Help With Buying A Stagea

[smg084]

Hey guys,

I ve been a member for a while now, and have purely used it for research purposes. I have an S13 Project as most nissan enthusiasts/drift pilots (im more of a wannabe) have. At this time in my life, as I now have 3 kids and a wife, my chances of owning a skyline have all but diminished, except for maybe in 10-15 years time I go thru the “mid life” crisis at 45 and buy my dream, R34 GTR.

I have been doing some research into a suitable car, as currently I own a 2003 WRX, previous to that I had a turbo pulsar. I don’t think I could live with an N/A daily. Now I have completed numerious searches on this forum and the rest of the internet. I have a few questions regarding what I believe is the right choice for me. I still have a couple of months to decide as im away for work.

So I need a car that can fit the family in if required, (Although I own a commonwhore for that) I would like to be able to tow with it, and it needs to be quick enough to not get boring. Looks are another big thing, I'm beginning to like the Stag looks (prob the only one lol)

So a Series 2 C34 AUTECH 260rs has grabbed my attention. Here are the questions:

1. I see a few people have had custom made towbars on Stag's, any of these people own S2 260’s? if so, how did you get around the rear bar?
   
2. Do any of you tow a car trailer with a 260rs?
   
3. Am I to believe that a S2 Stag Rb26dett is the same make as a R34 GTR? Therefore upgrade parts can be purchased from that series of motor ie a Power FC for a R34 GTR would be the correct one for the Stag.
   
4. Whats with this “Oil gallery mod” on the rb26’s?
   
5. Is the exhaust cam gear mod (retard 4 deg) on the rb25 have the same effect on the 26?
   
6. Are there front mount kits available? the same as 34 gtr?
   
7. I have seen a couple of Stag’s here and have read that twin sunroof’s were a factory extra? Was this the case for 260’s as well?
   
8. Apart from rust under the side mirrors and spare well, what other things should I look for? Keeping in mind I wont buy one with more than 75k, kms on it.
   
9. With swaybars and coilovers how do these cars handle, ie I know it wont be like my WRX, but are they very “boatish” when driven “spiritively”?
   
10. Maintenance wise how demanding are these cars? I am a trade qualified diesel mechanic, so changing timing belts etc isnt hard for me.
    

Thanks

Steven

[GoldZilla]

I can't answer your first two questions because I don't tow anything, and probably never will.

3. The 260RS (both series 1 and 2) use R33 GTR running gear, so if you want to get a PowerFC for it, you need the one that works with an R32 or R33 (it's the same unit).

4. The oil gallery mod is pretty much the same for all RB26DETT's - if you're going to be using it at heavy loads and high revs for an extended period, it's well worth doing. Basically, they put a small restrictor in one of the oil galleries going to the head so the oil flow is slowed down. One of the most common reasons for engine failure in a GTR is oil starvation at the bottom end, so the crankshaft bearings aren't being lubricated properly because the oil has been diverted to the head. The restrictor reduces the risk of this happening.

5. The head on an RB26 is different to an RB25, so I doubt it would work (but I'm no expert here, so do some more research or wait for someone else to answer).

6. There are front mount kits available, but the standard intercooler in a GTR (and therefore a 260RS) is very efficient. If you end up getting one, take the intercooler off, give it a good clean, check it for damage, and if it's all good then just put it back on. There's a DIY thread for cleaning your intercooler, just do a search for it.

7. AFAIK, I've only ever heard of one 260RS with the factory sunrooves, and the authenticity of that car was a bit questionable...

For answers to the rest, just have a look in the Buyer's Guide and/or do some searching... Most, if not all, of your questions have been answered before.

[smg084]

Thanks very muchly mate

I'll spend some more time looking in some more threads.

[Duncan]

1 and 2, I tow with my stag but it is a 300rs not a 260rs. Pretty much all the same bits underneath, so while I can't think of anyone using a 260rs there is no reason there would be an issue.

7, I understand there were not 260rs built from the sunroof model which is a shame....they are cool.

8, apart from the mirror rust there are no particular stagea issues. so just keep an eye on engine health, bushes that need replacing etc. Sunroof models do leak into the footwells sometimes sometimes due to blocked drains

9, they are pretty reasonable but you can't change the fact you are punting 1800kg around. I have whiteline swaybars front and rear, bilstein springs/shocks and 18x8 wheels for a little more grip. You should also allow for a brake upgrade, the stockers are rubbish - anything skyline will bolt on for a cheap upgrade.

10, it's all skyline mechanically, if you can change a timing belt you can do anything on them.

Back in the olden days when I was young, it was cheaper to buy an auto and convert it to manual, but these days it seems 260rs are more readily available, I think they are a great buy considering the ease of obtaining go fast parts.

[eightsixboy]

I was going to buy a stag as my daily and for towing a track car but after some research found that if towing is a main priority maybe look at something else, if your not towing cars though it will be fine.

