Stagea Newb

[baymanx]

Hi all,

I have been following this forum for quite some time now and i am truely greatful for all the information shared so i thank you all.

As i am a new member ( did not have time to commit for various reasons before ), i wanted to get some advice about how to get my stag running a bit better ( i also know there are multiple threads regarding various topics which i have already read ) as brief as possible. I reside in ACT and from what i have found out, the only place to go seems to be Trojan Motorsports to get all the mods done.

I have recently got myself a 04 250T RX with only 50k on it and in mint condition with just a cpl small faults which i have already fixed. My questions are ;

- do i really need to highflow the turbo to get more out of it ? or would it be better with mods like ecu upgrade + exhaust, etc. Guys at Trojan told me that they can put in Apexi power fc and would get quite a punch, but from what i read it is not advised as it is not compatible with m35s, that greddy ultimate or HKS would be a better choice? .

- is there a way to remove the limiter which is always there when you want rapid accelaration

- knowing that the RX have 2 din unit integrated with the A\C controllers, is there a way and/or a brand to upgrade the screen and make it possible to use the sat nav/TV in Aus ( or to replace it with something else completly )

I am not a mechanic myself but i m trying to self tutor as much as i can, whenever i can. I really appreciate all your input, and thank you once again.

Edited September 25, 2011 by baymanx

[Commsman]

Welcome. I wouldn't mind seeing some pics of your M35 sometime.

If I were you, I'd start with the exhaust. A cat back would be OK, but add a dump pipe (check out ones made by ScottyM35 on here) & front pipe with hi-flow cat if the budget allows.

Also do the brake wire cut/switch (search as there's plenty of posts on this) to give you access to full throttle from stand still. Cost is at most $5 so no excuse for not doing it

IMO there's no need to highflow the turbo unless it's stuffed (some say only a matter of time) or until you have upgraded a few other things.

I reckon if you start with these couple of items it will give you a taste & some more time to investigate the next steps. And all/most of this can be done yourself with simple tools if your half keen.

Cheers, Leon.

[ironpaw]

- do i really need to highflow the turbo to get more out of it ? or would it be better with mods like ecu upgrade + exhaust, etc. Guys at Trojan told me that they can put in Apexi power fc and would get quite a punch, but from what i read it is not advised as it is not compatible with m35s, that greddy ultimate or HKS would be a better choice? .

Welcome mate.

Just be wary of guys/shops that don't know our cars well...

Tuning wise its either Emanage Ultimate (proven and used in 4 of our cars in Aust) or HKS FCON (iamhe77)....

or just get an ECU off YAJ (mines, nismo, impul)...

depends on waht you want out of it I guess...

But like Commsman said - dump pipe + exhaust first....

[Daleo]

Welcome. I wouldn't mind seeing some pics of your M35 sometime.

If I were you, I'd start with the exhaust. A cat back would be OK, but add a dump pipe (check out ones made by ScottyM35 on here) & front pipe with hi-flow cat if the budget allows.

Also do the brake wire cut/switch (search as there's plenty of posts on this) to give you access to full throttle from stand still. Cost is at most $5 so no excuse for not doing it

IMO there's no need to highflow the turbo unless it's stuffed (some say only a matter of time) or until you have upgraded a few other things.

I reckon if you start with these couple of items it will give you a taste & some more time to investigate the next steps. And all/most of this can be done yourself with simple tools if your half keen.

Cheers, Leon.

After Scotty & Aarons experience; I'd be following their lead; Definitely look at removing, cleaning & drilling out the Oil feed banjo for the turbo; there have been a number of blocked ones, as it only has a 1mm orifice.

Due to the small size, it can block easily if the servicing has been "less than perfect" in Japan, restricting oil flow to the rotating assembly and you could well be sitting on a ticking time bomb for no real reason.

I believe Scotty recommended a 2mm hole for an OEM turbo, but I'm sure someone will pipe up if I'm wrong.

Definitely do the "wire cut" and if you've got the funds; do a shift kit; oh, and do a shift kit; they're THAT good.

Enjoy the new ride; and as Leon said; put up some pics, always good to see another one.

Edited September 25, 2011 by Daleo

[bigkevracer]

- is there a way to remove the limiter which is always there when you want rapid accelaration

That's the brake wire cut mod... if you search you should find some instructions. Seems like you should put a switch on the wire too, if it doesn't connect occasionally it gives a fault code.

- knowing that the RX have 2 din unit integrated with the A\C controllers, is there a way and/or a brand to upgrade the screen and make it possible to use the sat nav/TV in Aus ( or to replace it with something else completly )

Can you post a pic for us? It is possible to replace it with something else, I think that uses a G35 facia you can get off ebay.

