soviet_merlin

I'd suggest contacting Jack Phillips https://jpjdm.com/shop/index.php. They are also somewhat common on Yahoo Auctions Japan. Might be a bitch with shipping though. See for example https://zenmarket.jp/auction.aspx?itemCode=k1088373818

No worries, I can ping you again a bit closer to the day. Jen is going to come as well and I'm sure she'll mention it to Elham. And of course feel free to jump in the car!

Hah, I'll be there in the silver Stagea so it'll fit right in. Sounds like you got it all worked out Paul. Looking forward to see how it goes! I'm going to try and take it easy on the car. No clutch kicking and no hand brake. I'm curious to see what it can do with just weight transfer and giving it some boost though.

You were right about the intercooler Brett. The fitment is perfect. Love it!

Hah, small world! Maastricht is a lovely town. Proper old fashioned cobble streets and battlements and all that. We were there just at the end of the year. I used to study in Aachen which is just across the border on the German side. I love the idea of bringing something JDM to Europe. Driving on the Autobahn, in the Alps, the Scottish highlands. Man, it's just a pipe dream for me at this point but maybe one day. Looking forward to see how you go @EddieR34GT-X, does it raise a lot of attention driving the Skyline? I don't think I have ever seen one in Europe. Very different to Australia.

Welcome fellow civilian car enthusiast! I am also not a cop. My hobbies are making modifications to my vehicle, Dirty Harry movies and collecting number plates. Do you have any photos of your cars you would share?

Thank you! So it should sit between the oil filter and the engine block? Oil travels through the heat exchanger and then through the oil filter? Coolant is piped through the heat exchanger around the oil. If the oil is cold it'll pick up heat from the coolant, otherwise the coolant will leach off heat from the oil? // edit: You guys just just explained this. Makes sense. Looks like I don't have one on my setup. The oil filter sits on a sandwich plate with oil temp and coolant sensor and that goes straight into the block. Must have been disappeared at some point. The result: the coolant temp is solid. It sits around 90°C and doesn't budge seemingly regardless of how hard the car is driven. But oil temp creeps. Give it what feels like 30 minutes in the twisties and it it'll start creeping above 115°C and I have to take it easy. I thought I needed an oil cooler. Now I'm thinking it might be worth starting with an OEM heat exchanger and see how it holds up.

If you are thinking of going all-in, have a look at @Shoota_77's build thread. He was taking it all the way a while ago with his engine bay and wheel arches and was documenting it all. It looks like a serious rabbit hole though. You two could start a mental health support group after going through it Here's a rough starting point: There's a bit more on the pages before. And after of course.

Not sure if you are serious but I kind of tried that. I went to Big W or k-mart and bought a $20 bed sheet / blanket cover set. It's soft, large fabric and should do the job just fine. Or so I thought. Yeah nah, it was pretty shit. It didn't actually keep off the dirt that well. And it didn't stay on the car well either. If there was too much fabric at one end it tended to slide off. And it wasn't quite long enough to cover it properly on all sides either. YMMV. I don't see an issue with spending $300 on something that is well-made, fitted and works. I do have an issue with spending $150 at supercheapauto and getting a piece of shit glorified stretch of plastic tarp

Hah, fair enough! If it's not urgent it's worth waiting. They seem to have sales on at the usual times. And sure, will report back what it's like once it gets here and I get a chance to try it.

For the mechanically challenged: How can one tell whether there still is a water/oil heat exchanger on the car or not? Asking for a friend What does it look like and where does it live on an rb25?

I had no idea this was a thing! My mind is boggled. Makes me wonder about Matt's comment as well. Next step: LFA exhaust sound mod.

Hah, fair enough! Looking like this? Agreed, might be a bit too fancy for work sites. Though debadged in black it might not be too bad. Bit of dirt on it no one will notice it. Until you start it. Not sure if it comes on this one, but some Audi wagons have the suspension lift as well to get over tricky spots. Have never been in a Raptor. Suits the work site but feels like a lot of money for something that is mostly utilitarian?!

Did you end up buying a cover @tridentt150v? Fitmint have a 20% easter sale on everything currently. I ordered mine this afternoon. With shipping it still ends up being $310 for the cover for the wagon. But oh well, it is a nice piece and I have been waiting for a sale for a while.

The wagon? Very nice, I'm a fan! They seem a great mix of looks, performance, comfort and enjoyment. Without the ridiculous price tag that the RS6 has. Looking forward to see how you find it when you buy one some day. Had an S5 as a rental a few years ago and fondly remember the grunty engine start. Instant smile every time. It feels like the main drawback is that they are too good with their engineering. With quattro and whatever other handling magic they have it feels so stable and safe that it takes away from how fast it actually is.

Nice one, the setup looks great! No worries re the certification. Have never done it so I'm just curious.

Ooo, sounds pretty good @SLIXK! Do you have any photos? Also, which oil cooler did you get? And did you go with a kit for oil filter relocation? These two things are on my wishlist for when I have some more funds. Haven't done too much research yet though. Would also be interested to hear how you go with getting everything certified when you get there.

Hmpf, it's bucketing here so won't head out for this one

In case someone else is using a fruit computer and the image doesn't show. This is the photo.

Can I ask how you put up with this yourself? That sounds terrible and it would drive me nuts as well

Hah, OP is driving a GTR after all. I doubt it'll have the (grand)parentals squeezed in the back to drive out for lunch

Makes sense, thanks! I wish them all the best because the coilovers are great. Super happy with the Pro Comforts on the wagon. Forgiving enough to transport the aging in-laws but still feel good in the twisties. At least at the level that I'm driving. YMMV.

Understated excellence is what I would call it. Love it!

Which ones are their purple ones? Pro Comfort? This is the one thing that bugs me about MCA. Whenever people talk about them I find it difficult to translate different model names to their current lineup. Not sure if they keep changing it or if I'm just dense. According to the paperwork mine are MCA Street Essentials. I presume that's Pro Comfort these days but don't know for sure.