GoldZilla

Saw a gunmetal R-32 GT-R on Chruch St, Parra this afternoon (Thursday) as I was heading home from work - this was about 5.15pm. Plates were AUB-88T or something similar... I was in my aqua Corolla.

Brad, not sure if they're standard, but I'm sure I've seen a few series II Stageas (off the mailing lists from J-Spec and Prestige) with what looks a lot like the three-gauge DIN-sized panels in them. Not sure what gauges are in them, so you might be in luck! Can any s-II owners confirm? Cheers, Nick T. EDIT: Here's a link!

Also don't forget that until not too long ago we were paying more for a litre of milk than we were for a litre of petrol - even the 98RON stuff was cheaper... When it hits the highs of Europe then we will really have to worry about it! No wonder they all prefer diesels there, and no wonder diesel technology has come such a long way in such a short time. Apparently, fuelling up a diesel is reportedly still a messy and smelly affair, from what I've heard and read - is that the case?

Spotted and drive with a black R-32 (rego "321 GO) on the Bradfield Highway and Epping Road approaching the start of the M2, at about 2.30am Sunday morning on my way home from the city.

Nice find, Christian... So I guess you're keeping the Stagea and doing the conversion - didn't take you long to take down the EOI post in the For Sale section... Good choice! Cheers, Nick T.

Hmmm, unfortunately I thought it stood for something more meaningful than that Rezz. Oh well. You learn something new everyday - maybe today I took a backward step!

As far as I recall reading, there were 5 made. I also assumed they were done by Autech, and that they were essentially factory-certified GTR sedans... These are small pics, but I've attached them none-the-less. Man, to get my hands on either a GTB-4 or an Autech R32 would bring tears to my eyes! Nick T.

Hmmm, Altezza wagon sounds alright, either in the RS200 spec (with the BEAMS 3S-GE) or with a transplanted 2JZ-GTE or VVTi-L 1JZ-GTE. But that Autech R32 sedan sounds nice too, shame they only came as automatics (as far as I remember)... Six-throttle atmo RB26DE - hello high-rev heaven! Nick T.

I think all of the above four statements (from mcnamg, SK and AlexCim x2) hold jusitification - the main thing to remember is that: cheap does not necessarily equal good value! As SK points out: Stock-standard, factory issue goodies are almost always good items, as long as you take into account that they are built for the mass-market and therefore they consider a balance between performance of intended function and durability - usually favouring durability, of course! We are lucky in the sense that Nissan (and to probably an equal extent Toyota) products have a high degree of cross-platform compatibility - what works on an S-13/4/5 is usually applicable on an R-32/3/4, and vice versa. As mcnamg points out: Brand-name parts are usually more expensive because they carry the cost of development and fine-tuning to get the maximum advantage over the factory-developed parts, but obviously because they are more specific in what is trying to be gained. These parts are built to earn a gain in performance, but the compromises are sometimes things like greater turbo lag, more noise, higher fuel consumption, reduced day-to-day driveability, etc. Not to mention the Butterfly/Ripple effect - when you change one thing, it brings up weaknesses in other areas of the associated systems - change to a bigger turbo and you risk getting greater lag, pump up the boost and you create more heat requiring a bigger/more efficient intercooler, fit bigger injectors and your fuel pump has trouble keeping up, blah blah blah... But by the same token, sometimes we can get away with doing our spending in the middle ground, because one company can learn from the research of another company, and in turn modify its products to suit a slightly different market, or offer them alternative materials which may reduce the costs or compromises involved in the use of the products... And then AlexCim states: "DO IT ONCE AND DO IT PROPERLY!" There's no use in scrimping on parts if they turn out to be s#1thouse, and end up doing more harm than good. I love that we have these forums, because we get to share the knowledge that we each have for the benefit of others. With the standards set by others, we can (and should) learn to: a - put a lot of time into doing research before making a decision and purchase; b - document the gains for all to see, with before-and-after results and photos, etc. to back up our findings where-ever possible; c - share the knowledge so we can all gain from it, or learn what NOT to do... I'm hoping that I can contribute even HALF of what some of you guys do here in the future. Nick T.

Me too!

