I Just Bought A 260rs Autech

[Global_Warmer]

Hey all. I am the proud new owner of a 260RS Autech. It was delivered to my house yesterday. Some of you may of seen it on carsales.com but here is a few pics of it.

69,000ks on the clock with a few mods.

Keen to hear what younthink of it.

[-RBD2-]

Keen to see more pics of the cage man

looks nice and clean, I bet your happy!

Nice buy mate,welcome to the stagea family

[KiwiRS4T]

Looks very clean and straight - some extra guages - what other mods ??

[turbovan]

Looks pretty sweet!

No hassles with rego and the cage?

[N1GTR]

That looks a lot like one of Powerplays customers cars.

If it is, it's easily one of if not the quickest stags in the country

[Global_Warmer]

Yeah it is a ex powerplay car. I hope it is A1 and not had too harder life as it has done a couple a track days but on the other hand it seems to of been well maintained. I have a big pile of recipts for it detailing what he spent on it on upkeep. I generally do not buy already modified cars but have wanted a 260RS for sometime now and couldnt go past this one! As for it being fast... blody hell its fast. But I can only get the boost to go as high as 7psi even after playin with the adjustable boost dial!?? Was told by ex owner it can go as high as 23psi!

Dunno how I will go with rego as I have not had to do it yet. The ex owner recons he had no problem. But we'll see...

I am not to keen on the gauges that have been slapped on the dash board so may look at relocating them of atleast getting them to sit better on the dash. Its a terrible job someone has done putting them on there. As for the roll cage. It has had alot of time spent on its instalation as it is all hidden from outside of the car except for when you are looking head on into the front window.

Its got a heap of mods. I will have to find the list of them and post em up at a later date for you.

[BoostedBarge]

Nice car. I'm sure you'll enjoy. Looks like someone has spent a lot of money on mods. I'd be interested to hear what's done to it. I agree, the gauges look a bit rough...

[rb26stagea]

Welcome to the Stagea group (and "Club '26")! Nice looking piece of kit: agreed on the guage mounting, but that's easily rectified... Keen to see the list of mods as well.

[Basti]

spray that cage to match the interior for more stealth.

[alu-siv_stagea]

Well done on the purchase mate, i seen this car parked outside of autosalon last year in homebush and had to stop and drool for a few minutes it's very nice, was the previous owner in Pyrmont ? if it was him then he looks after all his stagea's well, if im not mistakes he owns 3 260's ? anyway mate sweet ride best of luck with it.

[dirtyRS4]

That looks a lot like one of Powerplays customers cars.

If it is, it's easily one of if not the quickest stags in the country

Seen this on their website a few years back. Nice. and packing heat. Deserves some track duties. Australias first 260RS/GTR front end conversion - i think i just jizzed in my pants, lol. Wind that boost up mate.

Edited September 19, 2010 by dirtyRS4

[dimi108]

Feck. Beast.

Well done mate.

Take some videos for us of it driving if you have time.

[Global_Warmer]

OK. Here is the list of mods that are scribbled down on a bit of a$ paper from the last owner:

A very rare Genuine 1998 AUTECH 260RS over 550 HP. 5 Speed MANUAL.

Features include: R33 GTR Engine.

VOLK TE37 BLACK 17" Alloys.

N1 R34 GTR Turbos.

HKS Dump Pipes.

Greddy Piping Kit.

NEW Exedy Triple Plate Clutch.

N1 Apexi fully adjustable suspension (coil over i belive...).

Mines airflow meters.

HKS Spark Plugs.

Braided brake lines.

Front dampers.

Rimax Clear cam cover.

Oversized injecters & fuel rail.

Adjustable cam gears.

HKS Front mount intercooler.

HKS 24 Row oil Coiler.

Aftermarket exhaust (not sure what diametre as yet).

Engine Dampener.

Front and rear torsion bars.

Brake Booster.

Relocated Oil Filter.

Full Roll Cage.

Blitz Turbo Timer.

Blitz Boost controller.

GReddy gauges, oil pressure, fuel pressure, Oil temp, exhaust temp + more.

This is one awesome car, which can run up to 1.6 Bar.

Endless Brake Pads all round.

Recaro Front seats.

There maybe more. As I dont think that even the owner exactley everything that has been done to this car. I am also pretty sure he mentioned MOST of this was done by Mines in Japan. Could this be true?

My main question for you all is... What on this car is defectable? And what can be passed by an engineer so it aint defectable?

Anything you have to say, both good and bad is much appreciated.

