AKWIKZ Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Guys, I thought I would update you on the car, so here goes. The first couple of pics are of the drive up to a show right after I got the Skyline. The rest are of the tear down that I am in the middle of since then. I have found that not quite as many parts are interchangeable with U.S. cars as I had originally hoped. I have had to order parts from Japan a few times and this has slowed me down a bit. But, I am qute pleased with how she is turning out. Hope you enjoy. Brian http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/On%20the%20road%201 http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/On%20the%20road%202 http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Front%20shot http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Orig.%20engine%20bay http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Engine%20bay http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Original%20strut http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Strut%201'>http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Strut%201 http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Strut http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/Wheel%20shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I remember seeing that piece of work after you got it off the boat. Every picture has been saved in it's own folder on my computer. "On the road 2" is the money shot, it pushed the F-22 picture off and made my new background on the computer. The new wheels look great! Keep us posted with LOTS of new pictures. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Das cool! Suspension looks alot like Z, maybe just really similar? Cool car!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 The firewall looks alot like a Z also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nullbound Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 that's really awesome. i would love to have that car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKWIKZ Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 Those were the best shots we got on the drive up to the show. It was very dark and drizzling on that day so my friend got the best he could. Not to mention I was driving like a senior citizen. The stock suspension was just that, all original and completely blown. The shocks were useless and the car was sitting way too low at the time. Add to this the Nismo LSD and it made for a rather twitchy ride. I had expected the front struts to be Z car parts, but unfortunately they are different. They are more 510 like than Z car. I ended up sectioning the strut housings and using the Z car/MR2 strut combo with Techno Toy bump steer spacers and camber plates for a 510. The front bushings were where I ran into problems. They are completely different than any other Nissan/Datsun and I had to order them from Japan. The coil overs are Ground Control units for a Z car. The brakes are the 5 lug Wilwood set up from JSK, again for a Z. Unfortunately, again I ran into differences. The Skyline uses smaller rotors than the Z, 10" compared to 10.5". I will have to fab up a new caliper adapter bracket. The wheels are 5 Zigen 17x8 in front and 17x9 in the rear. The RB26 is sitting on the stand waiting to go in next. I'm taking pictures the while way along and when I get any good ones I'll post them. Most are rather boring as they just show the progress step by step. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Are you sure those arent the same as 280zx struts? Looks the exact same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKWIKZ Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Here are the latest shots of my car. As you can see, the engine is in and the mounts are nearly finished. The HKS downpipes and Trust collector fit like they were made for the car, much to my surprise to be honest. I will have to mod the pan a bit for steering clearance as I am having a bit of contact at full lock. The motor is sitting barely an inch off the firewall and as low as I could get it. The shifter comes out in the stock location as well. The rear suspension is all set to go back in as my friend finally got the Kaaz LSD installed for me. Anyhow, here are the links. Brian http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/engine%20bay.JPG http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/engine%20bay%202.JPG http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/oil%20pan.JPG http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/downpipes.JPG http://members.cox.net/bdooley/Skyline/collector.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudypoochris Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 where do you even go to buy a skyline like that! and how much are they for a relatively abused one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigenOut-S30 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Akwikz, NICE!!.. it is coming along very nicely, There is another Hakosuka on the board as well.. Greenmonster80 has one and should be out and running around pretty soon. I would really love one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhadman Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Man... that pan looks so familiar! Looking good Brian... Can't wait to see it in person! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKWIKZ Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 where do you even go to buy a skyline like that! and how much are they for a relatively abused one? Osaka, Japan. I bought it in late last year and have been working on it since. Unfortunately, they still bring pretty good money, even when they are beat down. A complete one, that is either running very poorly or not at all and has serious rust issues will still bring about $6k-$7k. Granted, there are plenty of guys on this forum that have started with Z cars in similiar shape and done well. I opted to spend as much as I could afford to start with a very clean car. Even still, I have a couple of spots I need to adress on the body. The drivetrain and suspension were unimportant as the plan had always been to yank it all out. Keith, After we checked all the angles, we found that I am still going to need to use the rear sump pan afterall. The RB25 pan would need to be cut too far back for comfort. It would seriously cut down on the sump capacity and that made me uncomfortable. We have the motor just off of the firewall and at full steering lock we have only a slight interference with the pan. It seems it's nothing a little hammering won't fix. Both spots are on the side of the pan, not the bottom, so oil return won't be affected. The only thing I don't care for is the angle at which the motor sits. It has a bit of a tilt, front to rear, that we don't seem to have too many answers for. The oil pan sits about 3/4 inch off the front crossmember and the tranny has no more than 1/2 inch from the pan. I may end up nothching the oil pan some in order to drop the front another 1/2 inch. Otherwise, I'm pretty pleased with the fit. