Tell me about: R32 GTRs

Lashout_UK · 23 Apr 2013 at 21:20

In a bit of a car conundrum at the moment and don't know what to get.

I've spotted this on PH and it's the right colour, looks clean and seems to have some sensible tweaks. Always liked the look of early(ish) Skylines.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/nissan/skyline-r32/1994-skyline-r32-gtr/1282649

Questions, questions, however...

What are these like when it comes to reliability? Ideally I'm looking for something that I can use and abuse a bit so I don't want it to disintegrate every time I look at it.

It'll have to endure being parked up intermittently too, although it'll be well cared for.

Really I'd like to find a bone stock one so I could make it 'mine' but this doesn't appear to be too far removed from standard.

Any input appreciated. Do want something different this time round. More importantly, I'm keen to get something fun to drive and with a bit of character - not sure if this will fulfill those criteria...

Brookert · 23 Apr 2013 at 21:55

I suppose the lack of replies means ocuk motors doesn't have much experience of these cars

Lashout_UK · 23 Apr 2013 at 21:56

I think a few on here have owned them, or 33s at least. Give it some time

danza · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:08

Lashout_UK said:
...but this doesn't appear to be too far removed from standard.

Advert said:
Work performed by the previous owner:
Full respray in BMW alpine white, lovely colour and suits the car very well
Cat one toad alarm ( with spare fob )
Cambelt and water pump change
Full service
New battery
New act stage 4 clutch and flywheel
All gear/diff oils changed ( redline heavy )
New rear brake pads yellow stuff
3" decat/test pipe ( cat not needed for the mot due to its age and being an import )
3.5" kakimoto exhaust ( lovely sound in higher revs not to loud ) should be okay for track
Kakimoto s/s downpipes
Apexi N1 coilovers
Apexi fc power ecu and hand controller
Hks boost controller evc
Hks twin filters
Hks spark plugs
Spitfire coil packs blue
Greddy large front mount inter cooler with lower hard pipes and rubbers
Hks twin dump valves
Greddy boost gauge
Boost is set to 0.9 bar ( est 400bhp )
Jdm garage gear knob
Nardi deep dish steering wheel
Switchable 4-2 wheel drive
Hid's

NOPE.

Actually, I guess it's not that bad. I think I'd look harder/wait longer until something better than okay turned up though.

batsy · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:08

I think there's someone on here who's had a few. David_b maybe. Not much help i know

Disco Boy · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:08

Did you sell that awesome white yank tank?

Tom_ed1987 · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:13

Like most jap stuff of the era if you don't go stupid with ill thought out modificaitons and keep to a maintenance schedule appropriate to the car they are very reliable and will have no problems being laid up for a month or 2.

Lashout_UK · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:15

danza said:
NOPE.

Actually, I guess it's not that bad. I think I'd look harder/wait longer until something better than okay turned up though.

Haha, very valid point. I think what I meant is that barring the 'usual' mods these all appear to have, there wasn't anything dubious or excessive.

I'd love a stock one to tweak up but they seem impossible to find and I've been told not to shirk away from ones with a few mods anyway, in some cases just means they've been well configured.

Disco Boy, yea, did sell the Firebird. Joe on here owns it now

Amoeba · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:16

Tuning these cars is very expensive... if you are looking into modding it, I would seriously think about getting a pre-built one, otherwise you will find you will be forever spending money on it.

Never owned one myself (do own an S14a though).. but hear that RB26DETT engine is pretty strong (at least when in a fairly sedate tune). They have the HICAS steering though, 2 turbos, 20 year old suspension etc etc...

ZG002 · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:38

Never owned one but know a a few people who have had R33's and one who had a R32gtst and later a GTR. He never complained of serious issues but neither were tuned much and he looked after his cars. If you find a good one that's been loved I'm pretty sure you can keep it in good condition. As said the RB26 seems to be fairly strong until you start to go for bigger power gains.

Matt82 · 23 Apr 2013 at 22:55

Id like to know the suspension rebuild costs if its not had one

ZG002 · 23 Apr 2013 at 23:30

Think most are on coilovers and HICAS can be locked out.

breadturbo · 24 Apr 2013 at 00:20

I had a 34 at 750hp for 2years without a hitch (same basic engine) the only downside was the fuel

But yes, upto 450hp was cheap, after that it got expensive.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/breadturbo/IMGP0026-1.jpg

that is a nice looking r32, do eet

Joe T · 24 Apr 2013 at 06:08

I know you've seen this already, but

Philz0r · 24 Apr 2013 at 10:30

It looks like hes done it right, when putting coilovers on hes bought the adjustable arms to go with it, the knocking on the back could be drop links as its common on s14's too.

The rb26 is a strong engine and think stock there 250bhp? (correct me if im wrong), so hes added an extra 150bhp and as long as hes running good supporting mods it should be a good one to go for.

I am abit weary of his intercooler, half of its covered up, you could always shift the license plate out the road for more air flow and with 400bhp he should be aiming for maxium flow into it.

Doesnt look like he has a cool air flow into his air filters either, if your gonna track it you can always take out the headlight but lools like those twin filters are gonna be sucking in a lot of warm air

ScoobyDoo69 · 24 Apr 2013 at 10:42

I don't have anything to add to this thread other than..

mmmmm GTR

tigerstyle · 24 Apr 2013 at 12:38

Looks like someone has cut the 'arms' off those seats, I know seats don't have arms, but there just look s to be something missing from those!

The Running Man · 24 Apr 2013 at 14:10

Find one with mods and get insurance quote. They wanted 6k to insure me on a basic r32.

My view having gone down the import mr2 turbo route last year was that its a great fun ride. Hardly any others about. Scratches that 90s Japanese turbo itch.

But at the same time, its got nearly a 20 year old engine in there. Sure the engine is reliable. But what about everything around it? Pumps, hoses, radiator, turbos etc. If the engine isn't a1 to begin with its going to be a torrrid ownership experience. Suspension, is it new or nearly new? What happens if one of those JDM coilovers designed for JDM roads blows and they are non Rev build able or need to go back to the apex I factory etc..

Batf1nk · 24 Apr 2013 at 17:59

Philz0r said:
The rb26 is a strong engine and think stock there 250bhp? (correct me if im wrong)

Official figures were 276bhp but its well known that these are nearer to 300bhp out the factory. All the big jap manufacturers had a "gentlemans agreement" in the nineties not to produce cars with more than 276. Thats why the rx7, supra, skyline etc all have the same quoted bhp but are usually higher.

ianh · 24 Apr 2013 at 19:11

They're great cars and can easily be used as everyday cars (did over 20,000 miles in 1 year in my R34) as long as you really look after it, which seems to be the bit where most go wrong, with those who can afford to own one but not to spend the money on the upkeep causing themselves all kinds of problems.

Mine went lasted 6 years with absolutely no mechanical issues at all apart from 2 things caused by either me (oil pipe not on right led to oil starvation) or Garage (new fuel pump rewired to HICAS for power, on Mways HICAS turns off turning off fuel pump!) but it went through tyres in 5-6000 miles, oil change every 3000, mid teens MPG etc etc.

I bought mine completely stock to tune myself and took it to 450hp but if I did it again I'd buy one already there as you never recoup the money when selling!