Slow Build Time Attack R33GTR

[#09]

There is no way my build is going to be anywhere near the level of some that I have read through, however I might as well be social and show what I have got. It's posted on skylineowners too, so sorry if you are reading it twice :-)

-Collen

Anyway here's an obligatory pic before I start. 1995 R33 GTR with 77.000KM


I haven't done much yet, except drop a screw in the engine bay that I never found. I was bored and tackled a quick project tonight. here's a slightly technical summary.

I did some "stage one" weight reduction tonight. Here are the figures for what it's worth! I weighed myself and then weighed myself again while I held these items in my hand. So it's rough but fairly accurate.

Stock Trunk Carpeting - 11.5lbs/5.2kg
Stock Floor Mats - 13.0lbs/5.9kg!!
Stock Jack/Tire Iron - 4.5lbs/2.05kg
Stock Spare Tire - 34.4LBSSSS/15.6kg
_____________________________________
Total Weight Savings - 63.4lbs/28.81kg

In an R33 GTR non vspec, factory weight is listed around 3370lbs/1530kg and "factory BHP" is 280HP. So 3370/280=12. That's 12lbs= 1 horsepower or 185BHP per ton. 63.4lbs weight savings/12=5.28. This means that ridding those pounds effectively "frees up" 5.28HP. I'm not saying you are adding HP, but effectively gaining what 5.28HP would give you in straight line acceleration + cornering benefits. Now we're up to 189BHP/ton in less than 10 minutes. That's all for now.

------Later That Very Evening------
I took out a few more things before I finally gave up. I removed the Spark Plug Cover (something I never understood on any engine that has one...it just traps heat!), The Nissan Air Purifier (is this standard? it was between the rear speakers), the sound deadening behind the back seat, and the metal rack that held the car jack for a total of 9 lbs/4.1kg. Grand total

72.4lbs/32.9kg for free! I'm sure I can get to 100 pounds before I change anything to carbon fiber while still having the car look untouched to the casual observer.



and a Japanese McDonalds Manager just for fun.



Like I said.. SLOWWWW BUILD :-)

[#09]

So, today I took out this metal plate behind the back seat. It's totally unnecessary and it weighs 6.4 pounds/2.9kg. I also took out the "oh shit" handles, plastic covers on the seat rails(new seats coming) and some of the sound deadening from underneath the back seat carpet area, although, in a cold garage I was dissuaded from getting to involved. The other thing was the HKS coilovers. Got them set up and weighed them compared to stock. Stock suspension weighs 57.8lbs/26.3kg and the HKS Hipermax weigh 47.0/32.3kg. so my net loss for the day was 17.2lbs/7.8kg

Grand 2 day total of 89.6 pounds/40.7 kilos

Also, does anyone know if the large flat black piece of metal in the trunk that is blocking the battery adds any significant lateral rigidity to the car? I was going to remove it but I wanted to find out if it serves a purpose first. Thanks!

Updated pic of my "car shit" room

[FireDan50]

Oh wow, you're up in Misawa? I'm down at Kadena. I was up in Misawa visiting some friends several months ago. Must be snowy and crazy cold now. Do you know ExZacc, I think thats his screen name?

[#09]

Actually the snow is all melted for now. We are waiting for a big storm to roll us over though any time now. . I know who you are talking about. Matt, right? I'll be down in Kadena in may. Tell me where to go for parts down there! haha

[FireDan50]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its Matt. I know him from the zeroyon.com forums. I won't be here in May, I'll be PCSing with my GT-R to Chievres AB, Belgium in April

[#09]

woooo. That's where I want to go next. Europe! Don't think it's likely however. oh well. you know Chievres is only 200 miles from Nurburgring!!!

[pupsi]

Because of the weight and thickness of that panel that blocks the battery, I would assume that it does aid in rigidity in some way, otherwise a lighter and thinner metal panel would have sufficed, as the one behind the rear seats.

[#09]

^yeah, I figured just the size of it should give me a hint. here's what I worked on today.

YouTube - Skyline R33 GTR 0-180 KPH Run


weeeee! So can any GTR guys tell me.. I feel what I could best describe as a slight 'kick' when I"m full throttle going through the powerband. a slight lurch might be a better way to describe it. it feel like the transfer case is engaging or something, but since this is my first GTR I dont know if that's supposed to happen. no strong odors of anything after the run, and I pretty sure it's not the clutch slipping.. any ideas?

[#09]

well someone on another forum said that the factory ECU has a fuel cut to prevent bogging and that may be my issue. sound plausible?

[willrobdon]

This is cool mate, wish i had the balls to strip alot of that stuff out, so far i've done all the rear seats the matal panel speakers and the shelf, also all the boot lining and the spare wheel. Interesting to see you weighing everything, can't believe how heavy some of that stuff is! Keep it up, with intermitten pics of japanese mcd's managers!!

[#09]

no problem! haha. I really want to tackle the ABS tomorrow but I want to make sure it will pass our local inspections without it tomorrow. Our inpections are good for two years and mine is in March so I might as well wait a few months if it saves the headache. I'm waiting on a price quote for a dry carbon front bumper from EndlessR and the Bee R carbon up wing from EPRacing. I'm going to just o the whole 9 I reckon. Part of going fast is looking good, right?

[#09]

So I haven't done much to reduce weight in the last week but I did do this.... More/better pics to come. I'm doing everything that isn't being replaced with carbon fiber. So doors/hood/trunk/wing won't have this treatment.




I know some of you will hate that I drew on a GTR but whatever. It's mine and I ****ing HATE silver. Haha

[greyBnr32]

Good project I was in Misawa for 4 years and owned a r32 and now r34. Project is looking good until the drawing. But like you said is your car. Matt is cool people I still keep contact with him. Good luck with the project

[rhds14]

Great artwork, gotta at least props to that. Do you plan on putting a clear coat over that to protect it. I like the little heater by your feet, I know those days all to well in the frozen tundra I live in too.

[LiamGTR]

I can't believe you have drawn on your GTR!? When I seen it I thought you were going to say it's a wrap/vinyl...

You're a talented man, well done!