Tangles

My 2cents worth - Ive spent $1300 on parts and around a 20% power gain on my Stagea of 141.3kw at the 4wheels, at 10psi boost. All products bought off ebay. Ive spent 8k on my Fireblade CBR900RR, and got around a 33% power gain, all parts are 'name brand' parts, but EVERYTHING was off ebay. Saved me thousands, maybe around 5k!. Grab a brand name, off ebay, but do your research so you know you wont be burnt by the seller or the end product. Its a great way to shop but yet to keep costs down. Brendan

Hi SK, Cheers staright back to you.!! Thanks for your info. I cant upload my dyno graph, tried 3 times today and it just aint working. Oh well, I'll try again later. Talked to the workshop today, they said the AFM was running 4.95 volts, with just over 5 volts being max, and said if I want that extra 40kw when I do more mods in a years time then a Z32 AFM is needed (oh, and your reputation preceeds you, the fellas at Graham West Workshop read your posts!!). Also, they said the injectors are currently at 76%, so there is room to move and they 'might' be all ok to get that power figure, but warned me against running them at 100%. Obviously. They also said the GTT intercooler was running near max with the standard ecu, but said if I did an aftermarket ecu it should be all ok, although they didnt reckon 200kw at the 4wheels is possible with the R34 'cooler. If I find a cheap afm off ebay I'll grab one, but injectors on ebay seem quiet expensive, around $500+ odd dollars for a used set of 550cc items. Anyway, regards to you and everyone else, Brendan

Well done, very nice indeed. Ive had mine for 5 weeks now and very happy with the car. Expect 1/4mile times of 15-16 as is. Brendan

For sale: Standard 'compliance' cat converter, 9 months old, good condition. From my Stagea but should be identical to a R33 series 2. Say $70 inclusing postage? Also, a brand new ACA207 oxygen sensor to replace your dead one. Brand new cost $81 from Repco, but lost the receipt so I cant return it. $50 inlcuding postage. Have fitted a new hiflow cat converter, and the tune shop supplied a nissan standard O2 sensor (simple plug in unit) as they were going to charge me too much to re-wire up the unit I supplied. The O2 sensor for sale would need to be wired up to your plug in unit. A home handyman job (Im not handy!) email me [email protected] or PM me. Cheers, Brendan

Thanks heaps for the info SK, your feedbak is highly appreiated, cheers straight back to you!! :lol: I'll edit my post and put in the dyno graph I have, just got to scan it one day at work. See if I can do it this week.... The AFR starts off at just over 13.0 and then dips under 12.0 at 3750rpm, and corrects back up to 12.0 from 4370rpm onwards. The dyno was done in second gear, but from the graphs I have I cant tell the boost. It should be 10psi, as I asked the dual stage ebc to run 7psi for low setting (wife) and 10psi for high setting (me). Max power is actually stated as 141.3kw at 110kmph, and max torque is 629.8 NM at 50kmph Reasonably happy with that, not happy that the damn timing belt and idler needed to be replaced = $500 I didnt budget for! Bought a single stainless 3inch dump pipe for $225 off ebay from Just Jap, as I wasnt prepard to spend $495 for the Bos Imports split dump pipe - maybe next year when I do more mods I'll upgrade then whilst working on the turbo..... At the end of the day I reckon around 180kw at the 4 wheels is just fine for this car, so want to find that extra 4wheel 40kw. Also, a query, the service report states that the air flow meter & the standard injectors are all nearing maximum output - does this sound normal? (doesnt to me!!). What air flow meter and injectors would you recommend replacing them with (when I do turbo work next year)? Again, your feedback is greatly appreicated, cheers to you. And thank you.... Brendan

Pretty much Ive had exactly a 19% increase in power, for an overall outlay of around $1300 on parts plus labour... Hey SydneyKid, your'e definately an expert in the field of Stageas, is that a decent increase in power for the modifications made to the car? Also, what would you recommend in terms of the turbo.... hiflow it or upgrade to what??? (the Stagea is driven 3x per week, and is the family car as such). Thanks, Brendan Wilkeson

Hi to all you Stagea drivers, Finally got my car back (well, getting it tonight) after a week in the dyno shop. Had the 80000km service but needed to replace the timing belt and associated parts, etc. Damn! Anyway, would like to find out if my power figure is good for the work thats been done to the 1997 Series 1 Dayz edition Stagea auto rb25det..... had 120kw at 4 wheels with 3inch cat-back Dayz(?) mild steel exhaust and K&N pod filter in custom enclosure, at about 9psi with a turbosmart boost controller. Installed new Oxygen sensor, R34GTT intercooler, 3inch stainless steel single dump pipe, 3inch small body cat converter, Hybrid electronic boost controller, and a Apexi SAFC. After dyno tune the car has just over 142kw at the 4 wheels. Is that a decent figure? Also, what next? Hiflow the current standard turbo or install a Neo turbo (hiflowed?) How much more 4wkw would this give me? Cheers all, Brendan