[SMOKEYV35]

sounds like a weapon!

in answer to your question, of what is defectable and what isn't - it's all very subjective and dependant on the mood of the cop who pulls you over (and i guess also the reason he pulled you over!).

in terms of what is going to prevent you from getting it roadworthy for registration, i think the cage might present an issue if it isn't fully padded - do some reading on DOTARS. a reasonably on the level tester will just be looking for the obvious and well known stuff like noise, number of induction modifications (if its got a cooler, no pod filter), ride height, gauges on the dash etc. almost anything can be engineered, if you're happy to spend the time and money to satisfy requirements - but most people find its easier to remove and replace later.

in terms of what is defectable, i can only comment from my knowledge in vic (and it is by no means bible) - but i'll go through your list.....

VOLK TE37 BLACK 17" Alloys.

N1 R34 GTR Turbos - should be ok as look same as stock, just hi flowed and wheeled.

HKS Dump Pipes - no problem

Greddy Piping Kit - no problem so long as all factory fittings retained for vacuum and returns

NEW Exedy Triple Plate Clutch - no problem

N1 Apexi fully adjustable suspension (coil over i belive...) - subjective, coilovers are a grey area, but if ride height is 100mm min then shouldn't give them a reason to look.

Mines airflow meters - touch and go - EPA might ping it, but an average traffic cop wont unless it's got MINES written all over it, but as a rule, you can't switch AFM's.

HKS Spark Plugs - no prob

Braided brake lines. - problem. unless they're approved.

Front dampers - coilovers? no problem anyway

Rimax Clear cam cover - no probs

Oversized injecters & fuel rail - problem. EPA would spot it, and maybe even TMU. but for RWC, you'll pass.

Adjustable cam gears - problem, especially behind clear covers. maybe through a stock cover on and problem solved,

HKS Front mount intercooler - no prob, so long as no body work has been cut to fit.

HKS 24 Row oil Coiler. - no problem

Aftermarket exhaust (not sure what diametre as yet) - so long as under dB limit and has cat converter

Engine Dampener. - no problem

Front and rear torsion bars. - no prob

Brake Booster. - no prob

Relocated Oil Filter. - no prob

Full Roll Cage. - potential prob if not padded correctly or if interferes with passengers

Blitz Turbo Timer. - apparantly these are illegal

Blitz Boost controller. - problem if found

GReddy gauges, oil pressure, fuel pressure, Oil temp, exhaust temp + more. - if they're all electronic, and not placed in the 'immediate crash zone' on the dash, then not a prob.

This is one awesome car, which can run up to 1.6 Bar.

Endless Brake Pads all round - no prob

Recaro Front seats - should be no prob

[rb26stagea]

Also noticed a Cusco oil catch can sitting in the engine bay, and an oil filter relocator.. don't think either of these is defectable (unless the catch can vents to atmosphere), but you can add them to your list of mods.

[Global_Warmer]

Thanks for your reply. See my replies to your answers in red below.

VOLK TE37 BLACK 17" Alloys.

Shouls be ok?

N1 R34 GTR Turbos - should be ok as look same as stock, just hi flowed and wheeled.

Can see them easily anyhow. Too much pipe work cover em.

HKS Dump Pipes - no problem

Greddy Piping Kit - no problem so long as all factory fittings retained for vacuum and returns

NEW Exedy Triple Plate Clutch - no problem

N1 Apexi fully adjustable suspension (coil over i belive...) - subjective, coilovers are a grey area, but if ride height is 100mm min then shouldn't give them a reason to look.

Where do I measure this 100mm to and from?

Mines airflow meters - touch and go - EPA might ping it, but an average traffic cop wont unless it's got MINES written all over it, but as a rule, you can't switch AFM's.

Cant see Mines written on em anywhere. Not even sure if they are still stock.

HKS Spark Plugs - no prob

Braided brake lines. - problem. unless they're approved.

Really? Surely they are better than stock!?

Front dampers - coilovers? no problem anyway

Rimax Clear cam cover - no probs

Oversized injecters & fuel rail - problem. EPA would spot it, and maybe even TMU. but for RWC, you'll pass.

Bugger.

Adjustable cam gears - problem, especially behind clear covers. maybe through a stock cover on and problem solved.

Really? Why?

HKS Front mount intercooler - no prob, so long as no body work has been cut to fit.

Looks to me as though nothing has been cut and it is a good install

HKS 24 Row oil Coiler. - no problem

Aftermarket exhaust (not sure what diametre as yet) - so long as under dB limit and has cat converter.

Exhaust is actually pretty quiet which I am happy about. Dont "think" it has a cat converter...

Engine Dampener. - no problem

Front and rear torsion bars. - no prob

Brake Booster. - no prob

Relocated Oil Filter. - no prob

Full Roll Cage. - potential prob if not padded correctly or if interferes with passengers

Definately would like to get this engineered

Blitz Turbo Timer. - apparantly these are illegal

Whats the problem with these?

