Nissan GT-R R32 w/ Rb26DETT

[MPWR]

By now, most of you are probably aware of Gionc's new RB26 kit. I've been fortunate enough to be able to watch the development of this project, and often I get to be Gio's technical editor/beta tester. (I even contributed one mastered part to this kit. ) But now that the kit is available, I'm actually going to build one.

As a proof of concept, I'm going to build Tamiya's GT-R R32 around it. [bitteroldtimerrant]This is one of those older kits from back when cars were much cooler than they are today, and Tamiya still made kits of them.[/bitteroldtimerrant] I've always had a bit of a thing for I6 engines, and the late 80s is maybe my very favorite period of automotive history- so this kit was a bit of a no-brainer for me. I'd really like to build the hell out of this one, but we'll see where it takes me.

Tamiya's R32 does of course come with a full engine, and a rather decent one at that. Yeah, it's a bit redundant maybe to cram an engine transkit into a kit with an engine. But of course the Tamiya kit does leave plenty of room for improvement, and it will be of course a bit easier to reengine this kit than to put one into Tamiya's curbside R33 or R34 (a future forthcoming project). Plus, this could make for one seriously sweet R32. So, on to the surgery.

This is Tamiya's engine and transmission.





Nothing wrong here, but that block does look kinda plain. The transmission will need to be used, but the block can go!

And here it is with the replacement.







A night and day difference really. (And while the block alone is a vast improvement, the real fun will be the turbos. )

The block gets epoxied onto the kit transmission.





Personally, I hate epoxy- especially the 5 min stuff in those syringe type dispensers. But in this application, nothing else will work. The bond with the tranny must be bulletproof- but fortunately it goes together very easily- the new part perfectly fits the footprint of the removed block. Didn't even stick my fingers together (permanently).

So far so good, more to come soon.

[drunken monkey]

so...
how's that 993 coming again?


no wait, I mean, great start!
This may not be too hard to believe but I also have a few GT-Rs that I've ben resisting the urge to build.

[ddtham]

Andy's building again!!! Anything planned for the R32 besides engine?

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

so...
how's that 993 coming again?

Lately I haven't had the opportunity to spend the time on it that I would like to (or much of anything else). But I think once I get a set of hubs machined for the brakes/wheels, it should come together pretty easily.

Andy's building again!!! Anything planned for the R32 besides engine?

Stranger things happen (occasionally). I'm trying to keep my ambitions in check on this one, so that hopefully I don't get hung up on some problematic detail. So far the only fearsome thing on this one may be the intake/exhaust train. Otherwise, a lightly tuned street car. Maybe lowered just a tad, and some BBS's to go on it. But I've already got some nice little machined bits done for the engine.

[MidMazar]

Can't wait to be an owner of one of these myself!! More progress please, also what partsw did you machine for the motor?

[MPWR]

So the next trick is to get the engine to sit in the bay properly.

The engine in the R32 sits canted to the left slightly. These are the kit parts for the engine mount and front subframe.



Unfortunately, the engine mounts included with the transkit hold the engine in a level attitude- and cannot easily be used to hold the engine in a suitable position (note the angle here between the engine mounts and subframe- note the engine is resting on the oil pan, which holds it at the proper cant angle).



Fortunately, Tamiya designed the oil pan so that it would help hold the engine in position. The locator pin between the drive half shafts is supposed to rest on the subframe- which provides a very nice position reference.

I'm using BlueTac to hold things in place for test fitting. Lots of BlueTac.

BlueTac here-



BlueTac there-



-and BlueTac on the subrame.



So this is how the engine should sit- and how hopefully the engine mounts will hold it. I cut apart the kit engine mounts to see if they could be used.



Put in place on the new engine, they are pretty close.







A little bit of shimming to improve the fit should be all they will need. I also added some brass pins to align with the holes on the block and to give some added strength.



Glued in place. Again epoxy- nothing else will work here and have the strength necessary.



Perfect. They hold the engine in place accurately and rigidly, without the need for the oil pan to support everything.



