GoldZilla

I think the ones that dealers get for cars that don't come with them factory-optioned are done by Hollandia. I'm pretty sure their standards are high, so you shouldn't have too many issues. As mentioned, it will probably be big dollars though. I'm pretty sure that's who does the new car ones, but don't quote me on it. Do a search through the Yellow/White pages (or Google it) and you might get a list of workshops contracted to do them.

Hey TommO, yeah, if it was the BP on Abbott Rd, that was probably me! And I've just put the SAU stickers on the front and rear windscreens, too. Fueled up there last night too. What were you in that night? Cheers, Nick T.

Hello all, As I've mentioned in previous threads, here is a "STICKIED" link to all your Stagea buying tips on what to look for, and most of the stuff you will find useful in making your choices! Anyone can add to the thread, and I will make an effort to regularly add all of the most important stuff to this first post so potential buyers don't have to read the whole lot to get the information they need. Oh, and if I get something wrong, please let me know... So, here goes: BODYWORK AND CHASSIS Check for: * Rust and/or paint bubbling and peeling under the door wing mirrors; * Rust around the strut towers, where the strut tower brace is bolted down; * Rust and/or paint bubbling and peeling in and around the sunroof runners (if fitted with a sunroof); * Condition of door seals and rust where the seals attach to the body; * Rust on the door and boot hinges; * Rust in the spare wheel cavity... Body Dimensions: * Exterior Dimensions (LxWxH), mm: 4800 x 1755 x 1495 * Wheel base, mm: 2720 * Track (F/R), mm: 1460 / 1515 * Ground clearance, mm: 145 * Curb vehicle weight, kg: 1620-1660 * Seating capacity, persons: 5 * Doors number: 5 * Min.turning radius, m: 5.3 * Fuel tank capacity, l: 68 ENGINE & DRIVELINE Check for: * Is the colour of the oil a really dark brown? (Worse still, if it's whitish, see the next point) If the oil is dark brown and really thick instead of smooth and runny, then it may indicate that it hasn't been changed in a while, or that there is excessive engine wear. * Water in the oil (is the oil under the cap milky and white, instead of a darkish brown? This could indicate a blown head gasket, or worse); * Bubbles in the radiator fluid (obviously, check this when the engine is still cold, usually just after you've started it); * Is the idle smooth? This could be a minor issue with some loose/damaged vacuum hoses, but it also could be a lot worse... Engine Specs - Series I (1996 - July 1998). This is for the 25t RS-Four, as the most commonly seen version here in Australia: * RB25DET engine, 2.5 litres, DOHC, 24-valve, turbocharged, same basic specs as a series II R-33 Skyline GTS25t; * 173kW @ 6400rpm, 275Nm @ 4800rpm - figures quoted are at the flywheel; * E-AT Electronically-controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive and electronic lock-up torque converter; * ATESSA-ETS electronically-controlled four wheel drive... There was no manual option in the Series I. Engine Specs - Series II (August 1998 - 2001). Once again, this is for the 25t RS-Four. * RB25DET Neo engine, 2.5 litres, DOHC, 24-valve, turbocharged, same basic specs as an R-34 Skyline GTt; * 206kW @ 6400rpm, 333Nm @ 3200rpm (or 343Nm @ 3200rpm in RS-Four S manual) - figures quoted are at the flywheel; * E-ATx Electronically-controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive and electronic lock-up torque converter; or * M-ATx E-AT Electronically-controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive and electronic lock-up torque converter and Tiptronic function; or * 5-speed manual FACTORY FEATURES AND OPTIONS All Stageas have: * Power windows; * Power mirrors (including a fold-in feature for parking in tight spaces); * Driver's and Passenger's SRS airbags; * Roof rails; * Reclinable and fold-down (by use of a nifty handle in the luggage bay) rear seats, with a centre fold-down arm rest; * Climate control air-conditioning; * Electronic odometer and dual trip-meters; * Various hooks and tie-down points in the luggage bay so your cargo doesn't go flying around; * Tilt-adjustable steering column; * 12v lighter socket in the rear luggage area; * Leather steering wheel; * Front fog lamps; * Front, variable intermittent windscreen wipers; * Rear window wiper; * Front spoiler; * UV-cutting glass (front doors and windscreen) - all models; * Dual cup-holders in the dashboard; * Keyless entry; Commonly fitted Optional Extras include: * Front centre arm rest, some of which can be opened towards either the driver or passenger; * Luggage bay roll-out cover; * Luggage bay safety net; * Privacy glass (rear doors and rear luggage area) - RS models and above; * Dual sunrooves (front one is tilt and slide, rear is a slide-only); * Electric, self-closing rear door (boot)... Other, less common Stagea Optional Extras include: * Leather seats and interior trims; * Electric seats (only available with the leather option)... * Extra 12v bayonet-style sockets on the left side of the luggage area, the inside of the luggage area door and the D-pillar for bayonet-fit accessories such as a torch, etc.; * Limited Slip Differential (manual RS Four S models) CHASSIS CODES Model:......................Driveline:...............Engine:..............Chassi Code: RS Four S..................AWD manual..........RB25DET Neo......WGNC34 RS Four V..................AWD......................RB25DET............WGNC34 RS Four.....................AWD......................RB25DET............WGNC34 RS............................RWD......................RB25DET............WGC34 25X Four...................AWD.......................RB25DE.............WGNC34 25G Four...................AWD.......................RB25DE.............WGNC34 25X..........................RWD.......................RB25DE.............WGC34 25G..........................RWD.......................RB25DE.............WGC34 20G..........................RWD.......................RB20DE.............WHC34 So, basically, when it comes to model spec, "RS" is anything turbo, "RS Four" is turbo AWD, "Four" is any AWD, and "RS Four S" is turbo AWD with manual (series 2 only, and there were NO turbo RWDs). As far as chassis codes, series 1 all had an "E-" prefix (such as E-WHC34), and series 2 all had the "GF-" prefix (such as GF-WGNC34). WHC = RB20DE power (the lowest model and in one spec level and RWD only) WGC = RB25DE or RB25DET power, and RWD only WGNC = RB25DE or RB25DET power, AWD. So, H = RB20 power, G = RB25 power, and GN = RB25 + AWD. All this info was found RIGHT HERE, and I will update the first post when I have time with more specific details regarding release dates, spec levels, and options. COLOUR AND TRIM Exterior Colours: * Bayside Blue (TV-2) * Sonic Silver (KR-4) * Black Pearl (GV-1) * Lightning Yellow (EV-1) * Sherwood Green Pearl (DR-2) * Active Red (AR-2) * White Pearl (QT-1)

