Best Bang For Your Bucks

[Quinny]

I have about $3000 to spend on mods for my R33 GTS-T, and I am just wondering where that money is best spent. I did do a search, but I got too many threads which had nothing to do with what I am after.....

The car is basically stock except a HKS pod, and exhaust (I think it is cat-back).

I was thinking of doing one of the following (though I am open to suggestions) -

1. Power FC computer, Boost Controller, and do a dyno tune with about 8-9psi.

2. FMIC (a good one, not a cheap crap one) and boost controller, run about 10psi, but I am not sure if this will cause problems without the car being properly tuned.

I basically want to get as much power as I can, but without taking risks on reliability. I would like to get the FMIC and the Power FC, but I just don't think I have the budget for it. Should I consider using the SAFC instead - the car will not get modified much beyond the mods I have listed (around 180-200rwkw will suffice).

That $3000 also needs to include labour for fitting, tuning and whatever because I am not too familiar with Skyline engines yet, so I can't really do the work myself.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Edited May 17, 2006 by Quinny

[MANWHOR3]

coverd many timmes. But, one of those 400$ gtek fmic kits in the group buy section.

jaycar iebc - 130 including handcontroller.

finish off your exhaust - justjap/batmbl

powerfc + Tune

[danielson]

  MANWHOR3 said:

coverd many timmes. But, one of those 400$ gtek fmic kits in the group buy section.

jaycar iebc - 130 including handcontroller.

finish off your exhaust - justjap/batmbl

powerfc + Tune

mate i used to be a manager at jaycar, im also an electronics engineer, and i can only say, unless your electronically minded and have had experience in doing this, DONT. f**k it and the kits useless.. by a gated tee, much cheaper and less headaches... or save more and buy a nice eboost

[Quinny]

I don't really know too much about turbo engines (V8s on the other hand...) so I will be leaving the fitting, tuning etc of everything in the hands of professionals. I want an electronic boost controller rather than a manual one. If I get the Power FC, I will get the boost controller kit with that.

[paulr33]

PFC, boost kit, split dump exhaust, fmic

should get a few $ change from 3000 not much tho

[Quinny]

  paulr33 said:

PFC, boost kit, split dump exhaust, fmic

should get a few $ change from 3000 not much tho

Really? The way I work it out, the PFC cost about $1100, PFC boost controller $400, Tuning $500, that is $2000 just there. I don't think I would get a FMIC + fitting, and exhaust for $1000.....

I might let the dyno decide. I will do a run before I do any mods and see how the AFRs and power curve looks, if they look ok, then the FMIC will be the go, if they look a bit dodgy, then the PFC might be a better choice.

One question about the PFC, can I get the factory fuel cuts and things like that removed or changed with the PFC? Will the factory fuel cuts cause any problems with extra boost if I run the stock ECU?

Edited May 17, 2006 by Quinny

[zed32]

  Quinny said:

Really? The way I work it out, the PFC cost about $1100, PFC boost controller $400, Tuning $500, that is $2000 just there. I don't think I would get a FMIC + fitting, and exhaust for $1000.....

I might let the dyno decide. I will do a run before I do any mods and see how the AFRs and power curve looks, if they look ok, then the FMIC will be the go, if they look a bit dodgy, then the PFC might be a better choice.

One question about the PFC, can I get the factory fuel cuts and things like that removed or changed with the PFC? Will the factory fuel cuts cause any problems with extra boost if I run the stock ECU?

pfc - $960

batmbl split dump + hi flow cat - $700max

fmic $400 - GKTech Group buy

tune - $500

[Quinny]

  zed32 said:

pfc - $960

batmbl split dump + hi flow cat - $700max

fmic $400 - GKTech Group buy

tune - $500

Where can you get the PFC for $960?

I also need to add a boost controller and fitting of the FMIC to the list.

Are the $400 coolers any good, do they come with piping etc?

[Lithius]

  Quinny said:

Where can you get the PFC for $960?

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...howtopic=116688

Ends on the 20th of may but there are bound to be more at a later date.

[Cubes]

If you want an ebc the pfc boost kit is the cheapest way out of it UNLESS you are electronically minded and able to solder the jaycar kit together.

Do remember the purchase of the jaycar kit + some one else assembling it will cost you the same if not more than a pfc ebc.

Another option is to buy an adjustable actuator from a turbo shop, they can be purchased in a variety of base boost level's then tweaked via the adjusting nut to achieve the boost level your after. They are around $130.

