Canadian Buying A R33 Gts-t

[Matt_101]

Hello,

after turbochareging my stock single cam ka, beating on it and blowing it up - i have decided to take the leap and buy a r33 gts-t. It seems most people on ths forum like AWD over RWD, not me I have some pretty basic questions to ask about what i can execpt from the car.

it will most likey be a 1993 gts-t rb25det with some light mods already done when i buy it. exhaust, intake (cone filter), coil overs. The kms should be +- 25 000 from 100 000 more than likey above 100 000 kms.

I have heard and read good things about the reliabilty of this car, is it true - are these usually reliable daily drivers? i drive pretty normal most of the time but i do plan on some autox and drag racing.

What common issues should i be aware of when looking at the cars, given the kilometers?

My ultimate goal for now will be around 300rwhp (223 rwkw). am I correct in saying this is achiveable with 91 octane, colder plugs, fmic, 10-12 psi, 3'' exhaust, pulling some timeing from the high load section of the ignition map and adding some fuel in high load section of the fuel maps?

One last thing, im 99% sure the rb25det has a knock sensor.... will the ecu dump into the knock map pretty quickly if it starts detionating? i ask because we only have 91 octane fuel where i live and it would be nice to know there is some security there. water/meth injection might be something i'll have to look into.

for now i just want a fun, reliable, daily driver. I can already see the type of money i will end up spending on mods though lol.

[MikeRWK]

Why arent you on gtrcanada.com?

[Messiah]

this should be easy i have an 93 s1 gts25t.

Firstly, yes they have a knock sensor, and yes the stock ecu will go to the det map pretty quick.

Ok with just the following i have ~200rwkw

pod filter, ecu, electronic boost controller at 12psi, and a 3 inch exhaust and hi-flow cat and split fire coils.

Common issues are just yr average, old plugs, old coils possibly thrashed black... get yr pressure/leak down tests sorted and be prepared to buy some replacement parts and she'll be right.

You're going to have to make a choice tho

with the factory ecu fuel cut will kick in before you hit that power level.

So you can either but a few little gadgets like a/f comp, fuel cut defender... piggy back adjusters basically.

OR

ditch the factory ecu (and hence the knock sensor triggered det maps) and go an after market ecu with a good tune.

Also you're gonna need a new turbo... you either need more airflow or more boost. the stock 25det turbo get grumpy past 12psi and might not last long. so i'd just bite the bullet and get something a little better or get the stockie high flowed.

So if you get

intake

exhaust

EBC

Turbo

FMIC

and either

a bunch of piggy back bits

OR

a new ecu

then yes you'll have your nice reliable ride. I wouldnt worry about methanol tho... alot of work for only 220rwkw

[Matt_101]

You're going to have to make a choice tho

with the factory ecu fuel cut will kick in before you hit that power level.

So you can either but a few little gadgets like a/f comp, fuel cut defender... piggy back adjusters basically.

OR

ditch the factory ecu (and hence the knock sensor triggered det maps) and go an after market ecu with a good tune.

What about chipping the stock ecu? thats how i tuned my 240. is there something about this ecu that makes it more diffucult to chip? It would be good if i could go this route, i already have a chip burner and a wideband i can throw in the car.

i got pm from member and with your info + the good things i am reading about these cars. i am pretty well sold 100% on the r33 gts-t. im glad i came to my senses.... i was going to buy a fairlady TT for my daily in the summer. lol very bad idea based on the amount of expensive repairs they require frequently. I know some people will dissargee... but i can't realy find a negative review for the gts-t. the only bad thing im hearing is they are kind of heavy - thats fine with me. seems like a good platform for 300hp daily. O, and i have a .63/.48 T3 from the 240 that i can throw on, internally gated at 8psi. mabey i will get a holset turbo for it eventually. mods will start during the next canadian winter lol....

Thanks for the input. more is welcome

[Messiah]

What about chipping the stock ecu? thats how i tuned my 240. is there something about this ecu that makes it more diffucult to chip? It would be good if i could go this route, i already have a chip burner and a wideband i can throw in the car.

i got pm from member and with your info + the good things i am reading about these cars. i am pretty well sold 100% on the r33 gts-t. im glad i came to my senses.... i was going to buy a fairlady TT for my daily in the summer. lol very bad idea based on the amount of expensive repairs they require frequently. I know some people will dissargee... but i can't realy find a negative review for the gts-t. the only bad thing im hearing is they are kind of heavy - thats fine with me. seems like a good platform for 300hp daily. O, and i have a .63/.48 T3 from the 240 that i can throw on, internally gated at 8psi. mabey i will get a holset turbo for it eventually. mods will start during the next canadian winter lol....

Thanks for the input. more is welcome

i dont know about just "chipping" the stock ecu, but i believe nistune do something very similar with a board that plugs into the stock ecu which will give you the same functionality.. plus some extra features. look it up and see if it fits the bill.

Yeah good choice avoiding the TT, if your referring to the old z33 then everytime you want to do anything you almost have to pull the engine out.

GTST's arent all that heavy, the power they make makes up for the weight pretty well and they handle quite nicely too, not what you'd call spritely, but its certainly an agile tourer.

Not too sure about that rating on that turbo, but it might do the job quite nicely. if not the only real problem with the stock turbo is the ceramic wheel. get it overhauled and your be cheering.

[blind_elk]

One last thing, im 99% sure the rb25det has a knock sensor.... will the ecu dump into the knock map pretty quickly if it starts detionating? i ask because we only have 91 octane fuel where i live

Pretty sure your 91 octane is different to our 91 octane. Ours is 91 RON, I think yours is MON + RON/2 or something similar. As long as you run it on the highest available octane rating, you should be ok.