Cheap Nissan GT-R Air Filter

Yes, every Nissan GT-R sold in the UK is powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre VR38DETT V6 engine, and like all internal combustion engines it uses an air filter — in fact the GT-R runs a dual air intake system with two air filters, one per turbo inlet. Sourcing a used air filter housing or the filter elements themselves from a breaker is a common way to save money, particularly if you need the full airbox assembly rather than just a replacement panel filter. Always confirm the exact part with the breaker against your registration.

All UK Nissan GT-Rs from the R35 generation — which ran from 2009 through to the end of UK sales — share the same VR38DETT engine code, so the fundamental air intake architecture is consistent across the range. However, Nissan made incremental revisions to the R35 over the years, including a significant update around 2016-2017, and ancillary components such as airbox housings or ducting may have been revised across those boundaries. Name the engine code from your V5 and confirm the specific part number with the breaker before buying to be sure of a match.

No — trim level makes no difference to air filter fitment on the GT-R, because all UK variants including the Premium Edition, Track Edition, and NISMO use the same VR38DETT engine. The differences between those trims are in suspension tuning, interior specification, and chassis settings, none of which affect the air intake. You may find cosmetic differences in how the engine bay presents, but the underlying air filter application is the same regardless of trim badge.

The GT-R received a notable update for the 2012 model year, with further revisions continuing through the production run, and while the VR38DETT engine code remained constant, Nissan did refine various intake and ancillary components during this period. The filter element itself may well interchange, but housings, ducting, and related brackets should be confirmed against your specific registration rather than assumed to match. Ask the breaker to cross-reference by registration or VIN to be certain you are getting the right assembly for your model year.

Breakers typically sell the airbox assembly as a complete unit when stripping a GT-R, so you may be quoted for the full housing with the filter elements included rather than the filter alone. If you only need the paper or cotton filter elements, it is worth asking the breaker specifically, though for a consumable item like a filter element a quality aftermarket replacement is often the more practical and cost-effective route. Either way, confirm compatibility against your registration and engine code with whoever you buy from.

The NISMO version of the R35 GT-R uses the same VR38DETT engine as all other GT-R variants, but Nissan tuned and revised the engine output on NISMO models, and it is plausible that intake components differ from the standard car. Whether a standard GT-R airbox or filter housing crosses directly to a NISMO is something you should confirm with the breaker against your registration rather than assume, as ancillary fitment differences on performance-revised variants are exactly the type of detail that can catch buyers out.