R32/33 Gtr Or Evo 5/6/7 As A Track Car.

[JETGTR]

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking at getting a weekend toy/track car. I'm after something that I can drive to the track have a good fun day and drive home again. With the odd occasion of driving on the weekend around town. ( I have a daily already)

My question is, I hear a lot of people saying go the evo as it's more reliable and just as quick. Which ever way I go I'd be looking at keeping it around the 200-220 kW @ all 4, which seems fairly easy in both. And focus more on brake and suspension setup.

I figure that both are pretty strong cars and thought maybe a few people on here have had experiences with both.

Ideally I'd be looking at a R33 GTR or a EVO 6. But a good 32, Evo 5 or 7 wouldn't be out of the question.

Any help much appreciated.

Paul

[scotty nm35]

The evo is a much better package out of the box imo, and lighter. Both can handle 220kw fairly easily, but the RB26 might let go in race conditions due to oil surge, as the oil doesn't like to drop back to the sump at high revs.

I think you would need to spend a packet to get the gtr to a similar lap time as the evo.

Parts are much cheaper for the evo too, and only 4 pistons to buy.

[JETGTR]

Yea I would have to agree... Despite me wanting a GTR everything tells me to go the EVO. Only 4 pistons to worry about and 1 turbo.

[Hattori Hanzo 69]

The evo is a much better package out of the box imo, and lighter. Both can handle 220kw fairly easily, but the RB26 might let go in race conditions due to oil surge, as the oil doesn't like to drop back to the sump at high revs.

I think you would need to spend a packet to get the gtr to a similar lap time as the evo.

Parts are much cheaper for the evo too, and only 4 pistons to buy.

if you are going to track a car, you need to prep it accordingly

rips sump or similar

Tomei / HKS / JUN oil pump

catch can with a drain back to the sump

at a minimum or you are gonna have a bad time.

[XKLABA]

The evo is a much better package out of the box imo, and lighter. Both can handle 220kw fairly easily, but the RB26 might let go in race conditions due to oil surge, as the oil doesn't like to drop back to the sump at high revs.

I think you would need to spend a packet to get the gtr to a similar lap time as the evo.

Parts are much cheaper for the evo too, and only 4 pistons to buy.

I love my GTRs but so this for a track car, you buy a GTR cause you want one, if you want to go fast at a track get the EVO, preferable 7 on as older ones have a tendacy to do rear diffs

I use to track my 32 a fair bit a do track the 34 both with no oil mods just over full to the bump in the stick and while doing that no issues with oil surge

[GTR_JOEY]

JET it can be made to run 1 turbo, so don't let that stop you

runs better on one anyone right Mick??

[JimmyRickard]

I've driven a number of evo's from 6 to 10 and own a 32 GTR track car.

The evo is ready to track out of the box with relatively few mods required. The GTR is a much different story as mentioned above.

However, I find the GTR to be a much more rewarding car to go fast in. But you really have to LOVE GTR's, because they will test your patience.

In all honestly I don't think I could in good conscience recommend a GTR as a track car to anyone, but I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything (except a Radical. They're f**kin awesome)

[GOD12A]

Heya JET.

I had the same dilemma 3yrs back when I wanted a pre-modded tarmac rally/weekender.

I was looking at the Evo6 and R32 GTR. Obviously I bought the GTR and I'm glad I did (most of the time...)

Look at any tarmac rally event competitor list and it's easier to count how many aren't Evos!

They're easier to drive fast and cheaper to mod/repair (4cyl and single turbo), but it might not be as robust as the GTR.

My 24yr old GTR has done Targa Tassie, holds 340rwkw on OE bottom end and gets abused (I have good mechanical sympathy, but I still like to act like a dick when I can).

It's never done a diff, driveshaft or gearbox. The engine was worn by 85k km but a quick rebuild (rings, bearings and cams) found me a little more power and another few more years of reliability.

I'm glad I bought the 32 GTR over an Evo6. If I was looking for more of a streeter, the Evo6 might have been my choice.

Also, at the time of buying their were no Evo6s as cheap as a modified GTR, that also played a part in my decision.

Hope it helped.

Mark

[JETGTR]

Thanks for the replies guys..... Still looks like the evo is the better deal purely on reliability and how quick they are. My Heart says GTR but the head says EVO.

And Mark your post didn't help as I now am talking myself into thinking a GTR can be as reliable without spending big cash on it lol

Reliability is a big factor me as I really don't want to spend a lot on the car.... Other then maintenance and replacing broken or warn parts.

Paul

[GOD12A]

Heya JET,

Sorry...

The GTR is a mechanically tough car. The RBs do have oil control issues that aren't cheap to rectify, but unless you're looking to do serious track work, I have an oil/air separator product specifically for the RB series that will band-aid fix the issue as best as possible without going to sump breathers etc.

