Nissan GT-R Forum banner
81 - 100 of 948 Posts
Just a thought...there are likely a lot of shops that have stock exhausts sitting around and are considered scrap. Perhaps a shop can make a jig and sell a modified stock exhaust like the one I made as a lower cost option vs full aftermarket. I have $200 in materials and ~8hrs in fabrication on my back and in my garage so it was less than efficient. A real shop could do this more efficiently so $1200 would be a fair price. I am confident this provides an increase in hp, but it would be good to quantify vs. stock.
umm, for $1200, you can buy a complete 90mm stainless catback from China.....trust me, I've done it.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Exhaust-system-titanium-automobile-exhaust-muffler-_265862796.html
 
Discussion starter · #82 ·
umm, for $1200, you can buy a complete 90mm stainless catback from China.....trust me, I've done it.
I don't disagree with you. I had $200 in materials and 8hrs of time in my garage. In a real shop I could knock this out in 4-5hrs so if we assume $80/hr that is $600 using your own exhaust. If someone could supply the modified stock exhaust without core then $1200 is a fair price because it does require a jig. For those that have a competent shop local you could expect to pay $600-$800 for this mod.

$40 shipped - 3.5" 2-bolt exhaust flange SS (http://www.mandrel-bends.com/catalog/3-50-stainless-2-bolt-universal-exhaust-flange-2268.html)
$15 shipped - 3.5" 2-bolt exhaust flange gasket (http://streettunedmotorsports.com/parts/remflex_exhaust_gaskets_8055_8006.htm)
$114 local pickup - ~5.5ft 18g 321SS 3.5" pipe (http://www.profabrication.com/productDetails.aspx?catID=164&attValID=5743)
$30 shipped - 3.5" v-band assembly SS (http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/221389123023?lpid=82)
 
I don't disagree with you. I had $200 in materials and 8hrs of time in my garage. In a real shop I could knock this out in 4-5hrs so if we assume $80/hr that is $600 using your own exhaust. If someone could supply the modified stock exhaust without core then $1200 is a fair price because it does require a jig. For those that have a competent shop local you could expect to pay $600-$800 for this mod.

$40 shipped - 3.5" 2-bolt exhaust flange SS (http://www.mandrel-b...lange-2268.html)
$15 shipped - 3.5" 2-bolt exhaust flange gasket (http://streettunedmo...s_8055_8006.htm)
$114 local pickup - ~5.5ft 18g 321SS 3.5" pipe (http://www.profabric...4&attValID=5743)
$30 shipped - 3.5" v-band assembly SS (http://www.ebay.com/...9123023?lpid=82)
yup, I was directing my reply more for the DIY'ers that aren't able to weld and didn't want to pay a shop to fab it up for them. Thanks to guys like you for sharing how to accomplish this though.
 
Discussion starter · #86 ·
They are gonna put a hit out on this man and his car lolol (vendors)
Image
hes teaching the ancient secrets to us commoners.
This thread is intended to document my budget build and to provide tips and inspire others who like to do their own work and on a tight budget.

As an update, I will dyno the car tomorrow evening and then install the Curt Brown ported pieces for a before/after some time next week. The next phase of my build will focus on my final mods that will ultimately lead to at least 700hp@wheels. Based on my research here are the mods and predicted costs.
- DIY intercooler ~$700
- DIY intercooler piping ~$200
- DIY upgraded MAF Sensors(2x flow) ~$150
- DIY upgraded turbochargers ~$2000
 
Excellent work OP. Glad that there is a DIY person on this forum. Seems people love to justify the GTR Tax around here because of the price of the vehicle which does not make any sense to me. I never had to deal with a Evo Tax I am certainly not dealing with a GTR Tax. Good Luck!!
 
Excellent work OP. Glad that there is a DIY person on this forum. Seems people love to justify the GTR Tax around here because of the price of the vehicle which does not make any sense to me. I never had to deal with a Evo Tax I am certainly not dealing with a GTR Tax. Good Luck!!
The reason vendors get away with the gtr tax is because you guys let them (not me)...for example...a vendor builds an exhaust...which is nothing but bent metal piping and figures most of the people who own a gtr have a good amount of money laying around and so they put a price tag that is sometimes twice the dollar amount or even three times the dollar amount of what it cost them to build it...they figured people with money give in since some can wipe their ass with money and a few grand of parts is no big deal...and the tax continues...

We can stop that non sense by simply calling them out and saying no...I do that every time...if it doesn't make sense ill let you know about it...save my money and wait for the right time to strike...strategic thinking...

Pikes Peak R35
 
The reason vendors get away with the gtr tax is because you guys let them (not me)...for example...a vendor builds an exhaust...which is nothing but bent metal piping and figures most of the people who own a gtr have a good amount of money laying around and so they put a price tag that is sometimes twice the dollar amount or even three times the dollar amount of what it cost them to build it...they figured people with money give in since some can wipe their ass with money and a few grand of parts is no big deal...and the tax continues...

We can stop that non sense by simply calling them out and saying no...I do that every time...if it doesn't make sense ill let you know about it...save my money and wait for the right time to strike...strategic thinking...

Pikes Peak R35
+1. Love it. I have so much to add to this, but it's nothing we haven't heard before. I don't want to detract from this great thread.
 
$2000 DIY turbos!!! Can't wait to see this!!! You and several other DIY guys on here have already been an inspiration to me. I'm currently working on a DIY midpipe.
This blog provides a lot of useful information, but you still have to research to connect the dots. I will share all the information once I get to this.
http://www.litchfieldblog.co.uk/?p=929
 
Discussion starter · #96 ·
I have been trying to read up on this, are you planning on doing a full cartridge replacement or just a compressor wheel upgrade? Interested in this for sure
In my opinion a compressor upgrade is not worth the hassle. The turbo desperately needs a larger turbine wheel so I will be upgrading both the turbine and compressor wheel.
 
In my opinion a compressor upgrade is not worth the hassle. The turbo desperately needs a larger turbine wheel so I will be upgrading both the turbine and compressor wheel.
Yea the turbine wheel is tiny! So im assuming you can bolt on a larger turbine wheel while retaining the stock center section, and machine the stock exhaust housing to fit? Have you heard of or found any turbine wheels that work should work well? Thanks for the info, feel free to PM me.
 
Discussion starter · #98 ·
The next phase of my build will focus on my final mods that will ultimately lead to at least 700hp@wheels. Based on my research here are the mods and predicted costs.
- DIY intercooler ~$700
- DIY intercooler piping ~$200
- DIY upgraded MAF Sensors(2x flow) ~$150
- DIY upgraded turbochargers ~$2000
Just to clarify, the turbo and MAF upgrade will be in a different build thread..."DIY 800"
 
The original Spray it Racing Turbos were only $2000 I believe. It isn't out of the realm of possability but I believe Bill said it was not practical as a company to maintain such low costs.
right Scott, if you're not a "business", then CHRA's can be bought relatively cheap and you're not worried about making a profit. The hardest part will be machining the OEM turbo housings and fabricating/welding points to secure the new CHRAs in place. There are plenty of flow maps out there to get and educated guess on which CHRA will flow "good enough".
 
81 - 100 of 948 Posts