cheap rb25

[1SICKka26]

ok so i blew my ka and im lookin for a motor swap. i have enough pretty much for an rb20 swap but i found an almost complete rb25 swap for less.problems is the rb25 swap is lacking the transmission..but i also found a good cheap rb20 transmission..whcich would bring the complete total up to the same amount as the complete rb20 swap...is this worth it?one main reason i wanted the rb20 was because i jus spent $900 on a stage 2 clutch and flywheel for my ka and a one piece driveshaft and i know the parts will fit. its 4 in the mornin and ive been searching and reading but i think my idea is kind of frankinsteinish so i want my own answers..will i be able to get the rb25 motor and accessories..bolt my ka clutch and flywheel up..bolt an rb20 transmission and use my ka driveshaft..with a set of mckinney mounts..any ideas or help would be great thanks..jus tryin to get the most boost for less money ya kno cuz gas isnt cheap

[rb25drag]

If I was you. Save your money and re-build that KA, Your going to spend WAY WAY more on a RB swap than your realize. Unless you have 8k in your pocket. Don't start a Swap. There is too many issues that will come up and you car will be Down for a good year.

Now just re-build that Ka, and put some boost to it. Thats a good budget build.

[l0nestar]

Don't confuse yourself and use 'cheap' and 'RB' in the same sentence.. Unless it is something like "Man. this RB swap is not cheap at all! It is costing me 4x what I had originally budgeted!"

[1SICKka26]

yea i love my ka...i bought the new brian crower stroker kit for it like last august so its a 2.65l now with 11:5:1 compression..the torque is nuts but ima a noob fried my pistons ..im gonna start all over and put some low compression pistons and a turbo now but that gonna cost me too.A buddy of mine bought an rb20 for like a grand and we swapped it in with no problems. we even made our own mounts which actually worked great..i mean their solid mounts..but they work.. so anywasy im gettin off topic sorta would my idea work any kinda way..i mean yes the rb25 cost more when you get the complete swap..but i found one for a $1000 with out the transmission and the rb20 transmission for like $300 so pretty much this is the price list

rb25 motor set= $900-$1000rb20 transmission=$300mckinney mounts=$375walbro 255=$100driveshaft=already own..if my idea worksgauges=$100fmic=$300

pretty much all i would need for way less than 8 grand. wiring my self and a friend could do..jus wanna kno if everything will bolt up

[tek747]

If you have past experiance, in motor swaping and or intallations, have a welder (or know some one) search out and compare prices you can do a swap for about 6000-6500$ at least thats were im at right know. Ive done "EVERYTHING" except motormount kit and driveshaft. everything els i fabricated and took my time and thought things through (?) Anyways, the guys here are pretty helpfull. I will tell you........ if your going to do it.... be sure and, DO IT!

[Yellow4g63]

yea i love my ka...i bought the new brian crower stroker kit for it like last august so its a 2.65l now with 11:5:1 compression..the torque is nuts but ima a noob fried my pistons ..im gonna start all over and put some low compression pistons and a turbo now but that gonna cost me too.A buddy of mine bought an rb20 for like a grand and we swapped it in with no problems. we even made our own mounts which actually worked great..i mean their solid mounts..but they work.. so anywasy im gettin off topic sorta would my idea work any kinda way..i mean yes the rb25 cost more when you get the complete swap..but i found one for a $1000 with out the transmission and the rb20 transmission for like $300 so pretty much this is the price list

rb25 motor set= $900-$1000rb20 transmission=$300mckinney mounts=$375walbro 255=$100driveshaft=already own..if my idea worksgauges=$100fmic=$300

pretty much all i would need for way less than 8 grand. wiring my self and a friend could do..jus wanna kno if everything will bolt up

Your forgeting something in that price total. Like new water pump, Tensioner, idler pulley and timing belt. You don't want to bend all your valves from the belt breaking do you? Just make sure the motor is good shape look under the valve cover see what it looks like.