Wont be fitting it up (hey, if there is no air inlet temp sensor than it wont fit up!!). But an interesting exercise nonetheless. Will put it on the wifes car or handball over to a mate. I put a similar one (cost $12) onto my V8 VR Commodore and did notice a slight increase in power or torque. But if there is nowhere to put one on an rb25det than thats the end of the story! Brendan

Cheers for the info 'bro; not going to fit it up to the Stag.......

Thats a bit harsh on ebay!! I got to say, Ive spent around 10k on stuff off ebay, around 6k of that was for goodies for my Fireblade. ALWAYS had a good deal.... ie Keihin 39mm FCR race carbs brand new $1200 in lieu of 2k, 17inch front rim for $100 in lieu of around $500 ($1200 from honda!), full Akrapovic titanium system $700 in lieu of $2400. Even got my missus wedding ring from ebay UK for $250 with .75c high quality diamonds, had it valued at $1200! The ebay happy-shopping list goes on!!! :lol: Have always had a good experience with ebay, and I HIGHLY recommend it; obviously its a trust issue. An easy way to shop and am WAY in front in terms of $$ spent if I was to buy the same gear from a local shop. I got my SAFCII off ebay (installing this wednesday) for $375 delivered, and thats less then what they come up in the 4sale section here on the forums. The only reason I asked about this little solenoid is I wasnt sure if the skyline rb25det had an inlet air temp sensor or not, thanks for the info peoples. But I will reiterate that the same sort of product worked fine with my VR SS... Cheers All! Brendan

Thanks for the info... I put a similar one on my VR SS V8, and did notice a slight difference in power, I believe that one told the ecu that it was using 100% air at all times, and thus the powerchip ecu provided more fuel (ie more fuel + air = more power). Oh well, if the stagea rb25det doesnt have an inlet air temp sensor maybe I'll chuck it on the missus' Nubira. But the website from memory did suggest it'd fit onto a Skyline. Q: what sort of ecu would work ok with a Stagea auto 4wd rb25det (with safc2, ebc, full exhaust and air setup)? Cheers. brendan

Hi all, Just after a little advice - Ive picked up a $33 Inlet Air Temp sensor, which looks like it advances timing via the ECU. Its just a little black box with 2 wires coming out the end, and is meant to be fitted up to the IAT sensor, via the loom end...... Q: where is the IAT sensor in the RB25DET engine bay? I cant find info on this.... Q: would it be safe to use along with an safcII, ebc, r34 gtt intercooler, full turbo-back 3inch exhaust system and K&N pod filter? ...? Got the product off ebay, so not too worried if it doesnt work as its pretty cheap, but would like to fit it up before I have the Stagea dynoed in a couple of days time (having a base dyno run, and then everything fitted and tuned). If anyone could please tell me where the IAT sensor is that'd be great! Any opinons or advice would be really appreciated. FYI: www.celoxperformance.com for further info on the product, or search ebay australia. Brendan

Nice Work! Braided lines are an awesome upgrade.... Ive got a set on my Fireblade and they have made an unreal difference (just waiting to receive my wave rotors and I'll have the best brakes in the business!!). :lol: Better braking 'feel', obviously way less flex than with the original rubber lines, and they wont breakdown over time. Bet they feel awesome! Add a set of xdrilled slotted DBA rotors and topspec sinstered pads and your brakes will be as good as they can be (besides spending big $$ on Brembos)! Good stuff. Only thing is, are the ones you had made up ADR approved and certified? Im sure it wouldnt be a problem if they arnt (the set on my bike arnt, they were from USA). You'd have to be unlucky to be done for having them on the car, but would obviously be a defect if picked up if they arnt ADR approved. Still, good stuff in taking the plunge and having them custom made for the Stagea....... B) Brendan

Hi all, Just after a little advice - Ive picked up a $33 Inlet Air Temp sensor, which looks like it advances timing via the ECU. Its just a little black box with 2 wires coming out the end, and is meant to be fitted up to the IAT sensor, via the loom end...... Q: where is the IAT sensor in the RB25DET engine bay? Q: would it be safe to use along with an safcII, ebc, r34 gtt intercooler, full turbo-back 3inch exhaust system and K&N pod filter? Got the product off ebay, so not too worried if it doesnt work as its pretty cheap, but would like to fit it up before I have the Stagea dynoed in a couple of days time. If anyone could please tell me where the IAT sensor is that'd be great! Any opinons or advcie would be appreciated. FYI: www.celoxperformance.com for further info on the product, or search ebay australia. Brendan

