Alright heres a question for you RB experts (the ones that have done the swap)

[brunswick240]

Like some of you may have read, I am teetering on my choice between the RB25 and a built turboed KA. Now heres the question, was the swap worth it? How long did it take you to finish it and get it to run reliably? Ive got all winter so as long as it doesnt crap on me i think ill be alright with time...i hope. Im litterally considering doing this swap and am very serious. I am willing to learn and will think before I ask. Honest opinions will be very grateful and helpful and much appretiated. Please do not post if your gunna flame or have some smart *** remark. Im just lookin for what you guys encountered and some help.

[JonPowell]

yes8 months-waiting on a new head

[brunswick240]

Really, anyone else? Because if this is the only problem then hell ill order one tomorrow haha.

[wawazat8402]

it depends on why you are swapping. when i decided to swap i wanted to have something to work on and to make fast. this swap has or will completely fulfill these two requirements. if, however, i had only wanted a fast car i would have gone ka-t. i ordered parts as i went, meaning i had no parts here before i got the clip. i finished it in just under a year while going to school, but it could easily be done much quicker if it is your only car.

[brunswick240]

It is my only car, and will be worked on all winter to hopefully get it ready for spring. What parts did you need to get after you got your clip? How much did you get your clip for and where did you get it from? Also what have you spent to get it into your car and get it running?

[sean8564]

Timing belt AlternatorPS pumpbeltsNismo FPRWalbro 255spark plugsnow Slave CylinderMotor mountsDriveshaftand list goes on

[DriftingisLame]

Doing an RB20 swap myself, so I cant answer if its worth it. But, I'm almost half way there and its taken me about a week and a half or so, and not at all working non stop.

Check out my thread.

zerothread?id=122450

[JonPowell]

It is my only car, and will be worked on all winter to hopefully get it ready for spring. What parts did you need to get after you got your clip? How much did you get your clip for and where did you get it from? Also what have you spent to get it into your car and get it running?

Spark plugs, fans, thermoswitch, thermostat, waterpump, timing belt & pulleys, drive belts, clutch, mount kit, driveshaft, fluids, filters, I believe this stuff has been covered before....way before.

$2500, http://www.rsimports.vze.com TOTAL including car was about $6200...but I manage a bodyshop & have lots of "friends" so the price is NOT typical.

[Nameless EJ6]

I haven't done the swap but I'm going to post anyways.. because I do have experience with swapping and turbocharging; and a tech degree :P

If it were a choice between the RB25DET and KA-T, and only those two choices.. I'd do the turbo KA. It has lots of displacement and will make as much power as you'll likely need after you build it. And the torque.. it's gonna be enough to satistfy; similar to the RB25DET's.

In all reality, I think it'll be a wise decision to stick with a KA. Once you build it, it's going to hold more power than a stock RB25DET can hold reliably.

[JonPowell]

And cost will be roughly the same as buying, maintenancing & installing the RB25

[orbovi]

Jon...in reference to RS Imports...do you know how much do the front clips usually go for from there? I tried searching their site but it hasn't been updated for a few months and they didn't have a price listed for the 25 front clip. Thanks man.

[Wulfgang]

I'll disagree with the suggestion to turbo the KA instead of getting the RB25, but it's just my opinion. As others have said, they will be similar in price and potential, but that's not all there is. What you need to do is find a video clip of an RB with sound. If you're like me, the exhaust note will slay you, and you'll be buying an RB tomorrow.

IMHO, not many cars, including American muscle, sound as good as an RB.

[Sil240]

Hey,If you want something fast and easy then def go with the KA-T. LOTS easier But if you want something a little different then go with the RB, you gotta have the time and patience especially if you have to order parts RB will make more HP with stock internals, but getting upgraded internals for the KA is no big deal, also cheaper 4cyls vs. 6cylsI know 900 for 20 pistons

Pretty much the Rb25 will take you further on w/o opening the motor, but you have to also add the cost of swapping the motor in.The KA is there already, and you can pick up a extra block for CHEAP so you dont have any down time.

[fly240]

It all depend on how you want to spend. I did mine almost 2 years ago, I work on it after work and weekend, it took me about 2 months to get the car back on the ground running. I did the rb25 because I was shooting NOS on the ka and it ruin it motor, no good for turbo. I spend close to 7g for every thing. I think it's worth it for rb motor because rb can hold more hp with out rebuild it compare to ka...

[hannibal]

I have a stock KA, but heres my opnion.

The RB swap is very appealing. Its a great motor, and its still very unique to see one in a 240.

I think youre comparing apples to oranges. A built KAT will always be more reliable than a stock block RB making similar power. You mentioned that youre learning/willing to learn. I think the KA is the best to learn on. As Sil240 said, you can pick up spares for cheap. And it doesnt require a $3500+ investment just to get the motor in your hands.

[brunswick240]

I think Ive made my decision. Looks like im going KA-T. I was talking to a guy that im good friends with and Im gettin internals and a lot of the other parts i need for a real nice price. I just wanna thank you guys for voicing you opinions and all the help you provided. Besides I dont have the income to do the swap in reality like you guys pointed out. Looks like itll be on hold for a while, but I think I makin the right decision. Well I just wanna thank you guys again for all the help you provided and for not flaming me, I really appretiate it.

Eddy

[gawdzilla]

i think you're making a good choice. if you are willing to learn, you'll pick up a LOT of knowledge about building a motor, that you probably wouldnt get into w/ the RB. you can only learn so much about motors from simple bolt ons.

plan out an accurate budget if possible, and start wrenching. good luck, should be a fun project.

[JonPowell]

Jon...in reference to RS Imports...do you know how much do the front clips usually go for from there? I tried searching their site but it hasn't been updated for a few months and they didn't have a price listed for the 25 front clip. Thanks man.

Email Ryan at [email protected]. I dont know or set his prices, sorry!

[Nameless EJ6]

I think Ive made my decision. Looks like im going KA-T. I was talking to a guy that im good friends with and Im gettin internals and a lot of the other parts i need for a real nice price. I just wanna thank you guys for voicing you opinions and all the help you provided. Besides I dont have the income to do the swap in reality like you guys pointed out. Looks like itll be on hold for a while, but I think I makin the right decision. Well I just wanna thank you guys again for all the help you provided and for not flaming me, I really appretiate it.

Eddy

Awesome! Yea.. I think when you build that KA you're gonna be extremely happy with the power it makes. Like they say, that engine should have been turbo from the factory. it's pretty damn stout!

[DriftingisLame]

Yeah good choice with the KA man. The reason I went with the RB20 over the KA-T is because of cost (RB clip was $1700 w/extras). The KA would have cost about $2500 for me to reliably boost + My KA is automatic and has 170k miles on it. Also 3 of my friends have KA-T's.

I think you made the right choice.