[Cjmartz2k]

Your forgeting something in that price total. Like new water pump, Tensioner, idler pulley and timing belt. You don't want to bend all your valves from the belt breaking do you? Just make sure the motor is good shape look under the valve cover see what it looks like.

x2

[tek747]

agreed...

[gomer23]

Why hasnt no one told him that the RB20 transmission doesnt work on the RB25.

I think I cut a couple corners when I first put the motor in the car and I bet I still had around 5-6k in it then. And more since haha, but some of that was painting it too.

[1SICKka26]

haha yea i remembered those too after i sent my reply..still doesnt bring the total up to 8 grand though...does any one know if my ka clutch and flywheel will work if i use the rb20 transmission ..and my ka drive shaft? that was my main questions and no one answered it yet haha

[gomer23]

haha yea i remembered those too after i sent my reply..still doesnt bring the total up to 8 grand though...does any one know if my ka clutch and flywheel will work if i use the rb20 transmission ..and my ka drive shaft? that was my main questions and no one answered it yet haha

Why hasnt no one told him that the RB20 transmission doesnt work on the RB25.

I think I cut a couple corners when I first put the motor in the car and I bet I still had around 5-6k in it then. And more since haha, but some of that was painting it too.

So no you will need a new clutch and flywheel and driveshaft...well the flywheel i guess will be on the motor, maybe.

[lilskyline240]

Seriously man stick with the KA. RB's are not cheap by any sense. Trust me. Things begin to snowball fast. My RB project i wanted to only cost 6 grand and im WELL over that now in just little things. Unless you have alot of money to throw at your motor just go KA. Who cares if u keep blowin em up, you can buy em for like 300 bucks if you look around. Thats what i used to do. Ka-t setup, boost the piss outa the motor, blow it up, replace with new one

[silviasgp06]

ok RB25s are not cheap but i did my swap with things done right for $3800 ish total. and im about to spend another $900 cause the stock ecu shows its limitations quick. but dont do the RB swap if you plan on using a rb20 transmission, cause theres no point to building a rb25 that can stay in the power levels the rb20 transmission can handle(though it can take alot) just build a nice KA, plus i can already tell you have done close to no research cause you are leaving out alot, and it will cost you alot.

[Cjmartz2k]

[QUOTE=gomer23]Why hasnt no one told him that the RB20 transmission doesnt work on the RB25./QUOTE]We'll, I'm guessing probably because it WILL WORK. Do you think it won't bolt up, or it won't handle the power. It will bolt up, and it will handle to power of a stock/bolt on RB25 all day long.

[1SICKka26]

ok so it does bolt up and can handle the power thats good(hope you guys are right haha)..one questions answered! NOW!will my ka clutch and flywheel bolt to the back of the rb25 like it does the rb20? and will i still need a new driveshaft now even though i may be using the rb20 transmission. stock driveshaft works for rb20 but not rb25 because of size..but rb20 and rb25 have basically same block except for the displacement and internals and what not(correct me if im wrong) so size is in the transmission? these are the things i need to know.if these things work im lookin a quick swap for a good price with alot of power and sweet engine music. i kno the rb20 transmission isnt as strong as the rb25 transmission ive read it all over the forum but im not gonna be upgrading anything anytime soon so thats not a huge problem. you guys keep talkin money and time ive seen a buddy of mine hand $1000 to another buddy of mine and pull the rb20 out of an s14 and drop it into and s13 in a day and did the wiring the next day then we went scare old ladys in crown vics for lunch(great time you sound see the look on their face at a red light when they hear the blow off)..yes we had the front mount and fuel pump and all needed accessories for the swap total is around $3300..the car is for sell btw if anyone is interested..and yes the KA is a decent motor it is what i was runnin until now..im the only 19yo in the united states to have a 2.65l KA via the new brian crower kit..i pulled it to turbo it on the side cuz its gonna cost me way more than a stock RB swap and i need my car now so i want to swap something in quickly because i go back to school in june..all of your advise is great and bein taken into consideration but only one of my questions has been answered..

