2013 Litchfield stage 4.5 Nissan GTR
Discussion
Hey guys was posting about the new ride and in looking for a photo to dump in and posting the wrong ones it became a dump of I guess recent car history, sorry! I had other threads dotted around for the others but rather than deleting the photos I posed here I figure it's easier to update one rather than all anyway so might just pop things in here as I go and do various bits to them. Most of them I purchased with a business case in mind but ended up wanting to keep them
I sort of made the latest purchases under the encouragement of my dad who unfortunately will pass soon. He was always into his BMWs and it got me hooked as a kid. He had a CSL (Batmobile) at one point, M3's, a 535M in the 90's and his favourite one being his Alpina B9.
Which turned into this
A couple of years ago, I went out to buy one of my dream cars in a 996 911. Originally looking for a GT3, the budget wasn't there - but I did find my Carrera X51 which came with a few Gemballa mods. Stiff, Shouty, Rev happy and lightweight, it was perfect. But sentimentality takes over and it became a bit of a garage queen.
As a sort of tribute then, and because I'd never owned or properly driven an M3, I stumbled across my E92 Competition last year.
It sort of reminded him of his old 'pina if not just in colour, although I always did wonder what it would look like with Alpina pinstriping..
6 month's later I realised I missed having the roof down in the 35-40 degree days we get here in the summer, not to mention the flat six responsive porscheness of the 911. The 981 seemed the perfect middle ground (which it was!)
The above were great, but I always always wanted a supercar. Something with 500+hp, preferably manual and something with road presence.
So in March I'd set out with the aim of finally buying a supercar for my birthday. The dream car was a Gallardo and a basic early model was now within reach.
But after a heap of searching, I couldn't find a manual car in the right colour and interior. Afterall, if it was going to be a dream car, why comprimise. I quickly accepted that if and when I go that route, it would have to be something special and the LP550 goes for much more than I was looking to spend. I didn't really want the dream car to be tainted by one I bought because I was in a rush!
So I started looking elsewhere. I had almost been convinced to go the R8 route (but again, anything manual or convertible were out of reach) when I stumbled across this and minutes later was signing away having not even viewed it.
So it's a MY12 GTR (there was some confusion as when I did a search it came up 13 so the jury is still out) that has had the Litchfield Stage 4.5 pack and around 20k miles on the clock.
That means it should be pushing 700bhp through upgraded turbos, Garrett waste gates, High flow pumps, 1,110cc injectors, large bore intake, Miltek full exhaust, ECUtek ECU and a few other mods.
Will go into fuller detail over the coming weeks as she's now on a truck coming home - but the first impression: wow!
I should expect the curves to look something like this:
Needless to say i'm rediculously excited. A few weeks now while it worms its way across country in an enclosed trailer..
I sort of made the latest purchases under the encouragement of my dad who unfortunately will pass soon. He was always into his BMWs and it got me hooked as a kid. He had a CSL (Batmobile) at one point, M3's, a 535M in the 90's and his favourite one being his Alpina B9.
Which turned into this
A couple of years ago, I went out to buy one of my dream cars in a 996 911. Originally looking for a GT3, the budget wasn't there - but I did find my Carrera X51 which came with a few Gemballa mods. Stiff, Shouty, Rev happy and lightweight, it was perfect. But sentimentality takes over and it became a bit of a garage queen.
As a sort of tribute then, and because I'd never owned or properly driven an M3, I stumbled across my E92 Competition last year.
It sort of reminded him of his old 'pina if not just in colour, although I always did wonder what it would look like with Alpina pinstriping..
6 month's later I realised I missed having the roof down in the 35-40 degree days we get here in the summer, not to mention the flat six responsive porscheness of the 911. The 981 seemed the perfect middle ground (which it was!)
The above were great, but I always always wanted a supercar. Something with 500+hp, preferably manual and something with road presence.
So in March I'd set out with the aim of finally buying a supercar for my birthday. The dream car was a Gallardo and a basic early model was now within reach.
But after a heap of searching, I couldn't find a manual car in the right colour and interior. Afterall, if it was going to be a dream car, why comprimise. I quickly accepted that if and when I go that route, it would have to be something special and the LP550 goes for much more than I was looking to spend. I didn't really want the dream car to be tainted by one I bought because I was in a rush!
