Build my rb20 or swap rb26

[ST240]

I have a running rb20 in my 240 with basic mods (fmic, whinebro, fpr) and im at a crossroads. I'm looking for 400-350 whp and more importantly, to be in the 11s.

This is pretty much achievable with pretty much zero major modification to the rb26 no? I plan on buying a full engine (no transmission) and just using the 20 transmission for now. So no driveline mods needed to get it in there. I can get the engine for just under $3k shipped, plus say another $1k to get it going. Pros? More low end torque, lots of potential if i want even more power. Cons? Big hassle if anything breaks.

The other option is to build the 20. To achieve the numbers i want, i figure ill need to spend at least $4K in mods to the engine and fuel system no to mention the pissing around ill have to do to get it running optimally. Pros? already have the engine running strong, don't have to risk getting a bunk engine, rb20s are dime a dozen for cheap if she pops. Cons? if i want even more power, ill have to push it that much further, have to piss around getting a good tune.

Whats your input?

[b00stinbmx]

im in the same boat my friend. i don;t see the point in going 25 anymore like i wanted to cause for alittle more might as well just do the 26. i guess it all comes down to how much you want to spend and if the answer is you don;t care then i would go with the 26. cause eventually even after 350-400 ur gonna want more.

[Cjmartz2k]

Aside from the motor discusion, the RB20 transmission isn't going to live too long with 400rwhp and stick tires getting you into the 11's, no matter what motor is pushing it. A high hp low torque RB20 might make it last a little longer, but it's still going to pop eventually.

IMHO a RB25 would meet your needs perfectly. The RB26 isn't a little extra, it's a lot extra. An RB25 will make 400rwhp no sweat with out ever cracking open the motor. RB26 might get you into the 11's with stock twins in a light little S-chassis with sticky tires and soft suspension, but again, the transmission will be an issue. Parts for RB25's are a lot cheaper also.

If you just want to bolt in an engine and go though, the 26 *might* be the easiest route as far as just swapping the motors and not changing turbos and what not. Not sure what kind of times people stateside are getting with stock 26's in S-chassis though.

[jdmser]

You live in Canada were you can legally own a gtr. This should be a no brainer. Save the money you were going to spend on mods, sell the car you have now, and buy a r32 gtr. It's not going to run 11s but, it's a better platform to start with.

[ST240]

Aside from the motor discusion, the RB20 transmission isn't going to live too long with 400rwhp and stick tires getting you into the 11's, no matter what motor is pushing it. A high hp low torque RB20 might make it last a little longer, but it's still going to pop eventually.

IMHO a RB25 would meet your needs perfectly. The RB26 isn't a little extra, it's a lot extra. An RB25 will make 400rwhp no sweat with out ever cracking open the motor. RB26 might get you into the 11's with stock twins in a light little S-chassis with sticky tires and soft suspension, but again, the transmission will be an issue. Parts for RB25's are a lot cheaper also.

If you just want to bolt in an engine and go though, the 26 *might* be the easiest route as far as just swapping the motors and not changing turbos and what not. Not sure what kind of times people stateside are getting with stock 26's in S-chassis though.

I agree with every point youve brought up. I really would consider going rb25 if I could get one for a decent price. But for the amount ill be paying for the RB25, i might as well go RB26 and get the itbs, sexy internals etc.

You live in Canada were you can legally own a gtr. This should be a no brainer. Save the money you were going to spend on mods, sell the car you have now, and buy a r32 gtr. It's not going to run 11s but, it's a better platform to start with.

I absolutely despise right hand drive. Plus, whats wrong with an S-chassis?

[Kyle Basbous]

If your planning on upgrading to another RB you should consider the RB25. It is cheaper to upgrade and since you live in Canada the motor itself runs for about 800 bucks and you can pick it up instead of shipping so you can choose which motor you want. Since you mentioned your going to use the RB20 tranns im guessing your going to run the rb20 wiring harness and ecm which isn't a bad idea cause the RB20 ecm is much easier to tune with a chipped daughterboard. Your planning on spending 3g's an rb25 is a much better route to achieve your goals but i see full rb26 swaps including the rb25 transmission run for 2,500 all day and the motor by itself for about 1,300-1,700 depending where you look at. If you really can't find motors for the price i stated ill send you websites in Montreal so you can check them out

[ST240]

If your planning on upgrading to another RB you should consider the RB25. It is cheaper to upgrade and since you live in Canada the motor itself runs for about 800 bucks and you can pick it up instead of shipping so you can choose which motor you want. Since you mentioned your going to use the RB20 tranns im guessing your going to run the rb20 wiring harness and ecm which isn't a bad idea cause the RB20 ecm is much easier to tune with a chipped daughterboard. Your planning on spending 3g's an rb25 is a much better route to achieve your goals but i see full rb26 swaps including the rb25 transmission run for 2,500 all day and the motor by itself for about 1,300-1,700 depending where you look at. If you really can't find motors for the price i stated ill send you websites in Montreal so you can check them out

