Skyline build thread (FINALLY back in a Nissan!)

[Ozzie]

So, after many years (about 15 years in fact), I have finally bought a Skyline!

Mods so far are ; Blitz NUR turbo back exhaust, wheels, lowered suspension, HICAS lock bar, and a pod filter.

I bought it because it was fairly unmodified, had a good report after an inspection from a qualified vehicle inspector, and simply because I liked the look of it.

It's a 1996 R33 Skyline GTS-t, Series 2 M-spec.
I have the cash ready to mod it (injectors, turbo, intercooler, fuel pump, ECU, Greddy inlet plenum, and so on...) but due to where I am living now, it will take a while before I can get the car fitted with all this gear and tuned.
I'm aiming for about 270kW (360hp) to 300kW (400hp) at the wheels. Based on what other people have done with the RB25, I think this an achievable goal using the planned mods.

In the mean time, I am going to enjoy the car in it's stock form.

Here are some pics I managed to get yesterday, before the rain started.













I haven't been this happy about driving a car in ages.

[WDRacing]

Love the color! Would be better in a R32 though

If you can't get the RB25 to 360whp with a new turbo and a tune you're doing something very wrong. Best of luck and have a ton of fun in the process mate!

What turbo are you considering?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I love you.

[Ozzie]

What turbo are you considering?

I still have plenty of research to do on this subject, to see which turbos can provide me with a somewhat streetable package, while still being able to achieve my power goals.

Maybe a HKS T04Z or a Garrett GT3076R, but am open to (educated) suggestions from my NICO brethren on the subject.

[WDRacing]

Lets talk goals. 400 whp isn't too hard of a goal to achieve on a stock block RB25. The KA and SR can both make 400 whp on stock internals and both are lacking compared to the RB25.

When I look for a turbo, I look for the one that will provide the least amount of lag for the top end goals. 350-400 doesn't require a TO4Z. That will only be a lag machine a ruin your daily driver fun. If I were building a RB25 right now, with a maximum goal of close to 400 with as little lag as possible, I'd use a GT2876R. I wouldn't even think twice about it. I'd use the .82AR exhaust housing.

This will require a T25 flanged manifold but it can be used with an internal wastegate, unless you want an external. I'd go external, but I'm spending your money here

This turbo will support over 400whp and have 1500 rpm less lag than the TO4 anything.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

Very nice!!! If I remember correctly isn't there a strong skyline scene in Australia?

[WDRacing]

When I first got in Nissan's in 98 the only online resource I could find for Skylines was Skylines Down Under. I was a GM only guy until I got to Okinawa and bought my first R32 GTS-t. I've Loved Skylines and pre 98 Nissans ever since. Not to much of a fan of anything post 98 though...

[asoomal]

Lets talk goals. 400 whp isn't too hard of a goal to achieve on a stock block RB25. The KA and SR can both make 400 whp on stock internals and both are lacking compared to the RB25.

When I look for a turbo, I look for the one that will provide the least amount of lag for the top end goals. 350-400 doesn't require a TO4Z. That will only be a lag machine a ruin your daily driver fun. If I were building a RB25 right now, with a maximum goal of close to 400 with as little lag as possible, I'd use a GT2876R. I wouldn't even think twice about it. I'd use the .82AR exhaust housing.

This will require a T25 flanged manifold but it can be used with an internal wastegate, unless you want an external. I'd go external, but I'm spending your money here

This turbo will support over 400whp and have 1500 rpm less lag than the TO4 anything.

Don't forget aboot the GTX series and the newer Borg Warner turbos.

[Jesda]

That's simply bada**

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6E94ppMz-4[/youtube]

[Bubba1]

Great find! Enjoy

[PapaSmurf2k3]

BorgWarner AFR series is just itching to go on someone's car in this forum. DOOO EEEEEET.

[nissangirl74]

that's just one more reason we need to come see you and Cath Congratulations my friend. She is beautiful. Name??

[Ace2cool]

Jelly? Yeah I am.

[skydragoness]

Congrats Andy!
Beautiful car.

[addicted4life]

Beautiful! There are a number of skylines around here but that has to be one of the cleanest I've seen for sure. Love the color!

[Ozzie]

that's just one more reason we need to come see you and Cath Congratulations my friend. She is beautiful. Name??

I was told she must be named, but I have no ideas yet. Waiting for a "feeling" of a name to hit me while driving her. Nothing springs to mind yet.

[BusyBadger]

That thing is hideous.


You folks down under do the April Fools' Day thing, right?

One of the better 33's I've seen.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Congrats!!! She is beautiful!

[Ozzie]

Posted a video of the stock boost control in action here

[NolimitZ32]

Nice Ozzie but why not a GTR?

[Ozzie]

So, today I finally took some pictures of the build thus far.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to take pics as I was installing stuff.

