My 15yr old Skyline

[Yuan]

can u break down the cost structure of owning a car in Aus? really curious to know...

 

One thing for sure. It is definitely cheaper than Singapore.

[Yuan]

Just joined the forum and thought I might share my mistress with everyone. She's a 1995 series 1 R33 GTR V-Spec N1 (N1 being the same variant used for Nissan Group A racing). I was told by a trusted source that only 98 R33 N1s were built. Below is some difference between the standard GTR and the N1.

 

- The RB26DETT N1 is an upgraded version of the standard RB26DETT engine. It was first developed by Nismo for Group A racing purposes.

- water cooling channels in the block are enhanced to increase flow. The block, and internal components are also strengthened.

- The pistons have 1.2 mm (0.047 in) top rings

- Balanced Crankshaft, The specifications of the camshafts were also improved for power.

- The N1 engine uses the same parallel twin turbocharger layout but with improved turbochargers. The N1 engine also received an upgraded oil pump and water pump, to improve the cooling and lubrication of the engine. The N1 engine is identified by its 24U number stamped on the

block, as opposed to the 05U stamp on standard RB26DETT engines. It also came stock with an oil cooler.

- The turbine wheels on the new turbochargers are made from steel, rather than the weaker ceramic used for all standard GT-R models. The R33 N1 engine was slightly revised, with larger turbochargers than the R32 N1 engine, supporting more power if the engine were to be modified.

- They were advertised as making the same 280 PS (276 hp) as the standard model, but with the lighter engine parts, and more efficient turbochargers, the engine would make closer to 350 hp (260 kW).

- No "luxury" options which includes, air-conditioner, floor mats, rear wind screen wiper and radio/CD player.

 

I've owned the car more 1.5 years and below are some mods which I have done.

 

1) Nismo Monoblock Forged LMGT4 18"x9.5" +12 rims with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 285/30/18

2) Trust Full Titanium Catback Ti-R

3) Apexi Power FC ECU

4) Apexi Power FC Boost Controller Kit

5) Just Jap Racing Ceramic Hi-flow Cat (cheapo Aus brand)

6) HKS Stainless Steel Front Pipe

7) Air-con (this is acutally the first mod as the car doesnt come with it)

8) Tein Super Street Coilover

 

Heres a couple of my favourite photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Wife's Beetle and my Mistress

 

Nice pics.....Thanks for sharing.

[Zangetsu77]

Aww shucks u are in Australia! Otherwise you can join the GTR gathering tomorrow morning!

[Strudel-]

Nice pics.....Thanks for sharing.

 

My pleasure. Something to keep me entertain while working away on site.

 

Aww shucks u are in Australia! Otherwise you can join the GTR gathering tomorrow morning!

 

Haha. I wish I'm in SG too. However, I doubt I'll be able to afford any GTRs in SG at all (R33 GTR = 130k (only 1 in SG I heard), R34 GTR = 160k, R35 GTR = 250k). Which is why I choose to stay here. Also, the people really knows their car well. Be it history, built, engine and tuning etc. Most people in Asian countries that bought a R35 GTR more than likely doesnt know anything about the history of the car (majority are just rich) and only bought it because its a GTR. Whereas in Australia, car enthuasist actually respects all GTRs.

 

Maybe in the next couple of years I might be able to get my dream car, R34 GTR M-Spec NUR (limited edition too, 250 built). They're still very exp considering they're built in 2002 and still worth 100k here.

 

[Elfenstar]

For tech stuff, I'll go to SAU for sure. People there are very helpful and it more relevant for what I'm after anyway. But its good to be talking to fellow Singaporeans at times.

 

The local (SG) car scene is very different from Aus probably mainly due to import rules. We just dont have the market for it. I know someone that drives an FD in Singapore and recently had to rebuild his engine. He cant find a proper tuner for the car believe it or not but I'm not surprise. Every car is different and I dont believe theres someone out there that can be good at every car.

 

Its a shame but I guess that something part of living in Singapore. I dont think I'll be able to afford having an old performance car in SG at all.

