5000$ Build.

[BrianR32]

Hey there. So I've finally decided i want to build my car to put out more then the 300hp. Im not looking for a track build, i just want to have the power there to let it loose every now and then. On that note im setting $5000 aside to put into my engine.. Its on stock internals and the only upgrades I have right now is a low temp thermostat and the apexi dual intakes and a boost controller.

What would you guys recommend doing with $5000 and how much horsepower could be achieved. Keeping in mind i want a reliable build.

[xcye]

I'd do the following in sequence.

An aftermarket ECU of your choice (Do MAF to MAP convertion, or Z32 MAFs)
A set of bigger injectors
A set of bigger turbos
A decent exhaust, dump pipe, downpipe
Tuning

[cortexx]

First of all you should probably check out how good your stock engine is . Do a compression test , check and change plugs , make sure everything is sound with no vacuum leaks etc. Jacking up the power on an old engine will soon manifest hidden weaknesses . It did on mine.

What boost are you running ? , stock turbos with ceramic exhaust components become unreliable once you approach 1 bar boost , especially old turbos .

Assuming compression is within nissans guidelines and everything obvious checks out ok i would do downpipe and possibly exhaust system. run .9 bar and get a tuner to do a nistune chip conversion on your ecu . That would eat up between $1500 - $2000 depending on what you buy (get used if you want to save some coin) . I would then spend the some of the budget on refurbing your brakes and suspension , a set of decent used coilovers and a set of ebc brake pads will make a huge difference to drivability and help control the extra power you'll make. It's fun to make it faster but you have to balance that by giving it the ability or slow down just as fast

I would possibly also get a decent oil cooler , we live in ontario , its very hot in the summer , i would then save the rest for the regular maintenance and keep a small stash of cash incase you break something .

[BrianR32]

First of all you should probably check out how good your stock engine is . Do a compression test , check and change plugs , make sure everything is sound with no vacuum leaks etc. Jacking up the power on an old engine will soon manifest hidden weaknesses . It did on mine.

What boost are you running ? , stock turbos with ceramic exhaust components become unreliable once you approach 1 bar boost , especially old turbos .

Assuming compression is within nissans guidelines and everything obvious checks out ok i would do downpipe and possibly exhaust system. run .9 bar and get a tuner to do a nistune chip conversion on your ecu . That would eat up between $1500 - $2000 depending on what you buy (get used if you want to save some coin) . I would then spend the some of the budget on refurbing your brakes and suspension , a set of decent used coilovers and a set of ebc brake pads will make a huge difference to drivability and help control the extra power you'll make. It's fun to make it faster but you have to balance that by giving it the ability or slow down just as fast

I would possibly also get a decent oil cooler , we live in ontario , its very hot in the summer , i would then save the rest for the regular maintenance and keep a small stash of cash incase you break something .

Running 7psi but have a switch to put it to 14psi not that its run very often seeing as the turbos are old.
Ive already upgrade my rotors and pads to ebc yellowstuff and DBA Rotors.

I was thinking Full turboback exhaust and 2 garrett 2560r-5's as well as new injectors and a tune. That would be perfect in my mind if i can do all of that in a 5000$ budget.

Thanks for giving me the idea of doing a compression test and what not. Gunna do that first. But just getting an idea of what parts I should purchase if all that checks out.

If anyone has any contacts or websites that sell any of the parts i listed above for a good price that would be great. Ive been hunting the Garrett 2560r's down for the last month or so trying to find a good price new, or a good price for used that are in good shape still.

[NismoS-tune]

I was once where you are now (6 years ago...) and had set my budget at $10,000. I wasn't very careful and ended up blowing that limit up a huge amount. It all started with the -5s lol. Those turbos are nearly pointless below 450whp and on a stock engine, that's getting iffy. My engine was 165 psi across the board and still couldn't get it tuned for power (reason given was that it was an old engine and compression only shows compression, not actual condition?). Anyway, I ended up with 300whp with -5s and if you can believe this (when I still had 2 GTRs), my silver stock turbo'd gtr (with a boost controller) was faster than my 300whp -5 black gtr because it was much laggier and boost plateau'd almost right after it spooled.

Anyway, with $5000, FORGET THE -5s. You'll suffer with meh power until you build that engine to support the turbos badass operating range.

HKS GT2510s, or even R33/r34 N1s are more than enough and can still get you to 500whp in the future but until then, you'll be nearly as quick spooling as stock and make more power than stock.

So, going back, if I was to spend $5000 on a stock ok condition car I would:

HKS GT2510, R33/R34 N1 or 2860-7
Exhaust system upgrade (cat back, forget dumpipes and downpipe unless you have left over cash afterwards)
Get an ecu (Nistune is supposedly a good investment while remaining cheap)
Get tuned
Injectors (600cc is lots for up to 500whp)
fuel pump I think can handle 400whp but I forget, it's cheap and easy to replace anyway...


I'm not kidding though, on a stock engine, -5s will not safely be faster than smaller turbos. Run N1s or something and you'll have more bottom end. Or go -5s and see if they'll keep your engine together around 450-500whp (where they are good)

If you're interesed I have some of these parts available from my first build.

nismo exhaust system (mint condition)
800cc injectors (sard) They are 1400km old,
if you choose to go through with the -5s anyway, I have a set for sale. They are 1400km old, ceramic coated and slightly ported/gasket matched (to tomei manifolds so they'll flow better). Comes with wastgates.
If you choose to go with HKS 2510, I know a guy in town there that was selling a used set but decided to get out of the car game (for a diesel small weiner truck), I could contact him for a price.
If you choose to go with HKS 2530s I know another guy who has a spare set (doesn't have an ecu so he can't use them).

