Diy Miks R32 Gtst

[D.I.Y. Mik]

So i guess its time to write a build thread.

I bought my R32 GTST a few years ago as an alternative to riding bikes. This is the setup i had for about 10 years before the Skyline.

KTM 360 exc 2 stroke Mitsubishi triton ute

Then I sold the bike and bought the 32

It was rough as guts, overpriced, and i didnt know anything about Skylines.

So i bought it. Oops, oh well time to fix it up.

Ive always been into machines and technology, dad was an engineer, and its in the blood.

But the last time i was into cars was nearly 20 years ago, so this fuel injection and turbo stuff was all new to me.

It ran like crap so i took it to a local backyard mechanic who got it going ok.

it had dodgy intercooler pipes, broken headlight mounts, a few dings and dents, 5 stud hubs, manual conversion, rb25 turbo, dodgy suspension bushes, pedders suspension, and a half-assed 3"catback exhaust.

There was nothing holding up the front bar but a few cable ties, and no front reo. So i chopped up some scrap alloy and had a guy weld it. This was my intercooler and front bar support. (This is a later pic with the new intercooler and an oil cooler)

I knew there were places in Sydney to buy stuff, so i drove the ute up there and got a lockbar, headlights, and intercooler piping kit.

The power steering was fked so i took it to pedders, oops, oh well at least it doesent leak as much as it used to.

Luckily I was told about SAU when I was at a local workshop that specializes in Skylines, and started learning. Now i was using the internet for more than porn and games, i realized i could buy stuff and get it delivered (doh!) no more trips to sydney to buy parts.

I needed a better place to work on it than under a carport, so i built a shed. Diy of course.

Anyway, ill cut a long story short and just list all the mods ive done, and learning as i go, some of the mods have changed. Some are in the Diy/Faq thread, and some are in the fabrication thread.

And some of the dodgy sht i have found from previous moron owners of this car is incredible.

big fmic

new kingpin bearings (what a drama! see Diy/faq thread)

rb 25 turbo, There when i bought it

3" exh w bell dump, after a jjr stainles split saga/disaster

one piece tailshaft, made by Diff Dr

podfilter & cold air box

strut braces front and rear

Neomax adjustable coilovers, early mod, maybe bad choice.

adj upper arms front and rear

DW tracton rods

Hardrace radius rods, DW ones stuffed after 6 months.

DW hicas eliminator

solid cradle bushes

solid steering bush

oil catch can

Ebay radiator

thermo fans

Autometer oil, water, fuel/air, boost guages

voltmeter

volt stabilizer

yellow jacket coilpacks

stereo, amp and speakers

made a new parcel shelf

approved child seat strap mount

rear view camera

sports steering wheel

immobiliser

engine damper

Cheap carbon wrap

Exedy heavy duty clutch

battery in boot

oil cooler and filter relocation w thermostat

removed aircon (never could get it going right, and it overheats the engine)

Nismo shift knob

electric heater (for demisting)

GTR front bar w n1 vents

Nistune ecu

adjustable cam gears

new timing belt

new water pump

rear wiper delete

Deatchwerks fuel pump

Deatchwerks 650cc injectors

Bosch z32 afm

Hel braided brake lines

tune at Autotech

Nismo engine mounts

fire extinguisher

harness and mounts

sparco seat for trackdays

new front reo (now i have a welder)

tow strap

Theres still a few unfinished or dodgy bits that need attention or just tidying up.

The ute and bike funded part of that list of stuff, and DIY of course, keeps it cheaper.

The things ive had to pay to get done were kept to a minimum: the initial tune/fix up, power steering, suspension arms and stuff fitted and adjusted, a flywheel machine, some bearing pressing, and the fitting and tune of the Nistune ecu.

I bought some 17" x 9" +35 Rays Volk GTC wheels for a steal, $600!

Now i have to flare the guards to fit them, i dont knpw what tyres yet, ill see how i go with the guard flaring tool i made.

Im getting into hillclimbing now, and want to do some trackdays at Wakefield.