Complete motor?? Like i said id go rb25 for sure if i could find it for cheap. 1300 sounds great to me haha. and no i wasnt planning on using the rb20 ecu and harness i wasnt aware that was a feasible option for a novice like me. I'm assuming you'd need nistune or other to get it running properly? I know you cant use nistune with the rb25 ecu. Send me some links for cheap rb25 engines if you can.
Modified by ST240 at 12:38 PM 9/26/2009

[ST240]

Ok so im starting to see the light from you guys. I found an RB25 engine only, everything except transmission, ecu, harness and maf for 1200 so + 400 s&h = 1600 I can get a COMPLETE rb26 for 3k shipped. So what would be the easiest way to get it up and running? by the time i source a maf, harness and ecu ill be at the price of an rb26 which came with all that in the first place lol. I'm assuming z32 maf, rb20 harness (?) and nistune? but still... getting awfully close to that $3k.

Jesus, this is great, im having an internet argument with myself .
Modified by ST240 at 12:29 PM 9/26/2009

[jdmser]

Nothing wrong with the S chassis at all. I just think it would be a lot easier if you're going with the rb26 to use the parts in the car they're made for since you can get it. Not that I mind making custom stuff too terribly much. Never thought about the rhd as a disadvantage. I'm ambidextrous so switching from left to right hand drive doesn't bother me.

[ST240]

Nothing wrong with the S chassis at all. I just think it would be a lot easier if you're going with the rb26 to use the parts in the car they're made for since you can get it. Not that I mind making custom stuff too terribly much. Never thought about the rhd as a disadvantage. I'm ambidextrous so switching from left to right hand drive doesn't bother me.

Being ambidextrous doesnt help you make left hand turns in busy intersections or go thru drive thrus though

[Kyle Basbous]

well i think the rb25 is a better idea. i already went through that phase of what to do 25 or 26 and either way i looked at it the 25 was a better idea cause of less mods to get it to fit and cost. the 26 has twin turbos thats more exhaust work. your still gonna wanna run the 20 ecm for a rom tune or a stand alone depending on how much your willing to spend and your power goal but i was going to slightly build which ever motor i went with so it depends on how long you want the motor to live. I mean i drift with my rb25 and since i run high rpms all day i got an extended crank collar, a N1 oil&water pump i went with wiseco pistons on the stock rods, acl race bearings, tomei oil orfice's 1.5mm, cosworth HG and arp head studs on an hx40 turbo with a knock off greddy intake manifold, tiny 550 cc injectors, aeromotive fpr, walbro 255 and i make amazing power although i never dynoed it yet. i have a tuner that lives right up the street from me and i smoke his 500hp SR in his s13 and my rb25 is in a s14. anyways if you wanna make 400hp and race it regularly i reccomend doing the crank collar and replacing the crank journal bearings aswell either the tomei orfices or running a oil feed line from the welsh pug back down to the sump cause of the oil not returning back to the pan fast enough at extended high rpm. i feel like im getting carried away so the websites for the motors are JDMtigerjapanese.com or tokyomotorimports.com. i have bought six different motors from jdmtigerjapanese and never had a single problem with them (the company) or the engines. jdmtiger has 2 rb25 MOTOR'S in stock for 800 bucks

[Kyle Basbous]

not to mention the twin turbos get in the way of the sector shaft of the steering in a left hand drive car. the oil pan does not fit our s-chassis's subframe. Thats why people put the rb25 oil pan on them and there is an oil problem when doing that, oil pick up or something anyways I wouldn't necessarily buy a rb26 that goes for 1,300, it could be like buyer beware. i was just saying i seen them go that low. If u see an rb26 there intake plenum is painted black from factory and if it has paint chips on it that usually means its a higher mileage motor.

[ST240]

Lol. Your setup is higly modified which is $$$. I want this right out of the box (or damn close to).

I have machined sway bar spacers that will allow the rb26 in there. The issue with the oil pan is that people dont want to braze the axle holes so they go rb25 pan instead which leads to other problems. Also, i think you just have to modify the return (or make your own exhaust setup). There will be a little screwing around, but as far as money spent goes, im kinda leaning towards the 26.

[BMAR240SX]

Dude get bigger injectors, turbo, and intake manifold and tune watch it make a good 400 on the stock block.

zerothread/135400

[Kyle Basbous]

Well that really isn't highly modified remember i built it so i don't have to wrench in the pits between session's and for a long life so i took a lil futher then what you what to do i guess. People make 400 hp all day on the stock bottom end & head. Of course they add bigger injectors & turbo and run a N62 maf and tune it up but hey its what ever you want to do!