So I started looking elsewhere. I had almost been convinced to go the R8 route (but again, anything manual or convertible were out of reach) when I stumbled across this and minutes later was signing away having not even viewed it.
So it's a MY12 GTR (there was some confusion as when I did a search it came up 13 so the jury is still out) that has had the Litchfield Stage 4.5 pack and around 20k miles on the clock.
That means it should be pushing 700bhp through upgraded turbos, Garrett waste gates, High flow pumps, 1,110cc injectors, large bore intake, Miltek full exhaust, ECUtek ECU and a few other mods.
Will go into fuller detail over the coming weeks as she's now on a truck coming home - but the first impression: wow!
I should expect the curves to look something like this:
Needless to say i'm rediculously excited. A few weeks now while it worms its way across country in an enclosed trailer..
Edited by up_shift on Wednesday 1st May 23:59
Edited by up_shift on Thursday 2nd May 01:54
MB140 said:
The look on the faces of the AMG drivers that you've just out-dragged alone would be worth it 
MB140 said:
Guy I know owns this. Seven Vally Motorsport tuned. About 800bhp.
Thing scares me to be honest. It was pushing out more I believe but started getting expensive driveline wise.
Fantastic car though op. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Wow, yes I'm thinking I may dial the map back a little (it's switchable on the fly though so may leave it as is) for the same reason. To be honest, for my initial track use (amateur hour) and road use, it will be more than enough for what I was looking for in near stock form. It's already much quicker than my M3, Boxster and possibly the ninja in every sense of the word, so I think It'll be a while before the bug bites for more. Have a few cosmetic mods in mind first up followerd by a lot of simply driving the thing to see how it compares to a stock one (driven a couple on the road and one on track but it was eclipsed by jumping out and into the seat of an aventador - it will be interesting to see how the gap is bridged!)Thing scares me to be honest. It was pushing out more I believe but started getting expensive driveline wise.
Fantastic car though op. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
BenLowden said:
Awesome! I'm assuming you're in Aus based on the plate? How far does it have to travel/how long is the wait? I find it hard enough having to wait even just a day when I've found a car I want to buy. Let alone achieving a big milestone and buying a dream car like you have!
It's agonising! It has some 4,000 kms to travel - When I bought my 981 a few months ago I drove it back for the experience, but I didn't want to add the kms this time (I'd have to service it pre drive, apply PPF which I want to do in the workshop myself when it arrives and then service it after with the intervalls being circa 5,000 kms)
It also has to go on an enclosed trailer - which I'm pleased about but it comes with increased costs and a longer wait. At the moment I'm looking at 2-3 weeks :'(
to give an idea of the journey it will be coming through:
Edited by up_shift on Thursday 11th April 09:15
Mixed emotions today.
After 3.5 weeks of waiting, I finally picked up the keys and took her home today
Few more stone chips than I'd anticipated - but was ready for that risk buying remotely - generally she's very tidy.
BUT the delivery crew clearly drove it into the transporter wall or a post of some sort, removing some paint and causing a few pressure-cracks. It's relatively minor, especially given it's a black car, but it will need either a respray or a new bumper - I'm going to push for the latter.
I won't let that rain on my parade though, I jumped in and once the motor had warmed up had a play.
On the 98RON mode and low boost, it is sensational. Throttle response is tight, and it pulls like a train. Upping the boost ups the smiles and transforms it into an animal. The sheer acceleration of the thing makes my M3 feel absolutely pedestrian.
Had a quick play on some twisties and the road holding is as great as you read at sensible speeds, it really hides its girth well.
The Remus exhaust, frankly sounds sensual. not too loud at idle which i was definitely worried about, but as you pick up, it really makes itself known.
More after I've had a chance to have a proper look around, and detail and ceramic coat her.
After 3.5 weeks of waiting, I finally picked up the keys and took her home today
Few more stone chips than I'd anticipated - but was ready for that risk buying remotely - generally she's very tidy.
BUT the delivery crew clearly drove it into the transporter wall or a post of some sort, removing some paint and causing a few pressure-cracks. It's relatively minor, especially given it's a black car, but it will need either a respray or a new bumper - I'm going to push for the latter.