How did all of you guys get Shannons cover for ~$1,300? I rang and got a quote from them a few weeks ago and they said $2992.08 That's for: ~$23,000 Stagea, 1997 model, Regular usage (Private), Garaged nightly (in a locked garage), Modified, and that's with 65% NCB!!! I've had one claim that I can recall, due to malicious damage being done to my car a few years back, and because I couldn't determine who had done the damage (even though cops were on the scene after it happened, and I provided a report, etc., and tried to chase it up), I had to pay the excess for the repair. I'm 31, and they've given me Rating 1 (hence the 65%)... I'm calling them back to confirm this...

i just cant get the sound of the n/a r31 at tsukuba out of my head...sounded absolutely awesome. But the turbo route will give me more power for my $$. A tough decision pete, thanks for the offer of help as i will take you up on that! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Paul & Stacey (sorry, I still get confused as to who is posting), don't forget that Autech produced an atmo RB26 and fitted it to the R-32 4-door. It was the whole RB-26 deal, minus the TT's and with compression bumped up to make up for it (somewhat, anyway). Were you talking about the atmo R-32 that the chick built in the BMI video, with the Mines R-34. that Supra and the carbied R-31? That 32 did sound mean, didn't it? I have to agree with you there! Cheers, and good luck with the build. Nick T

Don't think the timing belt would be a major factor, unless it was REALLY badly stretched. Then again, if that were the case you'd most probably be replacing pistons and valves, or about to be up for similar major spending. Ouch!

Actually, this is technically know as wrong :-) It's an 'urban myth', that anyone who has done a lot of driving OR understands the theory knows is wrong, and was even on 'mythbusters' a while ago (shown to be completely busted). Ian <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Actually, my theory (and it is only a theory) says that the aerodynamics of the car would be a large factor in this. I think it would depend on how much turbulence you get when the windows are down - if the air flows over the car and past the side windows cleanly, then it is less likely to have an adverse effect on your fuel economy. If you get a lot of turbulence with the windows open, then obviously there is more air being diverted into the car as opposed to over and around it, and the economy would suffer accordingly... I think if someone were to properly research it in a wind-tunnel (or similar), under controlled conditions, then we'd have some more conclusive results. Whether they'd want to test each and every car available on the market might be a different story! There was a discussion somewhere about that Myth-Busters episode, and apparently they used a typical American SUV, with crap economy nd aerodynamics anyway, so that's probably another reason why the results came out that way. I'll see if I can find and post the link here later. Seriously, how can they justify driving such ridiculously large 4WDs when most of them live in the cities and suburbs?

I see SXCSKY (Silver sII R-33 GTS25t) on a regular basis in Parra, but this morning saw him on Fitzwilliam Rd, Toongabbie, which is right near my house...

Speaking of maths, did you all know that Maths Illiteracy affects 7 out of 5 people? Just thought I'd share that with you... Nick T

Hey Pete, as far as getting a manual Stagea, they were only released in the Series II version (from late 1998), and are pretty rare. They're known to carry a premium because of this, and I'm about to start doing some research into this myself to see exactly how much extra it's going to hit me if I decide to take that route. If you want a manual Series I, then you'll have to either find one that's been converted, or stump up for a 260RS One benefit of getting a Series II is that it comes with the Neo6 engines from the R-34 Skylines, meaning ~206kW (and more torque - good for towing!) as opposed to ~185kW in the Series I/R-33 version. Cheers, Nick T

Dammit Alan, was really interested in your car when I saw it at SnS and spoke to you late that day, but then noticed it didn't have either the sunrooves or leather. If it had at least the sunrooves, I would have been so much closer to making a decision and coming up to see the car properly. Doing some research on insurance at the moment, so once I've sorted that and a few other things I might still give you a call. If it's been sold by then, then so be it. Good luck with the sale, regardless. Nick.

Shell: The little people came with the cars - they're the characters from Initial D... RIK: That's only part of my collection - I've got a Calsonic R-34 r/c car (approx 1:10 scale) that my friend bought me for Christmas a few years back, it's a cheapo one but it looks accurate. The little red R-34 in the middle of that shot is an r/c car too, and you can change the suspension and gearing on it, as well as adjust the turning circle on it from the remote...

Yep, sorry Lone - the black part in the centre of the grill looks like there was a (too big) badge on there, and it was taken away and nothing put in its place. Maybe if the whole grill was grey or blakc, instead of grey and black, then it would look better in my eyes... I like the mesh grill because I think it gives that subtle agression that I love in cars so much.

I said Yes, but it really depends on what it looked like, and I wouldn't do it before getting the performance side of things sorted first. Either way, if I did decide to do it, it would really depend on how the car looked in the first place, because Ive noticed that some Stageas have minor details (like the maybe 10 different types of grills) that I prefer over others... I like this: and this on the series II: But not this (I hate this grill): or this on the series II: And it would definitely just build on the looks of the car, and not make it stand out too much. Iron fist, velvet glove...

Huh? Did someone say series II Stagea RS-260? hehehe

Welcome back, Mario! Was surfing last night and noticed you'd made your first post on ExViTermini in six months just hours before... Can't even remember what it was that made me go to your site at that particular point in time, it was kinda weird. And I was thinking: "Hmm, I wonder if Mario still visits SAU on occasion!?!?!?" Co-incidence, or conspiracy? :confused: Good to hear that GTR-700 is coming together again, and that Andrej is doing better!

But yes to a Stagea? Go on, you KNOW you want to! HB, Wilch.

Awesome, thanks Sam!!!