R377 M-Spec R33 Gts-T Build

[R377]

I thought I would post about my 1996 R33 skyline gts-t m-spec since I have owned it for 7 years and don't look to be getting rid of anytime soon.

Its a series 2 so it has the nicer interior and ABS brakes and currently has 136,000 genuine kms on it.

History

The car was imported to Australia in 1999. That owner kept the car until 2004. The second owner kept the car until 2007, where I bought it and have had it ever since. I spent months looking for a good clean 33, the previous owner was in his mid 30's and had 3 or 4 cars all kept in his garage where he hardly drove this Skyline. I bought it from Melbourne and had Nizzpro go over the car for me before I bought it.

My car came with 124,000 km on the clock, Tein coilovers, 3" exhaust and 19" Buddy Club wheels.

I have done quite a few mods, with more mods and updates to come.

First pics is the car advertised on car sales. Other pics, back home in Adelaide with my nephew.

[R377]

In late 2009 I installed Tune Agent tie rods, rod ends and castor rods. Steering response and lock was noticeably improved.

[R377]

In late 2010 i ordered some 18" Enkei RPF1 and tires from tirerack.com. Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 235/40/18 and 265/35/18 X 2. Came to $1100 US delivered, just coming in at under the $1000 mark to save import tax

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/dunlop-direzza-sport-z1-star-spec-page-3

April 2012

http://web.archive.org/web/20120410143301/http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=EP

Edited August 21, 2014 by R377

[R377]

After the Tune Agent tie rods etc I bought Whiteline front and rear sway bars with Swaybar link kit-spherical rod end.

With each mod I drove the car around for months to see what advantage it gave over the original part beforehand. The sway bars were great bang for buck, I would recommend them for anyone wanting their car to handle better.

The Swaybar link kit-spherical rod end's were solid and made my car too stiff and harsh for the road. I later replaced these and notice a big difference with comfort on the roads.

[R377]

Just got my car back. New NPC clutch installed, fuel pump and 1000cc Bosh injectors tuned with new Link ECU to take E85. Got the car home. Took it out on the w/e only to come home by tow truck.

Was leaking coolant from the back of the motor. Had another look tonight and I can see the hose but really, really difficult to get to.

This is first time in seven years my Skyline has ever let me down. Can't help but think maybe the workshop knocked the hose when taking the gearbox off to install my clutch ?

[MathewZ]

damn not many replies these days for us gtst owners haah. nice build though mate.

and that sounds like a possible cause.

[GeeDog]

The gearbox comes out easier if the motor is tilted (up at the front, down at the rear), but tilitng the motor too far can squash the heater hose between the motor & firewall. You may well be right about the mechanic.

[75coupe]

^^^ yep agreed, seen this before.

[R377]

In 2011 I decided my old Tein's needed changing as they were just too hard. I went with BC coilovers BR series and was happy on the improvement

[R377]

I installed the coilovers myself and had Pedders Suspension Morphett Vale fit front and rear camber kit.

With the new Direzza tyres, coilovers, camber kit and alignment I was very happy with the way it handled. Was a massive difference to when I first got it with Tein's, 19" Buddy Club wheels with Kumho KU31 tyres.

After only a few drives there was a horrible knocking noise coming from under the car. I jacked up the car and went over all the nuts and suspension but couldn't find anything wrong with it. I took it back to Pedders Morphett Vale and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I went home again and went over everything. It still made that noise so I took it back again to Pedders. They couldn't find the noise and sent me to a diff specialist. Still couldn't find the noise so I gave up and just let the car sit for 6 months.

I then rang Pedders Morphett Vale who I found out had closed. I then went to Marion. As my car was still a bit hard I thought I would replace the solid Swaybar link kit with nolathane. This made the car less harsh and the annoying noise had actually gone.

I asked Marion Pedders to lower my car a little (not stupid) and align it. When I picked it up, it was heaps low. The manager there assured me it wasn't too low and wouldn't rub or scrape. After going for my first drive it was scraping really bad and over a pothole hit and cracked the paint on the front guard.

I took it back to Marion Pedders, who told me they raised it and it drove nicely. I drove it out and instantly noticed it pulled to the left. I drove back, they told me they were too busy so we decided to book it in another time.

I dropped it off next week for 4 days, only to pick it up and nothing had changed. I rang them and they told me they were flat out but would do it in a couple of weeks. I booked it in again, picked it up, got assured it was good and didn't pull to the left only to find out they hadn't even touched it again....

I was going to write a complaint letter to Pedders but just couldn't be bothered. Marion was 20-25 mins drive for me.

I booked it into Andy's Tyrepower at Seaford. They have done quite a few drift and circuit cars. I was happy with their alignment and the car drove great after they had set it all up again after the Marion headache...

Edited January 4, 2016 by R377

[R377]

Here is a pic of my car at Pedders ( one of the many times at Pedders ) about 2012 - 2013

[R377]

Here is some pics of my car after the Enkei's and suspension had been fitted

[R377]

Here is my R33 Skyline GTS-t with 18" Enkei RPF1

http://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/84208-wheel-sizes-offsets-for-skylines/page-123

Front 18X9.5 + 15. 235 tyre with -3 degrees of camber

Rear 18x10 + 38 (5mm spacer) 265 tyre with -2 degrees of camber.

I could just squeeze my fingernail under the rear guard.

Thanks to Joey for his advice on wheel fitment (he is still offering advice on here)

[AngryRB]

Car looks tough with them wheels and stance I'd never go to Pedders or any of them Franchise places, it can be hard to find a good place to get knowledgeable professionals to work on your car. Took me a couple of years to find a good Tuner after going thru the big name rip off's, glad it finally worked out for you..

Edited January 4, 2016 by AngryRB

[R377]

Am having problems mounting my oil cooler, any advice or suggestions please

http://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/462127-help-with-oil-cooler-intall-location-r33gts-t/

[Nate888]

How much inside clearance was there with the rear wheels?

[R377]

On 08/06/2016 at 2:57 PM, Nate888 said:

How much inside clearance was there with the rear wheels?

I have a 5mm spacer on the back and i reckon i could prob go 275 on the rear (up from 265)

[R377]

On 08/06/2016 at 2:57 PM, Nate888 said:

How much inside clearance was there with the rear wheels?

 

Moved house and just got my pit and garage set up and concreted.  Pulled car over the pit, with my current setup I reckon there was approx 25mm at the front and about 15mm at the back - thats from inside of wheel to the strut.

Might look at new wheels to see if i can go a bit wider on the wheels and tyres...

 

[R377]

 

Finally got some power out of my car back in 2014.  As some of you know I ordered a Forced Performance HTA turbo from Jacky Chan - CJ Motors.  I could of got it about the same price ordering from the USA but thought I would support local australian business.

Jacky Chan sent me the wrong turbo, then lots of back and forth with him claiming it was the right turbo.  After months of his lies, I had enough and had to seek legal action.  I had run out of time, money and patience so I went with a Hypergear ss2 with stock manifold and internal wastegate.

It did make 295rkwk on e85 and 279kw on pump fuel.  Could of made a bit more, but was tuned safe and rich

 

 

[R377]

Got Evo Brembo brakes, they absolutely dwarf the factory brakes....