34 Gtr - New To Skylines

[sab0r]

Hi Guys,

I am new to this skyline scene, have been roaming the forums a fair bit searching through threads.

I have been in the jdm scene for about 3-4 years now. Have owned previous type R's etc, and currently own a twin turbo supra.

I've found that there seems to be a lack of information regarding 34 GTR's? or GTR's in general? Am i looking and searching incorrectly?

Basically, I'm leaning towards coming to the skyline side of the world, and buying a 34 GTR. But from time to time, I see people stating, their engines being rebuilt after xxx amount of KM's, talk about high maintainence and running costs etc.

Is there a thread of basic information that sums all this up?

- Why does it seem that so many RB26's get rebuilt?

- How well can a unopened RB26 handle ~300-350kw atw?, will other parts like gearbox give way, (i do know the getrag is well known for strength tho)

- What do people mean by high running costs? petrol? (my twin turbo supra runs 16L/100km, so thats not a biggie if its petrol), or ie. shit breaks and u gotta pay a lot 2 repair?

- Common skyline problems? Heard about suspension computer ruining the drive?

Sorry for long thread and noob questions, hope someone can point me the right way and affirm me to buy a 34GTR.

Thanks in advance

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

Hi Guys,

Is there a thread of basic information that sums all this up?

- Why does it seem that so many RB26's get rebuilt?

Previous and current owners thrash the shit out of them.

The RB26 is an indestructible / bullet proof engine... With the right type of maintenance and correct way of using the RB26.

- How well can a unopened RB26 handle ~300-350kw atw?, will other parts like gearbox give way, (i do know the getrag is well known for strength tho)

Just to name a few, the stock front mount intercooler, blow off valve and air box can handle 300+ kW's easy.

It is widely known for its strength and extreme power potential and it is not uncommon for 600 hp (447.42 kW's, approx) to be achieved without modification of the engine internals.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RB26DETT#RB26DETT

The gearbox was one of the strongest gearboxes to come from a factory, from memory it can handle 500kW's, the clutch is a different story. That is R32 and R33 GTR.

The Getrag 6 speed for the R34 GTR is fine for 300+ kW's.

- What do people mean by high running costs? petrol? (my twin turbo supra runs 16L/100km, so thats not a biggie if its petrol), or ie. shit breaks and u gotta pay a lot 2 repair?

Parts will cost more than a non high performance car, although they are widely available.

High performance vehicle = No such thing as fuel efficient.

Buy a Toyota if you want to save money on fuel.

A R34 GTR is between the age from 7 to 10 years old (As production started between 1999 to 2002) and things will need replacing after so long.

Brake pads are cheap, I bought a set of R32 GTR Nissan pads for about $120.

R34 GTR won't be that much more and you don't have to buy Nissan / Brembo ones, DBA, Bendix etc make pads for GTR's.

Brake rotors, if it is just for normal street driving, DBA can match a set for the R34 GTR or go see Brembo.

- Common skyline problems? Heard about suspension computer ruining the drive?

You mean the HICAS? - (High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension)

If your mechanic knows what they are doing, it is not hard to disconnect, if not, just leave it.

It is use at high speeds when turning corners, from memory, if you are driving over 80km/h and turn a corner or entering a bend, the rear wheels will turn 1 degree on the opposite direction.

Quite a lot of Skyline owners dislike the HICAS.

Myself, I have got use to it.

[sab0r]

Appreciate the reply, yeah i'm not looking to save fuel too much. Just curious as of why people say its so high to maintain, as stated, my current car runs about 16L / 100km, so im not expecting a gtr to run like a prius or something, just wanted to know the perspective and wording of 'high maintainence'.

[kessian]

I never had problems with my 34, even though it did run rich. And yes, for relatively stock (exhaust, airbox) my car was only getting 400kms to the tank... freeway driving.