I won't let that rain on my parade though, I jumped in and once the motor had warmed up had a play.
On the 98RON mode and low boost, it is sensational. Throttle response is tight, and it pulls like a train. Upping the boost ups the smiles and transforms it into an animal. The sheer acceleration of the thing makes my M3 feel absolutely pedestrian.
Had a quick play on some twisties and the road holding is as great as you read at sensible speeds, it really hides its girth well.
The Remus exhaust, frankly sounds sensual. not too loud at idle which i was definitely worried about, but as you pick up, it really makes itself known.
More after I've had a chance to have a proper look around, and detail and ceramic coat her.
BenLowden said:
Superb! Sorry to hear about the damage, hopefully you'll get that sorted. Main thing is you're not disappointed with how it drives
Definitely what saved the day 
I can't wait to get it around a track or even just a weekender somewhere.Photo of the damage:
Whatever it rubbed past created a few scuffs that you can see in teh top left. Then as it wasn't going anywhere, the cracks around the pop-up washer (which I haven't yet tested) and to the left..
Could also be an opportune moment to upgrade the front end depending on how the resolution goes
Funny to see her lined up next to the R31
Down to some of the OCD stuff.
The transport company contacted me to discuss the damage, I'll hopefully get back to them shortly.
In the interim, time to have a quick look at the paint.
A quick look under poor light shows some extensive but not too severe swirl marks. The owner had tint installed but no paint protection etc.
The general plan is a bit of a top to toe to decontaminate and correct the paint over two or three stages on the worst affected areas, followed by touching in a few stone chips and then laying down a few layers of ceramic protection or PPF. I expect this to probably take 3-4 days depending on what free ones I get..
The transport company contacted me to discuss the damage, I'll hopefully get back to them shortly.
In the interim, time to have a quick look at the paint.
A quick look under poor light shows some extensive but not too severe swirl marks. The owner had tint installed but no paint protection etc.
The general plan is a bit of a top to toe to decontaminate and correct the paint over two or three stages on the worst affected areas, followed by touching in a few stone chips and then laying down a few layers of ceramic protection or PPF. I expect this to probably take 3-4 days depending on what free ones I get..
So Today I finally got her back to the shop, decontaminated, washed, rinsed an can start some correction
But not before I took her to my favourite test loop.
I love this machine. It all has such a mechanical sound and aura about it. you can hear it chugging, wastegates opening, turbo spooling up, sipping in the cold autumn air. Ah.
The thing that struck me the most was just how un-bothered it was. I threw it into the same bends that I took a Civic type R around not too long ago and the same corners at much higher speeds felt significantly less intimidating. I thought it would make the car uneventful to drive, but the roar as you're pinned into your seat and realise you still have thousands of rpm to play with is addictive. I played with high boost today and it's laugh out loud fun.
Having set out to buy something with a bit more theatre in the gallardo I Was really worried that I wouldn't enjoy the "datsun" on the road as much but it's been a hoot.
The crystal black (tbc?) paint its beautiful up close. What seems like a flat black has a nice depth in the form of a silver flake running through it. Once I hit it with some snow foam, and thoroughly washed, it showed up quite a few swirlmarks.
Next was a single stage polish using some stuff I've been working on for a while combined with a hard pad. It gave a good cut rate without going too far, rear quater after around 5 minutes is below.
Had a great first (proper) outing in the GT-R This weekend.
I'm fully converted. Totally addicted.
At low boost, it still has the sort of pickup that sprains necks, roaring to the redline. But at full boost it's just relentless.
Traction is awesome, and on high boost the delivery in the sweeping bends is just so silky smooth and instant, not like anything else I've owned to date. And with the boost up even the sound is amplified (as are the flames shot out of the back end). But despite the flat-ish torque curve, things still intensify as you chase the red.
It's so effortless to maintain a good pace with it but when you really start to press on in the corners and get jostled around in the seats, you really start to get an appreciation for just how much grip there is and you feel really intermingled with the mechanics
I love that it sort of occupies its own space too. I can't stop staring at it, but at the same time it's appreciated for what it is, none of the constant having to justify it "oh, but it's an actual m-car not an m-sport" or prancing about worrying about how it looks. Just an angular, muscular sports coupe that's got its own sort of beauty.
