Pulsar Gtir Opinions

[Turboterrorist]

I'm thinking of buy a cheap GTiR for a project car. I'm going for a road going go-kart type deal, so no carpet, coilovers and light engine mods to begin with. Nothing too expensive except maybe a crash cage later on.

I'm not concerned with it being the fastest vehicle around, just want it to be fun, novice-level difficulty to work on and cheap to run/relatively reliable. I'm also considering 180SXs and MR2 GTs, but I'm thinking the GTiR might be better from a cop-bait point of view. Obviously, they can't accuse me of doing a donut, burnout or drift in the 4WD and they generally don't stick out like a modded 180 does. Cheap R32 GTRs are getting down to $10k if I'm gonna splash out, but again with the cops issue, and they might not have the go-kart feel quite like a stripped out GTiR.

What are the usual defect issues with them in Victoria? Do they suffer from the hole in the battery tray issues like a Silvia? Any such achiles heal in terms of defects?

[Beer Baron]

nah they are pretty good. I'm not sure what you mean by hole in the battery tray? do you mean roadworth issue when people have cut inner guards for intercooler piping? or do you mean rust problems?

I had a GTI-R years ago (cost $25-$29K back then!). They are great little cars. I would argue less is more with the GTI-R. don't go too over the top and they are a fun rewarding little car. Fair bit more annoying to work on than a silvia though. MR2's are a pain to work on...

but if you are persistent and handy you'll have no problem.

[Turboterrorist]

Yeah, I mean defect issues for a hole cut in the battery tray for intercooler piping. It's basically the worst defect you can get for an S15 - have to get an engineer's certificate to clear it in Victoria which is bull****.

What I want to know is does the GTiR have the same issue? Is there any other pain in the ass defect like that specific to GTiRs I should take note of before buying one? Does cutting holes in the car even matter on something that old?

I've tried to find out before if S13s have the same issue as S14/S15s (hole in the battery tray = VASS cert required) and couldn't get an answer. Anyone here know? I'm still considering an S13, but it'll probably be a GTiR.

I know the old gotta pay to play mantra. But if I can get pulled over without having to worry, it'd be good

I'm coming from a 200SX now by the way. It's great, I'm just after something with a bit less road manners, and something that can live outside as I have bought an old Camaro which is taking the garage space now.

[Angus Smart]

I think the pwr cooler that was made up years ago is best for them as no cutting is required around that area.. or even still the top inter heater does it job somewhat ok..

they are a great car i agree with the Baron, need to get the suspension side of things well sorted however.. the full whiteline kit (bushings etc) and a set of coilovers would be good along with swaybars should turn it into a nice handling thing.. probably be able to pick one up with all this already..

i wouldnt go too far with power mods as the boxes are as expected in a early 90's jap 4wd and are quiet weak.. tho 190kw or there abouts make them quiet fun and the box seemed to hold together with this power level..

[Turboterrorist]

What's the gearbox? It's not the same as the S13 is it?

My 200SX has an S13 gearbox swapped in and is handling 210rwkw. I'd be hoping to get the GTiR up to that eventually.

I'll either be looking for one with as many mods as possible, or stock with low Ks and prime condition. Depends what comes up over the next little while. Some none too bad examples in the stock/light mods + low Ks option now.

[mad082]

you have to remember that the engine in them is setup like a fwd, so it is sideways compared to that of the S series. so no, the gearbox isn't the same as the S series cars and won't handle quite the same amount of power. the extra strain of the 4wd will also take its toll on the gearbox. for this reason you find that many gtir's are in somewhat poor condition these days, in the same way that a lot of the older wrx's are a bit worse for wear. so long story short, a cheap gtir to build up as a project car could become a very expensive gtir very quickly.

[chinna]

i agree with the last comment my mate brought a cheap GTIR 2 years ago and it ended up costing ship load to get right

new clutch, gear box needed new second hand one, rebuild engine again to much trashing and they are not fun to work on lets say cramped engine bay. I had to help fix it and at the end advised my mate if it brakes dont call me .

If u want my advice save a bit more and find a really good one from the start there was one recently on eBay that had no expense spared or find some thing else to build up. thats just my 2 cents any way

good luck with it mate

[CrimsonLey]

Great info here. I joined this site in hopes of building a track ready R32 GTR but Richard (Baron of Beer) and others helped me realize my disillusionment. Basically, the R32 GTR is a difficult car to make track ready and probably not worth it.

Due to that fact, I set my eyes on the Pulsar GTI-R but after readying this thread, seems like I would be in the same situation...

I've been debating the usefulness of turbo applications on the track for the past couple of years and most turbo cars need too much attention and maintanence. As of now, I'm thinking that a N/A car has better longevity and reliability. The S2K or the new Scion FR-S (I'm American) will be a better choice: http://www.sciondimension.com/

I would love to track a Nissan but most U.S. Nissans are heavy and don't have a good daily/weekend warrior ratio. Again, great info on the GTI-R mates. You Aussies are helping me save $$$.

[chinna]

I would say a 200sx would make a good track car easy to get good second hand parts and u can get them cheap to.

The sr20det is a good power plant and heaps of good bolt on's, after i finish my project car i want to build a track / drift car

and i will be looking at the s14 model, import a non registable one with some work done they are going pritty cheap these days.

Edited August 22, 2011 by chinna

[CrimsonLey]

I would say a 200sx would make a good track car easy to get good second hand parts and u can get them cheap to.

The sr20det is a good power plant and heaps of good bolt on's, after i finish my project car i want to build a track / drift car

and i will be looking at the s14 model, import a non registable one with some work done they are going pritty cheap these days.

I'm not sure if that was directed towards me but I'm still very undecided on what to get. I was thinking about the Scion FR-S but Subbie's version, the BRZ, has been anounced. The BRZ > FR-S IMO... but honestly, who knows what set of keys will fall in my lap in the fututre.