Nissan GT-R Internet scaremongering & misinformation
Posted by Iain Litchfield on 22nd December, 2025 in Uncategorised
Misinformation on the internet is nothing new. It is usually a sign of desperation rather than anything engineering based. Most customers see through it, but occasionally people are unfairly misled.
Recently a few customers have pointed out claims being made online. Rather than replying directly each time, it makes sense to address the facts properly and in one place.
Nissan GT R air filters, foam vs pleated
Let’s start with the basics. In all the years we have been using foam filters on our Stage 3, Stage 4 and Stage 4.25 GT-R conversions, a total of 2,412 filters supplied (Dec’25), we have not seen a single case of engine or turbo failure caused by them.
We also provided a three-year warranty on our LM20 GT-R, which ran our intake kit with foam filters. Over 10 years later there has not been a a LM20 turbo or engine failure.
There is nothing inherently wrong with foam filters or pleated filters. We use both. The correct choice depends on the application, it is that simple. This is proven by our own GT-Rs:
• Storm White GT-R development car, foam filters by Ram Air
• Oak Green GT-R track car, pleated filters by Ram Air
• Stealth Grey GT-R track car, foam filters by Ram Air
• Ice Grey GT-R road car, foam filters by Ram Air
• Black GT-R GT1 race car, flat pleated filter in carbon airbox by K&N
The scaremongering we have seen relies on showing filters that have either been intentionally damaged during removal or simply not maintained correctly. In one case the filter had not been serviced for over eight years. In another, it had been through a flood. Those details are conveniently left out.
Why we use foam filters on our standard intake kits?
• They offer increased airflow
• They are physically larger than equivalent pleated filters once space constraints are considered
• They provide appropriate filtration for the application
• They are easy to clean and service
• They do not require bumper removal, reducing labour time and the risk of cosmetic damage
• They cost £89 + vat for the pair
• They are physically larger than equivalent pleated filters once space constraints are considered
• They provide appropriate filtration for the application
• They are easy to clean and service
• They do not require bumper removal, reducing labour time and the risk of cosmetic damage
• They cost £89 + vat for the pair
Several years ago, well before the recent noise online, we chose to improve our filters further. We increased their size, upgraded the internal structure to stainless steel for strength and corrosion resistance, and supplied them with an outer sock to improve longevity and ease of cleaning.
These filters are custom made by Ram Air in the UK, a supplier to F1 and WRC teams. The retail price barely changed, demonstrating we were only looking to improve what we offer and not generate profit.
It should therefore be obvious that the aim of the misinformation is merely to sell their more expensive (£195 at the time of writing) filters that also require additional labour to remove the bumper for fitting. We have also replaced many of these filters before but did not feel the need to do an Instagram post. As you can see, they have already started to rust on the inside.
We have also recently replaced pleated filters from another kit, unsurprisingly we do this a lot as part of routine servicing and hardly news worthy. This particular kit used filters made by K&N who are one of the market leaders for filter quality. Unfortunately these examples had clearly not been serviced for a very long time and were heavily contaminated and had worn through in one area due to poor fitment. There was nothing inherently wrong with the filter design, just the lack of maintenance. Yet these did not have rust on the inside.
All filters are service items. Showing photos of old, damaged or neglected filters to make a disingenuous point is disappointing and desperate at best.
Nissan GT-R fuel pumps
Another common tactic is to suggest that standard fuel pumps are a problem, a “gamble” on mildly modified GT-Rs because dirty pump filters have been found.
Filters get dirty. That is literally their job.
In 18 years working with the GT-R platform, we can only recall a handful of standard fuel pump failures. Even then, our ECU calibrations include multiple safety strategies. If a fuel filter begins to restrict flow on a tuned car, our ECU setup will detect it long before it becomes an issue. The filters don’t suddenly become blocked and stop flow they just reduce it overtime as they collect dirt. In reality, fuel pump failures because of dirty filters almost never happens. Cynically, this can be an easy way to worry customers into spending money unnecessarily, especially as they don’t seem to offer a new replacement just a time consuming and pointless cleaning service. This seems to coincide with places where in house tuning capability is limited and revenue nneds to be generated from bolt on labour based services rather than having to subcontract calibration and diagnostics.
This being said as these cars age and mileage increases, fuel pump filters will eventually need replacement (£61+vat for the pair) as part of a sensible maintenance schedule. This is normal maintenance and typically takes 1 hour.
Upgraded fuel pumps are available but are not required unless you are running beyond roughly 660 to 670 bhp+. On our LM20 GT-R, which ran close to 670 bhp with our Super Stock intercooler, we fitted upgraded pumps purely to maintain a safety margin for track use as part of the warranty package we provided.
We also recommend fitting a fuel pressure sensor (as fitted to our later Track Editions which we sold from new). This provides additional safety protection and allows tighter control of fuelling. Larger fuel pumps always require ECU recalibration to account for the changes they introduce.
Nissan GT-R valve body rebuilds
Valve body rebuilds are frequently promoted and we suspect, like the other items, that is partly because they are relatively straightforward but labour intensive.
The valve body can be accessed by removing the gearbox sump. Inside are several small filters and magnetic surfaces that can collect debris. Cleaning the valve body can be worthwhile on very high mileage cars or where there is a genuine shifting issue.