So far am not regretting not going italian or holding out for a slightly cheaper new supra. The way it just reels in other machines is addictive
I'm fully converted. Totally addicted.
At low boost, it still has the sort of pickup that sprains necks, roaring to the redline. But at full boost it's just relentless.
Traction is awesome, and on high boost the delivery in the sweeping bends is just so silky smooth and instant, not like anything else I've owned to date. And with the boost up even the sound is amplified (as are the flames shot out of the back end). But despite the flat-ish torque curve, things still intensify as you chase the red.
It's so effortless to maintain a good pace with it but when you really start to press on in the corners and get jostled around in the seats, you really start to get an appreciation for just how much grip there is and you feel really intermingled with the mechanics
I love that it sort of occupies its own space too. I can't stop staring at it, but at the same time it's appreciated for what it is, none of the constant having to justify it "oh, but it's an actual m-car not an m-sport" or prancing about worrying about how it looks. Just an angular, muscular sports coupe that's got its own sort of beauty.
So far am not regretting not going italian or holding out for a slightly cheaper new supra. The way it just reels in other machines is addictive
djt77 said:
Cracking car, I'm in Perth as well, I ended up going the Italian route and no regrets yet. Which group do you go out with? I see Johns AMG in one of these pics
Yep that's his, This was a Breakky Run on the weekend - funnier still, my background is as a Quantity Surveyor too (don't suppose we spoke on PSB before?) I'm sure Italian will probably be the next step for me once I find the right car and spec etc
Edited by up_shift on Monday 20th May 09:12
So I've finally gotten around to addressing / pricing some things.
20" 255/285 rubber looks like it is coming in at around $1k / corner. Dealer Discs and Pads = $4k (look at em, they're pretty beefy)
And Servicing.. On mileage (around 24,000 / 40,000 kms) it's due it's usual 6 monthly oil change.. But based on the age of the car, the dealer reccomended a 160k km service.. at a price of $4,400
Still trying to investigate whether it's necesary as it would't be the first time a dealer would try to profiteer but we'll see..
Tyres and Pads are fine for now that said. Trying to investigate precisely what is included in the "160k km service" as he didn't go into much detail beyond 'fluids and flilters'. A bit of research suggests 4 hours work, so need to figure out what's involved.
No worries chat then
20" 255/285 rubber looks like it is coming in at around $1k / corner. Dealer Discs and Pads = $4k (look at em, they're pretty beefy)
And Servicing.. On mileage (around 24,000 / 40,000 kms) it's due it's usual 6 monthly oil change.. But based on the age of the car, the dealer reccomended a 160k km service.. at a price of $4,400
Still trying to investigate whether it's necesary as it would't be the first time a dealer would try to profiteer but we'll see..
Tyres and Pads are fine for now that said. Trying to investigate precisely what is included in the "160k km service" as he didn't go into much detail beyond 'fluids and flilters'. A bit of research suggests 4 hours work, so need to figure out what's involved.
djt77 said:
Haha, yeah only a few of us QS about, must have been on PSB. I'll shoot you a PM
And even fewer of us good ones hey? No worries chat thenEdited by up_shift on Friday 24th May 06:15
Cleanup continues, finally got her back to the new mancave
Filled in some stone chips, planned over the coming months:
1) Full correction, 1 x scuff in alloy and a few more chips
2) Full service, fluids etc
3) PPF and ceramic coating
4) 'valet mode' added / restricted power map for any time I have to hand over the keys
5) some track work later in the year and potentially a cross-country tour
Filled in some stone chips, planned over the coming months:
1) Full correction, 1 x scuff in alloy and a few more chips
2) Full service, fluids etc
3) PPF and ceramic coating
4) 'valet mode' added / restricted power map for any time I have to hand over the keys
5) some track work later in the year and potentially a cross-country tour
Edited by up_shift on Monday 3rd June 14:33
Finally got her on the road.
