Fox's Skyline blog

Engine Management

2007-11-19T04:35:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-02-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-02-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

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

2006-10-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

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

SP Autos

2006-09-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-09-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-09-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

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!

Oh the suspens(ion)!

2006-07-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Work on the GT-R continues, for a while now I've been feeling that the KYB adjustables that were fitted in Japan were 'past their best', but when you can hear the rear wheel bouncing up and down after you've hit a bump you know it's time to sort things out :-)

In my view something wearing out is not a cause for despair, but rather a cause for rejoicing as you can now upgrade said part with some shiney new toy!

True to form I have bought some of these:

These have been specced with 7Kg/mm springs at the front and 5Kg/mm at the rear, which should be a nice compromise between B-road and track.

Now being fitted at Abbey, together with a full photographic resporation of some 3vil rust that has started to appear on the rear driver's side arch (photos to follow)

ECR33 arrives

2006-07-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

It's here!

Excitement... I picked the car up from Southampton docks the day before and drove it back along the M3, with no tax and no numberplates - legally! (not often you can say that). Passed a whole bunch of plod on the way and not one even tried to stop me, bizarre!

Unfortunately I forgeot to take my camera with me - duh! :-(

Now it's more of a long wait until it's MOT'd and registered, damn the DVLA for not being able to do a 1st registration online!

Out with the old

2006-06-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

So - why is my little 'zilla for sale I hear you ask?

Simple - I plan to create an even more impressive car, but need to raise the wonga, the moola, the zlotti first. Already the first step in my master plan is winging it's way here - or rather: floating, but that sounds rather less impressive :-(

Here she is:

Mods?
HKS GT 3037s Turbo
HKS Manifold
HKS External Wastegate
HKS "Screamer" pipe
HKS Down Pipe
Decat Pipe
Aftermarket Exhaust System
Oil Cooler
Oil Filter Relocation Kit
HKS Intake Pipe
Nismo Strut Brace
Aftermarket Clutch
Aftermarket Cam Shafts
ARC Front Mounted Intercooler
Master Cylinder Stopper
Apexi Induction Kit
Larger AFM
Splitfire Coil Packs
Yellow Injectors
Hicas Lock Bar
Vented Carbon Bonnet
Carbon Boot Lid
Aftermarket Aero Mirrors
Aftermarket LSD
Sill "floor bar"
Bride Reclining Drivers Seat
Nismo Clear Side Repeaters
Aftermarket Tension Rods
Tein Coilovers
Aftermarket Adjustable Rear Upper Arms
Nardi Steering Wheel
Reset ECU
AVS Model 5 18" Alloys (9j Front, 10j Rear)
Slitted Brake Rotors Front and Rear
Apexi Water Temp Gauge in "A" Pillar Pod
Apexi Oil Temp Gauge in "A" Pillar Pod
HKS EVC 4 Boost Controller
Kenwood CD/MD

Mmm...

Mods, gotta love 'em

2006-06-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

There was a day when mods meant people with scooters and parkas...

My GT-R's mod list:
1991 car with 59000 miles

Engine by Top Secret!
HKS 2530 twin turbos
Apexi Power FC ECU
Tomei 600cc injectors
adjustable SARD fuel pressure regulator
HKS PFC dual induction kit
SARD uprated fuel pump
HKS 'GT Hybrid' large uprated Intercooler
RadTech large uprated motorsport alloy radiator
GReddy/Trust oil cooler with a remote oil filter housing
uprated cylinder head gasket
large bore downpipe
catalyst replacement pipe
HKS 'Street Legal' exhaust
Blitz twin solenoid boost controller
NISMO twin plate clutch

Chassis:
TBO adjustable coil overs
Volk Racing Challenge Zero forged 17" alloys
Nismo rear suspension arms
Tomei front strut brace
Cusco rear strut brace
ATE Super blue
Ferodo DS2500 pads
Goodrich stainless steel lines

Exterior/Interior:
Stunning KG1 'Jet Silver' paintwork (v.rare on Japanese performance cars)
N1 racing headlights
Nismo original bumper, intercooler vents and bonnet lip
Recaro reclinable drivers and passengers seats
Driver's A pillar GReddy/Trust oil temp & oil pressure gauges plus Greddy boost pressure gauge
Blitz twin solenoid boost controller
Carrozziera MEN-P9000CD single-DIN CD/MD/Radio unit

Even more pictures...

2006-06-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, someone really requested pictures of my diffs... LOL

Pictures galore!

2006-06-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

The rear diff

2006-06-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

Introductions

2006-06-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

OK, this is a blog about Skyline's.

No, not what you see when you look out of your window; the car made famous by Japanese Touring Car racing and more recently by the Gran Tourismo series of computer games (remember those heady days of playing GT2 on the PS1?)

Specifically I have an R32 GT-R - the original 'Godzilla' of the Japanese performance tuning scene.

I've always been into performance cars, I've had in chronological order:

MX-5 Mk1 'Classic' Special Edition
Lotus Elise Mk1
Porsche Boxster 2.5
TVR Chimaera 450
Porsche 968 Club Sport
Porsche 964 Carrera 2
BMW E30 M3 Evo2

So you could say I'm a completely obsessed car nut!