Hi all,
I was wondering if any mechanical guru's could help me.
I have been in correspondence with a bloke in NZ whom supposedly has a spec-rar for sale. He has stated there was initial problems with the engine pinging as the car is a japanese import and not used to New Zealand 98 octane petrol. This problem has been rectified by increasing the the head gasket diameter by 0.1mm.
My questions:
1) does what he said makes sense?

2) is he bullshitting me, flogged the car, blown the head gasket and changed it?
3) is there any way to check that the car he has is a spec-c rar using the vin number?

Many thanks. As you realize, I'm not too technically minded but just love the scoobies. I'm off to auckland in Jan so have an opportunity to have a look at the car in person if its worth it.
Cheers in advance.

I can't see how the head gasket 'diameter' would help in reducing the compression that much. Possibly if it was thicker. Sounds suss.

Have it compression tested by an independent third party.

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www.racewars.com.au

A little off the question you asked but are you expecting to bring
this in as a personal import or a race rally car?

If it's as a personal import to be road registered, it can't be done
unless you live in NZ and own the registered car there for minimum
12mths, would hate for you to buy the car and have it stuck in NZ.

Ps: is this the white one with the white Volks rims

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221.7KW-ATW 498.5NM MMS ROLLER DYNO & BUILT BY STi NINJAS, BUILD #318/600

EBISU SUBARU, SHIBUYA-KU TOKYO

that doesnt sound right to me. unless the guy was sticking dirty fuel in the system that would make it ping. sounds dodgy.

seems a lot of effort to strip a motor down to play only with the thickness of the head gasket.

if the detonation was that bad, there would be other damage anyway (hammered bearings, ringlands etc)

usually the engine would be detuned slightly. its cheaper then refitting head gaskets, for barely any difference in performance.

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Long live the WRC

If that was true then a simple tune and backing of some timing would of fixed that. Dunno why go to the extreme of changing a head gasket. Sounds a bit odd. Do a comp and leak down test on it if you really keen.

cheers guys. Many thanks for your replys.
Yes its the white one on trademe.co.nz

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=257116970

JDM_STYLE, importing is a pain in the bum. My girlfriend is a kiwi so she would buy it, keep it there for a year then import it.
If it was a true spec-c rar I would do this.... but I do have my doubts with this car.
Thanks once again.... and MERRY XMAS!!

mark

Has he got some more photos. i.e of the brakes. When I looked at one the porn seats were a factory option but it is very hrd to find one with them fitted.

Try www.goo-net.com for photos of ra-r 's to compare.

Brendon

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Losing is worse than death. You have to live with losing....

I hope you plan on de-spoilering it, lowering it and getting different rims.

Holy thread revival batman!

The seller says he has removed the spoiler and returned to stock.

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Signarape!