Another Rs4

[troubleslab]

Hey all

Just joined up after a while of trawling these forums. Bought my stagea about a year ago.Figured Id say hello and post some pics.I dont think its anything special, no rare of unusal parts that im aware of.

Its a 97 RS4 , 25det auto, twin sunroof, privacy rear windows, lowered on 18's (which i hate), came with a stupidly big and loud drooony cat back exhaust. Its bog standard in the engine bay.Pretty sure the bodykit on it is a DAYZ edition ( can someone clarify)

Thus far I've fitted the tow bar and wheel spacers all round to fill the guards a little.Also purchased some Snowboard roof racks as it was bought to go to the snow ( 4wd, big boot). Also put some 6x9's in the rear doors as the factory ones had literally disintergrated. Previous owner put a headunit and some unknown 6.5"s up front with seperate tweeters.

Some previous owner pranged it, rear bumper has damage, front bumper and hood have been replaced and badly spray painted a similar silver. Right guard has a couple of dents.

/rant more pics

Lastly, I need some tech help.

Heater core is leaking as of yesterday. Was about to blame mum for buying fish from the grocery store when I noticed a nice puddle of green in passenger footwell. FML

Have read about it on the site. seems the skylines are easier to do, as behind the glove box, the skyline doesnt have the dash bar going across. So, on a stagea, do i have to pull the entire dash or is there another way??( Airbag business scares me, rather not mess with that stuff )

Also, the core itself, are the skyline ones interchangable, if so, which model do i need to look for??? I dont like my chances of finding someone wrecking a stagea who i can get a stagea specific one.

PLEASE HELP.

Thanks in advance.

[Spong]

I see by your plates that you're a fellow Kiwi.

I imagine there must be heaps of Stageas at wreckers and on Trademe assuming you go down that path. It's been a very popular import over the years.

[KiwiRS4T]

Heater cores are available new (no point in buying a second hand one that's just as old as yours) for not much money from your local radiator shop (Natrad). I thought it was possible to get at the heater core by removing the aircond fan and glovebox etc but maybe you are right in that its different to the skyline.

I have 17s on my RS4 (TE37) but I think R33GTR rims look good on Stageas...at least I prefer them to the R34GTR ones.

[troubleslab]

So I went to Cool Car in Hamilton and was quoted around 500 for a new core. seems stupidly high.I can get a second hand one from trademe for <100.

Off to some place else now. look some more.

[wolverine]

The R33 heater cores are Z32, you will need to check if it is the same but it probably is the same. The price of a heater core should be under $150 last time i checked (but it was a while ago).

You can join the hoses in the engine bay in the meantime to bypass the core while you are getting it out.

[KiwiRS4T]

I got my heater core from Natrad. Take your old one out and go to a radiator shop to get it matched up. I think I paid about $80 about 4 years ago so maybe $100 - $120 now.

[troubleslab]

Heater core not fixed yet, but I'm told buy new wheels cures all

R35 350 GT skyline wheels, 18x 8 +30 rims with 225/40 and 235/40 tread.

Have gone for a flush-ish look with +25mm spacers up front and +15 in the rear making it essentially 18x8 +5 front and + 15 rear.

In the photos the 25mm spacers are still in the back and the 15's up front, they were switched around.

Will try get a few better snaps when the stinkin rain pisses off.

Edited May 15, 2012 by troubleslab