What about the Hybrid 2-stage electronic boost control? Has anyone got anything good to say about that little gadget? I bought one simply because it was a good 'cheap' price for a EBC. Brendan

Got mine off ebay for $49.50 plus postage. Funny read - plus I learnt a few features of the car that I wasnt aware off. Brendan

Hi SK, Ive bought a Repco 'ACA ROX207' oxygen sensor to suit Ford EL. Cost $81. Has 3 wires connecting to a plug; 1 blue wire (by itself in the plug connection), and 2 black wires side by side next to the blue wire. I hope this is the right one! Having the Stagea serviced in a few days time (80000km), adding a small body 3inch Catco cat converter (from batmbl), a 3inch stainless single turbo to cat dump pipe (from Just Jap off ebay), a Black Widow car alarm (for insurance sake; thanks Shannons!), a Hybrid EBC (off ebay), an Apexi SAFC II (off ebay), and an R34 GTT intercooler (from member: Ed). With a K&N pod filter and Dayz Special Edition cat-back 3inch mild steel exhaust it should all run well together. With all of the above fitted and dynoed, hopefully power increases a fair bit, and the fuel issue is 'sort of' fixed with the new O2 sensor. Once it's all tuned I'll post up a detail of litres per 100kms. And maybe a dyno graph, if it's impressive enough! Brendan

Thats right - the word needs to be spread for a few weeks and plans properly arranged. I was just mentioning a good route, lots of twisties but also a fair share of fast straights, plus a bit of distance, and still conforms around the pub lunch at Victor. Mind you, Im planning on taking the 'blade out this sunday morning, as I just havent had much of a chance in the past 2.5months (ie sunny weekdays, wet weekends! doh!). When a date is set and people are ready for it, then defintaley lets have a meet up and a run. Brendan Wilkeson

Hills eh? Lucky lucky.... Im 5mins away from Clarendon in the Woodcroft / Morphett Vale area, so I do the run from clarendon thru strath area most weekends (on the bike).

Keen are you? hehehehe, must have whetted your appetite! Dont blame you, Im know how 'itchy' I get after a couple of weeks when I havent been able to get out for a good hills ride. Need to brush out those cobwebs every now and then. This saturday is intermittent rain, although sunday morning is meant to be clear, with showers rolling thru in the afternoon. Brendan

Im reasonably new to the forums, got meself a Stagea wagon with attessa 4wd and rb25det. I ride thru the hills every weekend on my Fireblade, and in 8yrs of riding have never been picked up for speeding or any traffic offence. The cops are understanding, as long as you drive / ride reasonably safely. Recommendations would be; start at a localised area for forum members like Greenhill Rd, head up thru greenhill rd into the hills, head into mt barker, detour off via Mylor and Cherry gardens to Clarendon, speed thru to Strathalybyn via Meadows and Maccelsfield, head back thru Ashbourne and down towards Goolwa, take the Goolwa to Vt Harbor road, turn off when nearing Victa and take the road into Myponga, down to Yankalilla, and then head off to Delemere (towards Rapid Bay), and take the (very fast) Delemer road into Victor Harbour. Tha'd be around a full tank initself, and a tiring time, so stop for the pub lunch and make your way back home! I do it all the time (ie most weekends) from and back to Clarendon, racking up between 200-340kms on the Fireblade. I'll be in!!

Hi Mate, good point, but need to say that the standard Stagea doesnt have front window tint (tint to the front driver and passenger side windows is illegal as you say - pity so many new cars or used cars sold at caryards have tint installed! instant defect, but of course they are nver pulled over, just import car drivers......). The Stageas come with very dark factroy windows to the rear passengers, the rear side wagon windows and the rear viewing window. Its not tinted, just very dark glass. It is adr approved, and complied that way. Still, the fella still scratched his head and was wondering whether it was defectable or not (in his defence there are afterall only 6 Stageas in Adelaide so he hadnt come across one before). Lucky Im keeping a heap of Stagea photos in my car showing how every standard aussie registered Stagea has such dark windows... Cheers to you All!!! Brendan

Anyone want to sell an R34 GTT standrad intercooler to me? If you've got one lying around your shed and want some cash for it let me know.... I want to put one onto my Stagea. [email protected] Brendan

Anyone want to sell an R34 GTT standrad intercooler to me? If you've got one lying around your shed and want some cash for it let me know.... I want to put one onto my Stagea. [email protected] Brendan

Hell Yeah! Just cant wait to go nuts with some mods. (Need an R34 GTT intercooler tho, they seem hard to come across.)