[lilskyline240]

the reason you blew your KA is because of your stroker kit man. The KA already has an increadibly long stoke its pointless to increase the stroke unless you hate revving your car. An rb20 is nice but i can do a KA-t setup for 1000 bucks that will stomp all over an rb20 which i already have done. Also to the best of my knowledge there is no brian crower stoker kit, or any stoker kit available for the KA.

but to answer some of your questionsyes the driveshaft will work with the rb20 transim going to say no on the clutch and flywheel

[gomer23]

Why hasnt no one told him that the RB20 transmission doesnt work on the RB25./QUOTE]We'll, I'm guessing probably because it WILL WORK. Do you think it won't bolt up, or it won't handle the power. It will bolt up, and it will handle to power of a stock/bolt on RB25 all day long.

I was always under the impression it was a different bell housing, my bad then I guess.

Either way I would do my RB25 swap again I wouldnt save a few bucks and get a RB20 transmission.

[1SICKka26]

yea but that nots jus just a few bucks...your lookin at maybe $300 for a rb20 transmission and $1900 or so for a rb25 transmission..half the price of a full "real" rb25 swap is the transmisson or at least thats what ive read around in here

[lilskyline240]

you can get a rb25 trans for 800

[1SICKka26]

ok so it does bolt up and can handle the power thats good(hope you guys are right haha)..one questions answered! NOW!will my ka clutch and flywheel bolt to the back of the rb25 like it does the rb20? and will i still need a new driveshaft now even though i may be using the rb20 transmission. stock driveshaft works for rb20 but not rb25 because of size..but rb20 and rb25 have basically same block except for the displacement and internals and what not(correct me if im wrong) so size is in the transmission? these are the things i need to know.if these things work im lookin a quick swap for a good price with alot of power and sweet engine music. i kno the rb20 transmission isnt as strong as the rb25 transmission ive read it all over the forum but im not gonna be upgrading anything anytime soon so thats not a huge problem. you guys keep talkin money and time ive seen a buddy of mine hand $1000 to another buddy of mine and pull the rb20 out of an s14 and drop it into and s13 in a day and did the wiring the next day then we went scare old ladys in crown vics for lunch(great time you sound see the look on their face at a red light when they hear the blow off)..yes we had the front mount and fuel pump and all needed accessories for the swap total is around $3300..the car is for sell btw if anyone is interested..and yes the KA is a decent motor it is what i was runnin until now..im the only 19yo in the united states to have a 2.65l KA via the new brian crower kit..i pulled it to turbo it on the side cuz its gonna cost me way more than a stock RB swap and i need my car now so i want to swap something in quickly because i go back to school in june..all of your advise is great and bein taken into consideration but only one of my questions has been answered..

[driftnslide1]

wow. 600 for an rb swap. i got my entire setup done for 1400 bucks. after i broke the drifeshaft i had one made the grand total is now $1510. i had a few problems but it still only took a month to get it all together and runnin. and thats because i broke a transmission and had to source another one. i think you guys are exagerating the 6k a bit. when a rb20 is onlt 1k and a 25 is about $2200. dont believe me call the guys from panda garage.

[lilskyline240]

thats cool if you got it done for 1500 bucks. Lets compare in 2 year from now whos RB is still running and whos isnt because of old parts taht werent replace during the swap

[Largekid]

wow. 600 for an rb swap. i got my entire setup done for 1400 bucks. after i broke the drifeshaft i had one made the grand total is now $1510. i had a few problems but it still only took a month to get it all together and runnin. and thats because i broke a transmission and had to source another one. i think you guys are exagerating the 6k a bit. when a rb20 is onlt 1k and a 25 is about $2200. dont believe me call the guys from panda garage.

no offense here.....BUT

1500 for a complete RB25 running swap??? I'd like to see reciepts for this...either everything was given to you, or you stole someones car. I, and most here, have 1500+ just in replacement parts to get the motor to where it COULD start. I have reciepts for well over 14k in my RB swap, given, i will be pushing 550+ this year, but still... I'd say that a bone stock RB25 swap, w/ nothing more than a FPR and a fuel pump, no tuning equipment, DIY manual boost controller, exhaust would run you ~3500...but as everyone else said, if you budget for 3500, better have 6k ready because you WILL need it if you want your car to run correct, and reliably(for a RB )

[abes]

I sent you an email. Let me know if your interested.

