[Phil69]

Hi everyone.
I've recently been spending ALOT of time looking around the site after it being recommended by a friend of mine who is one of your members by the name of Kingsley. If you know him like I do then I'm sure he'll be well known on here

Anyway, as Kingsley knows, I've been wanting to buy a skyline for a long time now but have had to put the idea off for various reasons...mainly the financial side. Things have finally got better and I am definately buying a skyline but wanted to make sure I don't jump into anything headfirst.

The skyline I'm looking for would ideally be a GTR33 preferably V-spec. If I could afford it, I'd love to get a 34 but I have to be fairly sensible. If you can spare some time, I'd like to know of any typical faults to look out for, good and bad points e.t.c.....all the usual stuff when buying a car...especially when its one you don't know much about like myself.

Also, I currently own a highly modified Calibra which I know is nothing in comparison but I have always done ALL the work on it, both mechanics and electrics myself and am reasonably competent in that area. With that in mind, is there many people on here who do the same with their skylines or do most people tend to leave it to specialists?

I know this is my first post, and a very long one at that but any and all help is greatly appreciated and you can be sure to see alot of me in the future when I have finally got the car I have always wanted.

 

[skykit]

welcome aboard fella.

Well your first questions i would suggest using the search button as the subject has been covered before, you will find all the answers you need. Thought i would get that in there before some one bites your head off for not using it yet....lol

As for mechanics i do all my own and once you find your way round them its the same as most other vehicles. But i would suggest a well known tuner for any bit your are uncertain about

 

[Phil69]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I've spent loads of time searching around and the general impression I get is that the GTR's can be expensive to run. Other than that, I haven't come across too many things in particular....YET.

 

[Booty-licious]

Welcome to the register.

Know Kingsley....good bloke :thumbsup: good luck with your purchase.

Claire

 

[skykit]

they can be expensive to run even more so with a poor or abused example.

My only advice is get the absolute best you can for your money and make sure you have some ££££ left over for possible expendature.

 

[djdexter247]

Hmm, may have seen said Blue 'Turbo' winged Calibra driving around somewhere near me.............

 

[MADsteve]

welcome to the forum,

Enjoy the ride

 

[moleman]

mmmm? Assuming that you are in the RAF. When you are stood next to Kingsley, it's the antithesis of haircuts. lol

Welcome.

 

[Phil69]

Hmm, may have seen said Blue 'Turbo' winged Calibra driving around somewhere near me.............

Err......are you spying on me?
Yes, it is a blue Calibra and I think I know what you mean the wings - it has "Calibra" cut out of them. Where abouts are you then? The Cally's coming off the road for a bit as there is a long list of jobs to on it and I wanna get my long awaited big boys toy in the mean time.:clap:

 

[Phil69]

mmmm? Assuming that you are in the RAF. When you are stood next to Kingsley, it's the antithesis of haircuts. lol

Welcome.

LOL, there is a SLIGHT difference in hair cuts. He could make a life time supply of wigs for me with his display:chuckle:

Thanks for the welcomes everyone. I hope to be spending alot of time on here.......for good reasons with any luck and not how too e.t.c.

 

[chaz_r33_gtr]

Hey PHil,

Welcome to the register. I think I know mr Kinglsey (BJ Turbo Slippers is it?) used to talk a lot on the Rover 220 Turbo forum. Welcome to the site. You in the RAF at Coningsby then, I work on Typhoon at BAE Warton. Infact am supplying you guys with the WSSR rig for typhoon. I got an R33 GTR a while back and I checked it out quite a bit but still had the turbos fail within a month even though it didnt show up on the test drive.

Bascially i had to replace the exhaust and i put a trust power evo on it and the reduced back pressure made the turbine side oil seals weep oil. Best thing was tho I got 3 months parts and labout warranty and got both turbos reconed for free and fitted by RB Motorsport.

Things ID look for (Im more engine biased than bodywork think the rovers made me like that!) though theres probbably more and I guess its posted elsewhere in multiple locations on the forum are:

Note i assume you know a lot about cars having done your calibra so things like brakes pads etc sure you know about. So I'll concentrate on skyline engine specifics..



1) boost level - should be just over a quater on the std R33 guage this is 0.6-0.7 bar. the 7mmHG on the dial doesnt equate to 0.6-0.7 bar so dont think that the 7mmHG is 0.7 bar! Note assumes a std un modded car.

