Red Sky II

Basic Question - how do you tell when your synchros are buggered and on the way out? I have a short shift kit in my R33 but apart from a similar clunking problem going from 3rd to 4th at high rpm, no dramas

What head unit are you using as I know that some head units, such as Alpine, that is a function of the unit itself? Mine is a Panasonic MP3/CD unit without that functionality

Count me in

I partially agree with the comments regarding age where there is more chance of them losing control but attitude has the most to do with it. There are some older d#ckheads out there who couldn't drive a shopping trolley. Makes me jealous though the age of some of you guys having Skylines as I am 34 and only just got one. Started out with a Ford Escort then a Corolla !!! Sports and performance cars were only but dreams in the mid 80's. Good to see some of you though are 25 plus - doesn't make me feel so bad being so old

Price has been reduced by $1,000 to an asking price of $9,000 Is this too much?

Finally got my antenna working - all it needed was stripping down, cleaning and putting back together. Here is what happens now: When stereo is turned on, antenna goes up about half way When I push the Series II antenna switch up, the antenna goes all the way up and when it is down, it is about half way. When playing CD's the antenna remains at about half way. Is this normal or should the antenna come down fully when the antenna switch is in the down position? Cheers, Al

So is it better to have water that beads or "sheets off" as I thought that when there was polish and/or wax on the car, water usually beads and sits there whereas when there was no polish then it just runs off. Me thinks the paint just needs more polishing to get a good layer of polish there making it easier to keep clean (hey that sounds like a Ford ad for leather seats, haha). Okay, one more question - WAX or POLISH or COMBINATION?

No the antenna didn't work with the Japanese stereo in it either, not that we could get it to anyhow. The installers have done Skylines before (they had mine and another the same day) and connected it to the Series II switch, etc. Ah well, looks like an Aussie antenna for Aussie stations? Does anyone know if there is anything special about the Skyline antenna or will any one made here work fine?

The chamois I have been using I have had for quite a while - it is one of those synthetic ones. I tried the one I have been using for years then tried a relatively new one with the same result. Predator666, when you say go over it again with another sponge of water, do you mean a clean sponge to soak up the majority of the water first then dry with a chamois. What I did was after washing it, I rinsed the soap off then tried drying with the chamois, hence it got wet real quick. Getting the excess off with another sponge might help. Agreed to wash and dry it in the shade, always done that. Would the type of wash, etc have any bearing on it - I used Turtle Wax this time around as there wasn't much left and wanted to get rid of it before using the Meguiars stuff.

Just wondering what others do to dry their cars after washing them? I used a chamois on mine and all it did was create water streaks everywhere that dried that way (ie it didn't dry it at all) - looked terrible. I then had to dry again with a clean towel and then a polishing cloth. Following this was then a case of applying wax to the car and buffing that up - got most of it done before my arms gave up. I also washed my wife's car as well. Anyway, back on topic - what is the best way to dry the car after washing it? Also, in relation to waxing and polishing how good are the electric polishers - do they give better results than good ole elbow grease?

Just had a new HU fitted to my R33 Series II Skyline and been told that my antenna is not working. They apparently checked the wiring, fuses, connected it to the Series II aerial switch but no luck. The radio sort of works but loses the signal some times. Does anyone have one they no longer need or can offer advice of where to get a replacement (I'm in Perth)? Cheers, Al

Thanks Damqik Could you please explain what is meant by "run out" as the guy tried to explain it to me but didnt do a good job as I couldn't figure out what he was saying? Cheers, Al

Just an update on the wheel balancing issue. I took the car today to Bob Jane T-Marts in Balcatta who after putting the fear of god into me (with comments like this is going to be tough), they fixed the problems. Stick on wheel weights were put on the inside of the rims so can't be seen from the outside and they wheels already had the wheel centre bore location rings fitted with no play. Whilst I was there also got all four wheels aligned. Lucky I did as they were totally out of whack - guess that's something that doesn't get done when cars are complied. With alignment I had to get one for a 4WS system given HICAS which is more expensive that ordinary alignments. Car feels much better now although there is still some "run out" in the front wheels but I am told the only way to fix that was to replace the wheels = expensive given 17" x 7.5" fronts and 17" x 8" rears. Thanks for the advice given by you guys. Cheers, Al

Great idea Brad, will be good to have a site where us West Aussies can refer to for advice, places to go, services to get done.

Does anyone in Perth know where you can take a look at the JVC units that have been talked about here? I am currently looking at one of the following to replace a Sony MD Tuner (no CD function) and Sony DSP unit that came with the car: - Panasonic CQ-DFX572 (about $600) - Panasonic CQ-DFX972 (about $1,000), bit much though - Pioneer DEH-7450 (about $1,000) pricey and their lowest priced MP3 player and now of course, the JVC ones mentioned here. They don't look as good as the others IMHO but for half the price or so, you can't go wrong. Just gotta find me one to look at. I would have expected the Alpine units to be around the $1K mark and above. Tried the JVC site and they want you to fill in a form. Maybe we should approach JVC for an SAU group deal since they seem to be selling lots of them :lol: Cheers Al

Hey Sumo, be wary of the Nankangs. They are okay when new but once tread gets to about half way they go off really badly. I had some on a Celica and they were terrible, no grip at all once the new tread started wearing. Being FWD the understeer was shocking - dry or wet it didn't matter. I have Simex on the R33 but too early to tell how they are although again whilst new they are great. Go with others suggestions on the forum if it isn't too late to change your mind. The Simex I got are 235/45/17 and were $200ea. Cheers

The 3rd one is The Return of the King - much better if you read them all though starting from The Hobbit. Self confessed Tolkien fan

Funny you say that as that is what they told me to ensure should I get new wheels but not with the ones I have now. If Bob Jane sells them then I might take it down to them and ask about it. They told me they could put on the balance weights but they wouldn't guarantee that it would work so they didn't want to do it. Anyone else out there with fairly deep rims - what have you done? Al

Just took my car to a suspension specialist in Perth today to get some suspension tuning done (basically to check over the system and soften the shocks). I also asked about a vibration I get through the steering wheel at around 100kmh. Was told it was balancing of the wheels but due to the mags on the car it was not possible to balance them and ensure it gets rid of the vibration. The options they gave me were to buy a stock set of rims or an a/m set that are installed properly. As the car has 17" rims and a new set of tyres (due to it being just complied) am hesitant to do this. its not that I particularly like the rims just don't want to fork out the money for a new set of 17" rims just yet. Does anyone have any other suggestions that I could try to get rid of the problem? Cheers, Al

I have read on this and other posts about an antenna switch on the series 2 R33 - where is this switch and what does the button look like as I can't find one on mine and my antenna doesn't go up when the radio is on Cheers, Al

Good news Gr33dy that you got it registered - you gotta be happy Its doing well - gotta get the suspension sorted out and a new stereo installed then I'll be happier. Then the sideskirts fitted and bumpers repainted then done for now. Most of the basic mods are already done like exhaust, pod, etc How's yours doing? Cheers Al

Hey Gr33dy, did you sort out the antenna issue?

The Autowatch Blueline series works with turbo timers - there is an additional module needed that is easily sourced. Works with TT with no problems.

Just signed it then Shell and I was number 366 Had to do it twice to make it work and you can't see who signed it either

Congrats on finally getting the car - looks awesome now it is clean The front end lip looks great and a sunroof - bonus Hope it all gets finalised for ya real soon