My New R33 GTR - so it begins...

[ColinR33]

Testors enamel.

[NismoS-tune]

What kind of throttle coating did you put on your throttle bodies after cleaning them (for sealing purpose)?

[ColinR33]

Got around to a few more things, changed out the fuel pump, much the same process as in PurpleStreaks thread, mine is a Sard unit. Basically the same issues with size and mounting, old vs new:

The Sard unit has a plug vs direct wire:

So wired that in, switched over the filter and intake hose and voila!

Ready to go back in.
Also installed Tomei cams and cam gears with more help from Voodoo_Child_R32:

[MarusGTR]

You did youself a favor by trashing your pulley, the diameter of the hole is a PITA to find proper impact-grade sockets to torque it back at 350ft/lb. The ATI has a nice wide hole for bigger sockets.

Read that last part whichever way you want.

[Voodoo_ChildR32]

Nice work! Looking good.


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[ColinR33]

Next was installation of my new Cusco sway bars front and rear. Front was pretty easy, nice fit.


Bonus: Popped my shoulder back in place while doing the front sway bar - it had been partially dislocated for about a week from what I figure (dislocated it a couple years back playing ball hockey so a bit more suceptable to that now).
Rear was a little more difficult, needs a bit of finagling to thread it out, once its out time to replace crappy old endlink bushings with nice new pineapples. Old:

New:

Old ones are looking pretty rough:

Installed with new mounting bushings as well, again nice fit, no major issues.

Can't wait to see how it feels!

[ColinR33]

Time for an update, nothing major to report. With the help of James (Voodo_ChildR32) we removed the turbos and head in preparation for doing the cams and cam gears, also needed some cleaning as the coolant bleed vent was plugged and I wanted to put in new gaskets and ARP studs. After much dicking around, I did manage to unplug the coolant channels in the secondary air system and get the bleed to work. Then I went on to the head and throttle bodies. Before and after pics:

and on the head showing the difference between cleaned ITB and cruddy head


And the head after cleaning

Reassembled except for cams and gears, gotta get them degreed. In preparation for that I took the crank pulley off and this happened:

I ended up getting an ATI, overkill for what I have but good for future upgrades...

[Chihuts]

OP, I think that the "sand" you found in the coolant piping is actually a "rad sealer". Now unless you have indeed confirmed its regular sand and plan on flushing the **** out, I'd do a pressure test on the system to check for any leaks. Then go from there. Just my thoughts anyways, hope its nothing major. GL

[MidnightBlue]

absolutly beautiful build, keep up the good work. and thanks for all the in depth descriptions

[ColinR33]

So after a long silence, time for an update, finally starting work on the car (with much help from James - Voodo_ChildR32), first, the goodies:
Tomei Poncams and adjustable cam gears, Whiteline suspension bushes

Sard fuel pump, 600cc injectors and Cusco sway bars

Also have a hard pipe kit on the way, an EDFC for the coilovers and a few other bits to install, plus a bit of maintenance. One items of concern, when James opened up the rad, we found sand in the top pipe:

A little worried about that, pulling the head to check the coolant galleys (may explain why I couldn't get the vent to work), hope no serious damage. Never saw anything like it the last few times I opened and drained the system.

More to come!

[gtrjerry73]

Ok well that is reason enough to get rid of it. Thanks Collin

[ColinR33]

I've done 4 autocrosses since taking out the HICAS and like it so far, feels more like a rear wheel drive car now. I hope to take it to some lapping sessions at Stratotech or the Indy track and see how it feels at higher speeds.

[gtrjerry73]

Great thread Collin. Just read through the whole thing. You have made some really nice tasteful changes since I saw it last. You have inspired me to gut and redo all my suspension and wheel wells now but unfortunately just bought motor transmission etc so it will have to wait. Have you had a chance to examine how it feels without the hicas? I'm I the fence about removing mine.

[ColinR33]

So, I have taken her out for a few autocrosses, still pretty tail happy, although I think a lot of it is lift-throttle oversteer, so I've got to tighten the nut behind the wheel fisrt, plus I think an adjustable rear sway bar is in order. Playing with coilover settings and tire pressures too. Does help me get good opposite lock pics tho':

One of the instructors took it for a run, when he finished his hands were shaking lol. A lot of cones went to the great autoX course in the sky and I was laughing like a jackass the whole way. Definitely a challenging car to drive well on an autoX course, but lots of potential if I can get it set up right and improve my skills.

[Sri-LanKING]

sweet a** ride man can't wait for more update!