Blitz Boost controller. - problem if found\

Whats the problem with these?

GReddy gauges, oil pressure, fuel pressure, Oil temp, exhaust temp + more. - if they're all electronic, and not placed in the 'immediate crash zone' on the dash, then not a prob.

Would like to look into this more. Can do a much better job of installing these myself.

Endless Brake Pads all round - no prob

Yep. These will be right.

Recaro Front seats - should be no prob

I think these may need to be engineered

Blow off valve is no where to be seen...? (can anyone tell me exactely where to look?). And it is also fairly quiet, which is also good.

As both the exhaust and BOV are quiet, and the car looks nice, simple and stock from the outside with the 17 inch Volks (not 20inch chromies), I feel pretty sure I "should not" have too much strife with this car. I live in a country town with a population of 25,000 though so there aint too many schmick cars about...

Thanks for your answer SMOKEY ol' mate.

Edited September 21, 2010 by Global_Warmer

[180fan]

Thanks for your reply. See my replies to your answers in red below.

Blow off valve is no where to be seen...? (can anyone tell me exactely where to look?). And it is also fairly quiet, which is also good.

As both the exhaust and BOV are quiet, and the car looks nice, simple and stock from the outside with the 17 inch Volks (not 20inch chromies), I feel pretty sure I "should not" have too much strife with this car. I live in a country town with a population of 25,000 though so there aint too many schmick cars about...

Thanks for your answer SMOKEY ol' mate.

If you get pinged for all of those things you'll be in a fair bit of trouble, but it's not likely to happen. The average traffic cop might notice a few of those things, but not all of them.

Best bet for a car as modded as this though is to get a full engineers report, that can be enough to stop the cops bothering with any defects.

I'll try to answer some of your questions

100mm rule means the lowest point of the car must be over 100mm high. I think this includes bodywork, i.e sideskirts or front bar, but not 100% on that.

Brake lines have to be ADR approved, by law. Just the way it is

Not having a cat converter will get you sent straight to EPA, which can cause major headaches. If you don't have one then get a highflow cat put in there. Easy to see if you have one or not, get under the car and take a look at the exhaust, the cat will be just after the front pipe leading down from the engine bay.

From what I have been told, turbo timer isn't actually illegal, however leaving your car running while you are not in it is illegal. Although you could still be defected for it. I don't have one myself, just let the car idle for a minute or two after driving hard, or take it easy for the last 5 minutes before you park the car.

The seats may be a problem if the rails don't meet ADR's. I know BRIDE rails don't meet ADR's, because they have never gone through the testing process over here. Don't know if that is the same with Recaro rails.

I'm guessing with the BOV, but if it is in the same position as on GTR's, it will be on your intercooler piping before the intake plenum, hidden down by the front bar.

Living in a country town can be a bonus, I'm currently in Bathurst (home of the v8 bogan), had my car for over a year and haven't had any police dramas so far, knock on wood. They don't seem to care as much about defecting out here as they do in Sydney

[SMOKEYV35]

no dramas mate, like i said - not gospel, just info i've picked up from 15 years on car forums .......oh and a few trips out to macleoud for EPA testing.......

rims are ok. 17s are same size as standard, so can't see it being an issue at all, just so long as your tyres are load rated correctly, and not overly stretched.

braided brake lines, yes technically they are better - but there is also a lot of dodgy ebay bought braided lines available - i can show you a thread that has pictures of a catastrophic failure of braided lines during a stop from 250km/h on a track day - the car was saved by a combination of downshifting and handbrake application. brakes are not something to mess with! but given the money spent on the rest of this build, i'd say they are legit. might be worth checking them though.

100mm is measured from the absoloute lowest point on the car. usually it is the catalytic convertor.

turbo timers are apparantly illegal because they leave the car running whilst unattended. worst case scenario - you roll your car through the window of a busy cafe - it is leaking fuel like madbut also, and you are unconscious and trapped in the car, but a someone is able to pull the keys out of the ignition - but the car keeps running........

boost controllers are illegal because they effectively have the capability to alter the fuel mixture of the car. any device that leads to an alteration to a richer fuel mixture (as measured by a Co2 meter) is an EPA fail. just one of those blanket rules. these are an easy one for cops to spot, as people usually put them in easy to reach places for adjustment reasons. just try hide it as best you can. its just a blanket rule that applies from everything as simple as bleed valves, EBCs, SAFCs, powerFCs, all the way up to stand alone ECUS.

you should be right if you behave yourself in a small town - but get on the wrong side of the cops and they'll ping you ever time! in fact, i'd probably prefer to be in a large city !!