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Buying A 32 Gtr, Looking For Mechanics...

JimmyRickard

By JimmyRickard,
in New South Wales

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JimmyRickard Mentor

JimmyRickard

Posted
Posted

I'm currently in the market for an R32 GTR. A mate of a mate is sellng his, so I went and had a look at it and was very impressed. The paint was in good condition, the body was straight (as far as I could tell) and completely original inside and out, which is what i'm after. The engine has had a complete rebuild, with forged pistons etc, but not highly boosted (9-13psi from memory), and an intercooler and the rest of the usual stuff. All in all it looked and sounded good. The guy took us for a drive and the car didn't miss a beat, seemed a bit docile when not on boost but pulled hard when it was. Anyway, my brother who is a mechanic of sorts found it to be in pretty good condition and we were both impressed with the car.

However, since its an '89 model, I dont want to take any risks. The car's in Sydney, and i want to take it to a skyline specific workshop to get it looked over, or have someone come out or something, and get the engine/gearbox checked out specifically. I get the feeling there may be no receipts or warranty from the engine rebuilder so i want to be sure.

Can you guys suggest any workshops or mechanics in the SYdney area?

What are some other things I should be looking out for?

Cheers!

JimmyRickard Mentor

JimmyRickard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Seeing as BEL is around the corner in regents park i might go with them.

Are these guys very familiar with Skylines?

What kind of inspection should I be asking for, and how much will I be looking at getting all this stuff looked at?

Also, anyone know where i can get a wheel cap fot the original wheels? Its missing one of the caps "we produced on spartan air" or something.

Blitz Grand Master

Blitz

Posted
Posted

As above, call Croydon Racing Developments and speak with Jim or Lance - 96484264

I have had a full pre-purchase inspection done there for the buyer of one my previous Skylines and they were extremely thorough. Their inspection includes everything from a full body/chassis inspection, to Dyno and engine check.

TTT Grand Master

TTT

Posted
Posted (edited)
Southwest sydney area, the car's in greenacre so somewhere in that area

sounds like a good enough reason not to buy it..

make sure all the numbers are checked.

vin, engine, rego.

I think there is a way to see if a number has been filed off and re-punched too.

get that check

check for new welding around the firewall.

Edited by GTST
JimmyRickard Mentor

JimmyRickard

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
sounds like a good enough reason not to buy it..

make sure all the numbers are checked.

vin, engine, rego.

I think there is a way to see if a number has been filed off and re-punched too.

get that check

check for new welding around the firewall.

Which is why i want it fully checked out. I'm going to have a look at a few others first before I make a decision, but from what i've seen it's in great condition, and with the work its had to done to it, its going pretty cheap. However i'd prefer a more expensive, better quality GTR as opposed to a cheap shitbox, so i'm keeping my options open. A mate put me onto this guy, so i'll give him the benefit of the doubt (before any money changes hands anyway).

Is it worth doing a leak-down test? Or will a compression test and Dyno be enough?

cheers

ALSO: What kind of mileage is acceptable for these cars? i'm looking between 80-110xxxkms to be realistic, but some on Carsales have like under 60k which sounds like bullshit to me. Will the mechanics be able to give me an estimate of it's use?

Edited by bigjimmystyle
Beer Baron Grand Master

Beer Baron

Posted
Posted

32 GTR with less than 100,000kms is very rare. plenty of them show less than 100,000 but not many have actually done that few. I mean in 18 years 60,000kms... 3300 kms a year. hmmm.

I would get the leakdown test done too.

realistically you are looking at between 100-200,000kms.

Swiper the Fox Grand Master

Swiper the Fox

Posted
Posted
Given the less-than-stellar attention to detail at the last BEL Garage dyno night, I don't think I'd be taking my car there....

For a thorough going over id take it to Croydon's as per Blitz' post

JimmyRickard Mentor

JimmyRickard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Nah it's gunmental grey, looks completely stock.

I'll have a chat to the guys at DART and Croydon and make my mind up form there. More importantly I want to speak to the engine builder to hear what exactly he's done.

Thanks for the help guys!

  • 2 weeks later...
HighOnSky Newbie

HighOnSky

Posted
Posted

On this subject, I have a basically stock R33, and live in the Hills area of Sydney. The places suggested are a bit far away for me. Can anyone suggest a good place in this neck of the woods for servicing and repairs? Thanks in advance!

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