R31 Questrions

[got_boost?]

by the time i turn 18 i will have hopefully saved up about 5 grand or maybe a little more and im considering buying an R31 and turn it into my drift machine. I like the look of the Silhoutte (correct spelling?). I have a few questions that maybe someone might be able to help me with.

1. how much will the car set me back I was think somewhere between $1500 and $2500.

2. Does the Silhoutte come with and LSD

and

3. Is it worth looking at an RB20DET conversion or a turbo conversion of something simila, preferable a halfcut with the gearbox and ECU and so on.

Do you guys think that it would be worth while getting the car when i save up enoguh money, before i turn 18, and then doing it up from there.

1 last thing if there are any mechanics that you know of in the Melb S/E suburbs like FTG and the likes that might take on a 16 yr old to just do some work round cars and learn a bit more it would be appreciated if you lead me in the right direction.

Cheers

[StuiE]

A manual silo would start at around $2.5k, and yep they come with LSD, the only model that does (apart from the GTS's)

Wait 'till you've had it for at least a year before you get an RB20 etc, I've had mine longer than that and I'm only just getting bored of the power.

you're cheap turbo options are RB20DET or RB30ET basically, both equally capable engines.

[Adam_RSX]

Joel down here hasn't needed to change his engine to get some decent sideways action going, I think he's just running basic mods to improve breathing and a minispool, aswell as new springs shocks and bigger sway bars

[cazz]

Don't bother with an RB20, drive your stock car around till you get used to the power and torque of the RB30, this will take a while, coz they ae a lovely engine, then bang a VL Turbo on it, common conversion, and better low down driveability. The RB 30 is bullet proof, and handles the turbo conversion well so long as you don't go stupid. A SilhouETTE, is a very nice car to have, Standard LSD, and better spring and shock rates, as well as better seats, steering wheel and trip computer. 2.5k is really a starting price for a good silhouette. If you want a half decent car that isn't gonna cost you the earth to keep on the road, 4-5 grand is a better game plan that will get you a pretty good reliable car. Becuase lots of people want these cars now, they are getting harder to come by, so the earlier you can lay your hands on one the better

[predator]

my advice is: I wouldn't spend too much on an aussie R31.. $3k max. Buy one, have a little fun for 12 months.. sell it then pay around $8k and get the import.. much more options.

You will find if you take a $4k silhouette, and spend $4k+ on it to do all the things you would like to get it up to spec (which might include a turbo conversion), such as upgrading the brakes, upgrading the handling, etc... By which point you have hit $8k. You ever want to sell the car, you probably won't ever get $8k back.

You get an import for $8k, it may already after aftermarket suspension, exhaust, maybe even a turbo upgrade. It handles as well as the R31 with all the money you spent on it. You sell it, you will get $8k back in 2-3 years time most likely..

[Bluprint]

I'm spending a lot more than 3k on my Silhouette.

Everyone thinks they're substandard for some reason, I beg to differ.

I know I'll never get my money spent on modifications back, knew it from the start and I don't care.

Because no matter what car you modify you never get the money you spend back.

The only thing I guess it doesn't have that the imports do that's of any great impact is the solid rear suspension setup instead of independant rear, which I'm not going to kill myself over. It still handles well enough for my liking.

If I want something that turns on a hairpin at 100km/h then I'll strive for a Porsche.

In a little over a month I'll have a Silhouette with an R34 Neo engine that should serious mess with some people's heads.

got_boost? - if it's what you want, go for it. If you stay happy with it, then stick with it until you want to change. If you have no doubt in your mind that it's what you want to do, then do it.

Just keep in mind that yes any work you do to it, you won't get that money spent back. If you turn it into something special & unique, you might get a little extra for it come sale time, but you'll never get all your money back.

[got_boost?]

Getting money back from my first car is not a concern that I have. All im after is a good first car that is cheap, R31 skyline, and one that I can get sideways in.

2 more questions how much would and RB30 turbo conversion cost

and

What motor does the Silhouette come with?

[predator]

RB30E - same as the other models.. and same as VL non-turbo.

Well Silhouette does come with LSD so that should help, only problem is that when it blows - not the easiest thing to get a replacement for, or cheapest.

Depends where you start from.. This is what I paid..

VLT Injectors: $120

VLT ECU: $120

VLT crossover: $60

VLT Manifold: $200

Never really got the turbo, I was going to use an RB25det turbo I had - ~$400ish (about same for stock VL turbo). Another few hundred for a dump pipe to be made, and turbo lines. Up around the $1500 mark probably by the end to go for turbo.

If it's an auto.. budget another $1000 for a manual conversion, as the gearbox won't hold for any significant length of time.

In the end, for me it just wasn't worth it (and I swapped up for the import for barely any more - fairly special deal though)

but anywhere from $1500-$2500 can get you into turbo land... RB30ET is a nice combination though.

