quickly through the engine, building up the much-needed pressure and ensuring complete protection on cold starts. The recommended oil change interval for this oil is 1,800 miles.
NISMO Competition 2189E 75W-140
Highly advanced NISMO engines aren’t the only part of Nissan performance vehicles that need proper lubrication. NISMO Competition 2108E differential oil brings improved anti-stirring properties and a dynamic viscosity equal to that of 190-grade oils.
Motul and NISMO have dialed in this formulation for use in high-performance differentials. This oil’s ability to maintain consistent levels of internal friction regardless of the operating temperature make it the perfect choice for performance LSDs and track applications. The 2189E is the NISMO recommended differential oil for Nissan R35 GT-R.
Give Your Nissan the Love It Deserves
Our NISMO Competition line of lubricants represents the highest level of care you can provide to your Nissan GT-R or other supported models. We’ve worked with engineers from Nissan to ensure that our oils allow your engine to reach its peak performance.
Finding the right oil for your car is easy! All you have to do is select your vehicle using our oil selector tool, and you’ll find exactly which of the NISMO Competition products are a match!