Or find an R32 rb20det actuator and drop that on for a 10-12psi boost level.

There is a few options, but for 3k it will be close.

[zed32]

  Quinny said:

Where can you get the PFC for $960?

I also need to add a boost controller and fitting of the FMIC to the list.

Are the $400 coolers any good, do they come with piping etc?

I have PM'd you to make it easier .

thanks

[stolen_s15]

  paulr33 said:

PFC, boost kit, split dump exhaust, fmic

should get a few $ change from 3000 not much tho

What he said.

[Munna1]

  Quinny said:

I have about $3000 to spend on mods for my R33 GTS-T, and I am just wondering where that money is best spent. I did do a search, but I got too many threads which had nothing to do with what I am after.....

The car is basically stock except a HKS pod, and exhaust (I think it is cat-back).

I was thinking of doing one of the following (though I am open to suggestions) -

1. Power FC computer, Boost Controller, and do a dyno tune with about 8-9psi.

2. FMIC (a good one, not a cheap crap one) and boost controller, run about 10psi, but I am not sure if this will cause problems without the car being properly tuned.

I basically want to get as much power as I can, but without taking risks on reliability. I would like to get the FMIC and the Power FC, but I just don't think I have the budget for it. Should I consider using the SAFC instead - the car will not get modified much beyond the mods I have listed (around 180-200rwkw will suffice).

That $3000 also needs to include labour for fitting, tuning and whatever because I am not too familiar with Skyline engines yet, so I can't really do the work myself.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

- Second hand R34 GTT intercooler or $400 one in group buy section

- Forget ebc get a r32 gtst actuator and run 10psi or if you cant find one the $22 boost controller do a good enough job at this level of modification search on these forums for more info

- power FC and tune

- highflow cat and open belmouth dump if you dont have enough money left go the split dump all can be found on these forums

Reliablity wont be any be an issue if you tune your car regulary with good oils ect.

cheers

[fEkuaR]

  Quinny said:

I don't really know too much about turbo engines (V8s on the other hand...)

I knew that feeling allllll to well hahaha...

[Quinny]

If I was to get the Power FC+Boost control and one of the GKTech coolers, then get it dyno tuned, am I likely to run into any problems? I have heard a few people mention fuel cuts etc that I don't really know much about. Is there anything else I need to know before I go and spend my money on this?

I will have a look at the exhaust as well, and see if anything needs to be done there, if I have the money, I will get it done too, if not, I will get it done later.

Also, how much power should I expect from this setup, at 10psi?

[justin911]

yeah wat everyone else said... except for the ebc... buy one of those '$22' bleed valve.. it will work perfectly for what your after..

and yeah for $400 those gktech intercooler kits sound pretty good

[r33_racer]

fuel cut wont be there with a powerfc...once thats in...no speed limit....no R&R...no nothing except whatever the tuner puts in. Mate if youve done alot of work on v8's...a car is a car, if you take something off just make sure you put in on the same way.

Just dont get too cosy thinking you can hang off the front quarter panels and drop your legs into the engine bay....youll be lucky if you can get your arms around half the shit in there. If you get stuck...its just a matter of jumping on sau and asking for help....more then enough people on here to offer it.

Power..well depends what dyno and how it reads...but im guessing around 180rwkw's. Some people have probably made more..and some have probably made less. When i had only those mods on my car except i had pfc ebc...on 12psi mine only made 170 odd rwks.

Edited May 18, 2006 by r33_racer

[Quinny]

Thanks r33_racer, I wanted to confirm the PFC wouldn't have any of those problems. I was also planning on using the PFC boost control, but I hope I get more than 170rwkw, but if not, I will get over it. I am more interested in strip times (mid - low 13 sounds good).

I think I may have it sorted, GKTech cooler, PFC+Boost Controller, dyno tune....

[Munna1]

  Quinny said:

Thanks r33_racer, I wanted to confirm the PFC wouldn't have any of those problems. I was also planning on using the PFC boost control, but I hope I get more than 170rwkw, but if not, I will get over it. I am more interested in strip times (mid - low 13 sounds good).

I think I may have it sorted, GKTech cooler, PFC+Boost Controller, dyno tune....

If your exhaust is only a cat back be sure to install a dump/front and a highflow cat

cheers

[Quinny]

I plan to get the exhaust done as well - at the moment I am not sure what setup it has (it was like that when I bought the car). I figure that I am better off to get the tune, cooler, computer now, and finish the exhaust later (and get the tune re-done if I have to) than do the exhaust now, and get the tune and computer done later.