Silvia-Skyline engine swap.

Now before you guys start ragging on me for asking this question I have read the FAQs, so don't point me there or treat me like an idiot because that's all that seems to happen here. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone could give me some more information on the RB26DETT swap into the 240. The swap really interests me and I'd like to know what to expect modification-wise and price-wise. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

We wont rag on you, cuz we all would love to have this...unfortuately, the steering column gets in the way of the 2 turbos, so you need a RHD conversion and u need to use an RB25 tranny

OUCH the RB26DETT swap is a hard one!!! well also costly too!! its very rarely done so as far as i know there isnt much info about it. Im planing on doing a RB25 if not a RB20 swap they fit alot eazier and need alot less work done to make it fit. The RB26 is Twin Turbo and the Twin is the problem it dont fit right. I think the Steering collum was in the way also, and the down pipe is on the wrong side... stuff like that, dont quote me but thats some of the expect modification you'll need... price ALOT!!!

i saw one in an option mag this weekend...

nice piece, but of course the car is rhd...

also... since the motor is so much bigger and further forward, the radiator was split into two small radiators that sat on the sides of the fmic...

they were connected across the front by a 2.5" aluminum tube... (for the coolant to cross from one to the other)

pretty sick setup...

can't even imagine the cost...

i wish i could have this...but expect to pay at least $10,000 for a swap. alot of custom fab is needed.

and seriousley, you don't need to warn us on each and every one of your posts. you were asking for what you got before, so please don't try to act like my mother.

why are you asking for our advice anyways? i thought we brought shame to all other Nissan drivers. :rolleyes:

disclaimer: i have had the fucking worst day of my life, so please excuse my touchiness.

The swap is indeed a fairly rare swap. As far as price goes you are looking at around the 10k-11k range for the rwd setup(rb25 tranny).You would benefit more from going the single turbo setup route because of the sterring column issue , but I have heard of people using the twin turbos through some fabrication of the manifold. Email me at [email protected] for any further questions.

The FAQs say that the RB25 can swap in with modification of the tranny and motor mounts. Are those the only mods needed for the RB25 swap? Thanks for the info you guys have given me so far.

S13_iketani, I'm getting advice from you because I know that you're knowledgeable about Nissans and 240s. I only mentioned that certain members gave Nissan owners bad names because they had nothing constructive to say and appeared more capable of treating other members like sh*t then actually discussing cars. Put that all aside though. I just wanna talk cars and treat people with respect.

As stated in the FAQ ;)

RB20/25/26DET swaps/clips/ + installation packages

http://240skyline.nissanpower.com
http://afterdark-tuning.com

Hope this helps :)

all harsh feelings have been put aside, mori. let's just talk cars. :)

IMO the RB25, while not as monstrous an engine, is a safer route to go, because it requires alot less custom fab and costs alot less too. another good option if money is tight is an RB20. they're lighter then SR's, make more power, and are about the same price and require very little custom fab.

This is great info! Thanks a lot everybody! The links were helpful. Another question, this time regarding the RB20. While it does make more power than an SR20, is it as tunable? Nearly all of Nissan's engines are stinkin' incredible; marvels of engineering. But, if you're going to swap a 2.0 in which way would you go, RB or SR? If the RB makes more power, how come more swaps aren't made with the RB20?? Again, thanks everyone. You're all a real help!

I think it is because there is more aftermarket support for the SR in America and that is less expensive to repair/install.

Morimotor - do u watch Iron Chef, lol awesome name

id rather have the RB20det over the SR. Inline 6 beats Inline4. Also it revs like crazy with its small displacement and has a 8k redline.... enough said. hehe

Yea so would I, but most importers are bringing junky POS RB20s. Its hard to find one that hasnt been sitting outside in a scrapyard for 10 years.

but if i DID find a gem, i would chose it over an SR any day. pretty much the main reason you don't see more RB20 swaps is because a) the SR has got alot of attention lately, hardly anybody knows what the RB20 is b)not as much aftermarket support for the RB over here. i'm thinking of going with either an RB20 or an S14 SR20 in my 240SX.

Yeah, I figured that's why the RB wasn't as popular here, no support. That's interesting. Parts hard to come by. What about getting parts from Japan? Are they as easy to obtin as RB26 parts? I've seen lots of websites that can get you RB26 parts, but have never really seen any that stock parts for the RB20. Also, what are the numbers on the RB20 (horsepower and tourque)? Thanks again everyone!

