dump pipe/steering shaft clearance

[420_240]

I got my rb25 installed in my s14 the other day using mckinney mounts. Motor sits perfect....i can latch the hood and never had to cut a thing...shifter sits directly in the middle..... I just cant get the steering shaft into the ujoint...the dump pipe was in the way!!!... So i took it off and was thinking about having an exhaust shop mandrel bend me a 3" ....Just wondering if anyone had similiar problems and what they did to correct it...also how in the hell did you guys get the steering shaft back into the ujoint?appreciate the help

I should post some pix up later

[xjon]

Not sure about the s14's but with my s13 I didn't remove that piece. Instead I removed the O2 housing and bolted it on after the engine was in.

[NISMO_RB25]

That's odd. I used mckinney mounts for the S13, and I installed the motor without disconnecting the steering shaft. Also it doesn't hit it on my car. I realize you have an S14, but it shouldn't be that different.

how would it take for yours to clear? Could you just do a little grinding on the DP?

[420_240]

well i thought maybe if i removed the heatshields that are bolted around the d/p it might give it a little more leeway.....but it still wasn't enough... after examining the steering shaft angle and d/p; i decided there was no way i could shave enough off and still have atleast a 1/4" gap for engine shift.

[Yellow4g63]

I think they have spacers now for the 02 housing. Give Mac a call and ask him about them.

[Joe]

all the s14's i know of had this same problem, custom o2 housings were needed.

[rbsileighty]

A modified stock housing works well. This is mine... granted I don't have a stock turbo, but the idea is still there. In order to weld the steel to the cast... be sure to pick up some no preheat cast welding rod... it's expensive at $49/lb but it's worth it. If you can't weld it yourself take it to someone who can... a modified stock housing makes things pretty easy. Notice mine even incorperates the internal wastegate flapper (I was so stoked about that)!

[420_240]

I don't have access to a welder at all....i was planning on taking my car to a local exhaust shop....have them cut around the flange and o2 housing....then welding a pipe to the cast.... I was concerned with welding to the cast iron...but you cleared that up for me and i'm sure i can have that done....only sh!tty thing is.... i can't get the friggin' steering shaft back into the ujoint..... lining up the splines just right is a major pain in the a$$... i think i'm going to have to lower the driver side of the xmember.... then line up the shaft and ujoint....and some how with a little luck and sweat i'll beable to fit them back together. i cannot wait to get it started!!!

[BoostFab]

i believe you can make a spacer btw the O2 housing to the turbine, that would make life easier...

[rbsileighty]

If you just have the housing cut at an angle and weld on a 3" mandrel bent pipe (obviously make sure it's heading in the right direction) you should clear the shaft just fine. You can see I have a lot of room around mine... just make sure if they don't have that no preheat weld that the torch the cast up to a hot temp so it doesn't crack when the mig, or whatever they use, hits it.

As far as the joint... take some PB Blaster and soak both ends... then take a wire brush and brush the fool out of the inside of the joint (take it all the way off if possible so you can do both sides) and the splines on the rack and shaft... then use a large screwdriver to open the holes up a bit... and then slide it up high on the stearing shaft... then slide it down onto the rack... bolt it... then done.

Good luck!

[Wulfgang]

Keep working with that u-joint. I found it difficult to fit even when well lubed. Make sure you've got plent of grease on it and work it back and forth a bit.

But even then, the angle and access make it difficult to connect.

[FAST-DATSUN]

There sould be enough movement in the kit to possition the motor so the steering doen't hit....... You do need to remove the heat sheld on all RB swaps.. Call me direct for help...MACK Yes!!!! we have a new spacer to provides MORE clearance for the 02 housing and the steering shaft..

[420_240]

there was no way i could have gotten that shaft to the joint.... even if i had shaved the d/p i would probably have a massive hole in it to get them to line up.... i wish i took some pix before i took the d/p off so i could give you guys some reference. i'm not too hot on the spacer idea though.... i doubt it would give me enough room to clear the shaft and atleast a 1/4" for safety purposes..... safety first right????