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Midnight Express

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We are using this thread to display the progress to our demo car that will showcase new parts for R33's and various other RB parts. We welcome all comments and constructive criticism. The aim of this project car is to have achievable results that most people can do to their own vehicle. We believe that having a demo car that is so far away from a daily street registrable, although looks good, misses the point of a demo car. If there are any things you would like us to cover in this thread by all means let us know.

This thread is replicated in a more formal way on our website, of which we will try to update as often as possible. Be aware that this car resides in NSW however our business is based in Melbourne. Occasionaly the car is transported to Melbourne for various events, otherwise can be see at various SAU NSW club meets and track days.

The story thus far...

We searched far and wide for a car that is common among tuners of today, that has a very reliable base to work with and also takes well to modifications. No real surprises here, we ended up looking for a clean Nissan Skyline R33. As there are many different models to choose from we decided on getting the somewhat rare 1998 40th Anniversary Model. These are often sold for more than a standard M Spec. The main attraction drawing us to this model was the lovely hues of the Midnight Purple duco and the factory options available to it.

The 40th Anniversary editions had some differences over other models, those being:

Standard Features

Badge on the seat

Badge on C pillar

Uses NEO spec engine parts

- CAS (Crank Angle Sensor)

- Cams use different key

Front & rear strut braces with Nissan logo

Made in late months of 1997 or 1998

Limited Slip Differential

Factory Options

Additional colour codes - e.g. Midnight Purple

Momo with airbag

GTR Spoiler

GTR Bodykit

Satellite Navigation

6 CD Stacker

We eventually found the car we were after and purchased it for the reasonable asking price of $15,700. This included the modifications required to meet ADR (Australian Design Rules). The car itself had a few extra goodies as well like; Tein HR Coilovers, SatNav, CD Stacker, Genuine GP Sports Front Bar and Side Skirts and a 3" HKS Exhaust.

After taking possession in mid January 2007 came the lengthy and frustrating task of Registration in NSW. Now most cars are simple enough to register however many of you can probably sympathise with the difficulties faced by Import owners. Upon returning the car back to almost factory condition it was then sent to get a Blue Slip, Green Slip and a compulsory further inspection. Once this had all been done we are then required to go back to the RTA and fill out the remaining paperwork and get the cars plates.

Now that all the legalities are taken care of it can be driven on the street and the planning process for modifications can begin. As with any high performance car it will need intuitive thinking along with a sound knowledge of both the cars characteristics and engine strengths to achieve a good result. As the car will be used mainly for street and circuit, with some show events and lmited strip time, this will greatly influence the path this vehicle takes.

We will be documenting each modification step and provide feedback on any decisions that had to be made. Where possible we wish to provide a dyno sheet, non-bias judgement or technical report to evaluate the work we carried out.

Pictures of our Project Car (aka Midnight Express) when we purchased it:

Import1.jpgImport2.jpg

Current Specs

Haltech E11v2 ECU

Haltech R33 Loom Adaptor

Haltech Air Temp Sensor

Haltech 3 Bar MAP Sensor

Haltech Racepak Digital Logging Dash

GReddy Turbo Timer

GReddy Profec B Spec-II Boost Controller

GReddy Oil Filter

GReddy Plenum

GReddy Adjustable cam sprocket - ex

GReddy Oil Fill Cap

GReddy Catch Tank

GReddy Timing Belt

GReddy Type S Coilovers

GReddy PE II Exhaust

GReddy Spec-M Universal Inercooler

GReddy Strut Brace

GReddy RS BOV

GReddy Radiator and cap

GReddy Type M Filter M100

GReddy Fuel Rail (11mm)

GReddy Injectors 720cc

GReddy Oil Cooler and Filter Relocation Kit

Sniper Racing Clear Cam Gear Cover

Sniper Racing Carbon Sill Plates

Sniper Racing Carbon GTR Wing End Plates

Sniper Racing Carbon GTR Wing Blade

Nissan Q45 90mm Throttlebody

Whiteline Front Sway Bar

Whiteline Rear Sway Bar

Whiteline Front Camber Kit

Garrett Custom Turbo

Tomei Poncam Camshafts

Bride Ergo II Seats

Bride Seat Rails

C's Short Shifter

Custom Fuse Box Cover

Sharp Reverse Camera - Hooked up to Pioneer screen

Custom Carbon Shift Knob

Sard Fuel Pressure Reg

Bosch 044 Fuel Pump

Custom Surge Tank

Custom Fuel Pump Bracket

Custom Braided Brake Lines

EBC Red Stuff Pads Front and Rear

RDA Turbo Groove Rotors Front and Rear

R33 GTR Brembo Calipers

Pioneer F900-BT AVIC Head Unit

Pioneer Splits in Front Doors and Parcel Shelf

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/242907-psi-parts-project-car-log/
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  • 2 weeks later...

After much discussion about what kit we would put on our project car, we went with:

R33 GTR Do Luck Front Bar to fit GTS

R33S-DRFB-FG-1.jpg

R33 GTR Do Luck Rear Bar to fit GTS

R33S-DRRB-FG-1.jpg

R33 GTS Do Luck Side Skirts

R33S-DSSS-FG-1.jpg

As the car had a few scratches and slight dints we decided to give the car a full re-spray which included removing the front and rear windscreens, with the front windscreen being replaced completely due to a small stone chip. The colour would be the same factory paint, Midnight Purple 1 (LP2).

As with our RX7 FC Project Car the respray job was sent to Andrew, thus we use and recommend:

C & A Superfinish

3 James Street

Clayton South VIC 3169

Ph: (03) 6544 4565

Please tell them PSI Parts sent you

We had the opportunity to make a few little changes to the car with the full respray and thus we decided to give the car a genuine GTR Rear Wing, remove the boot lock and replace with the rear view camera, brand new 40th anniversary badges and paint as much of the engine bay as possible without removing the engine.

Here are a few pictures of the car during it's time getting resprayed. You will note that the front bar was modified due to the adjustable suspension has pushed the front wheels forward for greater steering response, other than that the kit fit extremely well.

Body1.jpg

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should of used a complete gtr front end to give it more of an aggressive/ bulkier look

We think the Front bar gives the car an aggressive enough look as it is (with the possibility of the Blazer CF Hood to come) and we didn't want to change the car into a GTR look-a-like either :ermm:

  • 1 month later...

lol i thought i knew PSI parts from somewhere, you guys are a few factories up from me, and everytime i drive passed i think 'where the hell do i recognize that name from'

that r33 really does looks good in real life too

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

I'll be off the forums for a few months as I'm heading overseas. Shane will take the over therefore any enquiries it's best to contact him via email [email protected], as he doesn't have time to check multiple threads. We appreciate your feedback and upon my return I'm looking forward to introducing a whole range of new parts.

The car has seen quite a lot of changes since my last post, however I don't have much time to document it. Our new website has more pictures and information though. Stay tuned for more :banana:

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    • Should add all mods on the car are done in my ownership. The car was a 1 owner in Japan and I'm first owner in Aus.
    • Thanks GTSBoy. Did BC's so not Japanese coilovers. I've already done all the other points you mentioned besides the seat, I like the factory seats and want to keep original look. Done all the fluids and comp tests etc and all consistent and clean. Well and truly used to the power and car as I've been driving it for a few years as it is now. Contemplating next steps mainly. Preference to remain twins too. @Murray_Calavera Paying for labour.
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    • Are you doing the work yourself or are you paying for labour? 
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