Awesome work Gents, I blew my interior light fuse the other night, and then when I found the fuse box (with the help of these forums), I was stoked. Then I saw that the writing was all in Japanese ...but! Isn't the internet (and especially these forums) wonderful to us!?!?!? Cheers, Nick T.

Nope, Silver, mine is dark green...

Dude, I'm guessing you live right around my area, so if I don't get a "Stagea Spotted" soon, whether from you or anyone else in the Parramatta and Hills areas, then I'll be spewing... Oh, and I saw a gunmetal R32 GT-R yesterday on the way home from work on Chrurch Street, Parramatta, heading towards Northmead, but the guy was acting a bit too cool, and looked away before I got a chance to give a wave or a nod - and I was in the Stagea, too. SAU stickers going on tonight... Cheers, Nick T.

Quick question, now that you won't be utilising the wierd Handbrake Release thingy, what are you going to do with it? Ska? Stagezilla? Anyone else who's already had it done/got to that point? When Alan (aka Argo on the forums) did the conversion on the car I just bought off him, he left the handle there and it's kinda just hanging there from the shaft that goes into the slot in the dash. I'm thinking of eventually removing the handle and putting a gauge/turbo timer in the space there, if one will fit (haven't measured it up yet). Any other suggestions? Cheers, Nick T.

Bass Junky, I'd offer my S-1 Stagea as a guide for a template, but it'd be the same as SK's anyway, and I think you're in Melbourne, going by your profile details, which is kinda unworkable as I'm in Sydney. It seems as though SK is constantly on the move between race venues, so I think his car and guide is the better option... If it's gonna be another way to hide the stealth FMIC that will eventually be going on, then count me in. Cheers, Nick T. I'm keen, but I don't yet know where I'm gonna scrape the coin up for one at this point - still getting over the initial hurdles of a new purchase.

I've got a few of them, I'll scan them in the next few days too... Cheers, Nick T.

Yeah, that's right - some stupid sh!t where the said insurer assumes a proper evaluation can be done on a damaged car through photos posted on their internet site, or some such nonsense. Then a number of different repairers get to "tender" a quote for the cheapest (and not necessarily the BEST) repair, which is where the whole debate is stemming from. How does an insurer really know if a repair is going to be done properly when it's not assessed properly (i.e. in the metal) in the first place?!?!? Our local preferred smash repairer refuses to do work for them now, so when my old man's car got reversed into a few weeks back, we had to send it somewhere else. Lucky for us the other place also has a good reputation, but who's to know that we can all be this lucky? Nick T.

Really, Chris? And to think our community was growing, yet you're possibly choosing to leave us? Go The S-2, you know you want to!!! C'mon, if you're going to be unique, you might as well go the whole hog, that's why I snapped up my Stagea: because it was a manual Series 1!!! If you're really having trouble deciding, I'd go with Alex's advice - weigh up the pros and cons of each car and how it will fit into your life, and decide from there. Cheers and good luck with your choice, Nick T.

