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Deciding Whether Or Not To Build A Cheap Track Car

R33_Dude

By R33_Dude,
in Motorsport Discussion & Builds

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R33_Dude Rising Star

R33_Dude

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No pics yet . Rego'd and definitely roadworthy.

I'm waiting on some money to clear from the bank (check deposit from another car sale... Could take another two days).

Plus another two guys were looking at it for the same reason and they are dead keen. It could still fall through if one of the other blokes gets in first.

Fingers crossed the money will clear and I get there first.

R33_Dude Rising Star

R33_Dude

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Well I did some digging around on its history. Need some second opinions.

Has a new head on the CA18DET. The old one broke a timing belt and destroyed a pair of valves plus other damage. Has a new head with lower k's than the original head plus a new head gasket.

Has a new diff plus a few other bits and pieces. As I mentioned before it still needs a new front bumper.

This all said the bloke will part with it for $5000.

I'm not so sure now. Seems like it has had a tough life... That also said replacing the CA18 is damn easy (comparatively) and I know of three nice cheap (relatively) replacements off the top of my head.

Would anyone else be put off by the way it lost a timing belt and lost a head?

evil_weevil Grand Master

evil_weevil

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When the new head went on, did they fix or replace anything else?

What caused the timing belt to go?

Any proof, like receipts for the fix?

I'd certainly look into it more, which you by the sounds of it!

BezerkR32 Veteran

BezerkR32

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excellent mate, well done, seeme that you are not kidding yourself by thinking it wont cost you more money. dont be too worried about the timing belt issue, it happens, and as long as it was repaired correctly it will be fine, but keep in mind the age and milage of these engines. might be worth a sr20 later on down the track.

Well I am about to buy a manual S13 complete with CA18DET, a tad dirty and in need of a new front bar and some lovin' but mechanically spot on (and all stock bar a pod filter) with coilovers and new DBA gold slotted rotors. Desperately in need of some better tyres though.

In response to some people here. I am not going to be competitive in any way (at least not yet). This is a learning and fun experience.

I am not too fond of go karting no matter how fun it is - I have had a bit to do with go karts in the past. I prefer the full sized car. I don't care if I will be ridiculously slow. To restate what I said earlier I just want to have fun.

The ten thousand is my initial budget - car, basic modifications, etc. I suspect I will see this balloon out to at least double this by the end of the year. Lets not get confused between a someone wanting to build a cheap, fun car to take to club days and someone who wants to be leading the field.

R33_Dude Rising Star

R33_Dude

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When the new head went on, did they fix or replace anything else?

What caused the timing belt to go?

Any proof, like receipts for the fix?

I'd certainly look into it more, which you by the sounds of it!

The timing belt snapped due to age I believe.

Well it seems the repair was done by a competent mechanic (as in a good mechanic but wouldn't take it to him myself) and included a head gasket and a low kilometre head replete with stock valves, cams, etc.

There is definite proof - it drives very well, blows no smoke, came on boost cleanly with no surges/spikes of any kind.

I don't know it just turns me off having found the car and then finding it has had major problems in the past but what would you expect for a 19 year old car that has probably been driven every day of its life and driven hard?

Its still cheap no matter how I look at it. I am paranoid of bottom end damage though even though it all looks fine. Its just the risk of something being sh!te thats turning me off....

Maybe I should just keep looking around. Maybe I should just buy it and if something screws up stick to my guns and build a strong SR20/CA18/RB20 to replace it.

phunky_monkey Grand Master

phunky_monkey

Posted
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Sounds like a decent choice you've made their mate. Personally I'd go for an SR, but that's just me.

Have you looked into ex-drift cars? Sometimes you can pick up half decent ones with some work done for not much money, just require a fair bit of tidying up from some dodgy modifications.

Roy Grand Master

Roy

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Well i am always looking around and if its a CA18DET powered S13 which needs bumper and bodywork and is very std then i would nto be too fussed if you miss it at $5,0000 as i believe you will be able to get better examples for that sort of money

R33_Dude Rising Star

R33_Dude

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Try finding one in tasmania though. Car prices here are ridiculous sometimes - in particular for imports. :)

If you can find a similar car in similar condition either in the state or in a position to be transported here at low cost (aka spirit of tasmania), let me know!

I haven't parted with any cash yet, still waiting on that cheque to clear, and if something better came up I would give the bloke my apologies and snap that up instead.

Kaido_RR Grand Master

Kaido_RR

Posted
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my only advice would be try not to build a track/street car. i started out doing that with my skyline and it does not work. no track car is fun on the street, and when it comes time to move on it sad to see what people are willing to pay for it :down:

thats why im keeping mine and focusing more on track time

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