[ST240]

Well that really isn't highly modified remember i built it so i don't have to wrench in the pits between session's and for a long life so i took a lil futher then what you what to do i guess. People make 400 hp all day on the stock bottom end & head. Of course they add bigger injectors & turbo and run a N62 maf and tune it up but hey its what ever you want to do!

I appreciate the knowledge . With any decision it helps to have people to bounce ideas off of. I think im gonna try for the rb26, even in light of all this info. I'll people posted.

[Kyle Basbous]

hey man good luck, post up pics of your rb26 when you get it. By the way those websites i gave have rb26 swaps including the rwd rb25 tranns for 2,200-2,500 hundered dollars. Like i said best of luck

[maryjane]

20 trannys wount handle that amount of power

[Kyle Basbous]

yeah thats for sure but when it does break, he can upgrade the tranns to a 25 and then worry about the drive shaft and tranns mount cause hes tryin to save money for now. I'm not justifying using a 20 transmission but I have a buddy who runs a rb25 on his 20 tranns making about 350-375 hp and he's been drifting with it for over a year with no problems yet. He has the 25 transmission, hes just waiting for the 20 tranns to blow lol and it never happened yet which i think is kinda crazy cause the 25 does have way more torque then the 20

[ST240]

yeah thats for sure but when it does break, he can upgrade the tranns to a 25 and then worry about the drive shaft and tranns mount cause hes tryin to save money for now.

Exactly!

rb26 swaps including the rwd rb25 tranns for 2,200-2,500 hundered dollars.

You better give me a link. That price would be a steal of a deal and i didnt see that on either site. That rb26 on those sites for $2500 comes with the AWD transmission... so id have to use the 20 transmission anyway.
Modified by ST240 at 11:40 PM 9/27/2009

[Kyle Basbous]

Call them and talk to them. I just checked their site and it does say awd tranns but when i called them he said he would throw in the 25 tranns and used clutch & flywheel with the purchase of the rb26. I'm leaving asia tomorrow and wont be able to respond to any messages, so best of luck and i will check up on this thread in 2-3 days to see where your at with the rb26.

[ST240]

Right. So i am gonna go with the RB25. Right now I'm trying to find the cheapest deal.

I do have one question though. If i use the R32 crossmember, and i use the RB20 engine brackets, then that should work to mount up the RB25 correct?

[bounty212]

im trying to make the same decision as you rite now lol. i have an rb20 in the car now thats stockish and a 26 i can get for 1000-1300. im gonna run a tec 2 standalone on either motor, but i know my rb20 runs well and has good compression vs. the 26 wich had a blown turbo and its an r32 motor.. decisions decisions.

to answer your question yes the 25 will bolt up the same as the 20. mount it however ur motor is mounted now.

[ST240]

im trying to make the same decision as you rite now lol. i have an rb20 in the car now thats stockish and a 26 i can get for 1000-1300. im gonna run a tec 2 standalone on either motor, but i know my rb20 runs well and has good compression vs. the 26 wich had a blown turbo and its an r32 motor.. decisions decisions.

to answer your question yes the 25 will bolt up the same as the 20. mount it however ur motor is mounted now.

Serious? RB26 for a thousand bucks? Seems kinda hard to believe no? I cant even get an RB25 to my door for that. And most RB26s up for grabs out there are R32.

[ST240]

Correct answer: None of the above. RB30.

Picked up a RB30 bottom end and a RB25DE head for $1600 CAD .

The block is somewhat dirty but looks to be in decent condition, and i looked at the head and she looks ok too. You can still see the factory honing marks in a few pictures.

I can use my HY35, 450ccs and nistune that i was planning to use on the RB20. The plan is to put it together after cleaning it and doing the basic oil mods as is. Tune it and run a base tune for this summer. Let's see how long that transmission lasts lol.

[RustspecS13]

Wow that's a very nice setup!

I'm considering rebuilding my rb20 with forged pistons and all that, and Ive been considering rb25 swaps or rb30s as well.

Looking forward to seeing your results!

~Alex

[Yellow4g63]

Correct answer: None of the above. RB30.

Picked up a RB30 bottom end and a RB25DE head for $1600 CAD .

The block is somewhat dirty but looks to be in decent condition, and i looked at the head and she looks ok too. You can still see the factory honing marks in a few pictures.

I can use my HY35, 450ccs and nistune that i was planning to use on the RB20. The plan is to put it together after cleaning it and doing the basic oil mods as is. Tune it and run a base tune for this summer. Let's see how long that transmission lasts lol.

LoL the TQ is going mangle that 20 box.