Decisions Decisions Decisions...

[funkymonkey]

agreed. the only thing a 6 speed gearbox in the S15 is good for is as a coffee table base.

For the money you pay to import an S15 you can import an early R33 GTR or an Evo 7 at auctions, both very very good cars and leagues ahead of an S15.

If you want a cheap track car, you can't go past an R33 GTSt, you can get a 1993/1994 manual landed and complied for under 10k... throw another $500 into it and you've got yourself a fully registered car, then just use your leftover money to mod it. If the engine or turbo blows, parts are cheap as chips... or rebuild the engine to an RB30DET, whatever, you have so many options. Screw sinking money into a clapped out R32 or S13 from the Jurassic Era.

If you must buy a silvia, buy a locally sold S14 or S14a, awesome transmissions, good SR20's which respond well to mods and handle well. If you're buying a track car, you shouldn't care what it looks like, so who cares if it looks wierd compared to an S15 etc.

[GTR_STEALTH]

grrr...the more i look into this the more and more options that pop up. Im starting to think that for about half my perceived initial outlay would get me onto a track with something OK. And as im starting to find out, you dont really need something significant like a GTR to get onto the track. 15K should do the trick i rekon.

10K = Car

5K = Little mods/tyres

The Silvia seemed like a cheaper option, but just looking thru that J-Spec site, it seems u can get an R32 (couldnt find any 33's for that price) for about the same which would have to be a better option....yes/no?

So what u think about an R32 GTS-T as a thrash box for the track???

It would surely have to be a better option than the S13 yer?

Just get it here, throw a cooler/exhaust, and maybe change the turbo if it dies; and just race the damn thing. Not a big fan of upgrading anything major (unless it brakes first), which im not sure if it will. I know their gearbox's arent as good as an RB25, and yes they are a lil old....but it should be ok yer? I suppose just a lil babying on the track would prevent any major boo boo's

Here are a few examples from J-Spec:

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=7831

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=5781

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=5602

hehehe...sorry for the inconveinience. I just like to consider and explore ALL possibilities before throwing my money into something which could quite possibly end up in the tyre wall

As i said earlier on, i've already got an R33 but its auto, so i dont think that would be sufficient; even if i did put a shift kit, etc...

Edited October 16, 2006 by R33_STEALTH

[Roy]

You want a JDM S15 if your going to get one.

Although, the 6 speed is a weak point in the car as is the diffs from the outset.

I'd get the S14 honestly if i had to choose S13-14-15.

Whilst i think they are ugly, if you dont mind them then go for it

I've been driving a 6-speed S15 lately, and with a clutch behind it... it just doesnt feel right for some reason. Nothing like the RB25 box and its 4-5 years newer

Sorry S15 as a std car with basic mods like IC, Pfc and exhaust ius great value. There are very quick cars usign std diff and gearbox. They are fine at the power levels you would want to tp throw at an std Sr20. Std turbo is fine...you can tbeat them for a modern reliable and bloody quick car.

GTR will be quicker, but tyres, fuel and oil are expensive enough let alone getting a car that eats fuel, eats bottom ends, throw turbo wheels, is big and heavy so uses clutches, tyres etc quicker then the lighter S15/R32.

BEst bet is rock up to Calder this weekend and talk to the guys. Just stay away from teh super cheaters, they will make you want to sell crack to school kids and sell yourself to dirty old men in an attempt to be able to afford such sweet cars

R33 GTST is ok, but looks ghey, is still pretty heavy, but does have good engine and box. But still hopless diff and turbo that needs to be ripped off as it will fail soone rather then later

[Roy]

...lol, should add 22k buys you my R32 GTSt I want to buy a race only R32 as a track car....if you can strip the bejeezuz out of them its makes life a lot easier...only dont want to do that to a road car

[KamikazeR33]

just buy an f1 car already

[xRHETTx]

You may as well import a race-only car, no need to pay compliance rego etc...

Heres a 1994 mazda rx7 turbo for $7000 which would do alright i reckon. or get a heavily modified r32 from japan race only.

http://www.prestigemotorsport.com.au/modul...hp?StockID=4110

[GTRgeoff]

And that's why I'm going in that direction......

[GTR_STEALTH]

I think getting a Race Only car = winner!

Edited October 17, 2006 by R33_STEALTH

[R32gts-t]

some events (ie dutton) require that the car is road registered, sp be certain thats the way you wish to go before you rush off and buy something.