 

Well as long as you know

 

There are some good tuners here, just that lets say a basic tune would cost the same as a full remap in AU Rebuilders, I don't know of any though

 

Yeah I can't afford an old performance car here, so I've settled for a new comfy car that is stock as a rock but fun to hoon around corners (can't give up everything can i ) Am trying to save up for a COE MX5 which I can rebuild and restore though.

[Strudel-]

Well as long as you know

 

There are some good tuners here, just that lets say a basic tune would cost the same as a full remap in AU Rebuilders, I don't know of any though

 

Yeah I can't afford an old performance car here, so I've settled for a new comfy car that is stock as a rock but fun to hoon around corners (can't give up everything can i ) Am trying to save up for a COE MX5 which I can rebuild and restore though.

 

Yea I suppose. Its not really practical to have a ticking time bomb and not really a lot of resources available if it does break down. Hoon sounds very Aussie... Hahaha. Do they use that word in SG to describe drivers too?

 

I used to like MX5 but slowly dislike it now. Maybe because of how short (MX5 and FD comparing to SLK and SL? I prefer the longer looking cars) is it and looks pretty high (ground clearance) but they do make a very nice track car.

 

One car I would consider is MPS. They look alright and kinda look like Toyota's Caldina (hatch, lotsa space and front scoop). But having driven the GTR and dragging a couple of cars on the road, I doubt I'll change to anything else in terms of performance. Even without hard launches, not a lot of cars can keep up after 2nd gear, other than 1 FD and 1 34GTT (I was having a full load on my car + I suspect that car is quite heavily modded) which I've dragged. The best time for an EVO X MR during a club drag day at the track only manage 14.1s for the quarter mile with launch control.

 

Anyway, you're up pretty early on a Sunday! Especially its only 5am in SG! lol

[Rb26dett]

very nice R33 you have there. i used to drive a bnr33 non vspec model many many years when i was still in w.a.

 

get a jun block , run it twin wastegate and dual 2835.your car can fly .

 

 

[Elfenstar]

Yea I suppose. Its not really practical to have a ticking time bomb and not really a lot of resources available if it does break down. Hoon sounds very Aussie... Hahaha. Do they use that word in SG to describe drivers too?

 

I used to like MX5 but slowly dislike it now. Maybe because of how short (MX5 and FD comparing to SLK and SL? I prefer the longer looking cars) is it and looks pretty high (ground clearance) but they do make a very nice track car.

 

One car I would consider is MPS. They look alright and kinda look like Toyota's Caldina (hatch, lotsa space and front scoop). But having driven the GTR and dragging a couple of cars on the road, I doubt I'll change to anything else in terms of performance. Even without hard launches, not a lot of cars can keep up after 2nd gear, other than 1 FD and 1 34GTT (I was having a full load on my car + I suspect that car is quite heavily modded) which I've dragged. The best time for an EVO X MR during a club drag day at the track only manage 14.1s for the quarter mile with launch control.

 

Anyway, you're up pretty early on a Sunday! Especially its only 5am in SG! lol

 

Resources for the minor bits are fine. Its the major stuff that worries me. I doubt most singaporeans use hoon :p I was in melb for years and part of the NS community, which happened to always have SAU members at our meets

 

Anyway its 7am and I'm off to bed :p Speak to you another time!

[Strudel-]

very nice R33 you have there. i used to drive a bnr33 non vspec model many many years when i was still in w.a.

 

get a jun block , run it twin wastegate and dual 2835.your car can fly .

 

Thanks buddy. I wouldnt be touching the block at all due to it being an N1. If I'm gonna do heavy mods, I'll get a base GTR and work from there. Dont really wanna destroy the pedigree of a limited edition.

 

The N1 internals + the block itself is good enough for 600-700awhp from trusted source so I dont think I'll need a JUN block for it (N1 block is suppose to be good for 1000HP). The only restriction to obtaining that kinda of power is the turbo, fuel and intercooler. Because you'll need to touch turbo, I wouldnt be doing it as they're N1 turbos. If I were to continue modding the car, I'll just upgrade fuel system (Nismo fuel pump and Nismo 600cc injectors), Nismo AFM and maybe wastegate actuators. With these and 20-22psi, I should see more than 300awkw (400awhp).