The Stock exhaust has turned up and i didn't much fancy putting a full exhaust on just to take it off. Fortunately, the exhaust on there met sound test requirements (bizzarre as at high revs it really does sound insane)
New plate on, and a set of Michelin Pilot 4S all round. I was going to go Cup 2's but the 4s seemed to make a better all round choice, with the power output I sensed it would quickly become a sunshine only car otherwise. They suit the car pretty damned well, giving it a more precise turn in compared to the potenzas.
Tyres came in surprisingly cheap at $2k (I remember back in the day they were closer to $2k a corner or something silly).
It's on 45k kms, (25k or so miles) but hasn't had a tranny flush. Not due until 160k kms but the dealer reccomended it - will need a bit more research, see what the general consensus is.
Litchfield have also prepared a valet mode map for me which I can load on when dropping her off for servicing which limits torque to stock, disables things like launch control etc.
Any thoughts of it not being the car I'd hoped it would be have long melted away - took a long country drive and it just does everything so well. Have a drive day in the Huracan Evo coming up, will see how I feel after that
The Stock exhaust has turned up and i didn't much fancy putting a full exhaust on just to take it off. Fortunately, the exhaust on there met sound test requirements (bizzarre as at high revs it really does sound insane)
New plate on, and a set of Michelin Pilot 4S all round. I was going to go Cup 2's but the 4s seemed to make a better all round choice, with the power output I sensed it would quickly become a sunshine only car otherwise. They suit the car pretty damned well, giving it a more precise turn in compared to the potenzas.
Tyres came in surprisingly cheap at $2k (I remember back in the day they were closer to $2k a corner or something silly).
It's on 45k kms, (25k or so miles) but hasn't had a tranny flush. Not due until 160k kms but the dealer reccomended it - will need a bit more research, see what the general consensus is.
Litchfield have also prepared a valet mode map for me which I can load on when dropping her off for servicing which limits torque to stock, disables things like launch control etc.
Any thoughts of it not being the car I'd hoped it would be have long melted away - took a long country drive and it just does everything so well. Have a drive day in the Huracan Evo coming up, will see how I feel after that
Edited by up_shift on Saturday 17th August 01:12
Edited by up_shift on Tuesday 1st October 00:41
priced up the fluids - came to $550-600 in Motul, vs $4600 at the dealer's. It helps that I'm a dealer too so get a few discounts so that will be the next job. Under-cover's off, up on stands or a lift, drain and fill both diffs, drain and fill engine oil, drain, fill and cycle transmission. Will be interesting to note the change in transmission sound and responsiveness when complete, am sure a video or two will be done - these gearboxes do make a little noise at idle, oddly, I quite like it, gives it some character and doesn't leave it devoid of a soul.
The PS4's are bedding in very nicely. Nice progressive handling delivery and notably more feel on the turn-in than the Potenza's, they feel much more progressive.
The valet map is impressive and gives a no thrills solution to dropping it off anywhere, but on other fronts, finally ramped up the turbos to full boost for a longer ride and the performance of the thing has me grinning ear to ear. Torque all over the shop and it just keeps pulling and gripping.
The battery died from lack of use but a replacement came to $160 - when weighed up against the $300 for the M3 and Boxster, I can't knock it. It is surprisingly tiny given the amount of electronics on board.
Small mod in that the Nissan badge is gone and in the metal it gives it a much nicer look. Interestingly, non-car people asking what it is has increased 5-fold lol.
The PS4's are bedding in very nicely. Nice progressive handling delivery and notably more feel on the turn-in than the Potenza's, they feel much more progressive.
The valet map is impressive and gives a no thrills solution to dropping it off anywhere, but on other fronts, finally ramped up the turbos to full boost for a longer ride and the performance of the thing has me grinning ear to ear. Torque all over the shop and it just keeps pulling and gripping.
The battery died from lack of use but a replacement came to $160 - when weighed up against the $300 for the M3 and Boxster, I can't knock it. It is surprisingly tiny given the amount of electronics on board.
Small mod in that the Nissan badge is gone and in the metal it gives it a much nicer look. Interestingly, non-car people asking what it is has increased 5-fold lol.
Finally getting some much needed seat time between work duties.
Vid of today's commute
Vid of today's commute
Edited by up_shift on Monday 6th January 09:28
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