If you have the factory TV screen, there are a few guys who can do the translation, but you'd have to travel out of Canberra. I had mine done, and its awesome, but unfortunately it doesn't get the sat nav working because there are no Australian maps

Hope that points you in the right direction, and as the others said, post some pics!

[zei20l]

wire-cut mod + valve body upgrade = awesome mod

nismo ecu helps too

also, welcome baymanx. you mentioned you have a 2004 model? are you 100% sure? last time i heard they couldnt be complied due to emissions.

[iamhe77]

Welcome mate.

Just be wary of guys/shops that don't know our cars well...

Tuning wise its either Emanage Ultimate (proven and used in 4 of our cars in Aust) or HKS FCON (iamhe77)....

or just get an ECU off YAJ (mines, nismo, impul)...

depends on waht you want out of it I guess...

But like Commsman said - dump pipe + exhaust first....

Everything Jethro said although you could probably go HKS iS as well or Haltech Platinum Sport 2000

HKS ECU's are direct plug in whereas all other need to to wired in.

Also, Power FC is definitely not compatible.

If they are the only tuners in ACT, maybe a drive to Sydney should be a consideration.

wire-cut mod + valve body upgrade = awesome mod

nismo ecu helps too

also, welcome baymanx. you mentioned you have a 2004 model? are you 100% sure? last time i heard they couldnt be complied due to emissions.

I was thinking the same thing.

Edited September 26, 2011 by iamhe77

[Ezekiel86]

Welcome mate!

What mods have you got now bud? What do u wana do or get out of the beast??

[baymanx]

Thanks very much indeed

It is indeed an 03 model, i must have mistyped, sorry for the misunderstanding.

I have decided to go with the E-Manage as it seems and sounds as the best fit. And its only 785$ including harness on ebay now.

I am also thinking of getting Legalis R or HKS Demoda, not sure which one yet. And the next step will be dump pipe.

As for how far i am willing to go, i have to consider that this is my work vehicle as well as pleasure , so i ll have to put a limit on it.

But who knows... I like the car as it s also a very comfy family car too.

And i will post some photos as soon as i get it cleaned up a bit

[iamhe77]

HKS Demoda is unsatisfactory.

60mm cat-back won't cut it.

Go with the Legalis.... or kakimoto R or Blitz Nur

[ironpaw]

Thanks very much indeed

It is indeed an 03 model, i must have mistyped, sorry for the misunderstanding.

I have decided to go with the E-Manage as it seems and sounds as the best fit. And its only 785$ including harness on ebay now.

I am also thinking of getting Legalis R or HKS Demoda, not sure which one yet. And the next step will be dump pipe.

As for how far i am willing to go, i have to consider that this is my work vehicle as well as pleasure , so i ll have to put a limit on it.

But who knows... I like the car as it s also a very comfy family car too.

And i will post some photos as soon as i get it cleaned up a bit

Legalis R for sure.

Good luck with the limit part...that's what I said to myself when I did the exhaust at Scott's

Me: "I think if I get 200awkw I'll be more the happy"

Scott "yeah right"

Me:

[Lewb]

Hey guys,

Brand new member/Stagea owner here and also in Canberra.

My Silver M35 250t RS Four just arrived from the compliance shop in Melbourne.

The shop did nothing for the money I paid and my car has been nailed by the ACT inspector. Very frustrating.

Some things that the compliance shop didn't do will be covered by them through a compliance guy they know up here but I have to replace the rotors and pads..

baymanx, did you end up finding a mechanic in the ACT who knows Stageas?

Cheers guys, look forward to catching up on a cruise some time.

PS: I don't know how to put a photo up! Will do some research!

[iamhe77]

Rotors and pads, front and rear, are the same as a 350z Touring (non-brembo).

[bigkevracer]

PM GSL Rallysport, or call them, and tell them you've got an NM35 Stagea. They've supplied heaps of brakes to people on here and they'll know exactly what to supply.

You won't need a Stagea mechanic to do the brakes. Just find a decent/reputable mechanic and get them to do it. You may even get away with a set of pads and machined rotors.

[Lewb]

Thanks for the tips all!

[Deep Dish V35]

regardless of what your odometer says, the first thing you should do is give it a 100,000km full service. all fluids, plugs, filters. there are mechanics at importers in australia that can wind back the odometer to any number you want for less than $100. better to be safe than sorry

[Lewb]

Yep will do..I want this car to last!