Jason's Skyline R32 Gt-r Build - Tx Usa

[sopwey]

After too many years of unbalanced work life all of the grease that was under my nails as a teen has vanished. I had a Nissan 240SX as my first car and did all of the work myself. It was a ton of fun, but I lost the mechanics along the way to being a "grownup". Now back to the States after several years living in Asia, and with two young teenagers needing to learn some real life skills, I'm ready to take on my first build. I thought, why not make it an R32?

I'm looking to take my time on this, make the right balanced build that is true to the car and makes it into a great example of a street-tuned R32 GT-R at 400-600 whp. Something that contributes to the fledgling Skyline scene in the US.

After looking for a while, and with the help of Justin from JDM Friends here in Houston, I found a repair at auction which has good bones and was obviously someone's daily driver. It was a good price for the condition, and is currently being prepped for shipment to Houston. I should receive it in mid-January.

The relatively high mileage (150km) doesn't bother me as I'd eventually like to do a full engine build with new parts and either swap out the current engine into a 240sx or just rebuild it using the existing block if it's in good shape. In the meantime, I have a relatively unmolested (internals, anyway) early R32 to enjoy and get to know. Originally Gunmetal (KH2), now repainted this yellow color. Looks pretty good, but could use a different color. Will decide later. Thinking either Midnight Purple or Bayside Blue, open to suggestions. Engine bay needs some serious love, but will be fun to work through.

Again, I want to take my time, teach my kids a few things, and build something worthy of the name and true to the R32.

Looking forward to getting to know folks on the forum and to sharing progress with you.

Edited December 15, 2015 by sopwey

[PranK]

I love it! Great colour!

I'd love to do what you're talking about. One of my daughters (8yo) is showing a little bit of interest in cars which is nice.

Welcome to SAU.

[djr81]

Looks neat enough. Good plans - there is no end to stuff you can modify when it comes to GTR's - just need to work out what you want to do with it and work to that end.

If you want a colour suggestion - red. Not the horrible maroon you can get but a proper red. You just don't see them in that colour and yet it looks brilliant.

[Burger]

When you get to the paint stage, certainly go for MNP.

When you say it was a repair, do you mean a "Grade R" car? Most people in Australia avoid those at all costs.

yum

Edited December 16, 2015 by Burger

[Duncan]

yeah bright red was the best of the stock colours.....I also had a limited edition gunmetal grey car and repainted it yellow (although a lot brighter than yours looks). enjoy the build

BTW my Cima was R grade....a good repair job can be excellent value because so many people leave them alone without checking first.

[sopwey]

Burger - thinking that exact color with LP2 and either silver or bronze wheels.

It was an "R" and I debated on it for a long while, looked at several, but the price is good it was a single owner and comes with a stack of maintenance records. Only real risk is frame damage, and we'll find out soon enough. Given the prices these days I wanted to make the bet.

When you get to the paint stage, certainly go for MNP.

When you say it was a repair, do you mean a "Grade R" car? Most people in Australia avoid those at all costs.

Edited December 16, 2015 by sopwey

[sopwey]

djr81, I'll think about the red, thanks. Got a specific color code suggestion? My first 240sx was that wine red color that came stock on the R32 as well.

Looks neat enough. Good plans - there is no end to stuff you can modify when it comes to GTR's - just need to work out what you want to do with it and work to that end.

If you want a colour suggestion - red. Not the horrible maroon you can get but a proper red. You just don't see them in that colour and yet it looks brilliant.

[Burger]

Us Aussies wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot long pole haha. Loving that colour.

[sopwey]

It's that very American naive optimism, you know. It's in my blood.

Us Aussies wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot long pole haha. Loving that colour.

[djr81]

djr81, I'll think about the red, thanks. Got a specific color code suggestion? My first 240sx was that wine red color that came stock on the R32 as well.

No mate wouldn't have a clue, whatever matches your handbag. Would suggest not too dark and not metallic. Other than that the GIO GTR should give you a clue. Or this thing.

Us Aussies wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot long pole haha. Loving that colour.

Because we are idiots mostly. This comes about from the way our rules are structured and dodgy practices of importers in the past.

[sopwey]

I like that red one, djr81. Will think about it.

[sopwey]

Update

The car is finally in the western hemisphere and making its way down the pacific coast of the US to Panama. It should be here in Houston January 17th, if all goes well.

in the meantime, I've been collecting some items I know I'll need. All shipping in over the next two or three weeks.

NEW Nismo Omori Factory Spec LMGT4 18x9J and wheel nuts

USED Nismo intercooler which needs a little fin-love and a good cleaning, but otherwise looks to be in good condition. Will pressure test after it arrives. (also I will secure the new Nismo piping later)

USED Vintage style Nismo wheel, which has been re-trimmed (needs a new hub)

NEW Compression test kit and a few other new tools.

NEW NGK Iridium spark plugs

NEW various fluids and filters (Nismo S-Tune panel air filter, aftermarket fuel filter), as well as Redline oil and fluids for a full fluid change including transfer case and ATESSA.

Also, Justin at JDM Friends in Houston (helping me with the import) received a package in the mail from the broker with heaps of maintenance records and install manuals for several after-market items on the car, including:

Ohlins coilovers

Nismo suspension parts (control arm, etc.)

Trust/Greddy exhaust

I didn't know it came with the suspension pieces and coilovers, so that was a great surprise! I'll get the actual docs from him when I return home this weekend, and see if more detail can be gleaned without translation.

More later. Looking forward to the arrival and a chance to look more closely under the hood. I'm hoping to find other happy surprises like coil packs and other small refresh items. The suspension and maintenance records are a good sign.

[JH32]

Nice car and some nice goodies on the way. You Yanks really dig the Nismo stuff huh?

[sopwey]

Thanks! I like the look, so been on a Nismo kick this week.

[sopwey]

One item I forgot ... been assembling pieces to restore the console hardware. For some reason the car doesn't come with an A/C control unit, an audio head unit or any of the mounting hardware. I found this used A/C control unit on eBay and have it in hand now.

[k_d]

Ac unit might be in the centre console with the wires extended. Mine was as the previous owner must have had a big double din headunit installed then removed it before the sale.

Then again maybe they didnt want a working heater or ac haha

Shaping up to be a great build already!!!

Edited December 30, 2015 by k_d

[sopwey]

Ac unit might be in the centre console with the wires extended. Mine was as the previous owner must have had a big double din headunit installed then removed it before the sale.

Yeah, the potential for that occurred to me after I had bought the other unit. So while I've looked at what pieces might be missing, I decided it was better to wait and see what might be hiding in the car before buying any more replacement parts for the unit(s). So no further ordering on that as yet.

With winter here in the States now, in Houston that means one day you need the air con, the next you need the heater. So I need it working!

[sopwey]

A few more pieces on the way. Some vintage Nismo items to continue the theme of the steering wheel. Shift knob, horn, and oil filler cap, as well as a dead pedal cover in aluminum to complement a new OEM set of R34 V-Spec II Nur pedals.

[Burger]

New V-Spec II Nur pedals. How?

[sopwey]

OEM is still available on occasion. Found these on eBay.