Engine Management

Last week we did a test fit of the VEMS unit, including testing the loom adapter to make sure that all the wires were in the right place. Got as far as priming the fuel pump and powering up the loom, unfortunately we couldn't go as far as starting and getting an idle as first we'll need to replace the CAS 360 timing wheel with a new 100 slot laser cut one (presuming 99-1?) before we can go as far as getting the car to idle.

So now I'm looking around for a spare CAS to test fit the timing wheel on before we go ahead and fit the wheel to my CAS on mapping day.

On the road at last

The GT-R was sold last month, and the ECR33 is finally on the road, hoorah!


The body work is in quite a state though, plenty of work to be done there! The front AVS Model 5 18x9J alloys rub the wings even with no wheel arch liners with the wings being rolled too, though they are set ludicrously low. I'm not convinced that the suspension is set up adequately for UK roads either (typical Jap hard springs), so the first stop will probably be a Tein Super Street set up with top mounts and EDFC, a full geometry set up and some sensible rather than slammed ride heights.


I've been very impressed so far with what I've read of the VEMS system (here) as it will function as a boost controller and will do funky TPS and RPM based boost, which will be a blessing for the 3037 Pro S' rather 'cheeky' boost pressure/RPM gradient. The fact that it starts at £330+VAT also makes it a perfect replacement for the A'PEXi Power FC as well.

But before all that some Super Blue and DS2500's are probably more important!

Wheel refurbishment

The GT-R's old Volks were looking a little tired, so whilst the car was in being serviced and the rust sorted out I asked Scott to refurbish them.

Of course, it's never that easy - as part of the refurbishment the wheels are sandblasted, stripping away the old finish. Although I didn't realise, the finish on these wheels is silver painted spokes, a machined thin outer 'rim', blue painted inner and 'inner rim' and separately machined off little 'squares' from the blue inner rim. Apparently the rim is a two piece and then welded together, as a result the shop can't replicate the finish on the existing wheels, but they can repaint them any colour I want.

Ah the agony of indecision!

I thought bronze might be nice:

Of course, nobody seems to agree with me :-)

In the end I've plumped for a satin metallic grey, a bit like these new alloys seen fresh back from the paint shop here:

Wheel see how they turn out :-)

Rust begone!

Finally the GT-R now gets it's rusty rear arch sorted. Here is a pic of the car 'under the knife' =:-O

The arch is being cut away, and replaced with new metal from a new BNR32 rear quarter panel. New metal will replace the inner arch, they'll be welded and the gap filled with rust inhibitor before a quality respray of the area to give an invisible repair.

Modding: Riga stylee

This is the highlight of the car modifying scene in Riga! 

SP Autos

Went down to visit SP Autos in Ninfield (East Sussex) today in order to check out whether they're the right people to do the paint and bodywork for the ECR33. Andy, Chris and Steve are a really friendly bunch of people, I was heartened by their patience and openness. Steve (body and paint specialist) appears to be a real pro, I feel certain the car will be in safe hands. Nice Ur Quattro there being painted too!

Baby's got new shoes!

It turned out to be a cross-point screw, all the way through in the centre of the tread of the off-side front tyre. As all 4 tyres (especially th rears) were getting low on tread I bit the bullet, and now at last the new tyres are here: 4 fresh 255/40 ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3's

After much browsing of the tyre posts on GTR.co.uk I finally opened my wallet to pay a little more than for my usual Kumho Ecsta Supra (pretty good and amazing value). I haven't really driven them very far, but even so I'm impressed with their grip and 'feel', which is much more 'all of a piece' than the previous Bridgestones.

I'm impressed with the new suspension too, but think there's definately some mileage in fine-tuning, and will probably be taking the car to Andrew Walsh for some twiddling sometime soon...

Well, I've been away for two weeks and what do I find? Flat tire... slow running puncture or mischievous little oiks? A nice double-barrelled Draper foot pump is in the post to me so we'll soon find out...

On the plus side I'll speak to Abbey tomorrow and hopefully find that the ECR33 is now road-legal, hoorah!