New guy looking to buy a GTR, is it the car for me?

[NismoS-tune]

Yup, it's the car for you. Get a cheap one and do it up.

[Windstheory_bnr32]

iive driclven my r32 gtr once in the snow n all I can say is it handled awesome haha. maintenance isn't goin to be cheap but if you're deadsl set on a gtr then you already know the anwer!

[steveo1502]

Why would u not want a gtr

[goodveet]

Ancient bump!! So I'm considering trading my current car for a 1992 GTR with 136,000. Details below, can anyone provide input?

Owner values it at $12,000 (I value my current car about the same)

Compression and leakdown tested at 145psi and 3% on all cylinders respectively.
All fluids were flushed
HKS oil filter relocate and cooler kit
KOYO intercooler 28x14x4"
lower hard piping
HKS ssqv 4 BOV
HKS EVC-S boost controller set a 9psi-12psi-14psi
TIEN coil overs
cusco front upper control arms
AMS slotted rotors all around
NISMO front/rear strut bars
cusco brake master cylinder brace
AEM digital boost fuel/oil preassure gauges and air fuel ratio
AWD/RWD switch
Nismo 2 way locking rear diff factory GTR diff included
OS giken twin plate clutch
UNCOMFIRMED- Crank collar upgrade and N1 oil pump
N1 trunk lip
unknown 3.5" catback and 3" test pipe
3" AMS dump pipe
Oil pressure at idle is between 20-24 psi
Also has a 4th gear grind and is running redline shockproof lightweight oil

Will likely drive this car les than 50,000km a year. Any input would be much appreciated!

[bobbo]

Sounds solid. I'm pretty sure AMS doesn't make a down pipe. Atleast not since 2009. Compression numbers are a bit low but depending on how the test was done would affect the results. I'm assuming when you mention "3%" you mean they are all within 3% of 145 psi on all cylinders?
Sounds decent. I would be curious as to why the seller is getting rid of the car.
Good luck! and if you buy it, welcome to "The Club".

[goodveet]

Sorry for the confusion, compression was 145 psi across all cylinders. Leakdown tested 3%.

Current owners reason for selling is that it was meant to be a track car when he bought it last spring. He drove 4000km and realized there's no track nearby, so he wants a Subaru for auto X events.

Also:
The paint looks alright but feels very rough. Maybe just needs of a polish? Paint seems original though.
The turbo oil line is leaking and needs a new crush washer I believe

[bobbo]

Just be forwarned. These are an expensive and at times difficult cars to maintain. You will want to be good with tools and trouble shooting on your own or have friends experienced on these cars or deep pockets. A combination of the three works best.
Cheaping out will end in frustration, doing it right will end in pure joy.
What are you trading him for?

[Joe Stefano]

Theres a few things that bug me about that car in particular... for 1 i wonder how they got a crank collar on the crank without rebuilding the engine in the first place to properly machine the collar and ballance the crank. second have 145 compression across all 6 seems unusual but whats important is there is no greater varriance of compression between cylinders that is greter then 14psi. another thing that kinda turns me off about that gtr is the fact that is has a boost controller. this to me signifies it has been pushed and you might have some little surprises with it. when i bought my GTR back in 2006 i went for bone stock. that way i somewhat knew that it probably wasnt savagely abused and everything that would be done to it in the future was done properly by me and not someone else. Hope this helps you get your baby

[goodveet]

I'm trading him my 97 STi. Here's the only decent pic of how it currently looks:

A number of parts will be taken off and sold, I should have an extra $4000-5000 to play with. I also prefer doing my own work, did the water pump + t belt, brakes, and suspension work on the subie. Hopefully I'll learn a few things with this car too.

Regarding HTR's post, I'm wondering about the crank collar myself. There isn't any solid prof it was done so ill assume it wasn't.
I didn't go into detail regarding the compression numbers, but I'll see what the actual variance was between cylinders.
The boost controller was installed by the current owner and has only been on the car for less than 4000km. He said the car also came with the restrictor pill still in the vac line. I'll have to double check than.
Also the intake mani still has decent paint on it, this is supposedly an indication the car hasn't been beaten up too much?

[Joe Stefano]

paint can be redone on the plenum quite easy lol i wouldnt base myself on that it its not always a sure sign. you have a really nice subaru man...if i were you id try to sell it then use the money you make from that to buy a really good stock GTR

[goodveet]

Thank you sir! That is exactly my plan now. With the amount I drive, that GTR would be pretty close to 200k by next year. Going to keep the subi for winter. Once spring comes, it'll be time to decide S15 vs GTR vs Supra.

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.