How Would You Build An Import Cruiser?

[R33_Dude]

I must admit at the outset this stems from my latest run-ins with the police, leaving me with a single point.

I have been considering building just a nice comfortable car, perfect for highway and street cruising. 

It must be comfortable, be capable of actually fitting your mates, look good with some decent rims, yet still hold the classic import appeal of ease of modification. Another big one for me is not looking vulgar,which is difficult because most people wanting an import cruiser go for the 20" rim, lowered, ugly bodykit look.

The street machine and hot rod scenes have been doing it for years without looking like twats, why not us?

I have several ideas, in fact it appears I have one for each of the main import marques:

A twin turbo Aristo, with leather interior, with a nice set of alloy finish mags if its any colour, or body coloured center mags if its black with a chrome lip. Minor performance modifications would include changing to a front mount and a custom exhaust - but kept quiet so it doesn't interfere with the comfort levels - plus a slight boost increase and tune. Keep the comfy suspension stock. Install a nice sound system. It only has one of the best engines ever made with one of the most comfy interiors I've ever been in.

A R34 GT-T 4 door. Possibly in auto (gasp!). Again change the mags to something tasteful with nice tyres. Same performance mods as above. Remove that rear spoiler - they don't suit the sedan shape in my opinion. This has the added advantage of Skyline credibility and parts support.  

A Galant VR4 in black or red. 2.5 V6 twin turbo and evo drivetrain along with a comfy interior. Nice start in my opinion. Front mount intercooler (sprayed black), revised exhaust and tune. Mags. Done. Perhaps ditch the evo rear spoiler, it spoils the sleeper sedan look, also I'm not too fond of the stock front bumper.

I found Mazda to be a bit difficult as they don't really have the comfy four door thing going on, but nevertheless, by sacrificing fuel economy, space for mates and reliability a Cosmo 20B fits the bill. The tricky part would be not looking like another d!ck. Careful selection of rims would be in order to not join the ugly import car club.

I figure its all just making informed, reliable modifications and clearing up the body lines.       

How would you do it? What would you do it with? 

[Mr. Oizo]

JZX-100 Chaser or Mark II

Or, XR6 Turbo

[R33_Dude]

Thats nommy. Not the rims I would choose and the intercooler actually spoils the front lines in silver but still nice.

[scathing]

Aristos and Chasers would be the two most common. I'd love to have a Chaser with an auto 2JZ-GTE in it, in a "lower" budget.

As for Mazda, if you want old-school charm with their signature engine a mate of mine has a Luce (aka 929) with a 13B in it. It's for sale, I believe.

[scathing]

In a higher budget, I'd personally look at doing up an auto V35 coupe.

In the powertrain I'd run a HKS single turbo kit and a suitable exhaust. The intercooler is only half width, so it won't affect your cooling systems quite as much. The only thing I'd add would be some bolt-on VQ engine mods (plenum spacer, bigger injectors as the HKS ST uses the stockers) and probably an oil cooler to sit in the other half of the front grille.

Appearance-wise you can find some tasty subtle lip kits. I'd consider replacing the Nissan badges with Infiniti logos, but probably shave most of the brightwork. I'd have the insides of the headlights painted black (to match the bodywork) and tint the tail lights.

The car would be lowered with big camber to get a proper VIP stance. I'm not sure how wide I could go with the rims, but a 19x10.5 / 20x11.5" with an offset in the mid teens wouldn't be out of the question. Work Meisters in a gold gold spoke / polished silver lip in that size would look pretty damned hot.

Suspension I'd go for something soft with an electronic controller so I can firm it up a little if necessary.

Stereo would be upgraded of course. I'm not sure what I can do but I don't want a massive, f**k-off system. It should be subtle, but I haven't done much research into the V35's stock setup. I don't think I'd do much else to the interior. Maybe some Defi gauges with a Link Display.

The car will sound mean, have a fair amount of poke with good response (you're looking at around 230rwkW at 4psi and around 260rwkW at 8psi) for drivability while not stressing out the components. I'm not sure if the slusho will take even low boost without toughening, but the rest of the powertrain will cope just fine. The interior in the V35 is pretty plush, and a pretty comfortable place to spend your time. I like the way the V35 looks, and lowered in black it has a definite toughness about it.

[NZM.031]

the japs have been doing this for just aslong as our muscle cars have... heck they drive their 9 sec gtr's on the street, with street tyres... lets a see a muscle car do that.. lets see a muscle car do a 9 sec run first though.

[R33_Dude]

NZM.031: My fathers 1938 coupe has a supercharged 350 chev stroker and ran 9.8 seconds at *edit* baskerville *edit I could find the time slips somewhere I'm sure if i visited my parents.

Plus, reaction time was terrible - he's edging on fifty years old - so it could probably be faster still. There are plenty of ridiculously fast street muscle cars, and your just being a bit closed minded if you believe japanese cars are the only method to gaining a performance car.

I love all cars, from mustangs to the japanese kei class turbos.

Scathing: I did consider a V35 but the price for what they are is still prohibitive. They are an amazing looking car once cleaned up though. Perfect for that comfy cruiser with a spark of personality.

Edited February 17, 2009 by R33_Dude

[GTS4WD]

+1 for chaser.

[cactus]

the japs have been doing this for just aslong as our muscle cars have... heck they drive their 9 sec gtr's on the street, with street tyres... lets a see a muscle car do that.. lets see a muscle car do a 9 sec run first though.

that is the worst post I have ever read in my life ... shame on you.