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Battle Pope Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I think you should keep your car away from me. My naughty bits might touch it while you're not looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhadman Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Well... atleast the pan didn't cost much. Sorry it didn't work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKWIKZ Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Exactly. But I am happy I was able to try it out. I really thought it would work but by the time we finished measuring it I would have easily cut out half the capacity. Thanks again though for getting it to me though. Did you want it back? I only measured with it and did not actually alter it at all. Also, I'll ship off the brake brackets this week. I assume you got the other package okay? Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhadman Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I don't really need it back. I fit up my rear sump pan last weekend so I could drop the motor in (to get weight on the front end). No package yet. When was it supposed to arrive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I bet most of you guys would not believe some of the prices old Z cars and Skylines get in japan. I will post some yahoo auctions in a bit with some prices. the true GTR/432 Z cars in japan can fetch in excess of 40K!!!!!!! if in vintage condition. 20K If it needs work and mid teens for a POS. knock of 20K if its not a GTR or 432 and that what you can fetch for cars in comparable shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 yes folks thats 10 milion yen or 74K for a 432R in mint condition here's another for 2.9 million skyline for 3.8 million And thats a reserve auction that has not been met will more then likely sell for around the 10 million mark here's a 4 door non GTR with a solid rearend!!! for 1.3 million If these links dont work after a while its cause the auction ended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKWIKZ Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Keith, The package was supposed to be there the day after I spoke with you. I sent it to the work adress you gave me. Do me a favor and check at your work tommorrow. I'll go down to the UPS store and check on it's status as well. Stony, You are right about the pricing. I have know a few guys that have actually come over from Japan and bought a car here in So. Cal. and then shipped it to Japan because they said it was cheaper than buying one there. Either car, the real GT-R or 432Z, will bring a minimum of $35k in fair shape. I have toyed with the idea of buying a rusted out, completely stripped K(P)GC10 GT-R solely for it's vin number stamp and plate in order to make mine a "rebodied" real GT-R. $2500 was the cheapest I have found. As tempting as it is, that is just too much for two little pieces of metal. At least right now. Saying they are worth their weight in gold is almost accurate. For most people in the automotive community it's hard to justify that kind of money for a Japanese car. Unfortunately it just goes to show the lack of respect and the bias against Japanese cars. Few people realize the history involved there, especially in Nissan cars. Everyone is willing to accept the Z car here, but none really know that the Z is actually the baby of the family. The 510 has a cult following, granted, but the Roadster is still largely overlooked. And while the Z goes back to '70, the Silvia dates back to '64 and the Skyline all the way back to '57. I have friend that recently bought a '68 Camaro for $25k. It was an RS/SS clone with a stockish 350 and auto. It was in good shape and from what I have seen a pretty good deal. My point is that people have no problem with that kind of pricing, but absolutely scoff at me when I tell them how much I paid for a GT-R clone. I guess I'll get off my soapbox now. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Keith' date='The package was supposed to be there the day after I spoke with you. I sent it to the work adress you gave me. Do me a favor and check at your work tommorrow. I'll go down to the UPS store and check on it's status as well. Stony, You are right about the pricing. I have know a few guys that have actually come over from Japan and bought a car here in So. Cal. and then shipped it to Japan because they said it was cheaper than buying one there. Either car, the real GT-R or 432Z, will bring a minimum of $35k in fair shape. I have toyed with the idea of buying a rusted out, completely stripped K(P)GC10 GT-R solely for it's vin number stamp and plate in order to make mine a "rebodied" real GT-R. $2500 was the cheapest I have found. As tempting as it is, that is just too much for two little pieces of metal. At least right now. Saying they are worth their weight in gold is almost accurate. For most people in the automotive community it's hard to justify that kind of money for a Japanese car. Unfortunately it just goes to show the lack of respect and the bias against Japanese cars. Few people realize the history involved there, especially in Nissan cars. Everyone is willing to accept the Z car here, but none really know that the Z is actually the baby of the family. The 510 has a cult following, granted, but the Roadster is still largely overlooked. And while the Z goes back to '70, the Silvia dates back to '64 and the Skyline all the way back to '57. I have friend that recently bought a '68 Camaro for $25k. It was an RS/SS clone with a stockish 350 and auto. It was in good shape and from what I have seen a pretty good deal. My point is that people have no problem with that kind of pricing, but absolutely scoff at me when I tell them how much I paid for a GT-R clone. I guess I'll get off my soapbox now. Brian[/quote'] I have looked at the serial number route too but unfortunatly to find a car with a good vin stamp means its a good enough car to restore.... what i mean is all the cars i have ever seen rust right where the vin is stamped in the floor. I have come across a bunch of cheap skyline but they were rusted out right where the vin goes therefore rendering it basically a race car or like you said finding a car with a good vin to cut out and weld in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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