They're also easy to work on and modify. The computers can be tweaked independently and it'll switch to RWD with the pull of a fuse (or switch if you want to waste a few hours soldering some wires)

The Evos are a little more sensitive and fragile, but their are good gains to be had from flashing the factory ECU and throwing on a nicer exhaust.

It really depends on your intended use.

You want a thrash car that'll take the abuse, get the R32 GTR. Want something a little more refined, albeit fragile, but still quick out of the box (and cheap to make fast) the Evo might be for you.

Mark

[JETGTR]

That might be all I needed to hear.... I'm a GTR man I think I may regret going the evo way even if it is the quicker option.

Thanks for your replies Mark very honest and informative. Would a R33 GTR be a better option ?? Or same same with the R32 ?

Paul

[GOD12A]

I'm glad I could help.

I must inform you, when shit hits the fan, don't come running to me!! hahahaa

I prefer the R32. it's older/cheaper, lighter and has less 'smarts'. It requires mechanical modification to swap to 2WD making dyno runs a little more expensive (but how often will it need a dyno) and switching to RWD for the sake of ripping skids and acting like a dick much harder.

The R33 does have a much faster reacting ATTESA and ABS system, but they're a tad heavier and will cost a little more.

I guess it's personal preference if you have the money to go either way.

I've always loved the look of the 32's, even when I owned nothing but rotaries. The R32 GTR was the car to beat at the street runs 15yrs ago when I was buzzing around in stupidly overpowered Mazdas!

Mark

[JETGTR]

LoL same here mate... I've owned 2 R32 GTR's almost 10 years ago now... One with just exhaust and filters the other had a little more work with about 220awkw. I've always loved them. But never tracked them.

I'll never forget my first encounter with one in my old VN SS I was smashed to say the least. He actually shook his head and waved at me before giving it the boot. Cocky but I fell I love straight away.

There seems to be a few out there with recent rebuilds so I might go for one of them.

Anyway thanks again dude.

[benm]

How many track days a year do you want to do?

If the answer is 1 buy the gtr

If the answer is 1 per month buy the evo

You need to decide whether you want a gtr or you want a track car, if the answer is a track car than evo it is by a country mile.

[Hadouken]

Im sorry to agree here, Its a evo as a mostly track car.

Has oil cooler, has water spray for intercooler, has awesome handling, has awesome computer to protect the motor.

They are one of the best cars to just get in and go to the track with. But the question is, do you want reliabiity or do you want to drive the car (GTR) or get driven by the car (Evo)?

[JETGTR]

Can't I have reliability and a GTR ?? LoL

I'm looking to track it 5-7 times a year.... With the possibility of more depending on how much the car is to maintain for the track.

I've never driven a Evo so I can only go on what I've heard and seen. I have a mate with a Evo 5 making approx 200awkw. On his first day at the track ever he did a 1.43 around winton. Drove it too the track and home again. The problem seemed he was getting a fuel cut out on hard cornering which hamperd is times also. Pretty sure he changed the fuel pump and it's been ok since.

As I said earlier heart says GTR head says EVO. I think I just need to go and take a evo for a spin.

Thanks for the replies guy.

Paul

[fatz]

Evo if you want easy speed plus the attention of blokes who think 8pairs of farken shoes are cool

Gtr if you wish to enjoy the ride of making a car fast and like the company of women with tits and a opinion that's worth listening too

[me_larr]

Then you already know what you have to do

Go test drive one.

If you do end up choosing an evo, get one from the 8 onwards.

The diff has been beefed up to handle twice the torque the older AYC diffs can (7 and older). 8s onwards also come with stronger engine components like forged rods.

As others have said, it is the more reliable package and doesn't require as much prep to keep reliable for track duties.

Notable pluses for the Evo:

Newer car with potentially less wear and tear on components (7 onwards)

Oil cooler from the factory which keeps getting bigger with each model.

Re-mappable factory ECU that puts rivals most aftermarket computers - even anti-lag is merely a few keystrokes away to activate (lacks data logging tho)

Lighter than a GTR (marginally)

Makes more torque and sooner (390nm by 3500rpm for a stock car)

4 cylinder rego and cheaper insurance

Simply the better track car - have a look at the millions of Best Motoring videos where they pit the gtr, evo, sti, nsx etc... against each other and the evo trumps the gtr in most of them.

My question to you is do you need the four doors?

If you don't, get the GTR.

Personally, I don't give 2 hoots about the benefits the Evo brings. I own one but only because it was a compromise with the wife between fun and maintaining some practicality for family reasons.

A GTR is just what it is.............a GTR. Screw the downsides and make it work I say

[JETGTR]

Yea if I could find the right Evo 8 cheap enough I would deffintaly be leaning that way... Just simply due to the age difference.

I'll find out when the next track days are on... Been to a few PIARC events, so I may chat to a few people there that own these cars and track them.

Thanks again

[XKLABA]

Single turbos pfft asif