 

Resources for the minor bits are fine. Its the major stuff that worries me. I doubt most singaporeans use hoon :p I was in melb for years and part of the NS community, which happened to always have SAU members at our meets

 

Anyway its 7am and I'm off to bed :p Speak to you another time!

 

Hahaha. They're all Nissan anyway :P.

 

Wah your sleeping hour's farked.

Edited August 15, 2010 by Strudel-

[Elfenstar]

Hahaha. They're all Nissan anyway :P.

 

Wah your sleeping hour's farked.

 

You're right, its royally screwed Been on leave the whole week and kinda screwed up my sleeping pattern by watching 61 eps of Avatar The Last Airbender at one sitting Not to mention going out thurs, fri and sat nights and only sleeping in the day

 

So I'm not going to sleep till 8pm tonight. and hopefully I can wake up by 6am to head off to the gym and back to work.

[Strudel-]

You're right, its royally screwed Been on leave the whole week and kinda screwed up my sleeping pattern by watching 61 eps of Avatar The Last Airbender at one sitting Not to mention going out thurs, fri and sat nights and only sleeping in the day

 

So I'm not going to sleep till 8pm tonight. and hopefully I can wake up by 6am to head off to the gym and back to work.

 

Oh. Is that the old cartoon or a series? The movie looks good too.

[Renegade777]

Well buying a car here is way cheaper comparing to SG ONLY if you dont take a loan. Fuel is cheaper too (on the cheapest day, 1.35/L for 98) but you gotta factor in the distance travelled here would be further than SG.

 

Alright now the actual cost,

 

Honda Civic 2L Sports leather and full option - $34k drive away (I know because I was thinking of buying this when I gave up the R34 GTR dream but found this N1 instead)

 

Insurance (vary with type of cars) - $800 (above 25yr old) PA to $2.5k PA (young driver with performance car)

 

Fuel - $1.35/L (cheapest day of week) and around 1 full tank per week.

 

Registration (aka Rego or similiar to road tax) - $600+ (4 cyclinders) or $800+ (6cyclinders) need to look up website.

 

Car Loan (if you do end up financing) - allow 10% or 15% (imports)

 

Normal servicing (oil change filter etc) - $100-150

 

A BMW 125ci is around $75k drive away with full option if you wanna compare to SG. The only thing you cannot compare import. Import prices in SG will be way higher than here due to regulation.

 

2 litre Civc for $34K ? In Singapore, with that kind of money you cannot even get that piece of paper. :angry:

 

 

[Strudel-]

2 litre Civc for $34K ? In Singapore, with that kind of money you cannot even get that piece of paper. :angry:

 

True but the interest rate will kill you. Its easily more than double of Singapore's. But I do agree, lower end cars are generally more affordable

[Elfenstar]

Oh. Is that the old cartoon or a series? The movie looks good too.

 

Watch the cartoon series. I was surprised at how un-kiddie it was. The movie isnt that good.

 

[Stivo]

yo elfen, how are you.. it has been a long time no one ventures the chat page anymore :)

 

congrats to your buy Strudel.. nice ride you have there :)

[Strudel-]

yo elfen, how are you.. it has been a long time no one ventures the chat page anymore :)

 

congrats to your buy Strudel.. nice ride you have there :)

 

Thanks.

 

Elfenstar: hmmm... I'll still watch it regardless. Maybe I should go find some BT for the cartoon.

[Elfenstar]

Thanks.

 

Elfenstar: hmmm... I'll still watch it regardless. Maybe I should go find some BT for the cartoon.

 

It's there and I'm seeding

 

P.S. the movie is season 1/book 1 which is about 7.5hrs in cartoon guise

Edited August 16, 2010 by Elfenstar

[Ithunk]

are there race tracks in aus for u to race? if so share you experience with the skyline?

Edited August 16, 2010 by Ithunk