Tag: rb30

  • 🛠️ Behind the Build: The Unicorn31 Gets a Serious Upgrade

    🛠️ Behind the Build: The Unicorn31 Gets a Serious Upgrade

    The 2026 Drift the Dream Tour is creeping up fast — and while the Unicorn31 has already seen a heap of upgrades over the past year, it’s time to focus on the stuff that really matters: reliability, consistency, and longevity.

    No crazy new power goals this time.
    This round is all about making sure the car can handle every event I throw at it without skipping a beat.


    🔧 What’s on the To-Do List

    To get the Skyline ready for a full year of seat time and travel, the next few months are all about the fundamentals:

    • Pulling the motor and gearbox for a full health check — making sure everything’s still tight and solid after the last few seasons.
    • Gearbox rebuild (outsourced to the pros) — I’ll let someone with the right tools and setup get it dialled in properly.
    • Installing a full Haltech ECU setup — wired, mounted, and tuned in-house to bring the car into modern reliability territory.
    • Upgrading the fuel system to be fully E85-compatible, including lines, filters, and fittings for higher flow and cleaner delivery.
    • Replacing worn hoses, wiring, and connectors — anything that looks tired gets swapped. Cheap insurance for a big season ahead.
    • Dual caliper rear brakes + standalone hydro handbrake — freshly installed and working perfectly.
    • Upgrading the brake master cylinder and booster to R32 GT-ST units for firmer pedal feel and more consistent braking under heat.
    • Engine bay cleanup and refresh — while everything’s out, the plan is to strip, paint, and tidy the bay for a clean look and easier maintenance.

    🔩 Doing It Right

    Most of this work is being done in my own shed — just me, the tools, and a playlist on repeat.
    The goal is to keep it as DIY as possible, learning as I go and showing every step through video and photos.

    It’s easy to get caught chasing shiny mods, but real reliability comes from the small stuff — proper crimps, clean wiring, fresh seals, and keeping everything torqued down right.


    🎯 The End Goal

    By the time the Unicorn31 fires back up, I’ll have a car that’s ready to travel, ready to drive hard, and ready to last.
    With fewer breakdowns and more drive time, I can spend 2026 focusing on the fun stuff — sending it at events, meeting new people, and capturing it all for the channel.

    In and upcoming post, I will dive into the Haltech install and fuel system upgrade, so keep an eye out for that one — and if you want to follow the full rebuild process, I’ll be uploading behind-the-scenes clips as we go.