Budget RB20DET into s14 swap advice

[zenkiderek]

First off, I know I'm going to get a lot of criticism for "not researching," but I really have been. I'm not as experienced as most of you and have never done a swap myself before just helped friends so I'm looking for advice.

I'm not looking for any fancy swap, mainly just a stock for stock swap with fmic and exhaust. I'm on a budget so I'd like to do this as cheap as possible without being stupid. I just want a safe, cheap swap.

My s14 is a 1995 auto.

So far I've come up with:

-walbro fuel pump $100-water pump $70-GReddy timing belt $120-Timing belt tensioner $40-oil pump $300-Spec Stage 1 clutch $300-All accessory belts $50-Fuel filter $100-Spark plugs $20-5 speed drive shaft $150-electric fans $100-Crossmember $200-BBT conversion harness $275

That's $1825. Add another $500 for exhaust and fmic (i have some stuff already and hookups) and another $1500 for the motor and shipping and i'm looking at a total of $3825.

If you have any advice or suggestions they would be much appreciated.

[wawazat8402]

Dont forget youre gonna need the stuff for the 5 speed swap itself. Pedals, clutch lines, clutch master, etc.

Also, I would just get an OEM timing belt and put that money saved towards an ACT. You also dont have any of the fluids listed which will add up. You dont NEED a new oil pump. Just inspect the one on the motor first.

Add timing belt idler pulley as well.

EDIT:: Noticed you only had 100 bucks for fans. Which ones are you going with? Why not upgrade to a CXRacing radiator as well? Cooling is def nothing to be skimped on. You should also replace the thermostat before the motor fires up.

[zenkiderek]

Dont forget youre gonna need the stuff for the 5 speed swap itself. Pedals, clutch lines, clutch master, etc.

Also, I would just get an OEM timing belt and put that money saved towards an ACT. You also dont have any of the fluids listed which will add up. You dont NEED a new oil pump. Just inspect the one on the motor first.

Add timing belt idler pulley as well.

EDIT:: Noticed you only had 100 bucks for fans. Which ones are you going with? Why not upgrade to a CXRacing radiator as well? Cooling is def nothing to be skimped on. You should also replace the thermostat before the motor fires up.

oh yeah i forgot about the pedal assembly and all the other transmission swap stuff as well as the fluids. thanks for the input. The cxracing rad is only $209, not bad.

[Yellow4g63]

You don't need a oil pump. Save your money.

[dizzywithsunstroke]

a new fuel filter shouldn't cost $100. get a z32 2+2 fuel filter from any auto parts store, shouldn't be more than $25. also just know that a lot of unexpected costs arise in doing this swap. i just finished mine and it probably totaled somewhere between 6 and 7 grand. little stuff like hoses, fluids, and other small parts can really start to add up. another point of advice is, don't skimp on the important stuff. let us know how it all works out for you.

[Nissan2367]

I agree with ^. The little stuff is where it hurts! I didnt see anything in there for gauges ie: wide band, oil press, water temp, and fuel pressalso dont forget a thermostate. also a seperate one from Flex-a-lite to turn your fans on and off. I know cx-racing has a fan, rad, and hose kit for somewhat cheap.Also you will need an air filter for your maf, I went with apexi thats 80-100 alone.I would stick with the greddy timing belt, its one less thing you will have to pay twice for in the futureDitch the oil pump you wont need it. thats an extra 300!Adjustable fuel pres reg too, and if you are using the stock rail you will need the NISMO adapter for an external reg. I dont think you can really do a clean quality swap for under 5-6k I know mine i just hit 8.5k but i have had alot of problems and i buy all name brand parts when i think one is broken.Good luck man! My budget with the car was 8k and i just hit 11k!

[MATTs14]

I am completely stunned on how you guys could have possibly spent 6 to 7 grand on an rb20 swap?? Granted i already had exhaust but it might have cost me 3500 including the motor if that. Save yourself a crap ton on that crossmember and call up JHot imports and get one for 75 bucks and get your motor from there. Buddy of mine spent 1300 and got a full swap and also got some splitfire coils and rs-r downpipe too. Hella good place to buy. Btw i daily drive mine and have been for nearly a year and a half in all kinds of weather and have had zero problems.

Guys you dont have to spend a crap ton of money to do this swap, trust me, it can be done for A LOT cheaper. Mine is quality too. And also why does the guy need a wideband for a stock swap?? Would you run a wideband on a stock KA?? just asking get the nismo fpr and its about 120 and you dont need an adapter.

Just make sure you get all your essential cooling parts and double check everything before you even attempt to start your car. One crucial part could cost you a lot. Also DO NOT use starter fluid to start your car. It is harmful to your motor. Its an old motor and has been sitting, give it time it will start. Thats all i can think of as of now. Good luck with the swap!! Youre gonna love it!

[Nissan2367]

First of all i did an RB25 swap so i am guessing thats why mine was more, my engine alone was 2200.00. I know that is alot but i knew the place was a good place to get one.Second its kinda a rule of thumb to get a wideband on any turbo car. plus its good to have if your going to mod your engine and 99.9% of people that pay for a RB are going to mod it and not leave it stock.

[zenkiderek]

Thank you for all the great advice. And thanks to anyone who held back on bashing me haha. I do plan on modding this in the future, but not for awhile. I just want to get a safe, stock (like i said, aside from fmic and exhaust) swap to get it running for a 5-6 months before I start taking it more seriously.

[Carl H]

if you're smart with your money you can do all the proper replacement stuff and do it right for around 3.5-4k...we did a friends car 3 or 4 years ago now for that much and it was super reliable.

[zenkiderek]

i'm buying a local parts car for 500 and the motor in it has 80k miles. a guy on nwn wants to trade me my parts car motor for his 100k km rb20 that's auto. i've heard of people using the sr transmission with the rb bellhousing so that's a possibility. The parts ka is worth about 300 to me, but i'm not sure if i want to do the trade. i have no way of telling the condition of the rb20 (aside from pics and trusting what he says) and no 30-60day warrant like some of the companies offer. also it has no wiring harness. it isn't looking like that great of a deal

stay away or is it worth $300?

http://www.northwestnissans.co...20det
Modified by zenkiderek at 6:58 PM 2/6/2009

[Yellow4g63]

i'm buying a local parts car for 500 and the motor in it has 80k miles. a guy on nwn wants to trade me my parts car motor for his 100k km rb20 that's auto. i've heard of people using the sr transmission with the rb bellhousing so that's a possibility. The parts ka is worth about 300 to me, but i'm not sure if i want to do the trade. i have no way of telling the condition of the rb20 (aside from pics and trusting what he says) and no 30-60day warrant like some of the companies offer. also it has no wiring harness. it isn't looking like that great of a deal

stay away or is it worth $300?

http://www.northwestnissans.co...20det

Modified by zenkiderek at 6:58 PM 2/6/2009

Maybe if you already had a RB20 in your car. The other motor could be a back up if anything happens. If it's to do a swap don't bother because your going to nickle and dime yourself to get the parts. Just get a motor set from a good company and start with that.

[zenkiderek]

and it has no wiring harness