mentally inept stagea question

[Whoneedstherapy]

hey guys,

Due to a change in circumstance it looks like i've gotta pick myself up a wagon so im thinking a stagea would be a good bet.

Just from looking around it seems that all stagea's except the autech 260RS were factory auto's? Has anyone attempted a manual conversion yet?

For a manul conversion i'd take it you'd need to borrow most of the gear from a 33 GTR and go from there?

lastly from a seat of the pants driving experience do they feel any bigger than a GTST at all?

Cheers!

Luke

[Brazen]

U can get manuals in normal Stageas Series 2 (1998 onwards) - just will pay a few thousand more than auto - and Ive found none yet in Oz, so might have to ask a yard to find u one or go through a broker like geoff risbey from prestigemotorsport to find one in japan for you. A Tiptronic series 2 is other option (no normal auto was ever done in series 2 stageas) and these are available now.

But yeah otherwise conversion, and some of the fellas here would know about that probably but not me sorry.

Adam

[Sydneykid]

lastly from a seat of the pants driving experience do they feel any bigger than a GTST at all?

Cheers!

Luke

Hi Luke, there are a few guys on here that have done auo to manuals conversion, thye can give you the details. I would suggest that if you really want a manual that you buy one in the first place.

As for driving impressions on Stageas there is a thread on it, with quite a few guys input, I suggest you have a read.

As for a direct comparison to R33 GTST, well the Stagea is 4wd, same as a GTR. They are heavy, mine is 1660 kgs, so they don't feel as nimble as a GTST. Obviously they are a waggon, so the rear CofG is higher than a coupe or a 4 door. I have upgraded the stabiliser bars to compensate for that. Due to the weight and 4wd, in the wet they are awesome, it is simply all traction. Add some upgraded shocks (Bilsteins in my case) and a handfull of alignment products (adj camber & caster) and the handling is very good. Much better than most cars and streets ahead of any other waggon.

Obviously the engine benefits exactly the same from mods like any RB25DET. Since you have traction in all circumstances, they can take advantage of ALL of those increases in power.

Hope that answered your question.

[Whoneedstherapy]

Cheers for the advice guys, much appreciated!

[Anquetil]

What parts would be required for the auto to manual converison, and what price would you be roughly looking at?

[MrGTST]

I am going through the research of this right now too actually..... Trying to weigh up if its worth importing the manual version or doing the conversion when it gets here..... After speaking to my broker It apears the autos can be bought at aution as low as 7 grand cheaper then the manual which is what I want to... now the questions I am going around trying to solve is it worth paying the extra or doing the conversion here, should I take the gear box out of a GTS-4 and I have an added problem of wanting the slightly later model with the NEO engine which comes with the tiptronic auto... so looks like there are some added difficulties.... but I am going to go talk with my mechanic today to find out whats the best plan....

[Sydneykid]

If you really must have a manual, then I strongly suggest that you buy a manual. The money will come back to you when you sell it. A "real" manual will always be worth more than a converted auto. Plus I doubt whether the cost saving would be that much. The manual S2's are not commanding as much premium over the tiptronic autos as they used to.

[MrGTST]

Yep I will now totally agree with you there after doing a bit more research... I have now ruled out the auto to manual conversion... So its back to the broker to go check the prices at auction again...