Have you thought about a series 2 c34 instead of the 260rs? Might save yourself 5-6k or more and not have alot of negitives, besides the 26 and brembo's I dont think there is a huge difference between the two.

[BMX666]

I was going to buy a stag as my daily and for towing a track car but after some research found that if towing is a main priority maybe look at something else, if your not towing cars though it will be fine.

Have you thought about a series 2 c34 instead of the 260rs? Might save yourself 5-6k or more and not have alot of negitives, besides the 26 and brembo's I dont think there is a huge difference between the two.

He means series 2 c34 RS4S. He's right on the difference between them tho. RB26, Brembo's and body kit are the only real difference. I own a series 2 RS4S and love it! They're also about half the price of an Autech!!

[smg084]

Towing is not a huge priority, as I have a commodore that currently tows, It's more of a nicety. In saying that, I havent towed the S13 anywhere in over 12 months so it isnt a regular occurance. I have looked at RS4S's, 1. my S13 has a RB25det and is modded, so im worried about being dissapointed and 2. The 260rs falls within my price range and is closer to my dream car, 3. I believe with the same mods (turbos, fuel, ecu) the 260 will net me more, 4. I would need to spend the cash to do a manual conversion, with factored in off the threads/costs on this forum, the price difference wouldnt be huge, maybe a couple of grand.

Thanks for the responses!

[scotty nm35]

The RS4S is already manual, and has a better engine with VCT. Cheaper mods with single turbo too.

[Cowboy1600]

Unless you absolutely yearn for a 260RS, get an RS4S.

Save yourself a motza. By the time you've spent equal amounts on an RS4S you've got a car which will thump a 260RS.

The towbar is a conundrum, however. I've looked into it and at this stage the best option is to get one imported from NZ for ~$650. It won't be engineered for AU and therefore not roadworthy, but I'm personally not concerned about that. I would like a local option but they simply don't exist or run into the thousands as they properly engineered "one offs".

[BMX666]

The RS4S is already manual, and has a better engine with VCT. Cheaper mods with single turbo too.

^^^ THAT ^^^

Each to their own though. I love the 260RS too and it really is the GTR wagon. But if your budget is around 20k and want bang for buck, I'd get an RS4S for 10-13k and spend the rest on go faster bits. As Cowboy1600 said, after that it would kill stock 260's.

Good luck with the decision and the ensuing hunt.

[oscillo hero]

i have a s1 260 with a towbar. i only tow the boat with it. the boat itself weighs 1100kg. it pulls it no problem. still hits 140 overtaking and would go faster if i wasnt a pussy. it rides fairly well but mine has aftermarket shocks it came over with, they are green (bilsteins i think cant remember). and with the setup it came with it has the suspension properties of a shopping trolley (wheel hangs in air entering my friends driveway). however when towing it is a thirsty bloody thing at around 25L/100km could be the tune on the power fc and it constantly flutters on and off boost cause of the weight. the towbar i got done at a shop in rockhampton qld and it was a custom build he used a 2000kg bar and rated it at 1500kg for me and cost about $800, the bar is cut into the rear bumper with a hayman reese style removable tongue and i can put a cap on it if i want but i just leave the bar in. i will try to get a pic for you as a reference

[smg084]

Seems to be alot against the 260rs, is there something I have missed? I would of thought with the same supporting mods that the rb26 would kill a 25, I figured 300kw was an easy attainable 'nice' figure with a 26 and I would need to get a fair bit more in depth to get that from a 25. I will be selling the WRX and replacing it with the stagea, so hoping for around the 13-15k mark, I figured adding around 5k of my own money wasnt bad for a 260rs because essentually the rex is dead money.

[smg084]

Awesome a pic would be great Oscillo!

[oscillo hero]

ive had both a rs4 and an autech s1 not s2 but there was a huge difference in performance. the rs4 swayed like a boat and the 260 doesnt. autech is manual (big plus) although i miss the sunroofs in the rs4. the autech goes faster (stock). autech has pretty gauges in the centre console and 4 wheel steer. and the autech can do helicopters, tried in the rs4 and it scared the shit out of me whereas the autech smoked the tires and made me dizzy

an rs4 can be brought to the same spec but there is more difference than just adding power.there is brakes/suspension, dunno if s2 rs4s have 4 wheel steer, finding one in manual or making one, the body kit,

honestly out of the two i prefer the autech the only thing i miss is the sunroofs but the autech looks cooler, goes faster, handles better and mine is currently on 185,000kms

[smg084]

Cheers mate, keen to see a pic of your tow bar. I stalked your profile and didnt find any pics. + Sunroofs can be put in, but there not deal breakers for me.

