Caliber's R32 GTR Project

[archaeic_bloke]

looking at this... its scary to think its REALLY just 2 thing sheets of metal between us and a solid lamp post when we're ripping up the roads rather quickly in our skylines... yikes!..

this is really making me want a roll cage pretty bad.

great progress tho

[cobrAA]

looking at this... its scary to think its REALLY just 2 thing sheets of metal between us and a solid lamp post when we're ripping up the roads rather quickly in our skylines... yikes!..

this is really making me want a roll cage pretty bad.

great progress tho

euhh what did you expect? a 2 inch thick SS sheet? All cars are made the same way, metal is always thin.

[caliber676]

this is really making me want a roll cage pretty bad.

I concur. I thought of that briefly as well with some scary scenarios going through my head lol.

[archaeic_bloke]

oh for sure cobraa i knew they were all thin like this.. its just MOST cars don't sport a twin turbo I-6 motor that can crank out 450 at the wheels with out braking a sweat!! thats the difference LOL.

for a roll cage... m considering bolt in 8 point, where the rear half will stay in all the time.. and the front half (dash dodger bars) + front upper bar + side doors bars will only be used for track days.

given any thought to a cage urself?

[caliber676]

to be brutally honest, that is where I am the most confused and why I don't have one yet. I was thinking of the same 8-point cusco around the dash style. BUT at the same time i'd rather have something actually recognized by racing organizations, so thats why i'd want a welded cage. My decision is more based on where I take this vehicle. With things going the way they are, I'll likely go with the Cusco safety-21 8-point. I just hate the fact that after shipping and customs, I'm treading on weld-in cage prices lol. I'm always looking for a cheaper alternative

[canadianjoker]

shane, dont even bother with a cusco bolt in. they might be good cages in japan, but no one out here will let you pass tech with it. either go with a full cage with removable door bars (i was told by gaelen that if done right its still up to spec) or just go balls out.

[caliber676]

You can't even pass tech at AutoX with a bolt in??

And by 'full cage' with door bars, what do you mean by that? (im assuming your not talking weld in, as i think your "balls out" means weld in lol)

Like I said, im pretty confused as to what I should get on my car. I know the limitations of having a bolt in cage, and even moreso the dash-dodging style. I would like to talk to an actual fabricator to see what options I have and also get some serious insight into the whole FIA and other affiliate cage approval. I have heard a cage-maker must be certified by FIA to build a cage and give the stamp of approval. Others have said as long as it is passed by the scrutineer, its ok...This area is rather vague, not sure who or where I should look to.

[derk]

contact Rocket Rally in Squamish.. im pretty sure they'd be able to set you on the right track as far as cages go

[caliber676]

I was bored after class today and decided to walk down to the body shop. Some good progress on the car, got the old quarters off, everything checked and fixed underneath. After talking to the guys working on it, I am very glad I got new quarters put on and everything checked. I don't have any pictures but rear bottom corner of the wheel well was actually really badly rusted and was glued back behind the panel and repainted on the front, shotty work and only a matter of time before it spread or fell off!...even though it looked fine. The interior panels/frame w/e had minimal surface rust which was fixed, but the nice thing to see was no previous signs of accidents. Anyways, here's some pictures.

Left side installed


Right side in the process of getting installed.


The aerocatch hood pins were just put in. Custom sunk welded mounts were made for rigidity and to fit properly.


I was talking to the guys at the shop and they gave me a little insight into the design of nissan seal seaming. They said that Nissan uses a 'V' style seam which tends to collect water which leads to rusting, even if you don't see it, they said it is a poor design. They also said that the bottoms of the rear wheel wells on the R32's are designed in such a way that it acts as a tray for dust, dirt, sand, water etc. They suggested that to maintain good rust prevention that I clean those "trays" regularly with washing. They said that every skyline that has come in has had rust in those spots, which makes me feel better about my car, but also worried of the design. Oh well, now at least i can have peace of mind with my vehicle!........body wise of course...the engine is always a nail biter lol

[Bugsly17]

looking at this... its scary to think its REALLY just 2 thing sheets of metal between us and a solid lamp post when we're ripping up the roads rather quickly in our skylines... yikes!..

this is really making me want a roll cage pretty bad.

great progress tho

that is, exactly what i was thinking.

[caliber676]

Well I forgot to take pictures the last time I was at the body shop just before it went in for paint. Anyways, I walked in the shop today and came to the car all finished with paint. It was in the middle of a wet-sand and cut polish, so its rather messy. It will be finished tomorrow!









The colour is actually a lot darker than in the pictures, not sure why it came out htat way. Once its out, i'll have to get someome to take some real pictures of it, not crappy cellphone pics :P. Either way, very happy with what my car looks like now! Feel free to comment!

[PL_GTR]

looks sick, hopefully you get it up and running soon, you need to help represents GTRs in our gtstcanada meets!

[supguyex]

gorgeous stuff shane.. gorgeous stuff... if you need a passenger seat, i got a spare you can borrow... hahaha.. then come to gg with us!!!

[R32_GTR]

Very nice GTR, i love that color, not to mention the climate control relocation...Super clean set up!!!

[caliber676]

Thanks for the kind words guys! Picked it up today and drove it for a solid 4 hours. Snapped some pics of the car when taking a break. The exterior is basically done except for lowering the ride height as well as some parts I will be adding onto my car when i make a return trip to the body shop to get them painted. That will include a JUN or fujimura carbon Lip, Trust rear spats, N1 side shells....and I still debating N1 ducts. (opinions?)






Next on the list is getting the interior wrapped up. Also getting the car MOAR lower with a nice stance and get some other suspension bits because I cannot stand the ride height now.....not to mention tires.

Then onto the good stuff, the engine!!