2) Oil pressure when cold rises to an indicated 6bar within a few seconds and when hot and beeing driven resonable hard is around 4bar. Warm idle oil pressure should be very close to 2bar

3) obvious but check that the 4wd and the hicas lights are on and go out after starting the engine

4) Clutch if there is a metallic chatter when you dip it - dont worry its a multi-plate clutch. Usually a good sign but if the car is running standard boost etc then it raises the question it could have been ragged at one point in its life and old ecu put back in when selling.

5) Check the ECU type.. passenger footwell on teh left looking forward in the car. Just Pull the trim away and the ECU will be there.

6) If it has afer market ecu drive the car and if its an apexi with commander get them to put the knock levlel display up to see that its been tuned ok. Knock mostlikley to be at its worst at 4000rpm in fifth gear with wide open throttle. Shouldnt really be getting knock over 20 to be safe. IF its an apexi but no commander its common for tuners to link the knock warning to the engine warning light on the dash.. orange light thats on before ignition but goes off. However this light can be set to come on quite high so you could be having knock levels well over 40 before it flashes.

7) THe apexi also has a full sensor diagnostic capability in the ETC section. If there is a problem with AFM, Lambdas, Rev, Coolant sensors etc then they appear greyed out on the display.

8) 4WD system. Difificult to check but if you jak the rear of the car up.. (very trusting and patient seller to let you do this) and engage first gear and SLOOOOWLY and gently let the clutch up to drive off the front torque gague should shoot up and power transmitted to the fronts should pull the car forward off the jaks. Have to obviously be very careful doing this!

Too tired to think of any more. Hope this helps

Cheers

 

[Phil69]

WOW, thats alot of info there but HUGELY appreciated....you have been busy:bowdown1:
About to set off on a days skyline hunting so I've printed all that off to take with me.....alot of it is double dutch to me but I'm sure it won't take long until its second nature.

Not sure about Kingsley being on the Rover forum. I know him from Clubcalibra.
As for Typhoon....what a bag of nails I'm on 41 sqn OEU with the Tornado F3 and GR4's and Harriers. We used to have a Jaguar as well but that went back to fleet.

Thanks again. Its all a big help...I want to get this as right as I can first time.
Phil.

 

[djdexter247]

You will have to walk across to 2 Hangar and say Hi then since it is a 30 second trot!

Jase E

 

[Fuggles]

Hi Phil and welcome to the forum. Once you've found something you like ask on here if there is anyone that can come with you to look at it first.

happy hunting

 

[Phil69]

You will have to walk across to 2 Hangar and say Hi then since it is a 30 second trot!

Jase E

Cool. Small world I guess. If your in on monday, I'll come say hi. Going by Fuggles advice above, if you know the skyline well, would you be interested in coming with me for any second viewings in the near future?....my mobile number if needed is 07899 801305

Fuggles: thanks for the advice. Think I might just do that. Found a couple of nice ones today, one of which I REALLY like - an N reg R33 V-spec in black which had an engine rebuild with receipts to prove 8000 miles ago (total mileage=59800). Bodywork is pretty good, just a few stone chips and 1 tiny, tiny dink on the bottom left sill which could probably be removed without too much hassle. The clutch was a bit high and may need replacing but he said he would take that into consideration when I make my offer. Took it for a drive and loved it. The delivery of power, apart from obviously being much more than the Calibra, was so much smoother with a lovely sound. Overall, the car is virtually perfectly standard apart from a Scorpion exhaust, hks induction and a Tomei head gasket that was fitted during the rebuild that was done by MGT racing......anyone know much about these? There was also a fag burn in the seat pan of the drivers seat but again, he will also take this into consideration. Currently up for sale at £11000 but as I said, open to offers as he is leaving the country. Bargain I'd say but don't wanna jump into it without a second opinion as you suggested.

Still got a few to look at tomorrow so I've not jumped into anything....despite how much I loved it!

Thanks again all.
Phil.

 

[sloathy]

Welcome Phill,

Looks like youve had a good start.

 

[Phil69]

Thanks.
I hope so. I'm trying to be sensible but the thought of owning the car I've wanted for so long can pull wool over eyes now and then

 

[Phil69]

Evenin all,
Sadly no change today as a bird decided to have a fight with the windscreen of the car I was using whilst doing about 80mph....completely smashed the screen and we had to wait all day to get it replaced. £60 excess later and a new one was fitted but with distance I had to travel, I didn't want to be viewing the cars in the dark.
Fingers crossed the black one from yesterday will remain available until next weekend as I'm working all week and won't be able to view any more until then.
Anyone got any more tips in the mean time?
Cheers.
Phil.