Modifying An R33 Gts-t

[shoebox]

I just bought a automatic stock R33 GTS-T Series 2 yesterday, and I'm thinking of modifying it. Any comments, recommendations or advice is greatly appreciated as this is my first car.

Here's what I have in mind:

2) Greddy profec B-spec II electronic boost controller

4) HKS Speed Limit Defencer.

5) Replacing the intercooler with one from a R34 GT-T.

6) bilstein/whiteline suspensions

8) Full turbo back x-force kit.

11) NGK BCPR6ES spark plugs.

12) Apex'i AFC Neo and SITC.

13) Shift kit.

As of now, I'm only thinking of making these light modifications. Nothing fancy, as I'm on a budget and i hope this thread will help anyone who is planning to improve his/her R33 without spending a bomb.

Any advice on what to get, what not to get, where to buy these parts from, etc?

Thanks!

Edit: Refined the mod list, removed the apexi intake kits, spitfire coilpacks, speedo upgrade, change of spoilers and headlight kits. Blowing a few hundred just to change the speedo and headlights is just... =_=

Edited October 14, 2006 by shoebox

[hanyou]

I just bought a automatic stock R33 GTS-T Series 2 yesterday, and I'm thinking of modifying it. Any comments, recommendations or advice is greatly appreciated as this is my first car.

Here's what I have in mind:

1) Upgrading of intake. What's the difference between the Apex'i Power Intake Kit and the HKS Super Power Flow Pod?

2) Boost controllers. I'm trying to decide between the manual boost controllers and the Greddy profec B-spec II electronic boost controller... is the Greddy one worth the extra cost?

3) Changing the speedometer from the stock 180km/h version to the Nismo 320km/h one.

4) HKS Speed Limit Defencer. Is there anything I should look out for as my car's an auto?

5) Replacing the intercooler with one from a R34 GT-T. I heard that it'll fit on an R33, and that it's better; is this true?

6) Upgrading the suspensions. Are the D2 suspensions good?

7) Spitfire coil packs.

8) Upgrading of exhaust system (turboback and catback).

9) XenonOz headlight kits.

10) Replacing the spoiler with a drift wing.

11) Changing of spark plugs. Apparently, the current ones are one heat range higher.

As of now, I'm only thinking of making these light modifications. Are they legal? Any advice on what to get, what not to get, where to buy these parts, get them fitted, etc? I'm at Brisbane.

Thanks!

1. apexi filters & flows better & is a non oil based filter so it wont wreck ur air flow meter

2. bleed valve is ok for minor mods.. but if u got future plans definantly the profec b

3. if ur really gna go that fast then why not lol

4. dont need that, get a aftermarket computer

5. not 100% sure dont think it'd make that much of a difference to make it worth while

6. check out group buy section for SK's bilstein/whiteline suspension kit

7. if u need it

8. definantly turbo back. watever brands suit ur taste. split dump pipe tho (BOS importing has a nice one)

9. hid kits found in group buy/business traders section

10. depends ur taste

11. u'll need to get new ones with lower gap 0.8mm and about a 7 heat range

not sure on legal's as im in NSW. but pod filters are illegal unless boxed and enclosed, boost controller 100% illegal, and exhaust depending on dB noise and emmissions.

hope that helps

[shoebox]

4. dont need that, get a aftermarket computer

not sure on legal's as im in NSW. but pod filters are illegal unless boxed and enclosed, boost controller 100% illegal, and exhaust depending on dB noise and emmissions.

omg boost controllers are illegal!?! then why is everyone getting one fitted? aftermarket computer as in a new ECU? i can't do that because most (if not all) ecus are not compatible with autos...

I might be moving to VIC in the near future, so i'll need to comply with QLD's and VIC's regulations.

[GreddyGo]

Do you really need an auto??

If not I think changing it over to manual would definately be the first and most important mod!

Cheers

Josh

[bazr33]

boost controllers arent illegal in QLD

as i have been pulled over by a qld transport inspector and have one sitting right behind my steering wheel, and i told him what it was. didnt care

* and at that time only got done for my horn not working

But yeah nsw might be different, if thats the case down there, well that sucks ass!!