With the benefits of a track only car comes the added cost of a quality car trailer + somewhere to store the thing.

every time you want work caried out on the vehicle you will need to load the bastard up and tow it somewhere, some workshops may not be to appreciative of you leaving the trailer with the car while work is carried out, also your daily car will need a fairly decent towing capacity, just be sure to think it all through, when it comes time to sell the car it is far easier to sell a car with road registration.

good luck.

Greg

[GTR_STEALTH]

True True

[phunky_monkey]

Phunkey_Monkey, i take you owned one....Why did it make you "dead poor",LoL, are they that riddled with probs?

...surely there's exceptions out there? yes/no?

Yeah, I own a 180 man. They aren't riddled with problems at all, I just have a habit of breaking things! My car is pretty highly modified, so I am constantly finding the weakest link if you know what I mean. I doubt I will have the same issues next year as I will have sorted every issue that has cropped up, as well as any other I can conceive happening.

If you're happy to keep it stockish then I'd hazard a guess you won't run into as many issues, but it is near on 15 years old so problems are bound to occur. I'd go for an S14 if I were you.

Greg makes some good points too. To have a race only car means somewhere to store a trailer, a car that can tow etc. I bought a daily that could tow for this very reason, but I have no where to put a trailer, and I haven't got a towbar yet

[Roy]

But there is something cool about driving your road car to the track and giving it some BIG stick. Especially if your car is a little more track then road. A trip to work puts grin on your face as you strap into the race seat and reset the data logger

[Interloper]

But there is something cool about driving your road car to the track and giving it some BIG stick. Especially if your car is a little more track then road. A trip to work puts grin on your face as you strap into the race seat and reset the data logger

and thats why in 8 months or so i will have a 32 gtst for track and road use

i can't wait!

[crack]

heavily modified r33 gtr with twin hks 2530 turbos for just under $32,000

here

[Interloper]

omg i was just about to post that link!

you beat me to it by less than a minute

[Roy]

Looks great. Would imagine its a good car, certainly has some nice bits.

At the end of the day you have to ask how much money you are willing to spend.

My rule, dont track something you cant afford the break. Engine gearbox, diff, even panels on my GTSt are all cheap. Unless i really bend it, even then i can re-shell the car for less then 5k and have a lot of left over parts left over.

R33 GTR would be ace, but an engine would put me off the road for 12 months while i come up with the 4-5k to fix it

[GTR_STEALTH]

Some very good points have been raised in this thread, thankyou to everyone! And a special thanks to those that have been helping me with additional advice behind the scenes. I will not forget the time you have taken to help me out. For your troubles you shall receive a shiiinny penny!

LoL, nah it'll be my shout at the next event i attend.

At this stage i think the plan of attack is:

-Get rid of both the VR and the R33.

-Buy a cheap runaround for 2K.

-Import an R32 GTR (Maybe 33GTR) and have it street registered with a few minor mods.

We'll see how we go....

[Roy]

Well if you are going to get a GTR, spend the extra cash and get the R33. The suspension is better, the brakes are better, the ATTESA is better...they are miles ahead of the R32 GTR. They are newer to boot, and the R32 would typically be slower around the tracks. Hell the transfer cases on most R32s dont exactly make them all that AWD, so another reason to go for an R33 is their transfer cases are typically tighter.

As much as i would love to see more R32s out there....R33s make more sense if its a lightly modded street/track car. Id go as far as saying if you have an R32 GTR you have to worry about S13/GTSt beign quicker for less money

[phunky_monkey]

Looks great. Would imagine its a good car, certainly has some nice bits.

At the end of the day you have to ask how much money you are willing to spend.

My rule, dont track something you cant afford the break. Engine gearbox, diff, even panels on my GTSt are all cheap. Unless i really bend it, even then i can re-shell the car for less then 5k and have a lot of left over parts left over.

R33 GTR would be ace, but an engine would put me off the road for 12 months while i come up with the 4-5k to fix it

Very good point made by Troy here. These reasons, along with wanting something a little bit different, is why I race an S13 and not a GT-R.

[Roy]

I have a great club car in mind if you want to build one up. Uses a very cheap Nissan engine, will be in a car that weighs less then 900kg. Have about 240hp at the wheels. Handle and stop great. Be real fun and challenging to drive and beign quick at a lot of events...and it is cool and different.

Fully sprayed, caged with seats and wheels etc woudl be less then 20k...i will tell you what it is if you let me build it for you...serisouly