Hey Christian, yeah, I bought Alan's Stagea - something at the SnS was just kinda "telling" me that it would eventually be mine. He was super genuine and had nothing to hide, and took me and my old man for a good hour's drive around the Central Coast, then after we'd both driven it we went back to the garage he works at and he showed us under and around the car again... I'm more than happy with my decision, but getting used to the fuel consumption is a different matter, especially after 11 years of driving a 1.6l Corolla (which we've kept in the family and I still use to get to work). Hey, on another subject, I met Rohan/Rowan (sp?) the other night at my friend's house. He as in "unfamilia" from back in the late SDU days... He says he used to work with you! Small world, hey?!?!? Nick T.

Yeah, WSID = Kwinana Motorplex. According to this guy's compass, Eastern Creek probably couldn't get much further East... :lol:

Christian, if you have any troubles sourcing the parts from Coventry in Artarmon, but the Seven Hill store has them, or Lee Bros in Parra has them, let me know if need be - I work in Parra and live virtually on the border of Toongabbie and Seven Hills. Now that I've got my Stagea, knowing where to source parts close to home (if need be) is going to be invaluable... Cheers, Nick T.

I tried that in my series 1 when looking for the outside temp reading, but you can't actually press the temp dial. And I've skimmed the R-33 service manual and found nothing on calibrating the air-con so it actually heats or cools to the desired temperatures... Any ideas, people? Nick T.

Hmmm, I'm just wondering, SK, how long are we going to be able to source parts from this Group Buy? I will probably get at least a Caster kit soon (once all the initial "new car" financial hurdles have been cleared), because I agree that the steering just off centre is a bit "loose" and it doesn't quite self-centre as well as it could. And the stabiliser bar seems to be popular and effective, so that might be a go as well. Is it a matter of a number of sets or packages being made available, or will this keep going on for a while, and then Whiteline and Bilstein just catering to the demand as and when required? But as far as changing the shocks and springs (and camber correction, of course)? I'd really like to lower it (haven't checked the clearences yet, but it is up high), but fact is that they are doing a great job at the moment and I seriously doubt they'd need replacement. Turns out it's not going to be my daily driver, but enjoying the car now and the thought of putting it off the road even for a few days, well... Cheers, Nick T.

Hmmm, thinking about it now, he does have a white F-series, and always did. Don't know what made me think it was black, maybe I got my mind mixed up with another one I know of, this one here, which is owned by a friend of a friend: Cheers, Nick T.

Sorry guys, I should have been more specific here - what I meant was "When adjusting the temperature in CALIBRATION MODE, how do I adjust the temp when the R-33 has a "Hot" button to increase temps, but the C-34 has a "Dial" to adjust it?" I'm downloading the Manuals as per bwilkeson's link, hopefully it'll be answered in that. It'd also be good if someone (hopefully) can offer a link to the Stagea manuals... Thanks in advance, Nick T.

Excellent and VERY RELEVANT comment!!! Everyone should at least make the effort to find the best tyres they can afford. I think the RTA and other associated bodies should really try and get this into people's heads. Very few people realise how much bearing they have on how your car will perform in a critical situation. Nick T.

I think mine assumes it's always hot outside, I have to set it to around 25 or 26 degrees to keep myself warm... Oh, and when adjusting stuff, how do you press the "Hot" button when the Stagea has a dial instead? Do you just turn it up to a warmer temp? Hey, isn't there a button you can press so that it displays outside temperature?

I might get some Caster rod bushes soonish, SK is right in that the steering is a bit light just off centre (well, a bit light for my liking, anyway). Mine has a strut brace, the cover and a net, luckily. I might make a new thread for this kind of stuff and get a mod to make it a Sticky at the top of this section, what do you all think? I'll get them to keep this one open so people can come here and add new info, then I can transfer the new stuff into the Stickied one...

Agreed! I had about 4 people (that I noticed while driving) looking at the car while on my way home from Gosford to near Parra.

That would be me... And yes, I am thoroughly enjoying it!!! It didn't have leather or the sunroof option, and I would have liked to have either or both, but that's ok. And it doesn't have a rear spoiler, but I might add that later, still not sure yet. But it is a MANUAL, which is why I snapped it up. I drove up yesterday with my oldies (gave them a bit of a day out in the process) to pick it up. It's a heavy thing, but it still goes, stops and handles better than the Corolla I still have (and will keep as my daily driver). There's a pic of the two of them together in another thread here in the Stagea section. I'd link it, but I'm too tired now. If you haven't already, sign up for the mailing lists on J-Spec Imports and Prestige Motorsports. Good luck with your search, Nick T.

Sorry dude, no swapping - the fact it's a manual is the whole reason I snapped it up... Already used just under a quarter tank of fuel in it. Dammit, it's soooo much nicer than my Corolla! Handles and rides better than my parents' 1999 Audi A4 1.8T (ride is way too harsh), and has equal ride, better handling and more performance (obviously, especially seeing as it's an auto 4cyl) than their 2003 Camry Sportivo... You could say I'm happy with my decision and purchase...

I bought the car off a guy called Alan (username on these forums is "Argo"), so any info he's already provided is all I have. Here's a link to what he's previously given... His info starts on page 5, post #63 onwards... Cheers all, Nick T.