rb20 in 280

[storm280z]

im about to do a motor swap into my 77 280z now it has a turbo 82zxt motor an i can deside either to do a rb20 or a rb 26 swap. can i get some helpful imput on the pros an cons for both of these swap options. im only want to make about 400 or so whp an i want it to be a daily driver but also a weekend monster:rolleyes: . i can get the rb20 with motor/tranny/ecu/an wireing for 1500.00 an it is stright for japan.an i can get the rb26 with everything that the rb20 has for about another 1500.00 or so. an im on a little bite of a budget thought, but i plan to mostly everything myself . i still in school so this is goin to be fun:sick: :sick:

[Ivan]

both engines can make 400rwhp, the rb26 will be cheaper to get there (just wind the boost up a bit and it will be there, no new parts needed) and will be under a lot less stress (and you can say "hey I've got a GTR engine in my Z").

The rb20 is cheaper to start with but will probably require a better flowing turbo, bigger intercooler, etc. and may end up costing you more than the RB26. I think you can get the rb20 to 260rwh on stock components.

What about your current L28 turbo, I'm sure that can make 400rwhp?

[Cuong Nguyen]

Hi all,

For what you want to achieve and the prices that you gave above, go for the RB26DETT!!!

It is a far superior engine than the rest of the RB engines.

BUT if you are on a budget I would suggest you look into the costs of the whole conversion properly, and not fool yourself that it is going to be cheap, EVEN if you are going to do the work yourself!!!

Don’t forget to include the cost of an intercooler and plumbing, exhaust system, fuel pumps and surge tanks, custom engine and gearbox mounts, engine management, suspension and brake upgrade (unless you are not planning to stop and keep on driving!!) and a million of other little things that I haven’t mentioned.

Work out what you think it would cost and triple it (at least!!!), and then it is closer to what it really costs.

[Ivan]

take a look at http://www.hybridz.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000125 for a good discussion on this

[storm280z]

my turbo 280z i bout to get a t3t4 turbo upgrade an intercooler upgrade so just need $:stupid:

[aRCH-Z]

the rb26dett is no doubt a far superior engine over the rb20det.. and for the price you've quoted it at there should be no doubt in your mind! that is an AWESOME price for an rb26dett!

200rwkw can be made out of an rb20det with only an exhaust, turbo & intercooler.. (about 268hp) thats stock computer, stock internals, etc..

also as a daily driver engine in a 280zx (which isn't too much a light weight) the rb20det wont be quite as smooth to drive as they are fairly underpowered off boost.. the rb26dett however has a more linear power curve and will make for a much better driving experience!

but dont get me wrong, the rb20det is a great engine, and i should know! i've got one in my car!

[mike240]

hey arch,

what is the max hp for an rb20 on stock internals? someone mentioned like 275 or so and that just doesn't sound right considering it has 215 stock. i had a 240sx that i was going to put in an sr20 and i'm pretty sure they are capable of withstanding over 300 hp on stock internals and they are all aluminum. the rb20 is iron block alum head if i'm not mistaken, correct?

i have a 73 Z now and after contemplating a shitload of different options, i have decided to do the rb20 swap, pending some more research. the rb26 is just too much. the shop that is gunna do it charges $2300 for an r32 rb20 front clip and i think their r32 rb26 clips are $6500, so you can see the best deal there.

what size is the turbo in the rb20 and what is the stock boost on it? and what is the max efficient daily driving boost you can turn it up to?

[Ivan]

T03 @ 10psi standard, I would say 15psi on the stock T03 providing you are using an intercooler, although a T04 will make more hp at the same psi

[aRCH-Z]

awesome! another hybrid

the most i've heard an rb20det make on stock internals is 199rwkw

now.. thats the only one i KNOW of.. like in person.. i'm sure people out there have made more.. and he hasn't even upgraded the factory ECU!

just a turbo, exhaust and cooler.. all big and custom.. but thats still quite a feat.. and the engine is still absolutely bulletproof in this state.. quite happy to run hard all day long! brilliant lil engine.. i love mine! hehe

there are two different turbos that come on the rb20det..

there is the early model ECCS rb20det (dont bother with any of the NICS rb20dets).. you can tell its the early model as it has a red rocker cover..

it has a t25 ceramic turbo.. spools very fast but runs out of puff high in the rev range.. not the best in the world.. this is what i have on my car..

the late model (silver rocker cover) rb20det has a t28.. good lil turbo, will do the trick great!

its the r33 skyline (rb25det) which has a t03.. which is a great upgrade for the rb20det.. dont bother with anything bigger unless you're just looking for peak power as you'll loose driveability.. the engine just doesn't have enough power off boost..

i run 10 psi on my t25.. goes great.. 130rwkw.. nice access to power.. bit of a lag feeling but hey.. makes it all the more fun once that lil hairdryer kicks in

mileage is great as the Z is so light.. i commute from the 'burbs to the city every day and only fill up once or twice a week (unless of course i take it out in to the hills.. then my fuel gauge goes down quite quickly )

now the sr20det.. yep, i'm pretty sure you're all right about the materials used.. the sr20det weighs sweet all!

an sr20det powered Z would be awesome.. and i'd imagine in america the parts would be easier to come by as well!

mount it close up against the firewall, and damn.. weight distrobution will be awesome.. and if you get a later model of the sr20det (like out of the s14 or s15) it'll be a bit faster then the rb20det (in stock form)

however.. with the sr20det you'll need to upgrade injectors, computer, etc a lot earlier in the modification process!

bah.. so much to say! if you got any more questions feel free

i could literally ramble on for pages as i've looked at tons of engine and modification options over the years!

[Victor Laury]

an sr20det powered Z would be awesome.. and i'd imagine in america the parts would be easier to come by as well!

Internals, Yes. But We got no, 0, rear Wheel Drive SR20's And none of the Turbo's. just FWD SR20DE's. Still an Awesome engine. It's the most desired swap for a roadster. The few that have been done look very natural under a roadster bonnet. Iv'e only seen 1 DET swap and it wasn't very clean.

[2ManyZs]

Hey Victor, have you ever seen anyone try an L series in a roadster in all you roadster travels?

I know it is nearly impossible to fit one in without either sectioning the firewall or moving the core support forward for fan clearance, but it seems like this would be a bit easier than the FJ, SR, VG swaps you see. Not only that but it would be a whole lot cheaper as well.....

I almost bought a ex-CA 1600 from a buddy of mine until I measured the firewall to core support clearance, figured it would cost too much considering the shape the 1600 was in...:disappoin

No rust to speak of, but half the parts were missing........ and it was a 68 with the "ugly" dash......:cross-eye

[Victor Laury]

Not too many L-6's in roadsters. There also the problem with engine height as well. The U-20 and R-16 motors where rather short engines. We have enough trouble swapping L-4's in there with cutting the hood. In the late 80's, One of our vendors, Stan Chernoff, developed a swap kit for L-4's where you didn't have to "Raise the Scoop".

My dream has always been to replicate the almost legendary "Roadster S". A prototype racer Nissan campained briefly in Japan only. It was outfitted with the prototype of the engine that would end up in the fairlady 432 (crossflow, hemi, DOHC, 2L six). But this roadster was 4 inches wider and several inches longer than your normal SR/SP roadster