[shoebox]

Do you really need an auto??

If not I think changing it over to manual would definately be the first and most important mod!

Cheers

Josh

Yea. I hate clutch control, and the roads in Australia are horrible; they're so steep! I'll love to change to a 5-gear auto transmission to cut fuel costs and for a smoother ride, but it'll probably cost a bomb.

Any recommendations on which brands I should go for stuff like boost controllers, coil packs (are they even any good?) and turboback exhaust systems?

For suspensions i'm torn between D2 and the bilstein/whiteline suspension kits (thanks hanyou for pointing out the sale!). Anyone using any of these suspensions? What's the difference between them and the stock suspensions other than being able to adjust the height? My stock ones are kinda hard, and the roads here aren't exactly smooth so i feel every small bump and sewer cover. =_=

[WazR32GTSt]

ok first, calm down on all those mods you have listed...

now secondly...

DON'T convert to manual. you have bought a nice skyline and its still the same car auto or manual. you will hear a lot of crap about "auto's are shit" and "manuals are the only way" etc. most of these people have never driven an auto skyline. you will love your car the way it is.

and thirdly...

do some reading on the forums. read the forced induction thread at the top for R33's and see what mods people have done. do some searching and you will learn lots about your car.

and finally...

no one just goes "i want these 20 mods and i want them now!". mods take time. firstly enjoy your car how it is. then do one thing first, and enjoy how it chagned your driving experience. then do another.

take it slow or you'll get overstimulated too quickly (that's good advice for you in more ways than one )

cheers,

Warren

[mad082]

1) go the apexi

2) get one of the cheap turbotech controllers. there is a thread on here called about the $22 boost controller. i use one on my 33 and they work really well. just ask yourself "do i want to spend a few hundred dollars more for something that you couldn't notice the difference on the road with?" there are people on here with big power that still use manual boost controllers.

3) do you want to spend about $400 for a speedo that you shouldn't use?

4) waste of money. do you plan on doing over 180kmh often?

5) yes it is an upgrade. or get a hybrid front mount kit.

6) depends on what you want.

7) good upgrade, but only useful if the stock ones aren't up to the job.

8) go turbo back. x-force do a full 3" kit for about $800

9) waste of money.

10) depending on the wing it could be illegal. and will attract the cops more than the standard one.

11) get NGK BCPR6ES. they are copper plugs and about $3-4 each. heat range 7 is too cold unless you are planning on running over 15psi boost. 7's will foul up with normal driving faster than 6's.

since your car is an auto you are best of getting a safc2 and a sitc rather than a new ecu (depending on howmuch power you are after). aftermarket ecu's don't change gears as smoothly as the factory one with piggybacks. the safc2 controls the fuel and the sitc control timing.

[shoebox]

ok first, calm down on all those mods you have listed...

now secondly...

DON'T convert to manual. you have bought a nice skyline and its still the same car auto or manual. you will hear a lot of crap about "auto's are shit" and "manuals are the only way" etc. most of these people have never driven an auto skyline. you will love your car the way it is.

and thirdly...

do some reading on the forums. read the forced induction thread at the top for R33's and see what mods people have done. do some searching and you will learn lots about your car.

and finally...

no one just goes "i want these 20 mods and i want them now!". mods take time. firstly enjoy your car how it is. then do one thing first, and enjoy how it chagned your driving experience. then do another.

take it slow or you'll get overstimulated too quickly (that's good advice for you in more ways than one )

cheers,

Warren

Thanks Warren! Yea, what you said is so true. I have to admit, I got an auto but it's really quite a good car from what I've seen so far. Only dissapointment is that i can't drift... (which is good because i don't wanna blow money on tyres!)

I done some reading on the forums, which led me to this list of mods, so i'm like looking to see if anyone has tips and such... initially i wanted to fit a BOV as well, but i've changed my mind. Even if i wanna do all the mods at one time, i just don't have the capital

So it's kind of like a long-term plan for my car which could jolly well stretch for a year.