[Brandon]

I find thats a very common misconception. Either theres too many rumours around or they simply got a crappy example (but again age might be a factor too). So you may say age would be the reason why these car fails but if you've got one in really good condition, why would they break? Common reason why people rebuilt is maybe for security reason (not having to worry about old bits falling apart) or they're just after higher power.

sav_man's N1 is running 320 or 330rwkw with everything stock for Targa (except for catback, cat, ecu and ebc).

I for one have not spend any money on replace old bits that shits itself for any reason. Only time I paid for servicing/maintainence are oil change and CV boot replacement. If you're driving a Supra, I doubt there'll be much difference.

From what I read on builds RB26 and 2JZ are just about the best engine made for modding, so you cant go very wrong. Oh yea, you're after the 34s. That makes it even lesser chance of scoring a shit one.

Skyline: TS drives toyota... but its a TT Supra. Hahaha

[sab0r]

I never had problems with my 34, even though it did run rich. And yes, for relatively stock (exhaust, airbox) my car was only getting 400kms to the tank... freeway driving.

How many litres is a 34 gtr tank?

I get about 300-350km out of my 70L supra tank, so.. hahah

but my car is modded and running a tad rich

[Brandon]

I think 60L or 65L. More accurate way of measuring consumption would be the km/L or L/100km way you have stated. Its kinda hard to gauge per tank unless you ran it dry on purpose.

[Brandon]

Appreciate the reply, yeah i'm not looking to save fuel too much. Just curious as of why people say its so high to maintain, as stated, my current car runs about 16L / 100km, so im not expecting a gtr to run like a prius or something, just wanted to know the perspective and wording of 'high maintainence'.

16L/100km... thats shit hey. I'm on 13L/100km or 7.6km/L.

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

Appreciate the reply, yeah i'm not looking to save fuel too much. Just curious as of why people say its so high to maintain, as stated, my current car runs about 16L / 100km, so im not expecting a gtr to run like a prius or something, just wanted to know the perspective and wording of 'high maintainence'.

No worries!

High maintenance, is a few factors of the car itself.

Just to name a few, for example...

A GTR will cost you more in fuel, must run 98 RON fuel and the its about a 60+ litre tank.

You got to use a good engine oil, that already cost more then cheap engine oil.

Since it being a high performance car, it can be subjected to more wear and tear.

You drive quicker, you step in the brakes a bit harder, you brake pads and tyres will wear quicker + the weight of a R34 GTR (1540 kg)... Lets say it would be nicer if it was lighter...

R34 GTR's have stock 18" wheels so tyres will cost more and you want good tyres not cheap shit + you will need to do a 4 wheel alignment since the car is 4WD / AWD and that will add to the cost.

Parts and performance upgrades will cost + your mechanics labour to install it unless you can do it yourself.

Even tho performance upgrades are only done once, the "Power Bug" can hit and the owner will always want more power.

More Power = More Mods = More Money.

Not to put you off buying one, but as long as you keep on top of things and general service it every 3000k's / 5000k's, keep the car stock or lightly modified, you will be fine.

All cars will cost you money, some cost more then others.

Cool!

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

Depending on how light or heavy your accelerator foot is, I can get 250 km's and use less then half a tank and try to stretch it out to 450 - 500 km's a tank daily driving and rarely boosting it.

But it's not fun to drive like that hahaha!

[GTR-N1]

Just curious as of why people say its so high to maintain,

jealousy

[mxfly]

jealousy

[sab0r]

No worries!

High maintenance, is a few factors of the car itself.

Just to name a few, for example...

A GTR will cost you more in fuel, must run 98 RON fuel and the its about a 60+ litre tank.

You got to use a good engine oil, that already cost more then cheap engine oil.

Since it being a high performance car, it can be subjected to more wear and tear.

You drive quicker, you step in the brakes a bit harder, you brake pads and tyres will wear quicker + the weight of a R34 GTR (1540 kg)... Lets say it would be nicer if it was lighter...

