How to Decipher the R33 Chassis Code

Ok so I have been meaning to share this for quite a while now...

So if you look at the blue VIN plate on the left hand (facing the car) side of the engine bulkhead, there are two long alphanumeric codes. The one on top is the "chassis number" (which has "BCNR33-0XXXXX" - showing the actual "serial number" (ie its unique ID, numbered according to what series car it is) and the one below that, the "model number" - which is a few digits longer, and starts with a "GG."

So I'm sure many of us have wondered, what kind of data do these codes reveal?  Well, flipping through the "I Love R33 GT-R Book" I noticed that they provided a full explanation! Well, at least for the "model number."   Ok, but this is in Japanese...

Note that this is also only for the Kouki (Series 3) model - the others had some slight variations.

So, I know it's a bit hard to read, but I overlaid an English translation for everyone. (click on the photo below, then click again for the maximum enlargement)

And actually - it's the bottom half of the page which is useful if you are looking at the blue plate in the engine bay... the top code is what is used to register the car with the Japanese authorities, so would be listed in the car's Shaken-sho. What's most interesting are the options (the few) that were available for the car (the small box to the right on the bottom). A KENWOOD Sound Cruising System, anyone?

The BEST NISMO Parts Catalog?

So in my quest to find all catalogs relating to the R33 GT-R, I recently found this:

At first, I wasn't too excited. But then I realized that this catalog was published after the 1997 Series 3 cars came out. Honestly I wasn't expecting anything new, as NISMO tends to upgrade their product offerings very slowly.  But one page grabbed my attention (click HERE to see all the pages).

First, I had no idea that NISMO had offered a gauge panel for the glove box, as above.  However, I'm not a big fan of driving around with my glovebox open, so this was interesting but probably not something I would buy even if I came across it somewhere (if they even exist now?).

The "Navi In Multi Meter" I have seen before on Yahoo Auctions. Tempting, except that the this instrument panel is not exclusive to the GT-Rs and so it doesn't have the GT-R logo, for one. Also, GT-R nerds like me, appreciate how the speedometer needle is horizontal at rest, and the tach needle points straight down. Plus, the redline of the tach is at 7000rpm, and you lose the oil pressure gauge. Again not designed for the GT-R. Too bad.

But, what I DO want - one is the carbon fiber seat belt guide - the insert that fits into the hole in the middle of the seat back - through which I pass my racing harness on track days. I always worried that the harness would wear out the material there, and was looking for a solution - well it turned out that NISMO had one, many years ago.... (BTW, have no idea how this "Type R" seat is different from the stock item...)

And finally that cool aluminum billet seat reclining knob. A small dress up item, but it would definitely add to the stark interior.

Anyway - if anyone ever comes across these bits, let me know please! I may even pay a finder's fee for them...

So here is the back cover of the catalog - one of my favorite shots, it really differentiates the Series 3 from the other other R33 GT-Rs.

A Quick Visit to RAPT Again

So why am I here today? The truth is, I needed an excuse to take my car out, get the engine warmed up as I am going to do an oil change in my garage later today. At the same time, made some inquiries about some interior detailing I may have done... Stay tuned for why!

Ok, ok... actually the real reason is so I can test out the Blogger App for the iPhone. Works well I think!

Another Modern Upgrade.... Wiper Blades

Well with this recent cold weather, I'm not too inclined to go out and work on the car. However, last time I washed my car (after the visit to Midori Seibi and Do-Luck) I noticed that the wiper blades on my car, were a bit dodgy in that the metal ribs that run along the sides of the rubber blade itself were working themselves loose. This would then cause the blade itself to come loose from the frame. Like this:

 So even though I don't drive much, if at all, in the rain (basically unless I get caught on the way home), I was worried that, if for some reason I had to use the wipers, then Murphy's law would mean that the rubber blade would slip, and then then metal frame would scratch the glass (and numerous attempts to fix this problem by forcing the metal rib back into the rubber had not been successful). So I had to figure out a way to fix this problem.

Solution:

There seem to be several brands of these new one piece wipers that replace the frame and fit the car. But (at least here in Japan) Bosch seemed to be the only one that had a specific listing for my car, and had items that reflected the different sizes left and right, for their top of the line Aerotwin wipers. Plus of course the aerodynamic nature of these wipers was cool, especially as the OEM driver's side blade frame has a small built in spoiler just for that purpose (to prevent the wiper from lifting off at speed). The design also promises more evenly spread out wiping ability, and the rubber blade itself is easy to replace.

These are an easy install, they come with an adaptor (Bosch calls it "Quick-Clip") that allows retrofitting to most cars by attachment to the U-shaped wiper arm end. However, here is a tip for our cars - the instructions state that the cover can be opened up to let the U arm fit over the internal clip - this is not true on our cars. Due to the curved nature of the wiper arm, the covers have to be gently forced off (after insertion of the arm), then the U hooks over the clip, then the cover can be snapped back into place. Like so:

I was also going to take this opportunity to re-paint the wiper arms, as the original flat black paint had been rubbed off in some spots - except it's just too cold and I wasn't about to start spraying black paint in an enclosed garage... so that small project will have to wait for warm weather.

