Spare Engine Rebuild Update - Tomei Forged H-Beam Conrods

Apologies for the lack of updates but its been a busy month for me and I've been waiting on a particular part to arrive. In fact, its the last piece of the engine rebuild jigsaw puzzle. I'm referring to conrods as it was the only other forged item that I wanted for this rebuild. Lo and behold the official spiel (summary courtesy of Nengun):

Usually, to give con-rod buckling strength and light weight character at the same time, H-beam or I-beam profile is applied. Tomei have applied a H-beam profile for the connecting rod for NISSAN RB, SR, CA, VG engines and succeeded in gaining high buckling strength while reducing the weight. Tomei produces con-rod's using a forging mold with the main bearing hole in its large end, so the 'metal flow' runs along con-rod's entire body. And with a use of special materials, they have succeeded in producing con-rods with extreme intensity and durability. 

Naturally, I got standard RB26 stroke conrods as I'm not stroking the spare engine. Thanks to my good friend Glenn Trollope of Chasers Motorworks Melbourne (good luck at the World Time Attack dude!), I was able to source the conrods in record time.

So that ends this update as the crank is being balanced but I'm hoping the engine will be ready before the end of May. Theres also the Nismo bearings that need to be installed and those had arrived sometime last month, courtesy of a fellow Skyline owner (thanks Nain!). 

Here are the bearings:

Can't wait for all the parts to come together. Watch this space.

R33 GT-R Upgrades: Recent mods in pictures

A lot of changes have taken place in recent weeks and the car is better for it.

So without futher ado, lets list down what has been done so far with pictures (was unable to take a picture of the Goodridge Braided Brake Hose):

Installed: The Tomei Fuel Regulator Type L and the Cusco Oil Catch Tank

A closer look at the Tomei Fuel Regulator - both the regulator, along with the Tomei Fuel Pump, have made a major positive contribution to how the car accelerates

The Cusco Oil Catch Tank - only time will tell if it really helps the engine

The Nismo Aluminium Shift Knob - feels so much better now when shifting

The Whiteline swaybars and bushings installed - the car feels really planted and the suspension well dampened - almost feels like a brand new car!

New Apexi Power Intake Pod Filters - engine runs smoother

BCNR33 4 Pot Front Brembos (with new brake pads and rotors skimmed) - amazing stopping power

BCNR33 Rear 2 Pot Brembos (with new brake pads and rotors skimmed)

New parts for the R33 GTR: Okuyama Carbing, Nismo, Apexi, Volk Racing

I was overseas these past few days and I've just returned from the airport.

Was fortunate enough to find time in between meetings to go out and grab the following parts:

- Okuyama Carbing Pedal Set (silver).
- Okuyama Carbing Air Diversion Plate Aluminium
- Apexi Power Intake Replacement Pod Filters
- Nismo Aluminium Shift Knob (10mm 5 speed)
- Volk Racing GT Center Caps for the RE30s (4 pieces - low)

I'll put these on as soon as possible.

Now, let's recap what my mechanic has installed over the weekend (pictures to follow once I get the car back tomorrow):

- BCNR33 4 and 2 Pot Brembo Calipers
- Tomei Fuel Pump (output 590PS 276 L/h)
- Tomei Fuel Regulator Type L
- Cusco Oil Catch Tank
- Goodridge Brake Hose (6 PCS)
- Whiteline Swaybar-h/duty Blade adjustable
- Whiteline Camber adj kit - upper c/arm x 2
- Whiteline Arm-adj upper radius-camber/toe
- Whiteline Swaybar-x h/duty Blade adjustable
- Superpro Castor Rod Bushes

Can't wait to see the car!

R33 GTR Upgrades: Nismo Engine and Gearbox Mounts Installed

Lets be honest. The R33 GTR is a 13 year old car. Over time, parts on the vehicle will get worn out. When this happens, you lose performance and drivability. Which leads us to the problem of tired engine mounts. What tends to happen is clutch judder when moving the car from rest and shifting is less precise at higher RPMs. Not to mention its discomforting as a vehicle owner, to sit in a car that shakes (slightly). Enter the Nismo mount.

"Upgrade tired and beat up OEM engine and transmission mounts with the units from Nismo. Nismo mounts are 30-40% stiffer which makes motor shake less at idle and the Nismo transmission mount provides precise shifting at high rpm from reduced motor/transmission movement"

With that official Nengun brief out of the way, it should be said its worth upgrading / refreshing your mounts if you are looking to increase your car's engine power (well torque really). This is paramount if you harbor plans on doing any track work in the future, as the engine tends to rock during heavy usage and worn engine mounts can cause other serious problems (like a broken front differential). Plus nice new, stiff mounts will give you the added benefit of extra response as normally when you mash the throttle, some of that instant torque is lost in deflecting the engine mounts. With stiffer mounts, the torque travels through the drive train instead.

I was fortunate enough to source Nismo engine and gearbox mounts last month and had them lying around ready to be installed. Here they are, nicely packed up:

Definitely noticed a difference after the installation. The car idles better and there is less vibration when driving at higher speeds. The new mounts are stiffer than the original units. Launches are smoother, whether you are accelerating casually or aggressively. And lets face it, 13 year old mounts are not going to cut it. They need replacing and rather get OEM mounts, I decided to swap in Nismo ones for long term security. Lastly, Nismo mounts are solid compared to the liquid / gel filled center on the OEM mounts, so in that sense, the Nismo parts are superior.

The car at my mechanic's workshop

The old engine mount still in place

A clearly very tired engine mount that was taken out

Compare the old and the new (the Nismo engine mount is on the right)

Clearly compressed and the exterior is flaking off

The Nismo engine mount installed

The gearbox mount out and it too is clearly worn out

The Nismo gearbox mount, ready to go in

All done! Till the next mod! Whiteline suspension parts!

Nismo LM-GT4 19" rims for the 350Z?

I've always been a fan of Nismo's LM-GT4 rims.

A set of these lovely rims are available for purchase but there is a catch - the set comes in bronze... I personally prefer them in silver but I guess I could always respray the rims (which would mean losing the original Nismo sticker and what not).

Anyway, this pic shows a Silver 350Z with bronze LM-GT4 rims. Ahhhhh! Decisions decisions.

Here is one with silver LM-GT4s (looks better in my book)

If only we could get Volk Racing GTS (Black Painted) rims ...