Now to see if everything will fit together in the engine bay (it does feel a bit strange to be putting an engine in the front of a car.) This is a 'preproduction' set I got from Gio, to help him put together the instructions. I didn't get all of the parts that come with the production set, such as the large factory style valve cover that sits atop the engine. But one thing that Gio did include were the small individual camshaft covers usually seen on racing RB26s. I'm seriously considering using them instead- to help give the engine a more 'high strung' look. So, this is how the block looks with the head and camcovers in place- and this is about as large as the engine itself will be. Looks like it fits!





Of course the real test is whether or not I can get the bonnet closed over it. Tamiya included a clear bonnet on the windows and headlights sprue. Seems a bit odd, but I suppose it made sense to organize the parts this way. Yet it's impossible not to think of leaving ti clear when the model is finished. A bit like those all transparent kits Tamiya has occasionally done- or like the engine windows that Ferrari is so fond of these days. I suppose it presents options be considered.



But happily, it fits in place over the engine with no trouble.



Now that I know it all fits, it's time to get with the painting and detailing!

[prortiz80]

great job on that cant wait for more

An MPWR RB26 engine and R32 build,definately following this from start to finish,I can imagine how good this is going to turn out already. Big fan of your work! I always learn something from your builds, keep up the good work!

[gionc]

Wow Andy!!!!! This is the first of my kids I see in a GTR belly!!!! And looks like there's enough room around for big turboz

What's the plan about filters? Sponge or paper?
I think exaust manifolds maybe achieved with few spare PE parts: a spare exaust turbo gasket offers a good base to start with a pipe...

[tuned.by.twenty]

We finally get to see one of these come together! I will be watching this with great interest.

I like the look of the plain cam covers. Something different from normal scale RB26s.

[MPWR]

Thanks for your interest everyone!

Originally Posted by gionc

Wow Andy!!!!! This is the first of my kids I see in a GTR belly!!!! And looks like there's enough room around for big turboz

Then let me be the first to tell you, it fits! I think the turbos will work also- I'm currently working on fitting them so that they clear the new engine mount, but there is a good amount of space to work with. I haven't checked yet, but I think I can probably fit a strut bar across the top.

Not sure about the filters- I think I will make both and see which I like more.

Originally Posted by MidMazar

what parts did you machine for the motor?

I did the master for the oil filer. For my own build, I'm still thinking of options. A partial list might be camshaft wheels, belt pulleys, blowoff valves, brake master and res, shocks, shift knob, etc. It's not going to be box stock for either the engine or car kits.

Originally Posted by tuned.by.twenty

I like the look of the plain cam covers. Something different from normal scale RB26s.

I'm liking them also. I've got another build planned for a factory stock looking RB, so I may give this one a much more tuned look.

[Enilder]

how did you go about purchasing this item? website doesnt work
huge fan of RB26DETT. this is must for me!

[rollin80s]

sweet, i hoping to see someone build this engine and put it in a engine bay! one day i'll be buying this engine kit as well. can't wait to see this done.

[stump]

Originally Posted by Enilder

how did you go about purchasing this item? website doesnt work
huge fan of RB26DETT. this is must for me!

If Gio doesn't get back to reply to you, hit me with a PM, I can pass on Gio's contact info for you.. You wont be disappointed....guaranteed...
( I have one waiting to get built myself.... )

BOT........GREAT work Andy.
My first thoughts on the engine mounts were that they'd need changing..you made it look absolutely effortless mate....I'll keep that in my memory bank..
I'm loving the idea of the "racer" look twin covers myself....exposed cam gears....HELL YEAH !.........

I'll be adding mine to a Z-tune, when I get around to it...
Look forward to your next installment....

[gionc]

Originally Posted by stump

If Gio doesn't get back to reply to you, hit me with a PM, I can pass on Gio's contact info for you..

Yes Greg: this is just what I was wondering: I'll send his engine from Italy to Australia so you'll forward him in USA... LOL!!!!

For sure I didn't sent him a PM: I guess he'll find a way to contact me if is interested