S/h R34 Gtr... A Few Questions Please

[Phatboy]

Hi guys, I'm new here, although I have been browsing the forum for a few months now... this is my 2nd post after my intro on the newbie page.

I am buying a R34 GTR in the next week or two. There seems to be many knowledgeable people here, so I would be really grateful if you could help me out with a few questions:

How often do you guys get pulled over by the cops for "routine" inspections even though your car looks stock, sounds stock and your driving is tame?

Why I ask is I really like this moderately mod'ed GTR with stock engine/turbo/intercooler, but has

HKS split dumps

HKS front pipe

HKS hipower catback

HKS adj cam gears (IN/EX)

HKS timing belt with Trust clear cover

Apexi pods

Apexi powerfc adjustable boost

Nismo twin plate clutch (super coppermix)

269rwkw

(Please find a photo of engine bay attached)

Apart from the PowerFC which I can just hide if I get pulled over, and assuming the noise level is ok, do you think this setup has detectable defectables?

Also, the car has had to have a right rear wheel ball bearing replaced. Does this mean it has been driven hard? The owner says no...

The gearshift knob looks quite worn, even though it is a 01' model with 50ks on it. The owner actually imports cars (not his primary job) but this is his private ride.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[krzysiu]

Welcome mate

First question i would ask is why a car with 50'000km would have a really worn out gear knob and a timing belt already changed.

Just be careful. Gets all the necessary checks done before you buy it.

[Phatboy]

Wow that's the fastest reply I ever got to any post on any forum... thanks krzysiu

Maybe it was driven a lot and then they changed the tacho display set? The kms will be the ones on the new set right?

Or maybe it was just thrashed around.... probably more likely?

The owner is more than happy for any mechanical inspection. I guess you would recommend an RACV comprehensive check?

Thanks.

[Al]

RACV is useless

Take it to one of the many respected w/shops round Melbourne, they will know what to look for and how the car should drive etc.

worn g'knob and changed timing belt do not add up to 50K. It's easy to change the dash or even re-program it, so treat that reading with caution.

Changing a wheel bearing could also mean that the car was in an accident or that he lost control and guttered it.

Get it checked out properly. Trusted w/shops could be found in the "sticky" on the top of the Victoria forum.

If you live in the West/North side my mechanic is listed below.

PS: If you buy the car ask for the stock items, just in case you do get epa'ed. Especially the ecu (which has the true km reading stored).

[dezz]

If you're changing the cam gears, I'm sure you'd change the timing belt while you're at it...

[Phatboy]

Ah ok. Cool thanks, I will keep those workshops in mind.

Basically I'm just trying to decide whether to go with light-moderately modded cars or stock GTRs. I really don't need the headache of getting defected, so I would be happy with the stock ones if that's what it came to. Do they even defect things like dump pipes/cam gears? Maybe I should ask this in the EPA sticky?

I have read the excellent "what to look for when buying a secondhand skyline" post but wondering if there is anything specifically about R34 GTRs that have the potential to go wrong and that I have to look for when buying.

Thanks.

[saff_cossie]

Cambelt is often changed as a precaution more than anything. Relatively inexpensive compared to a rebuild if it snaps.

Worn gearstick can be a good indicator but again could have had a nice expensive Nismo item that has been replaced. Seat bolsters, bodywork, panel alignment would help build a picture too. Ben at Racepace knows his stuff in Bayswater and is popular on here.

In answer to the question about defecting, it depends on where you drive, how much you drive and how you drive.

[ylwgtr2]

PS: If you buy the car ask for the stock items, just in case you do get epa'ed. Especially the ecu (which has the true km reading stored).

Incorrect...its done in the odometre

[Rav]

The Question for how many times you get pulled up by the police, If your on your P's most likey every time they see you well that what happens to me. But if you have a full licence you should be ok.

[some_cs_student]

In answer to the question about defecting, it depends on where you drive, how much you drive and how you drive.

Yes it does, you don't have a list of illegal mods there which is a good start. The boost controller and ECU are illegal under EPA rules but its unlikely to get noticed.

The pods may attract a little attention if they check the car but its not illegal unless you changed the FMIC as well.

[br3ndan]

You guys over east seem to have so many rules in regards in modified cars...

Maybe you guys should consider coming over west! Not nearly as much rules about modifying your car over here!

[saff_cossie]

Incorrect...its done in the odometre

Same as Evo's which is a popular misconception also as I found out.

[Phatboy]

Thanks guys for all the replies.

Just went to see most of the remaining R34 GTRs for sale in Melb today. There's someone selling one in Leongatha but a 2 hour drive's a fair way away for a test drive, unless I'm on my way to Phil Island... but I only aim to go there for the track after I get my GTR. I'm sick of seeing the penguins already. Has anyone seen the Leongatha one?

I was very impressed by the 3 Nurs I test drove/rode in today. As the car will be my daily driver though, a Nur is pretty much overkill and I should stick with the cheaper GTRs. Yeah I plan to get a mechanical inspection at one of the trusted garages before buying.

With regards to rust, has anyone actually seen an R34 with rust before? I haven't... must be pretty rare, or I'm not looking in the right places

I just have two more to see in Car dealerships before deciding. Anyone have any experience with GTA Autos on Spencer St or Victorian Auto Market in Fawkner?

Thanks.

[Jamezilla]

GTA huh...

I bought my 33 R from them.

3 words for you - no, don't & run.

Use them how you will

[Al]

Incorrect...its done in the odometre

I am pretty sure the ecu also stores the km reading as well, read it in one of the mag's.

They stated the cluster is easy to change, but you can check the ecu and it will have it's true reading still.

[krzysiu]

Yeah Al i heard that it is just stored in the odometer, if you change to lets say a nismo speedo it will go back to 0 or whatever it had if it was on a previous car.

[ylwgtr2]

I am pretty sure the ecu also stores the km reading as well, read it in one of the mag's.

They stated the cluster is easy to change, but you can check the ecu and it will have it's true reading still.

Ok,what you read in the magazine is correct....Ive had the R34 gtr apart to a bare shell,ive had the bonnet's open on most of the computers that are in the car,reprogrammed the anti theft box's on about 5 car's due to lost keys and could tell you what every wire in the car does and what colour it is.....the mags must be right

Edited March 30, 2008 by ylwgtr2

[archie01]

Ok,what you read in the magazine is correct....Ive had the R34 gtr apart to a bare shell,ive had the bonnet's open on most of the computers that are in the car,reprogrammed the anti theft box's on about 5 car's due to lost keys and could tell you what every wire in the car does and what colour it is.....the mags must be right

No need to be abrupt about it.

It would have been nicer if your reply had more tact.

[ylwgtr2]

the bottom line is i wouldnt have answered in the thread if the answer wasnt correct...or i would have included a "maybe".A lot of people post information that is not correct or "Ive heard",which is a big headache for someone looking for accurate info in the case of trying to resolve a problem or doing a diagnosis.

[archie01]

the bottom line is i wouldnt have answered in the thread if the answer wasnt correct...or i would have included a "maybe".A lot of people post information that is not correct or "Ive heard",which is a big headache for someone looking for accurate info in the case of trying to resolve a problem or doing a diagnosis.

Agreed 100% but i wasn't questioning the accuracy of your reply, just the diplomacy of it.

Nothing wrong with being nicer and still making your point, after all, we are a community here with the same interest.