So the plans for future mods go on.

And i must do a paintjob one day.

[B-rice]

Old mate Mik once said "if you build it, then its your car"

[gtr jet]

What did you pay for the sparco seat if you don't mind me asking and was it much mucking around to fit it?

[D.I.Y. Mik]

About $780 for the seat. $90 for Sabelt brackets.

A bit of a pain to fit as its hard to reach some of the bolts.

It depends a bit on your seating position, im fairly tall, over 6 foot 3, and cant fit a helmet on unless the seat is on the floor.

If your under 6foot tall, or if you can fit a helmet on in the normal seat, there is a neat solution.

I bought these before i realized i wouldnt fit. It bolts to the original seat mounts.

From the US so there was a mixup with which side i wanted. Ended up with both.

Im going to chop one up and re-do it, so it works for me.

The other is for sale. $140

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Fitted a cooling panel, which showed how my lights are out of line.

Fixed it up so it fits well

Made an air sucker to keep the cabin air clean, taped up all holes and gaps from cabin to boot.

And the vent in the right rear guard was stuffed, so i put one there too. They are plumbing aav's.

Bought a proper guard roller, to fit wider tyres. And lipped the guards a bit for starters.

I want to go 255 on the back, thats a 235, im going to use them on the front. i put it there to see how much more i can go.

Replaced the left radius rod bracket with a straight one. This is the old one, bent.

Hillclimb soon, getting the front brakes machined tomorrow, as there is a slight pulse in the front left.

Thats why the radius rod bracket got replaced, the bolt hole was slightly enlarged and allowed the radius rod to move.

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Track day set up:

Got a Velo 90mm deep dish wheel, its just right.

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Diff is out, gone to award diff and gearbox for a new centre.

The old viscous centre wasnt much good.

Engine bay is getting a clean up while i wait.

reo plates for the intercooler pipe holes

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Engine bay cleaned up.

Edited October 8, 2013 by D.I.Y. Mik

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Return line fuel cooler and Kaaz 2 way diff.

[macaroni646]

Love these true DIY threads. How did you find the Kaaz 2 way after driving with the VLSD?

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Thanks man

Totally heaps better.

The old vlsd was flogged out and noisy, was pretty much an open diff as it liked to spin one side.

The Kaaz is really solid and i get a bit of clunk and shudder when turning sharply, like in a carpark.

But its getting better and theres no tyre chirping.

The wheels are on, ready for sunday hillclimbs:

[Got a Pulsar]

Cool! didn't know you had a Build Thread Mik.

Subscribed.

[Manuel Kasko]

Cool! didn't know you had a Build Thread Mik.

Subscribed.

Same

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Thanks guys,

Rob gave me an alloy induction pipe, it needed to be a little shorter, so i got 50mm chopped out of it and welded back together.

Got the dremel and cleaned up the inside, messy welds and a bit of pipe were in there.

Should have got some photos of the install but anyway.... got a perfect bit of hose for the bov return, from supercheaps radiator hose selection, you can browse as there all on the shelf.

The cold airbox had to be trimmed back, and the washer bottle is gone, so now the filter can fit in there.

Got a universal washer bottle but i still need to mount it, kind of undecided where its going.

[gtr jet]

Hey Mick, Do you still run your factory seat belt at all with that seat? If you do, how is the buckle mounted?

[Anfanee]

Best Build in Australia, keep up the good work Mik

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Hey Mick, Do you still run your factory seat belt at all with that seat? If you do, how is the buckle mounted?

Yes, ive got it mounted on the rear left seat mount, its a tight fit next to the seat but it works.

Best Build in Australia, keep up the good work Mik

Thanks man, i put in a lot of effort, but its still a backyard, diy, with hand tools.

I cant wait to do a paint job, then it will look the buisness!

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Induction pipe:

Seatbelt buckle:

New pedals:

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Doing a window net so i can do trackdays with the window open.

And a lower bumper bar to protect the front bar from speedbumps and driveways.

Not finished yet.

Exhaust has been re-welded, and fits better.

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Bar finished....