Stagea Handling

[stag98]

Hey All...firstly yes I have searched quickly but didnt really find anything conclusive...

New member here. I was referred to this site by a fellow member Mel (miss nismo). I currently have my eye on a stagea and just wanted to know afew things about them.

* How do they handle for such a big/heavy car? I gather with afew suspension mods such as coilovers and swaybars it will improve it a great deal but id like something that I can throw around a corner if having a bit of a hills thrash or track work but just not sure on how a 4.8m 1600kg wagon would handle? As I currently have a 2001 wrx and am wanting a change to get into abit of track work and cant justify upgrading to a ppg box on the rex, but would love to stay awd. The top two on my list are an evo and the stagea

* What sort of power would a 1998 stagea (assuming it has the neo rb25) with say, exhaust, upgraded ecu, boost controller, cai and a fmic make at the wheels? Obviously the power loss thru the tiptronic transmission would quite abit...

* What would be a rough guided price to convert it from auto to manual? About 3k?

* Is $18,900 (approx.) a decent price for the following...its a 1998 but not sure if its a s1 or s2 as it doesnt mention the build date but im guessing its a s2 as it has the extra lights in the front grille.

1998 Nissan Stagea RS FOUR V

2500cc turbo 4WD

Tiptronic

pearl white

96,600 km's

No major accident history

Service records exist

Power steering

Power windows

Air conditioner

ABS brakes

Dual air-bags

Sunroof

Pivot boost gauge

Pivot tachometer

Trust ProfecB Spec (boost controller)

KS-ROM computer

R33 GTR Brembo brakes

Stainless mess brake hoses

Master cylinder stopper

Trust blow-off valve

Cusco adjustable suspension

Aftermarket exhaust

18" Work Emotion alloys

Timing belt replaced

Thanks for all the help/advice

Steve

[qikstagea]

for starters the stagea is not a track/circuit car. its big and heavy, and the awd is more a safety feature than performance. it is possible to get these cars quick, and handling, but not cheap.

double that price for a manual conversion. easily.

for what you would need to spend getting a stagea where you want it, you could buy a 260 RS. (gtr drivetrain, suspension and brakes).

trust me, i think all of us have come to this conclusion many times.

btw yeah its definitely a series two.

rob

[Sydneykid]

I will keep my response brief as I am sure you will get plenty from the guys.

I bought a Stagea firstly because I wanted a new waggon to carry stuff and tow the race car. Once that was firmly established, I then went looking for a superior waggon. A Stagea auto was the best result, performance and value for money I could find.

From what you have written you have not mentioned any need for a waggon or an automatic. So unless you have a hidden want, I would respectfully suggest that you would be better of with GTR. It will ultimately be faster for the same money spent.

cheers

Edited June 13, 2006 by Sydneykid

[AlexCim]

With the suspension upgraded, they are good.

Seriously, if you dont NEED a wagon, get a GTR.

[stag98]

thanks for all the comments guys...will take it onboard. The only reason why I havent opted for a GTR is because I dont really want one.

Im kind of a fan of wagons, I nearly bought a wrx wagon instead of the sedan but the offer was too good on the sedan to pass up...

[qikstagea]

well if you want a comfy turbo wagon thats not common, (are any?), a stagea is it. They do handle very well for their size and weight, and with one of SKs kits they'll improve immeasurably, but wouldnt be much competion going up hills and doing track work unless it were a 260RS.

Maybe check out Legnum VR4s? there is a thread here about them.

[jasevr4]

This is what I'm considering at the moment.. I love a good thrash (hills runs, and I want to do some track work in the future). I'm not too concerned about being competitive out on the track, but I'd like to challenge myself.

I need something that can move mountain bikes, so Stagea is a top option... I just dunno though!

Much merit for coilovers over the modified standard setup?

[AlexCim]

.......but wouldnt be much competion going up hills and doing track work unless it were a 260RS......

Watch what you say, STREET winding roads, I lead many cruises here in Melbourne for a very good reason. If you are ever down in Melbourne in the next 6 months, give me a buzz and I show you why.

As far as COMPETITION winding roads, a 260rs would be the go, but a manual S would do it just as good.

Even stock suspension, it was OK. SK's kit just made it a wonder.

THOUGH, by no means it is a car on rails. Id much prefer a GTR or a RX7 FD.... stupid 125kw/tonne rule here for P drivers

[qikstagea]

This is what I'm considering at the moment.. I love a good thrash (hills runs, and I want to do some track work in the future).

I need something that can move mountain bikes, so Stagea is a top option... I just dunno though!

haha all that is EXACTLY why i got mine. takes mountain bikes, and isnt a falcodore. If you want high performance and handling, try elswhere. you sacrifice some performance for convenience and usability.

[stag98]

Thanks again guys...Id still be keeping it in my top 3 cars along with an evo 6 and a sss pulsar turbo (owned 2 before and loved them).

Going by the mods I posted in my first post, does it sound like a good price? and what sort of power at the wheels do you reckon that would put out? I have confirmed its a S2 with the neo rb25. I've tried searching for info on that KS ROM computer too but i cant find anything relating to performance...

Would 200kw @ all fours be achievable? (I know anything is possible with money, but I mean easily, such as fmic, cai, more boost, tune etc)

[AlexCim]

You are going to have complaince problems with the suspension and the brakes.

Apart from that, there really aint no power mods there.

200awkw is easy to acheive (easier said than done though)

Jaycar DFA

Jaycar EBC

Apexi SITC

GCG highflow

Full exhaust with good cat

R34 GTT sidemount cooler

That is all. Might wanna get a shit kit for the auto though.

[qikstagea]

does the 19k price include the shipping and compliance? ie landed and complied? cos you'll need to put original spec wheels and tyres on it, as well as get the suspension checked, and if it doesnt cut it, you'll have to return that to spec as well.

got a link to j-spec? (if thats where its posted)

[jasevr4]

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=6460

[qikstagea]

Nice looking car, i saw that too. Except for the Wang on the barck - looks nice with the wide offset white wheels, love that look.

I think that car got a mention in a recent thread called "at least THEY think its cool..."

For around 18, 19k complied, it sounds ok. the KMs are higher than average, but thats a decent enough price for what it comes with i think.

[jasevr4]

I'd consider it if it was manual.. Whats in a wing? Could probably sell it for $150

[qikstagea]

Id buy it for $100. Id put it on the 31GTS. Just looks wierd, too small and flimsy looking for such a big car.

[stag98]

I can understand having to put the stock suspension back in to replace the coilovers...but why would the brakes be an issue?

that price is landed and complied..so it would include the compliance costs of having stock parts put back on yeah?

[qikstagea]

i think you could get away with brembos, seeing as they were available on a stagea variant (the 260rs), but id say you'd need to temporarily swap the coilovers for standard shocks and springs.

That price would be the bare minimum of course (they are a business, after all). Im not sure if it would cover that.

Haha if you wanna swap, ill do it, and sling you some cash if i can keep em.

Do compliance rules vary state to state, or does it go solely on complying with the ADR for the year of manufacture?

[darrinspencer]

that price is landed and complied..so it would include the compliance costs of having stock parts put back on yeah?

No it does not

If you use the right complinace shop, they will have the stock parts in their shop and charge you $50/hr to swap them over and back again

Best talk to the shop first and tell them the mods and get a price upfront, esp if you are in another state and can not do any of the work yourself

[AlexCim]

I dont know if just brembos up front OK

I can understand brembos all around though.

As darrin said, ask a comp shop