[WazR32GTSt]

ok mate, let's start simple

does it have an aftermarket exhaust?

if not that's the best place to start...

my advice is to check out www.justjap.com or www.bosimporting.com.au they are the best places for cheap but good quality exhausts

i think justjap has full exhausts from the turbo-back for less than 1k

whack that on and you will have a smile from ear to ear

[shoebox]

1) go the apexi

2) get one of the cheap turbotech controllers. there is a thread on here called about the $22 boost controller. i use one on my 33 and they work really well. just ask yourself "do i want to spend a few hundred dollars more for something that you couldn't notice the difference on the road with?" there are people on here with big power that still use manual boost controllers.

3) do you want to spend about $400 for a speedo that you shouldn't use?

4) waste of money. do you plan on doing over 180kmh often?

5) yes it is an upgrade. or get a hybrid front mount kit.

6) depends on what you want.

7) good upgrade, but only useful if the stock ones aren't up to the job.

8) go turbo back. x-force do a full 3" kit for about $800

9) waste of money.

10) depending on the wing it could be illegal. and will attract the cops more than the standard one.

11) get NGK BCPR6ES. they are copper plugs and about $3-4 each. heat range 7 is too cold unless you are planning on running over 15psi boost. 7's will foul up with normal driving faster than 6's.

since your car is an auto you are best of getting a safc2 and a sitc rather than a new ecu (depending on howmuch power you are after). aftermarket ecu's don't change gears as smoothly as the factory one with piggybacks. the safc2 controls the fuel and the sitc control timing.

thanks! my spark plugs are currently 5, according to the mechanic who inspected the car... =_=

safc2 and sitc... that's an idea. i'm not planning to go over 180 often but the road from brisbane to gold coast is really sweet at night!

wings are illegal!?! what the...! there goes my dream of having a drift wing on my car...

An example of what i'm looking for is something like this: Ebay Link. Is this legal? Where can i read up upon all these legal stuff anyway? I can't seem to find them anywhere!

You know, you probably have just cut down on my shopping list by a lot

[mad082]

ok mate, let's start simple

does it have an aftermarket exhaust?

if not that's the best place to start...

my advice is to check out www.justjap.com or www.bosimporting.com.au they are the best places for cheap but good quality exhausts

i think justjap has full exhausts from the turbo-back for less than 1k

whack that on and you will have a smile from ear to ear

listen to this advice.

and just jap have the full turbo back x-force kit for about $800.

[shoebox]

Thanks Waz and mad082!

Yea, it sounds like a great idea, and $800 is pretty cheap for a turboback! A stock R33 is really like a kitten.. so tame.

Edit:

Quick question. I'm trying to learn the ropes here, but what's the difference between the 3" and 3.5" turboback systems? They cost the same...

Edited October 10, 2006 by shoebox

[mad082]

3.5" is half an inch bigger.

its a touch noisier, and has more chance on hitting on the body. i run the 3.5". i like the sound. its not overly noisey, and has a good note. and its not droney in the car.

[shoebox]

Nice! Thanks!

Okay, i'll be going for the 3.5".

Should i be looking at anything else which i missed out on the list? The stock brakes seem to be pretty strong, and it's not like i'm changing the turbo or something, so i'll probably stick to them for the moment.

How about the safc2 and sitc? Are they worth the money if i'm not planning to do big mods? They're quite costly...

At the rate this is going, I'll be giving Apex'i a fair bit of money.. and i initially wanted to go with HKS for their reputation!

Edited October 10, 2006 by shoebox

[mad082]

the safc2 will set you back about $300-$400 plus a tune. and you would get approx 15-20kw gain from it.

[WazR32GTSt]

go get your exhaust! we can talk other mods later...

[shoebox]

I'm planning to get the exhaust done in the next couple of days (or weeks), and probably fit in the safc2 and sitc. Probably going to leave the suspensions alone for now... would any of the stuff i listed make the car not road-worthy?

Edit:

Another quick question: What happens if I go above 180km/h on the stock speedometer? Would it break?

Edited October 10, 2006 by shoebox

[mad082]

well for starters the ecu won't let you go above 180. secondly, no it won't break. it will just keep winding around.

[Modena]

Nice thread and dont worry, us auto boys have just as much fun as the manual guys! The only difference is we have a left hand to do what we please... be it eating a burger or fondling your girl's tits! :sorcerer: