240 RB26DETT AWD conversion

[NISMO_RB25]

Yeah Yeah I know this sounds like some crazy noob idea, but I am actually serious. I did my RB25 swap many moons ago and since that time I bought a new house and I haven't had time/money to do anythign to the 25 but drive it, which is probably why it still works. So in less than 2 years I will have the new house paid off and the wife has given me the ok to do a BIG project. My new garage will be finished in the next couple of months, so I will finally be able to work on the next project in a temperature controlled environment, instead of outside in the rain.

So here is what I am thinking: R33 RB26DETT swap into S13 Coupe (maybe S14 if I finde a nice 97/98)What I would do is start with a front clip +rear subframe and all the control systems for the AWD.

I have heard rumors that some shops have done the swap before, butI haven't actually seen any pictures of an AWD conversion on a 240, probably because no one is dumb enough to chop up and weld back together a perfectly good 240, when they could just make it RWD.... well I am dumb enough

Yes I know how much freaking time and money a swap like this would take, but that is why they call it a project. I can weld/fabricate just about anything, and anything I can't do myself can be done at one of the many shops around me.

As I start digging in to this more, I would appreciate any input on things that could make this very difficult/impossible.

Thanks

[Carl H]

its alot of work and you are going to find that unless you have a complete donor car then its not worth the time or effort.

[StricNyne]

well i actually found something that will make the awd swap like 100x easier... the hydroloic controller for the front wheels to get traction, its on raretrick.com i think veilside makes it

[Carl H]

well i actually found something that will make the awd swap like 100x easier... the hydroloic controller for the front wheels to get traction, its on raretrick.com i think veilside makes it

not really man, still need the hydro lines and the atessa controller.

[Joe]

not really man, still need the hydro lines and the atessa controller.

seriously, thats a very small part of the AWD system.

this swap is just not practical. sure it may be cool to have an AWD rb26 powered s13/14 but realistically you would spend 20,000$ and have a car that isnt that fast. that much money could make a stupid fast 25/26 without nearly as much hassle.

[NISMO_RB25]

I had asked a couple of sources a few years ago when they I got my 25, and some providers were willing to sell me both halves of the car. I agree that my best bet will be if I can get the whole donor just cut in half. The beauty of my new garage is that I actually have room for two full cars to sit side by side and be able to work on both of them, so if I am really luck I will try to get the whole car. Gonna be some $$ but I think it is the best route.

[NISMO_RB25]

this swap is just not practical. sure it may be cool to have an AWD rb26 powered s13/14 but realistically you would spend 20,000$ and have a car that isnt that fast. that much money could make a stupid fast 25/26 without nearly as much hassle.

yep I know. I think your 20k estimate is pretty damn close also, and I am ok with that.

I am not planning to build this to be some ultimate 1000 Horse power car, or anything like that, it is just a project I have wanted to do for a long time. An almost stock looking 240 with a full R33 drivetrain would be sweet as a daily driver, and honestly it is doing the work myself and learning that makes me want to do something that isn't practical.

[FAST-DATSUN]

20K is pretty close as you will need to Tube frame the car from the fire wall foward to allow proper aligment and for you to use the skyline front suppension..

[Joe]

yep I know. I think your 20k estimate is pretty damn close also, and I am ok with that.

I am not planning to build this to be some ultimate 1000 Horse power car, or anything like that, it is just a project I have wanted to do for a long time. An almost stock looking 240 with a full R33 drivetrain would be sweet as a daily driver, and honestly it is doing the work myself and learning that makes me want to do something that isn't practical.

more power to you, but i really dont think you are grasping how much work and fabrication is involved in doing this.

mack said it, tube frame the front half of the car.

[NISMO_RB25]

I was thinking tube frame would probably be the route to go, which means I need to add a pipe bender to my list of shop tools Thanks for all the feedback guys, keep it coming.

[themadscientist]

It can be done but you will need a top-notch frame shop who can graft th Skyline floorpan into the 240. you will have to eviserate two complete cars to make one. the wiring of the Atessa system IMO is the easy part. The hard part is basically scratchbuilding a car. $20K seems a little light to me, I would expect more just to get the shell constructed.

[StricNyne]

didnnt people make z car awd easier, i know i saw a couple vids of either one car or the same from diff sources, i think the vid was called when the worlds collide

[NISMO_RB25]

I have seen a magazine with a 280Z with a full RB26 drive train. Not sure how it would be much easier, but yep that is the only pictures of an AWD conversion I have seen.

[StricNyne]

ahhh like u said if yer doing it all yer self its gunna ba hard but if u want a project its gunna definately be one

[GTR-33]

I say go for it. It may not be practical, but it will still be awesome as ****. I would do it if I had the time/money/tools/space. You can pick whichever. There is a guy on Honda-Tech building an H22A2 powered mid-engined Integra with everything intact. Including AC and power steering... Practical? Hardly. Cool? Hell yeah and I am NO Honda fan...

I have seen an RB26 powered Z33 with ATESSA ETS Pro. I don't know who built it, I know it was built for Pikes Peak though...

[240convert]

good luck bud...it will def get some looks and some attention...

me on the other hand, i would spend the extra $20K and order a older GTR

[SeVa-S13]

Do it just so it's been done and that the knowledge is out there.

[NISMO_RB25]

Do it just so it's been done and that the knowledge is out there.

Now that is a great reason to do it. I will make sure to post a write up with pics when I start. I got my eye on an S13 coupe that I will strip and use.

[corey240]

iv allways thought about this and yeah that would be awsome just to do so when another guy comes along with alota $$$ and is like has it been done? sombody will say oh yeah nismo_rb25 did it haha but yeah that would be awsome if you did a full write up on it and have pics of everything.

[northstar ninja]

having one of those stupid "what would you do if you won the lottery" convos with my dsm friend, ended up some thing like this. but i was going to have a tube frame constructed, and body panels fabbed. it was meant to be a ridiculous convo from the start, but i defentally understand the will to do the awd swap. let me know if you manage to make it happen

yep I know. I think your 20k estimate is pretty damn close also, and I am ok with that.

I am not planning to build this to be some ultimate 1000 Horse power car, or anything like that, it is just a project I have wanted to do for a long time. An almost stock looking 240 with a full R33 drivetrain would be sweet as a daily driver, and honestly it is doing the work myself and learning that makes me want to do something that isn't practical.

[USMCgetsome]

soo here's what i've found out since i modified my awd oil pan.

-Both the diff and axle will hit s13 cross memeber.-How the hell can you bolt on the axles to the oil pan and diff. That right there will be the hardes problem. Only thing i can think of is the R32 CRoss member with the steering rack and suspension attached. You'd still have to pull the engine back about 2-6 inches aft.

anyhow, good luck.

By the way i have the internals of the diff and your welcome to them.

[Reignman]

That would be a big undertaking. But if you have the time, money, patients to do it then more power to ya. I have always wanted to do a mid-engine conversion. Weld a firewall behind the front seats and install the engine right behind that. Not sure if the 240sx is long enough for that but it would be awesome

[NISMO_RB25]

Looking at some FSM's is making me think that using the RB26's crossmember is the best way to go, unless I just fabricate my own.

Glad to hear your making some good progress on your car. I know it has not been fun for you. I will sell you mine for 15K

[rbsileighty]

Biggest problem you will have is front suspension... double wish vs. m. strut...

Sounds like a good project... go for it!

[sean8564]

why not use the R32 GTS-4 Crossmember since it is slightly thinner than the GTR oneI have one i am looking at now and accuually why not get a R32 GTS-4 front clip since the control arms are the same as the S-13 and a lot of the parts lign up simmalr to the S-13. and get a Rb26 motor set the