Anyway - here is a before picture with the OEM blades (excuse the mess in the garage...):

And here it is, after fitment of the BOSCH wipers:

So what do people think of how they look on the car... a bit too modern perhaps? OR subtle enough that it works? I'm sure their superior performance alone justifies them, but in my opinion they just look a bit weird...the OEM mini spoiler was actually kind of cool.  Also, I wish there was a way to keep them half hidden under the hood.

Oh, and what should I do with the rear wiper? Same thing? The question here is, does it need to be aerodynamic in nature as well?

New Page - NISMO R33 GT-R Catalog

I've added another page - the Nismo R33 Skyline GT-R Street & Motor Sports Parts options catalog. Putting aside the ridiculous Nismo pricing as well as the parts themselves (which I cannot believe were cutting edge at the time - 17 inch wheels, anyone?) there are some pretty interesting parts, such as the combo radiator/oil cooler as well as the oil cooler with a separate water tank (swirl pot).

Also some interesting tidbits such as - that titanium strut tower bar cost only 69,800 yen at the time (!) and also came in an aluminum version; and the assorted motor sports parts they sold (but were not street legal!).

Anyway, check out the page... I may have to see what other catalogs are out there that I haven't posted yet!

First Ever Visit to Midori Seibi (and dropping into Do-Luck)

So the day after a freak snowstorm hit Tokyo/Yokohama, I found myself using my car as a snowplow...most of the roads were clear, but some side streets (like the street I live on) still had snow in the middle of the road, so I drove slowly, praying that Kabe-san at Rapt did a good job on painting my front lip spoiler...

Anyway, the UK GTROC guys are in town, and since Midori Seibi is only a few kilometers where I live, I drove out there to meet them.  I arrived a few minutes before they did, so took the opportunity to take a few pictures.

When the guys arrived, they checked out the requisite Midori demo cars - both the R35 and R34 were there. But I started to chat with the senior person there (both Uchinaga-san and his wife were not there), who turned out to be their son! AND, it turns out he is a quite a fan of the R33 GT-R... in fact, he owns one and gets asked all the time about why R33 vs the others as he's well known in the industry. He knows more than me, and immediately pointed that the criticism about the longer wheelbase of the R33 was nonsense (the R35 is longer than any of them, and its performance is superlative) and the sad fact that when the R34 was introduced, these new and "better" cars apparently were not successful in the N1 series races and the teams had to revert back to the faster R33s. He was also kind enough to show me a couple of unique one-of-a-kind mods he did to his car:

1) Replacing two of the three gauges in the center 3 gauge (Nismo) cluster with modern (i.e. digital) replacements! Uchinaga-san told me that he did this himself in his spare time.  What do people think? Note he kept the front torque meter but replaced the oil and boost gauge with two temp gauges. His goal was that, if you knew nothing about R33 GT-Rs, you would believe this was stock equipment. I have to agree, it is very slick...

2) He also did the same to the main instrument panel (I apologize for the blurred picture, I was so excited) where he replaced the stock oil pressure gauge with a modern Trust one in white.

He also was kind enough to check out my car, and give me a few pointers, which I will have to work on in my spare time.  Just to save you the suspense, he recommended one way to freshen up the engine bay (such a pretty engine, those faded XXXXX really detract from the clean look), and also taught me a bit about how to properly ground the car.

So two new projects just by visiting Midori Seibi! Awesome!

Also, I am pleased to report that Midori Seibi continues to work on a couple of new parts for our second generation GT-Rs.  Not sure when they will be released, but he said to check GT-R Magazine for details.

As Do-Luck is on the way home, after the GTROC guys and I parted company, I stopped by Do-Luck to just say hello to Ito-san - which of course turned into a couple hours discussion about various car stuff. Turns out he too is working on some new stuff for the second generation GT-Rs, so we will have to wait to see what develops. Ito-san also gave me some suggestions on what I should do next on my car - both in the handling and the engine department.

So stay tuned, this will keep me busy this year...

Race Driver Akira Iida and His Preference for R33 GT-Rs!

Just a short video clip where Iida-san takes a modified R33 GTR for a spin at Ebisu circuit, and explains why the R33 is his favorite of the second generation GT-Rs.

Akira Iida, by the way, recently set a new record for lapping Nurburgring in a production car.

Things to watch for in this clip (besides the girl, obviously):

1) What kind of hood/bonnet does this car have? Would it look good on my car? (hint: this is related to some aero ideas I have)

2) Suspension set up. If Tsuchiya is saying that weight transfer to the front isn't happening, are the spring rates too hard up front? I wonder what it is? (I was thinking of having my Ohlins DFVs rebuilt soon...)

3) I thought it was funny that the car has a nice Alpine stereo and separate tweeters up front...

Apologies as this video is not directly related to my car, but it did give me some ideas.

Thanks to Facebook friend Nadz Asyraf who posted this link to the R33 GT-R Facebook page on January 1.

Enjoy! And stay tuned, I DO have some mods coming up soon...