Cosmo would be bombed if done right!

[R33_Dude]

I don't fully understand why people are attracted to the chaser. It has a worse engine than an Aristo and the same chassis minus some interior luxuries sure they look nice modified but they are still more expensive than an Aristo.

*confused face*

[Mr. Oizo]

I don't fully understand why people are attracted to the chaser. It has a worse engine than an Aristo and the same chassis minus some interior luxuries sure they look nice modified but they are still more expensive than an Aristo.

*confused face*

Same reason why people will pay $15k for a 15 year old Nissan

When you can get a 4 year old SS commodore with a 5.7 Litre LS1 in it for the same price

Or even a brand new Hyundai Accent

[R33_Dude]

^^ Not really correct - I doubt a hyundai accent appeals to the same market as an import or LS1 powered commodore.

I would have a Commodore with an LS1 and fork out for a twin turbo kit in a second - if I had the money to do so and keep up with what I would imagine would be its tremendous thirst.

Thats not my point though. Anyone can build a comfortable cruiser out of a commodore - and everyone does. Yet theres not too many cruiser imports. Why not? They appeal to a similar market, are produced, can be built easily and on a budget.

Plus an aristo (in my opinion) is a chaser with bigger balls. Why is everyone hooked up on chasers?

[Mr. Oizo]

I guess the accent thing was a bit retarded, lol

... Aristos are ugly, only came in auto, and they are heavy luxo barges.

Chasers are somewhat sporty for a sedan

[Mr Eps]

i know this seems stupid but... consider my car?? it so happens to be for sale

1989 nissan cefiro

wonder bodykit

original paint

stich evolution polished face 18x 9.5 / 10.5 stagger set

RG JTC N*1 (soft) coilovers

stainless manifold / dump to 3"front followed thru to the 3" catback

R34 SMIC (hidden, concealed, allows no lag)

full stock interior (cefiro seats are very comfortable)

not much over 100kms

RB20de+T engine done properly very reliable

automatic (don't knock it till you drive one)

never tracked, never dragged, never drifted, looks amazing, with this level of mods to a cefiro you'd expect it to be a drift hack but it's been perfectly maintained

replaced lower control arms

100xxxkms service performed very early @ 87xxxkms

replaced water pump

new alernator 3 months old

new thermostat replaced two weeks ago

heaps of other things hav been "replaced" for the sake of it due to just doing it for the hell of it such as

power window motors

great car, priced to sell, let me know if you might be interested

it's a fantastic daily driver and it's not a "head turner" it more "makes people stop wat they're doing, call the attention of their friends, their friends stop wat they're doing and watch"

[R33_Dude]

Your right yes they are heavy, but I have seen lightly modified examples pull consistent 13's on a quarter mile.

I don't think they are ugly but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The whole auto/manual thing is irrelevant. It doesn't need to function as a sports car, merely a cruiser with sporting pretensions. The auto if anything is better for this role, quarter mile being more important than a circuit but ultimately really being irrelevant in the end.

Fair enough on the chaser thing then if your after a sporty sedan.

EDIT: plus Epsy, I'm not actually looking to buy/build one just saying that by all rights there should be more of them floating about.

Edited February 17, 2009 by R33_Dude

[Mr Eps]

ahhh

well

i've literally built the "thing" you're talking about

it's basically there to hav the power when you need it, look good, handle fantastic, impress others, carry the "import flag on it's back" (this is important to me.. i fking hate seeing shitstain s13's on the road!) but most importantly of all - is an absolute pleasure to get into in the morning and drive it to work and home every day

and funny u mention this thread

my next car will be a white pearl V35, i'm lowering it with sports springs, perhaps even streetable coilover system. 20" SSR gold reverse mesh wheels (i know 20's are played but V35 needs it to fill it's guards...)

perhaps a half kit (or "lip" kit)

and an impul boot spoiler

just basically make a car that looks pure pornography but is also a complete pleasure to drive, aircon, cruise control (getting it installed) etc etc

[R33_Dude]

Sounds like your doing exactly what I would love to.

Post up pics when its done ya hear?

[VB-]

celsior on bags, straight thorugh zorst, on 20's, just not those horrible big bling ones, something tasteful

cant really see a smaller turbo motor being real good in a 'cruiser'. although an aristo could definately work, but no deal on the rotor or rb25

R33 dude, i know exactly what you mean, my mate asked me just the other day why chasers are worth twice as much as aristo's... and i couldnt think why? the only thing they have in there favour is that they came in manual, but even then, theres hardly any around, and the autos are still worth heaps too.

looks, i rkn aristo is better personally

2jz>1jz, goes without saying

aristo i believe came with more creature comforts

just what is so good about the chaser?

[Mr Eps]

aristo.

full of creature comforts in 1991.

aristo.

full of electrical headaches and problems in 2009.

and yes R33dude. pics will be plentiful - my V35 will be the first of it's kind in australia.. meaning.. modified. but not lebspec.

im either going gold reverse mesh OR

pearl colour coded Trafficstar dtx 20"

i have a few other ideas which im not disclosing because i got really mad when people tried copying the look of my cefiro haha

[BoyWhoCriedWolf]

For those who are not sure why the Chasers are a popular car go drive a manual one. I have owned two TRD versions and have an Aristo now. Id take the Chaser every day.