[email protected]

[lilskyline240]

no offense here.....BUT

1500 for a complete RB25 running swap??? I'd like to see reciepts for this...either everything was given to you, or you stole someones car. I, and most here, have 1500+ just in replacement parts to get the motor to where it COULD start. I have reciepts for well over 14k in my RB swap, given, i will be pushing 550+ this year, but still... I'd say that a bone stock RB25 swap, w/ nothing more than a FPR and a fuel pump, no tuning equipment, DIY manual boost controller, exhaust would run you ~3500...but as everyone else said, if you budget for 3500, better have 6k ready because you WILL need it if you want your car to run correct, and reliably(for a RB )

exactly. most COMPLETE rb25 motorsets ive seen in good condition are around 2300 shipped or more. If you find em for less they are prolly missing things like MAF, Ignitor, ECU. Things that can get VERY expensive if they dont come with your motor. I mean if u want the motor in your car just for this summer and dont care if it blows up. Then by all means buy the cheapest motor you can find

[driftnslide1]

try and listen. call up panda garage and ask them what it would cost. i got my rb20 for $800 with everything i needed minus an intercooler and motor mounts. the mounts were $180. as soon as i got the fuel and harness in it fired right up. im sorry you guys do weak research and buy crap motors from unreliable sources that need lots of extra parts but panda garage is a reliable local importer to me that ive bough lots and lots of parts from, including several engines that never had any problems as well as a whole car that i still own today 2 years later. i guarantee you you could get and rb25 for under 2k with just as much as my rb came with. call em: 619-558-6188 by the way you guys want to post what you payed for your motors? or are you embarassed.

[1SICKka26]

haha well guys i didnt mean to start an argument..im prolly buyin my friends 89 s13..already got the rb20 in it hook up and been drivin it since jan. for $3300 i dont think im passin this deal up..thank you to those whole actually tried to answer my questions.if anyone has any rb20 parts they wanna get rid of let me kno

[Largekid]

try and listen. call up panda garage and ask them what it would cost. i got my rb20 for $800 with everything i needed minus an intercooler and motor mounts. the mounts were $180. as soon as i got the fuel and harness in it fired right up. im sorry you guys do weak research and buy crap motors from unreliable sources that need lots of extra parts but panda garage is a reliable local importer to me that ive bough lots and lots of parts from, including several engines that never had any problems as well as a whole car that i still own today 2 years later. i guarantee you you could get and rb25 for under 2k with just as much as my rb came with. call em: 619-558-6188 by the way you guys want to post what you payed for your motors? or are you embarassed.

i dont think its about crap motors etx...you are buying a junkyard motor to beat on...its common sense to replace parts that are known to fail...to save yourself in the long run. Of course you can put in a bone stock motor w/o changing the oil and plugs etx and have it run...i'd rather make sure my investment isn't a ticking grenade waiting to explode all over the road. and i'm not embarrased to post my build or motor build. My motor itself has over 6k in it, my drivetrain has over 13k, but i'm running a fully built, full bolton RB w/ 500+ realiably... what can you say about how reliable your 230whp RB thats ready to give out at any second?

[lilskyline240]

im not to shy to post my parts list either i have a completely rebuilt running RB30 that can take all the abuse im ever going to want to throw at it...

[imotion s14]

I paid $2800 for a low mileage front clip that came with an LSD and axles. cost so far is $6,273. Still have mounts, fuel pump, clutch, mount kit, intercooler piping, etc. I'm looking at a little under 8k at the end.