[cazz]

When I did my turbo conversion, I did it properly. Did a GTS or import brake upgrade, new suspension, new cooling and new brake hydraulics. Replaced all cooling hoses, including the hoses on the turbo, and the oil hoses on the turbo. I bought the complete VLT Kit of ebay, for $900, which included, injectors, ecu, turbo, manilfold, hoses and everything that was needed except the heat shield. But the ecu was stuffed, so I have to get a changeover ecu. All of this owes me 3 grand, and I haven't got a cooler yet, so what I am trying to say, is don't underbudget. You are looking at 1000 dollars plus, for labour, (thats if you get it done cheap) to do this conversion, so don't expect to get out of it cheaply. But it is soooooo worth it. It is the best money I have ever spent on a car. Any money you spend, if it is done properly, and you don't kill the car, will add some value to the car, but you will never get back what you spend. I had an import, as well as my 3 local cars, and I am sorry but I didn't like it at all, it was an RB20 DET, and a laggy, gutless son of a bitch of boost. I like the local car much better. Our local cars are built a little better as well. To get a good import, you are still looking at 10k plus, and they are expensive to fix and get parts for., and they only come with an RB20, not the torquey grunty indestructable RB30 in the aussie car. Go the aussie car, (which it seems that you want), and just spend your money. It's not hard to fall in love with the aussie R31, its a very good car, if you start with a good car, it can only get better.

[SKY031]

Silhoutte (correct spelling?)

Silhouette

If you're after info on the R31, click here -(may take a while to load)

You will also find a list of performance shops in the directory section..... organised by state.

You can try contacting some of the local workshops to see if they would be willing to take you on, but if you think this is something that would interest you, maybe you would be better to look for an apprenticeship.

Also take into account that the prices of R31's are dropping rapidly, and will continue to drop as they get older.

In 2 years time, you will probably be able to pick up a fairly decent Silhouette for under $3000

[got_boost?]

Thanks I'm not really looking for an apprenticesip just some casual work round cars cause im doing my VCE at the moment. Once again cheers for the info

[.75 degrees sideways]

Silhouette's are a great car with some nice options.

I would go an import if I was you, I've seen plenty of good quality/reasonably stock gts-x's for $5,500-$6k. I was really tempted myself a few times

Rb30et is a great engine, I wouldn't say it is indestructable but still a great and reliable engine if properly maintained. If setup right it will have very nice low end torque and reasonable mid/ high end torque. However, it would be great to get a rb25det head if you've got a few extra grand. Better to get a have twin cam for the application

Being able to bolt an rb25det/rb26dett head onto the rb30 is a bonus.

Rb20det "silvertop". This is the engine I am currently using, it is a strong engine. Initial torque on it is reasonably laggy but it makes up for it in the top end and can rev out to around 7,500 - 8000 rpm. With a decent turbo like the hks 2530-2535 you'll be making up for the initial lag while still having aggresive top end.

You can have a decent setup with gtr cams and adjustable cam gears (adjust when boost kicks in) i've seen hks adjustable cam gears for $300 for the pair which is cheap, cams are around $200 but there is a bit of fabricating involved fitting them.

If you want to get serious with the rb20det you can use the crank and rods from the rb26dett and buy some forged 82mm pistons new which is expensive for a set but you can pick up the pistons from the early 90's supercharged mr2 4agze for cheap. They are 82mm pistons and were released forged and ceramic coated from the factory.

By doing these few things + a few small little things also you now how a rb24. More low end torque, increased rev capacity. By replacing these componants you can increase the power limitations of the stock internalled rb20det.

In conclusion

I'd prefer a silvertop, but rb30et is a great cheap option and both engines have plenty of different ways of achieving high amounts of horsepower

[R31 POWER]

R31 is a great first car,The good old RB20 VS Rb30 debate,

[Mr Aussie R31]

Hey all,

I only paid $650 for my R31 Silhoutte and it is in top nic with no major problems, passed its roadworthy test. All that me and my dad have had to do to it is tyres, and a few odds and ends but for in total i've only spend $200 on it and it is all stock.

Not to bad for $650 i reckon and a good first car for myself .

[Abo Bob]

Nice one.

[got_boost?]

$650 thats a bargain, are you going to convert it to turbo? If not do you have any other mods in mind

[Mr Aussie R31]

Dunno yet just doing the stereo system and stuff first then i'll worry about any major mods...

[SKY031]

$650!?!?!?!?

Bargain!

Cars are so much cheaper in QLD.

Does the LSD still work?

[Mr Aussie R31]

Everything is in working order on the car, like i said be4 it is a very clean cut car, and it isnt that cars are cheaper in QLD, coz i can sell the R31 for 3-4000$ easy.

[tigeryas]

guddam! i thought my DR30 at $1000 was a steal. Owned!

i've put about another grand into it though, worth every cent and love it to bits.