What it is not, is a cure all for gearbox behaviour. In many cases the gearbox feels different simply because a clutch learn has been carried out afterwards, not because the valve body itself was the root cause. Nissan are aware of this which is why they request a Clutch Learn every 12 months as part of the routine servicing schedule.
Once out the valve body cleaning takes around 4 hours to strip down to individual components, put through our cleaning and ultrasonic tanks, before reassembly. Dodson Motorsports provide a rebuild kit for around £58 + VAT which includes replacement micro filters and seals.
Final point
The Nissan GT-Rs are complex cars and owners are naturally interested in their maintenance. Simplified scare stories only serve to make owners more anxious. Given the number of GT-Rs we see every day, including cars that have been worked on elsewhere, we could easily fill our social media with examples. We choose not to. It is not professional or productive. Our focus has always been to simply diagnose the issue, fix it properly and move on.
These cars reward proper engineering, correct diagnostics and regular maintenance. If any car is not looked after it will develop problems, especially a high performance model like the GT-R.
We will always choose components based on real world testing, long-term experience and what actually works. If we change a product or a recommendation, it is because the data tells us to, not because of internet noise.
If owners have any concerns or questions please contact our Service team who will happily explain the reality from years of experience.
These filters are custom made by Ram Air in the UK, a supplier to F1 and WRC teams. The retail price barely changed, demonstrating we were only looking to improve what we offer and not generate profit.
It should therefore be obvious that the aim of the misinformation is merely to sell their more expensive (£195 at the time of writing) filters that also require additional labour to remove the bumper for fitting. We have also replaced many of these filters before but did not feel the need to do an Instagram post. As you can see, they have already started to rust on the inside.
We have also recently replaced pleated filters from another kit, unsurprisingly we do this a lot as part of routine servicing and hardly news worthy. This particular kit used filters made by K&N who are one of the market leaders for filter quality. Unfortunately these examples had clearly not been serviced for a very long time and were heavily contaminated and had worn through in one area due to poor fitment. There was nothing inherently wrong with the filter design, just the lack of maintenance. Yet these did not have rust on the inside.
All filters are service items. Showing photos of old, damaged or neglected filters to make a disingenuous point is disappointing and desperate at best.
Nissan GT-R fuel pumps
Another common tactic is to suggest that standard fuel pumps are a problem, a “gamble” on mildly modified GT-Rs because dirty pump filters have been found.
Filters get dirty. That is literally their job.
In 18 years working with the GT-R platform, we can only recall a handful of standard fuel pump failures. Even then, our ECU calibrations include multiple safety strategies. If a fuel filter begins to restrict flow on a tuned car, our ECU setup will detect it long before it becomes an issue. The filters don’t suddenly become blocked and stop flow they just reduce it overtime as they collect dirt. In reality, fuel pump failures because of dirty filters almost never happens. Cynically, this can be an easy way to worry customers into spending money unnecessarily, especially as they don’t seem to offer a new replacement just a time consuming and pointless cleaning service. This seems to coincide with places where in house tuning capability is limited and revenue nneds to be generated from bolt on labour based services rather than having to subcontract calibration and diagnostics.
This being said as these cars age and mileage increases, fuel pump filters will eventually need replacement (£61+vat for the pair) as part of a sensible maintenance schedule. This is normal maintenance and typically takes 1 hour.
Upgraded fuel pumps are available but are not required unless you are running beyond roughly 660 to 670 bhp+. On our LM20 GT-R, which ran close to 670 bhp with our Super Stock intercooler, we fitted upgraded pumps purely to maintain a safety margin for track use as part of the warranty package we provided.
We also recommend fitting a fuel pressure sensor (as fitted to our later Track Editions which we sold from new). This provides additional safety protection and allows tighter control of fuelling. Larger fuel pumps always require ECU recalibration to account for the changes they introduce.
Nissan GT-R valve body rebuilds
Valve body rebuilds are frequently promoted and we suspect, like the other items, that is partly because they are relatively straightforward but labour intensive.
The valve body can be accessed by removing the gearbox sump. Inside are several small filters and magnetic surfaces that can collect debris. Cleaning the valve body can be worthwhile on very high mileage cars or where there is a genuine shifting issue.
What it is not, is a cure all for gearbox behaviour. In many cases the gearbox feels different simply because a clutch learn has been carried out afterwards, not because the valve body itself was the root cause. Nissan are aware of this which is why they request a Clutch Learn every 12 months as part of the routine servicing schedule.
Once out the valve body cleaning takes around 4 hours to strip down to individual components, put through our cleaning and ultrasonic tanks, before reassembly. Dodson Motorsports provide a rebuild kit for around £58 + VAT which includes replacement micro filters and seals.
Final point
The Nissan GT-Rs are complex cars and owners are naturally interested in their maintenance. Simplified scare stories only serve to make owners more anxious. Given the number of GT-Rs we see every day, including cars that have been worked on elsewhere, we could easily fill our social media with examples. We choose not to. It is not professional or productive. Our focus has always been to simply diagnose the issue, fix it properly and move on.
These cars reward proper engineering, correct diagnostics and regular maintenance. If any car is not looked after it will develop problems, especially a high performance model like the GT-R.
We will always choose components based on real world testing, long-term experience and what actually works. If we change a product or a recommendation, it is because the data tells us to, not because of internet noise.
If owners have any concerns or questions please contact our Service team who will happily explain the reality from years of experience.
