“I know, I know; I’ve just built it? Why stop now?”
Rodney, the TimeattackR project car has been an incredibly fun project. From what started as essentially a rolling body, has turned into an enjoyable, yet capable street and track day car. Initially, it was mean to be a project in which I would spend as little as possible, to get out on the track and learn how to drive.
In a way, I did this, however I did spend a little more than first intended. Why? I had an idea of how I wanted it to perform and with each and every part available through my place of work, I thought it rude not too.
Now though, what’s going on? Why the blog? Well, as of last week, I have started to sell some pieces off the Altezza. At the end of next month, I have a trip to Japan planned for ATTACK Tsukuba, February 23. What this means is, I need extra money.
The trip was booked last minute with a good friend of mine, and I need to bring in some money to make it work. Before getting parted, though, I decided to take it for one last spirited drive with my friend Keegan and his 2JZ-GTE-powered Altezza.
What does this mean for Rodney? Every time I watch Japan Superlap Battle videos, ATTACK footage, or hang around of New Zealand’s local circuits, it makes me want to get the angle grinder out. Rodney is going to level up, to a lighter vehicle with a little more power.
After talking with a few people in the industry, my plans to turbo the Altezza diminished. One person in particular, Brendan Duncker of Convert Motorsport, told me tales of his 260hp at the wheels 3SGE engine in one of his previous drift cars, that would rev to 10,000RPM with tonnes of throttle response.
I don’t think I would be happy with the power the turbo engine would produce and the added strain on the driveline isn’t worth the risk to me at this stage. Maybe one day when I can do it properly, it will be done. I do still have the HKS F-Con ECU with plug and play loom kicking around, which is tuned for an NA setup — which should kick things off quickly.
So far, I have sold the Evo wheels and tyres. Next, will be the seats and GReddy turbo manifold. The seats will be replaced with lighter Racetech or Bride units and the wheels will replaced with either another set of Enkeis or Work wheels from Japan. I am excited about the next phase of the build, as for me, I enjoy the driving just as much as modifying.
For now though, it’s on stands until after Japan. Come March, I will be ripping back into it and ordering my favourite things of all time; PARTS!