FTO AUSTRALIA

i bought a GPvR a month ago without doing much research and starting to get that paranoid feeling.
i've read here and there that these models came with bilstein shocks and strut braces, however mine does not. the import papers didnt detail what specific model it was, only that it is an fto.
it looks the part(with the blue seats etc), but i dont know for sure. is there a way of identifying the LSD from the exterior(version r being the only model apparently to receive this), or any other methods of finding out if its real or fake?
previous owner moved to U.S so no chance asking him.

post up your VIN/Chassis # and ben can find out for you...

I've also got a version R and dont know a great deal about the difference. One's I do know are the body kit, which should come with blue stickers, but could easily be faked. Also the blue or red seats. Front and rear strut braces should come standard. Aside from this all I've heard are rumours about weight, exhaust, springs and LSD. Pretty sure mine has LSD but I'm no expert driver and don't pretend to be so cant be 100% confident.

another one is manual air con... no auto climate control for vRs...

i.e. reg fto =

and HID headlights

of course lsd, etc... only way to tell for sure is through the VIN... though an air con replacement is a big task...

GPvR will have manual air con system. Something that is probably rarely ever changed. (manual as in dials for selecting air vent activation and temperature etc). 30kgs lighter, lsd as stock and some more. But yeah...vin/chassis number is good lol.

Ill do a trade with my GPX seats and a wad of cash on top if you ever decide you want some cash.

bilstein shocks and strut braces

It should have upper and lower strut braces, but many of the compliance shops take them off as they think they are aftermarket ones. Car has to be complied in 'stock form'. Unfortunately as they dont know these are stock parts, they never get put back on again. Same could be said for the shocks. When my car was complied, I had to remove the shocks and strut braces for compliance.

Another issue with the current import rules is the HID's have to be removed as well, due to no washers I have heard and so not ADR compliant. FOr those that have cars that have been in country for a while and where imported under the old scheme (like me) all of these partsd will still be fitted. Or may be upgraded. UMMM maybe anyway my shocks why KYB's. Never heard of them having Bilstein shocks?

RallyMad wrote:Another issue with the current import rules is the HID's have to be removed as well,

Don't get me started on that. Pretty sure my car had hids that were removed. Now any bulb i put in, the damn projector aborbs too much light leaving me with crummy light on the road. And when there's oncoming car lights or streetlights, forget it...can't even see my own beams at all. Not safe at all for me, can't see crap. Yeah good one stupid import rules. So going to just stick 100watt bulbs in there. Every man and his dog have hid's that blind you anyways, or stupid high 4wds with their beams shooting right into your eye level. Sorry /end rant /end offtopic.

I always thought gpvr had bilsteins, well anyways. I'm pretty sure they are not the standard sus you get in gr gpx etc. From what i've read...gpvr was brought out to counter the dcr2 (unsuccesfully)...was lighter in weight by 30kg, stiffer better suspension, braces front and rear, coloured seats, manual air con, standard lsd and had an option of a ralliart catback exhaust.

mine doesnt have digital climate control, it doesnt have the glowing scuff plates or the open door chime, or central locking, it does have the blue seats, with white paint (red paint-black seats, black paint-red seats) it has the kit with the mini skirts, it has the momo 3 spoke steering wheel, it has everything it should besides the shocks and braces.
it doesnt have HID because mine has yellow light.
It is mivec.
another difference between GPX and GPvR was first, second and third are closer ratio with Version R, and fourth and fifth are longer for higher top speed/ lower cruising rpm, mainly to contend/ rival the type R's.

VIN- 6T9IMPR04V3JPL002
Eng# 6A12BD8874

Its actually the chassis number I need. Starts with DE3A xxxxx

DE3A0201474

Its genuine...

Chassis No: DE3A0201474
Model Code: HNFH3
Model: GPvR
Engine: 6A12 Mivec
Transmission: 5sp MT
Colour: Scotia White
Manufacture Date: Week 3, August 1997
Option Code: A64
Interior Code: 26X

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!
thanks heaps for that ben, REVS couldn't understand the VIN and Eng# no matter which way i typed it.
So happy now!