R34 GTR's have stock 18" wheels so tyres will cost more and you want good tyres not cheap shit + you will need to do a 4 wheel alignment since the car is 4WD / AWD and that will add to the cost.

Parts and performance upgrades will cost + your mechanics labour to install it unless you can do it yourself.

Even tho performance upgrades are only done once, the "Power Bug" can hit and the owner will always want more power.

More Power = More Mods = More Money.

Not to put you off buying one, but as long as you keep on top of things and general service it every 3000k's / 5000k's, keep the car stock or lightly modified, you will be fine.

All cars will cost you money, some cost more then others.

Cool!

That has been of great help, So I guess when people say 'high maintainence' they are saying so in accordance to standard family sedans. I thought they meant high maintainence compared to other sport cars.

Well thats not a problem to me then and won't be putting me off getting one.

In regards to problems, so no common R34 problems? I read that rust near brake lights at rear on the boot is common? Any other things i should look out for when looking for a R34, apart from standard straight body, not repairs throughout body, leaks, etc etc

any SKYLINE or 34 GTR specific stuff 2 look for?

The 34GTR uses a getrag, my supra has a getrag too and they are known to be clunky n loud gearboxes, same true for the GTR box?

[sab0r]

No worries!

High maintenance, is a few factors of the car itself.

Just to name a few, for example...

A GTR will cost you more in fuel, must run 98 RON fuel and the its about a 60+ litre tank.

You got to use a good engine oil, that already cost more then cheap engine oil.

Since it being a high performance car, it can be subjected to more wear and tear.

You drive quicker, you step in the brakes a bit harder, you brake pads and tyres will wear quicker + the weight of a R34 GTR (1540 kg)... Lets say it would be nicer if it was lighter...

R34 GTR's have stock 18" wheels so tyres will cost more and you want good tyres not cheap shit + you will need to do a 4 wheel alignment since the car is 4WD / AWD and that will add to the cost.

Parts and performance upgrades will cost + your mechanics labour to install it unless you can do it yourself.

Even tho performance upgrades are only done once, the "Power Bug" can hit and the owner will always want more power.

More Power = More Mods = More Money.

Not to put you off buying one, but as long as you keep on top of things and general service it every 3000k's / 5000k's, keep the car stock or lightly modified, you will be fine.

All cars will cost you money, some cost more then others.

Cool!

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

That has been of great help, So I guess when people say 'high maintainence' they are saying so in accordance to standard family sedans. I thought they meant high maintainence compared to other sport cars.

Well thats not a problem to me then and won't be putting me off getting one.

Cool!

Having said what I have said above, a Ferrari would cost more than a R34 GTR LOL!

In regards to problems, so no common R34 problems? I read that rust near brake lights at rear on the boot is common? Any other things i should look out for when looking for a R34, apart from standard straight body, not repairs throughout body, leaks, etc etc

any SKYLINE or 34 GTR specific stuff 2 look for?

I have not heard of any rust near the brake lights...

Maybe in the rear wheel arches but thats about it.

From an Importers point of view and from memory on what my friend told me as he is an importer, never buy a car from the North of Japan, cuz it snows up there, they sprinkle salt on the roads to soak up the snow / water / prevent a layer of ice.

You take the car for a drive on a salty / wet road, the sait gets flicked up to the undercarriage of the car and over time the car will slowly rust out. Not good.

R34 GTR's are usually a bit more well looked after, as they are slightly newer car to the R32 and R33 GTR's but you do get some that are not worth looking at.

There is a lot to look out for but just listen out for any engine noises, take it for a drive and hear out for anything.

The 34GTR uses a getrag, my supra has a getrag too and they are known to be clunky n loud gearboxes, same true for the GTR box?

I drove my friends N/A Supra and it had a Getrag 6 Speed and it sounded quite fine.

Quite smooth in fact.

R34 GTR gearboxes are nice and quiet.