R31, Stock As, What To Do?

[BLSTIC]

Mechanically the simplest is to turbocharge the existing engine, runing ~4 psi with water injection and no intercooler. Jaycar do some interceptor kits that will allow me to tune the engine for this relatively small amount of boost. Injectors and fuel pump may also need an upgrade... I'm guessing at around $1000 for this.

Alternatively, I can put a DOHC head on it. It won't have the same amount of mid-range torque as the previous option, and it requires an aftermarket computer. But top end pull will be similar, it will be easier on the (auto) gearbox. Standard fuel pump and the injectors that come with the twin cam head will do. I'm pricing this around $1500 (depending on how much I can get an aftermarket computer for). Also, with the aftermarket computer and lower compression, the next step becomes sooo much easier

Twin cam turbo. The ultimate in RB30 mods... Still do-able without removing the engine (depending on what needs to be done for the oil drain), and would cost around $3000 all up. However the combination of more midrange torque/higher redline would definately stress the gearbox. So throw in a manual conversion into the works and it's suddenly looking like $3800. That on top of the $1200 car costs leaves me with a car that cost me $5000 and is worth an unkown amount (how many RB30DET R31's have YOU seen for sale?)

First up, the aim of the game is to do something cool, while at least not losing money. So I guess the big question is, how much is a car with each of these mods likely to sell for? Is a turbo R31 with more than $2200? An RB30DE equipped one worth more than $2700, and an RB30DET likely to sell for more than $5000?

[Johny Bravo]

any money you spend on any car, you won't get back. if your going to spend any money on it your better off keeping the car till the panels rust off, then duck tape those panels back on and keep on going.

what is your total budget? ie, how much money are you willing to throw at it?

[Sir Lord Van Von Vader'ham]

im not quite sure what your question is?

With the 31, it will really depend on what else is done to it and the general condition of it.

I recently sold my RB20DET powered Silo, fully engineered, r32 brakes, all suspension done and pretty neat with a couple year old respray for $5500.

Also saw one identical to mine with a built 30DET go for $6000

If your going to do up a car, never look for the resale value as you'll never get it what you paid for it back.

[BLSTIC]

Screw it, done some thinking. If I do anything (aside from selling the car) it's going to be the turbocharger. At the lowest cost and with reasonable wank value (and therefor sellability) and performance gain.

Both DOHC options get dropped because of the cost, complexity, and unkown value adding.

It should be noted that I'm not the slightest bit interested in keeping the car. The ultimate goal is an R32 with a most unconventional engine swap...

[BLSTIC]

Oh and my goal? To make the car faster and gain as much money as possible (or at least lose as little as possible).

[sweefu]

Hey mate,

im in a similar boat to you, just picked up and R31 and now looking to turbo it. From what i've seen the last few weeks there arent many turbo conversion kits around, or the one VLt kit i have found was $2k and it had a no name eBay manifold. Which state do you live in?

Cheers.

[bubba]

2k? I found a VL turbo setup including injectors and computer, for just over 1k in the quokka.

But as has been said to the OP, you will never recoup any money you spend on the car.

We do up cars for our own enjoyment, if you're thinking of resale value when you're modifying, then you need a reality check.

[BLSTIC]

New Zealand. I'm not interested in paying anywhere near that much. I would be happy to pay $400 for a secondhand turbo and manifold combo, but no more. Considering you can get brand new manifolds for $300 and almost any T3 for that much again...

[bubba]

So that gets you to $600, but you still haven't addressed afm, injectors or ECU..

Just forget it and sell the car already.

[Johny Bravo]

+1 ^

if your buying a car to sell it for more, you don't want to mod it, just give it a good going over with the cut an polish, repair or replace anything that needs to be done, go over all the inside and the engine bay and be done with it.

But if all your interested in is making some money your on the wrong site, this is for people who are passionate about there machines.

[BLSTIC]

$300 is enough to sort the airflow meter/ecu (using some jaycar items), but the remaining $300 isn't quite enough for injectors, exhuast, and things like the oil plumbing and other gear... I may have to bump up the budget a little.

It's not ENTIRELY about money... If I lose a few hundred it doesn't really matter, I had my fun, and it's another thing to add to the list of cool things I have done...

[fatz]

lol

value adding mods

this should be interesting!

[Deano 1]

i got the perfect plan for your car man.... park it on the side of the road with a forsale sign on it..... thats the only way your goin to make money out of it. cause the second you start buying parts.... your losing money