[Global_Warmer]

ive had both a rs4 and an autech s1 not s2 but there was a huge difference in performance. the rs4 swayed like a boat and the 260 doesnt. autech is manual (big plus) although i miss the sunroofs in the rs4. the autech goes faster (stock). autech has pretty gauges in the centre console and 4 wheel steer. and the autech can do helicopters, tried in the rs4 and it scared the shit out of me whereas the autech smoked the tires and made me dizzy

an rs4 can be brought to the same spec but there is more difference than just adding power.there is brakes/suspension, dunno if s2 rs4s have 4 wheel steer, finding one in manual or making one, the body kit,

honestly out of the two i prefer the autech the only thing i miss is the sunroofs but the autech looks cooler, goes faster, handles better and mine is currently on 185,000kms

Exactly what i was going to type!

IMO all other C34 Stageas look shite compared to the 260RS. And its got the beautifull RB26DETT under the hood. Plus, Brembos stop like someone has thrown an anchor out the boot.

[Cowboy1600]

Seems to be alot against the 260rs, is there something I have missed? I would of thought with the same supporting mods that the rb26 would kill a 25, I figured 300kw was an easy attainable 'nice' figure with a 26 and I would need to get a fair bit more in depth to get that from a 25. I will be selling the WRX and replacing it with the stagea, so hoping for around the 13-15k mark, I figured adding around 5k of my own money wasnt bad for a 260rs because essentually the rex is dead money.

I don't think anyone is against them, they are brilliant cars, but in a money for grunt comparison they do not stack up against an S2 C34 RS4S. All Autechs are converted autos where as S2s are manual from day one. An RS4S' has everything a 260RS has apart from the RB26 and brakes. Arguably, unless you chasing massive HP, the RB25 Neo is a better engine than the RB26 thanks to better head design. Single turbo means much cheaper to mod, too.

Autechs go for ~$18-20k whereas you can pick up a tip-top RS4S for $10k. Spend the difference on the C34 and the C34 will thump the 260RS.

Assuming the standard exhaust/FMIC has been done, I'd do the following:

RS4S - $10k

Brakes - $1k

ECU + Turbo - $2.5k (personally, if starting from scratch now I'd grab the turbo/adaptronic combo from Stao)

Injectors - $1k

Fuel pump - $400

Coilpacks - $600

Suspension - $3k

Fitting everything - $1k

Service and Dyno Tune - $1k

For about the same price as a Autech you've got a solid 300+rwkw plus well setup suspension/brakes and the baseline to push harder, should you want (ie, ecu/injectors).

But if a 260RS makes you hard, go for it. They are shit hot cars.

[wolverine]

ive had both a rs4 and an autech s1 not s2 but there was a huge difference in performance. the rs4 swayed like a boat and the 260 doesnt. autech is manual (big plus) although i miss the sunroofs in the rs4. the autech goes faster (stock). autech has pretty gauges in the centre console and 4 wheel steer. and the autech can do helicopters, tried in the rs4 and it scared the shit out of me whereas the autech smoked the tires and made me dizzy

an rs4 can be brought to the same spec but there is more difference than just adding power.there is brakes/suspension, dunno if s2 rs4s have 4 wheel steer, finding one in manual or making one, the body kit,

honestly out of the two i prefer the autech the only thing i miss is the sunroofs but the autech looks cooler, goes faster, handles better and mine is currently on 185,000kms

The RS4S has all the same gauges, the same HICAS, the same bigger stronger driveshaft, the same bigger anti roll bars.

What it doesn't have is an FMIC, multi throttle bodies/front facing plenum or twin turbos, although it does have VCT.

If you add up the cost of bolting on the missing bits, the ease of changing turbos then the RS4S should bring you out ahead financially for similar performance. There is nothing magical about either engine when it comes to making power, with decent parts and good tuning they will both make enough power for a streetable car but I would strongly suggest not oversizing the turbo/s to get a big headline power figure as it will hurt the drivability down low. These things are pretty heavy and you need all the help you can get like VCT etc to make power where you can use it. Ultimately you should buy whatever makes you happy because both are pretty good things.

[Cowboy1600]

Exactly what i was going to type!

IMO all other C34 Stageas look shite compared to the 260RS. And its got the beautifull RB26DETT under the hood. Plus, Brembos stop like someone has thrown an anchor out the boot.

But you and OH missed one important piece of the puzzle: cost.

Everything you say is true if comparing stock cars, but then that wouldn't be a fair comparison as it's not like for like. Spend the difference on the RS4S and it'll smack a 260.

Personally, I prefer the S2 DAYZ to an Autech lookswise.

[Chris32]

Quick question, as I'm shopping around at the moment.

How can I check how genuine a prospective 26oRS is? Is there a specific number or letter in the VIN Number like a N1 GTR or anything like that?

Looking around, it seems most Stag's are up around the 150,000km mark, given the age they seem to be holding up alright? Thinking of a 260RS as a daily, to replace my Commodore