Sandhawk, yeah I watch Iron Chef!! One of my favorite shows of all time! That's exactly where I got my name!!

if you're buying an imported engine, it's always a good idea to get information on mileage, compression testing, leakdown testing, and see if the seller will offer any kind of startup warranty. also, it will probably make things easier if you buy a front clip rather than the engine alone.
about the rb26, someone told me the steering column/turbo issue is just a myth. i don't remember who that was though. but even if it is a myth, there's still a bit of stuff you have to do for it to work.

on a side note, if the rb20 weighs less than an sr, how does the rb25 compare in weight to an sr?

The RB26 requires a lot of fabricating to get everything to work properly and costs a lot more than the RB20/25

haha Iron Chef is awesome, I watch it all the time also, and used to have a lot of the episodes on downloaded :)

check in the FAQ for RB20 numbers. i know 215hp, but i don't remember the torque spec.

front clips aren't usually worth it. if you get a COMPLETE engine with all the shit you need, then you're set, and it'll be alot cheaper then a clip. another thing with clips is you have to essentially do 2 engine swaps. you have to take the engine out of the clip, take the engine out of your car, and put the new engine in your car. more work. also, you'd probably have to pay to get rid of the leftover frame (unless you want to keep a Skyline frame as a souvenir). one bonus about a clip is sometimes (but very rarely) they come with immaculate body panels on them, so you get the engine and the Silvia/Kouki 180SX/other JDM car front end for one lower price. usually though, the panels are damaged. the car WAS scrapped for a reason...

I'm kinda resurrecting this thread, sorry. Which would be a better buy, an RB20 or RB25?

If you can afford the RB25 by all means go for it, thats exacly what I intend to do once I save up enough.

RB25, unless there is a RB20 importer you trust dearly.

Originally posted by morimotor34
I'm kinda resurrecting this thread, sorry. Which would be a better buy, an RB20 or RB25?

RB25...although people like the RB20, it just cant handle the same power the SR can...

The people who like RB20s in a way are like SAAB owners...they want something good, but want to take the road less travelled....

Saab Owners! What are you talking about? Anyways what ever you decide to go for make sure its what you want to do and not what anybody elses wants!

Saab's are good?? since when?? :confused: :confused:

anywho, RB25 is better bang for your buck, but that's just it. most people don't have the buck part of the equation. i'm thinking of going RB20 with my car...because they're much cheaper. but if i can manage to afford it somehow, maybe i'll look into RB25.

derek - where the hell does it say RB20 can't handle as much power? they're just as competent as any other Nissan engine.

Acutally another question of mine involved power handling. Which can handle more power more effectively the SR20 or the RB20? I'm sure RB parts are much more hard to come by in the states than the SR parts, but are they so much better of an engine that it's worth it?

is there anywhere that you can get an rb25det front clip for less than 3k that is worth buying. I have seen a few but they all look like you are getting what you are paying for.

Originally posted by S13_Iketani
Saab's are good?? since when?? :confused: :confused:

anywho, RB25 is better bang for your buck, but that's just it. most people don't have the buck part of the equation. i'm thinking of going RB20 with my car...because they're much cheaper. but if i can manage to afford it somehow, maybe i'll look into RB25.

derek - where the hell does it say RB20 can't handle as much power? they're just as competent as any other Nissan engine.

ryan said something about RB20s cant handle as much on a stock bottom end...one way to find out...

And SAAB 9-5 AERO....250hp Turbo...:D

Hmmm, I'll try to touch on a few of the subjects I saw in this thread. (first time back in a while, how is everyone?)

The 2.6 can be done with tiwn turbo's I'm still working it out though. Thats all I'll say on that.

Trying to work on an adaptation of the stock GTR tranny more to come eventually. But still the gtst trans is still the way to go when swapping into an s-chassis.
The choice between the 2.0 and the 2.5 really boils down to how much power you want. 450ish is the most output I've seen from the 2.0 the bore is just too small to supprot any more flow (my opinion) The 2.5 can go as high as 600+, but both of these examples are fully modified pieces.

If you want a street brawler the money you save on the 2.0 will allow you upgrades. But you won't ever be dissapointed with the 2.5. Me though, I just had to have the twinnies.

Dan Rushing
Sub-Zero Performance

I have a RB26DETT in my S13 and did it all myself using the stock twin turbo setup. Yes, it is a hard swap and needs steering modifying but no cutting or welding necessary. If you have questions I have answers [email protected]

old thread, dude. :biggrin: