What is needed to swap a RB into a 240sx? *FAQ*

[nyc240sx]

iam looking at 10k for everything i purchased for my s14

[URAS]

I've used all mounting methods listed for various RB's. Just go OEM xmember.

yup done heaps, oem A31 or R32 works fine.


Modified by URAS at 11:57 PM 10/19/2008

[evelution75]

Thanks for posting this info, answered a lot of questions. I'm thinking about building a S14.5 with a RB25dett just for the weekends. I was worried about engine weight... but that gas tank comparison cleared it right up.

[S14eva1]

I tried searching but couldn't find a concrete answer.....

will the z32 trans bolt up to an rb25 bell housing?


sorry if this question has been anwered b4 guys,but I havent been around here for sometime and came across a once in a life time deal on an auto rb25/s14

super cheap

[Coolwhip]

yes you can create a hybrid of transmissions with the bell housing of the RB25 and the box of the Z32. There are write ups on this forum.

[nyc240sx]

it bolts right up with the rb25 or rb26 bellhousing...the z32 is shorter in length once u put the rb bellhousing on it becomes more longer and heavier...i did mine last week took me like 1 hour since i was doing it myself...

[S14eva1]

great info guys...

can someone try gettin me that write up....once again I have tried searching but no luck

[Coolwhip]

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=226812
http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=192792

tisk

[90240sxca18]

I realized something today...I’ve been a moderator here for some time now and I’ve been telling people to search for answers to this question and never realized how scattered and sparse the information in. So in an effort to un-ufck that situation I figured it is time for a real thread

Please add information or correct me if I make a mistake! This will be a sticky and possibly an article if it pans out well!!

First things first: any supplemental questions related to the swap (i.e. wiring) can be found here http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/110509

What should I replace before the swap?
This is a very hard question because everyone’s budget is different. Not everyone can afford to spend an extra $2000+ worth of parts before the engine is even in. What I recommend to replace is:
1) Water pump
2) Timing Belt AND tensioner/idler pullies
3) Oil Pump
4) Clutch (possibly flywheel if you have the cash flow)
5) All accessory belts ( http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=119087 )
6) Fuel Filter
7) Fuel Pump (replace with higher flow unit)
8) Spark Plugs (more info comming soon)
Those items will ensure you have a strong running engine for a long time. They are basic maintenance items that are overlooked by a lot of people who subsequently have engine failures.

how Important are these things to be installed? i am on a strict budget as of right now. (dont have a job) but will have money within a month or two. I have just enough money to get the rb in the car, n running. i have the walboro already. but everything else minus fuel pump, how important is it that these be replaced RIGHT away? would it be safe to drive as motor comes with new spark plugs n oil change wiht oil filter for about 1 month or so, then everything will get replaced.?? thank you, cullen.

PS. water pump and timing belt can be replaces as well, so all together things replaced would be, oil filter, fuel filter. fuel pump, and the accesory belts. how safe would it be to run like this ^^ also, timing belt may come with the clutch ect. a month later.


Modified by 90240sxca18 at 4:34 AM 10/24/2008

[ANVIL]

personally, i think if u are on a strict budget and dont have a job, i dont think the rb swap is for you. unless u want to be in the NRRBA forever

[90240sxca18]

well my choise is rb n sr. i have roughly 2500 in hand right now, and the motorset will cost me 1800. so i have the rest of that cash to spend on the MOST important things to replace right then and there, then within a month or two the others will be replaced. and fuel pump is already on my car. so any help, on what i should get first n formost. or something that has to be put on when the motors out? clutch is last. i want other things needed. thanks alot guys.

[yotik]

well my choise is rb n sr. i have roughly 2500 in hand right now, and the motorset will cost me 1800. so i have the rest of that cash to spend on the MOST important things to replace right then and there, then within a month or two the others will be replaced. and fuel pump is already on my car. so any help, on what i should get first n formost. or something that has to be put on when the motors out? clutch is last. i want other things needed. thanks alot guys.

I got flamed for this too!
IMO i think youre cutting it really close with 2500. I mean im doing rb20det right now and im at about 2400 and motor is not running. sure i could slap it in and it MAY start right up. but i dont want to waste money and blow a motor cause i was too lazy to replace the timing belt. they recommend u replace the stuff because its easier to do with the engine out. you dont wana be changin the timing belt or oil/water pump while in the car. save time and money and do it right the first time or pay for it later.







Modified by yotik at 3:52 PM 10/24/2008

[ANVIL]

also you NEED a fuel pressure regulator. ur gonna need a driveshaft and mounts and that right there is going to put u close to ur 2500 budget. honestly i think you need to do ALOT more research and reading up on this swap. why not just wait the month or 2 and do it right? why the big rush?

[Coolwhip]

...cause i was too lazy to replace the timing chain. they recommend u replace the stuff because its easier to do with the engine out. you dont wana be changin the timing chain or oil/water pump while in the car...

Hey yotik, edit your post to reflect, TIMING BELT. Don't want to confuse anyone researching these engines.

You'll regret doing a RB25 swap on a $2500 budget... The NRRBA will welcome you with open arms

[yotik]

[bades]

nice faqs it helps alot

[SullivanRacing06]

Hey yotik, edit your post to reflect, TIMING BELT. Don't want to confuse anyone researching these engines.

You'll regret doing a RB25 swap on a $2500 budget... The NRRBA will welcome you with open arms

rb and 2500 dont go to well together, when doing the swap the most important thing to replace is the timing belt, idler and t belt tentioner! all this will cost you at most 200- 225 depending were u get parts from

[SullivanRacing06]

the 26 is > to anything else, i eat gsxr 750s & 1000s all day long w/o my luughing gas

[drifter92sx]

hey would any one have the measurement to the ka's hole for the motor mount to rb20's motor mount hole distance like on the mckinney mounts or something similar it would really help i have made some ka to rb20 mounts but i wanna knw if someone could measure the distance for me on their kit please

[usmctankmech]

How would you obtain and or make a Tachometer Adapter for the RB25DET?

[johnny butt]

How would you obtain and or make a Tachometer Adapter for the RB25DET?

I am using my USDM OEM S13 DOHC gauge cluster, and here is what I did...

Look, I've had several people try and argue otherwise that this does not work:


Tach Recalibration.

1. Pull Cluster
2. Remove Backing and Clear plastic cover for the gauge.
3. Take a sharpie and mark where the needle sits on the gauge face so when you're pulling the needles off you'll know where it sits so its not screwed up when you put them back on, you can also mark the spot it sits on.
4. Remove the gauge faces.
5. Where the tachometer face is... there is a variable resistor that you can stick a screwdriver in.
6. Usually you turn it all the way to the left.
7. Once you've done that, do this entire process in reverse order.

You can test the accuracy with a SAFC or some other monitoring device.


I calibrated it using a HKS EVC 6 (the newest HKS electronic boost controller), matched with a stock rb25 ECU. I am now using an Apexi PFC and nothing has changed, except I can use datalogit to verify tachometer readings.

If you want proof otherwise, try it yourself, or wait until about march/april when I have my car put back together and I will shoot some video.

If you send off your tach/gauge cluster, this is the exact same thing anyone (Carl H, or LS motoring, whatever their name is [charges 100$] will do.)

[usmctankmech]

Ok thanks man that willl make my dads swap gp a lil faster.

[RBFAN]

This is great, clears up a ton of questions that I was going to ask. After reading about the rb swaps, I'm going to start saving. Why are parts so scarce for the rb?

[hopkinsville_240sx]

i found a web site by the name of http://www.japanmotorimport.com. i was wondering if they look like a legit company to buy an rb20 from? and could anyone tell me if there are any other things i need for this motor to put it in my 240sx. i drive a 1995 240sx se.

[johnny butt]

This is great, clears up a ton of questions that I was going to ask. After reading about the rb swaps, I'm going to start saving. Why are parts so scarce for the rb?

Well considering you're probably in the US putting a JSPEC engine into the car when this engine was never included in any car sold in America, you can't just go to Autozone and tell them "hey i need so and so for my skyline." Most of the employees won't know what you're talking about because half of them really don't know anything about cars and just use the computer system.

Reminds me of when I went to get maintenance parts and stuff and the guy kept asking me why I was getting parts from 8 or so different cars. I told him not to worry about it and take my money.

I wouldn't say parts are scarce, you just have to know what to look for stateside. A lot of the parts are interchangeable between the 300zx and stuff. You just have to research, and Nico will come in handy for that.

[drift master180]

can i use the 240s crosmember to swap the rb25

[drift master180]

can i use the stock 240s crossmember to swap the rb25

[drift master180]

whats the top speed u have had with ur rb20

[FinkenS14]

I hear with an RB25 swap into an S14, some power steering lines have to be modified? What ones and what have u guys done?

[negromeo]

this is a rb25det???????????????????????



because I have never seen one of these ............


Modified by negromeo at 9:33 AM 2/9/2009