Doritofu
Active Member
Yup, time for another build thread.
So back in 2018 or something I picked up a Stagea body for $500 nzd and then spent the next few months browsing Yahoo Japan to find all the parts I would need to make my own version of the R35 GTR face swapped M35 Stagea.
Some of you who follow my other builds probably saw that thing sitting in the back behind the shed for a few years.
Well some projects ended up getting out of hand and that Stagea took a back seat until eventually I just didn't care enough to even touch it anymore. Fast forward 3 years and I'm trying to store all these damn mx5s in my garage but there's a pile of GTR parts in the way that have been steadily deforming and accumulating dust so I figured screw it, I'll buy a new chassis and actually get these parts out of the way.
Enter the new base:
This is a 2007 Nissan M35 Stagea Autech Axis model with the 3.5L VQ35DE motor and slightly annoyingly a 5 speed tiptronic gearbox instead of the manual that these models were offered in.
The previous owner had done a few mods that I'm happy to not have to worry about like upgraded 350z brakes and Tein coilover suspension.
This car is probably the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I'm starting to feel like an adult now, moving from 80's and 90's Japanese shitboxes up to late 00's ones.
I'd also like to quickly thank the user s15-newbie who is also doing one of these conversions for helping me out with a bunch of questions I've had on the process and some measurements that I was after. You can check out his build here:
https://www.driftworks.com/forum/threads/my-stagea-chronicles.282084/
What I'm going to be doing to make mine different is actually a result of both laziness and stubbornness. All the best R35 Stagea conversions will also include widening the rear of the car to match the new width of the GTR fenders. S15-newbie has done an awesome job on this by using clay to sculpt an entire new side for the car. I've also seen other people use foam as a base to make a fiberglass part that is then blended into the panel. But one thing about me is that I'm kinda not a fan of the moulded in look. I'd just much rather have a panel that can be removed by undoing a few bolts than have it permanently bonded to the car, and so that's where my idea for a bolt on widebody came in. And here you can see a photoshop mockup of that idea:
The widebody is sort of loosely inspired by some modern Pandem kits as well as some oldschool widebodies I used to see on R34 sedans back in the day. I will play with the lines in real life once I have all the wheels and panels in place and I know what I've got to work with but that is the rough idea.
I've also got no idea which wheels I will be getting so it sure would be crazy if anybody that works for one of the leading suppliers of one of Japan's best known wheel brands would stumble across this build.
So now to finally get started on the build, I brought all the boxes up to the barn and began stripping down the Stagea.
The Tein coilovers look almost brand new so I'm stoked to not have to replace them.
With the car stripped down I could finally have my first look at these parts I ordered sight unseen from half way around the world over 3 years ago and throw them on the car.
And in the next post I'll get started on fitting the bonnet so keep an eye out for that.
I've also started getting a bit better at this whole social media thing and so now I document all of my build on YouTube as well as Instagram. I don't really go in for that classic YouTuber over-hyped drama style of video and do all of mine with no dialogue at all. I'd still say this thread would be the best place to get comprehensive information on all the tiny little details but the videos are good if you want to watch me meticulously measure and cut a bonnet hinge adapter plate over 3 days in complete silence.
Consider checking out the channels
https://www.youtube.com/@tofuautoworks
https://www.instagram.com/tofuautoworks/
So back in 2018 or something I picked up a Stagea body for $500 nzd and then spent the next few months browsing Yahoo Japan to find all the parts I would need to make my own version of the R35 GTR face swapped M35 Stagea.
Some of you who follow my other builds probably saw that thing sitting in the back behind the shed for a few years.
Well some projects ended up getting out of hand and that Stagea took a back seat until eventually I just didn't care enough to even touch it anymore. Fast forward 3 years and I'm trying to store all these damn mx5s in my garage but there's a pile of GTR parts in the way that have been steadily deforming and accumulating dust so I figured screw it, I'll buy a new chassis and actually get these parts out of the way.
Enter the new base:
This is a 2007 Nissan M35 Stagea Autech Axis model with the 3.5L VQ35DE motor and slightly annoyingly a 5 speed tiptronic gearbox instead of the manual that these models were offered in.
The previous owner had done a few mods that I'm happy to not have to worry about like upgraded 350z brakes and Tein coilover suspension.
This car is probably the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I'm starting to feel like an adult now, moving from 80's and 90's Japanese shitboxes up to late 00's ones.
I'd also like to quickly thank the user s15-newbie who is also doing one of these conversions for helping me out with a bunch of questions I've had on the process and some measurements that I was after. You can check out his build here:
https://www.driftworks.com/forum/threads/my-stagea-chronicles.282084/
What I'm going to be doing to make mine different is actually a result of both laziness and stubbornness. All the best R35 Stagea conversions will also include widening the rear of the car to match the new width of the GTR fenders. S15-newbie has done an awesome job on this by using clay to sculpt an entire new side for the car. I've also seen other people use foam as a base to make a fiberglass part that is then blended into the panel. But one thing about me is that I'm kinda not a fan of the moulded in look. I'd just much rather have a panel that can be removed by undoing a few bolts than have it permanently bonded to the car, and so that's where my idea for a bolt on widebody came in. And here you can see a photoshop mockup of that idea:
The widebody is sort of loosely inspired by some modern Pandem kits as well as some oldschool widebodies I used to see on R34 sedans back in the day. I will play with the lines in real life once I have all the wheels and panels in place and I know what I've got to work with but that is the rough idea.
I've also got no idea which wheels I will be getting so it sure would be crazy if anybody that works for one of the leading suppliers of one of Japan's best known wheel brands would stumble across this build.
So now to finally get started on the build, I brought all the boxes up to the barn and began stripping down the Stagea.
The Tein coilovers look almost brand new so I'm stoked to not have to replace them.
With the car stripped down I could finally have my first look at these parts I ordered sight unseen from half way around the world over 3 years ago and throw them on the car.
And in the next post I'll get started on fitting the bonnet so keep an eye out for that.
I've also started getting a bit better at this whole social media thing and so now I document all of my build on YouTube as well as Instagram. I don't really go in for that classic YouTuber over-hyped drama style of video and do all of mine with no dialogue at all. I'd still say this thread would be the best place to get comprehensive information on all the tiny little details but the videos are good if you want to watch me meticulously measure and cut a bonnet hinge adapter plate over 3 days in complete silence.
Consider checking out the channels
https://www.youtube.com/@tofuautoworks
https://www.instagram.com/tofuautoworks/