Cosmetics first......

The previous owner had some cheapo floor mats, and I wasn't very happy with them.
Bought some genuine Nissan floor mats, gave them a clean and then fitted them


Not a very good picture, but this pic shows the factory set of mats has a piece that covers the tunnel in the back.


The original shift boot was worn, and the hand brake lever boot had a hole in it.
New set installed (I chose the red stitching, as the factory steering wheel also has red stitching)


I was only given 1 key with the car, but had 2 remote key fobs.
Problem solved. (I cut the copy myself)


Paint work to fix.
Stone chips and scrapes on the front skirt. (You can see the sleeper front mount cooler too)


Clear coat peeling on the rear spoiler.


On to the fitted parts.
Added a boost gauge


Dirty engine bay.
I have fitted a gated bleed valve, and bypassed the stock boost control solenoid.
The pod filter was already installed by the previous owner.


You can see the intercooler already fitted in one of the previous pics.
Here is the kit pre-installation. (It's a return flow cooler. Using the stock pipework = no cutting/holesaw!)


Comparison between stock and new intercoolers.



Parts awaiting installation.

Z32 MAF and genuine Tomei pigtail/plug


80mm throttle body


Deatschwerks DW300 fuel pump


Deatschwerks 740cc injectors

And the flow test report


I have the money ready to buy a turbo, I'm just trying to find the right one...
I want to keep it low mounted, for a more stock appearance.

Showing the stock rear strut brace.


I'd like to get a front strut brace too, but I am waiting to see how the engine bay looks after the turbo install first.

Previous owner already had a stainless 3 inch Blitz NUR exhaust fitted.


And to finish off (for now), a couple of photos I like that the wife took.

[Ozzie]

Nice Ozzie but why not a GTR?

No GTR because they are typically all thrashed, and the parts seem to magically double in price when you tell the dealer it's for a GTR.
I can get the results I want out of the GTS-t, and ongoing costs will be much lower.
I thought about the whole scenario for a long (really long) time, and weighed up all the pros and cons.
I know I don't have the prestige of owning a GTR, but I'm ok with it after all the deliberation.

[NolimitZ32]

But isn't it RWD, I mean its a great looking and from what you say running R33 which is by far nothing to scoff at but non AWD skylines have never had the same appeal to me. To each his own though. Still a very nice car, might have to hit you up for a ride when I get down Adelaide way. I'm hoping to find a decent GT-R32 (wish I could make it a BCNR33 but too much hassle with US import Laws) in 3 years when I go back to Texas, might have to go to Tokyo to get one since the damn things are overpriced as hell here (especially in Perth)

[dre1507]

For someone who hates R33's, aesthetically, I must say that yours looks really nice. And yea, it really doesn't matter if it's not a GTR. It's still a skyline, and you'll be getting GTR performance for a heck of a lot less.

I think it's because it's so clean why I don't hate it. Dirty it up a little, will ya? Just messin.

[float_6969]

Looking good so far! I'm surprised at how small the stock IC is. That doesn't look any bigger than what they put on the S13/S14/S15's. As for the GTS-T, I think it's awesome. RWD is A LOT of fun. Sure everyone drools for a GTR, but the AWD makes big smokey burnout a lot harder to do, LOL!

[LongBeachCoupe]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaamnnn homie!

[Ozzie]

Progress report! (including video)

It has been too long since I last updated this thread (sorry!)
I have installed the Z32 AFM, and the fuel pump.
The Nistune ECU was easy to update to allow the car to run with the Z32.

I was getting a fuel cut from a knock sensor, but I solved that problem.
Turns out that the modifier of the ECU fitted the wrong resistor on the board for the knock sensor.
(The VG30 only runs 1 knock sensor, but the RB25 uses 2. This was causing the ECU to have a fit when 2 sensors were trying to relay data to an ECU that was designed to receive a signal from only sensor. The resistor tricks the ECU into seeing a signal within parameters. No more ignition cut on boost!)

I still have to install the injectors, and buy a turbo.
Money is still put aside for the turbo, but I went and bought plane tickets to the USA for an October visit. Because of this, I have been too busy planning the holiday, instead of researching/buying a turbo.

I have also been thinking about buying some "drop in" Tomei poncams.

Anyway, here is an acceleration run with the mods done so far. Currently running 12psi boost.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHSfspjuaKU[/youtube]

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Damn that thing looks quick!

[float_6969]

Looking good!

[JTR32gtst]

Love my GTST. Much better power to weight ratio for much less money..

Looks good. My buddy has a bone stock internals with only head work and turbo and fuel system and it makes 550 rwhp on pump and close to 700 rwhp on race on his RB25. Good luck, 360-400 is no problem at all as my stock internals/head/intake manifold RB20 hit 380 rwhp at 19 psi.