Hope that helps :S

Running 7psi but have a switch to put it to 14psi not that its run very often seeing as the turbos are old.
Ive already upgrade my rotors and pads to ebc yellowstuff and DBA Rotors.

I was thinking Full turboback exhaust and 2 garrett 2560r-5's as well as new injectors and a tune. That would be perfect in my mind if i can do all of that in a 5000$ budget.

Thanks for giving me the idea of doing a compression test and what not. Gunna do that first. But just getting an idea of what parts I should purchase if all that checks out.

If anyone has any contacts or websites that sell any of the parts i listed above for a good price that would be great. Ive been hunting the Garrett 2560r's down for the last month or so trying to find a good price new, or a good price for used that are in good shape still.

[RSTuning]

For your budget, you have some options but these are the best.

-7 Turbos
700cc injectors
Boost controller
Clutch.
Retune your factory ecu.
Exhaust System.
Fuel Pump.

Bam you have 450whp.

You dont need an aftermarket Ecu.

[TrevoR32]

Hey, everything above sounds spot on. you already did the brakes, which isnt necessarily a biggie but very important. As you are in Hamilton i would suggest coming up to Toronto and speak with radek at rs tuning about tuning your stock ecu once everything is said and done. Incl the parts you have and assuming this has been factored in:

-intake
-full exhaust (downpipe, ext pipes, even ported stock manis)
-n1 turbos (great stock alternative)
-fuel pump/inj (550-600cc)
-boost control
-spark plugs, etc.
-reliability tests (comp, leakdown, general insp)
-wideband o2 sensor, display (easier for street tuning after dyno to smooth out rough spots)

You could even put in the aem water/meth system as a safety measure. Now, it may take some extra work on your part to source some of these used items, but people get lucky all the time on these forums. So all that said and done a good "reliable" (lol) 450whp could be achieved. Again, things like ported manis and water meth inj are not needed for that particular hp goal, but like everyone said, unless you can access higher than your current budget numbers, a small fortune usually works for the gtr "just in case" account. haha. Hope that helps.

Trevor.

[BrianR32]

All really good feedback. Gunna get everything checked out.. Sent out a few emails to get a few things priced. Ill keep everyone updated once I get more information. If all goes well im going to open my own build guide for people to follow my progress.

Thanks again!

[MattiasJacobs]

For your budget, you have some options but these are the best.

-7 Turbos
700cc injectors
Boost controller
Clutch.
Retune your factory ecu.
Exhaust System.
Fuel Pump.

Bam you have 450whp.

You dont need an aftermarket Ecu.

Just make sure this guy tunes your car. You will not be disappointed! Two thumbs up

[leeaspin]

Here you go.....pretty much everything nismoS-tune recommended

http://forums.gtrcanada.com/parts-sale/54145-r32-gtr-partout-sale-hks-gt2510-delphi-800cc-z32-mafs-nistune-tein-greddy.html#post516241

[Xeno-Vibe]

larger diameter exhaust system (maybe that Expreme Ti that was selling for $1000?), titanium valvetrain upgrade, Garrett GT3076R Single turbo, T3 manifold, 600cc injectors, new sparkplugs, tuned ECU.

[Super_Dude]

larger diameter exhaust system (maybe that Expreme Ti that was selling for $1000?), titanium valvetrain upgrade, Garrett GT3076R Single turbo, T3 manifold, 600cc injectors, new sparkplugs, tuned ECU.

Lol. In my opinion that is all wrong. You don't need a 1000$ exhaust, titanium valve train, or a single turbo.

Twins are a pain to work on but will be much cheaper. Assuming your engine is in good shape, you can just leave the head and bottom end alone. Run some -7's and do all the supporting mods.

If your on a budget just don't get into a hurry and keep an eye on the for sale section. Pick up an exhaust (any exhaust will work, They don't make GTR exhaust smaller than 3".) Hopefully some decent dumps and downpipe will show up. Wait for some good condition injectors. Decided who will tune it and see what they prefer for ecu.

Just don't make the mistake of buying an autobahn 88 or XS power ebay crap that wont fit and will give you trouble down the line.

Just remeber that trying to build a budget GTR usually ends up giving people trouble. If you keep it simple and use quality used parts it should work out. Just be careful not to waste your money on useless or cheap items.

[leeaspin]

larger diameter exhaust system (maybe that Expreme Ti that was selling for $1000?), titanium valvetrain upgrade, Garrett GT3076R Single turbo, T3 manifold, 600cc injectors, new sparkplugs, tuned ECU.

$5000 budget...why would you do a titanium valve train lol? Very curious as to why you would waste money on this upgrade when his motor is stock. Please explain..I don't think he has plans to rev to 10K

[cortexx]

Yea i don't think im going to use titanium valvegear on my build even - the factory retainers and keepers are extremely strong and capable , the factory head flows like crazy , the OEM valves are ok although I don't like the sodium filled crap once you start dropping even slightly more aggresive cams in . But for his build he doesnt need to touch his head.

[GTRADDICT]

I'm surprise know one told him to upgrade the oil drive. I sucks downing money for parts that wont increase performance but it will increase the engine life I'm sure! It's more work for sure, but he'll learn a lot too. Thats how I see it anyways.
Go for twins... cheaper and wont get much shuffle with -7's