engine swap in my 240z

[nics fairlady]

i'm new here and was wondering if anyone knew where i could get a rb20det to swap into my 240.

[evildky]

welcome, why the swap? the L28ET as much or more potential at a fraction fo the cost and with none of the fab work, I've had bad luck wiht imprted engines but some people just have a fascination with the RB's, be sure to visit our classic Z section

[nics fairlady]

yeah i'm really interested in doing a rb20det swap in it. i want more power but with the reliability of fuel injection.

[RedWabbit]

the L28et out of the newer 280z has fuel injection. and like he said can be swapped in fairly easy.

[evildky]

L28ET si fomr the 280ZX (S130 chassis but yeah bolt in as its still an L6 engine) and of course the Z cars have had fuel injected engines since late 74, althought he bosch L jetronic injection system is a bit lacking

the RB family replaced the L6, but had some key changes that make mounting them a challange, the RB20 has such small displacement it really limts the power potential, which is why the L28ET again is a batter choice where budget or power is key

but hey sme people just like the idea enough to do the extra work and cost, there si a guy doing the RB swap in the classis Z section right now, using the mckinney mounts and lots of other high dollar goodies and documenting it all

[nics fairlady]

yeah i've put some thought into doing the L28 swap but i just want to move out of the L series engines even though the rb is more expensive and more of a trick to get in. but i'm thinking that i'm just going to do some of my own fab work just to help keep the cost down and the fact that the mounts look really easy to make.

[evildky]

the RB family of engines is th eevolution of the L6 engine family, the bore spacing is the same, the RB26 uses the same engine bore and the L28 with the stroke of the L24, the RB head will even bolt ont othe L6 bottom end, just the oil and coolant passages don't match up, the big benefit to the RB family is they had the crossflow twin cam head (most of them there was a single cam version fo the rb20) just know that the RB20DET has less power potential than an L28ET

[nics fairlady]

how hard is it to find parts to build up the L28? and i know that parts for the 240 are hells expensive are they the same ay for that motor?

[evildky]

parts for L6's are cheaper than RB, the L28ET just add intercooler and FPR and you can get 250whp bone stock

at that point the headstuds and gasket become a weak point and the turbo, injectors and ecu all need upgrading to go further, pretty much the same parts you'd need to upgrads on the rb, the difference is with forged pistons the L28ET can get north of 400 whp, and if you throw enoguh money at it some are north of 600 whp

[nics fairlady]

really? thats really good actually. i didn't know they could put out that kind of power i always thought they were hella gutless. do you know where i can find one for cheap?

[evildky]

I've bought 3 different wrecked 280zx's for $300-500 each, and 2 of them actually worked

most younger people don't knwo the potential of the L series because all they knwo is RB, CA and SR, know your history

[FAST-DATSUN]

The L28 is a good motor but the RB20 has good support and low cost . Mount kit and other parts are easy to find. MORE modern computer system and more power stock and more power is just a turbo and fuel system away...

[nics fairlady]

yeah i'm thinking that i'm still gonna stick the rb. do you know if a 300 or a 240sx diff will bolt in or would that be a custom job?

[evildky]

if you are using an RB engine you'll need an RB trans or at least the bellhousing frome one, the rb20 trans I believe is essentially the same as the 240sx/z31 n/a trans, it'll fit but you'll have to cut setback and reweld the trans crossmsmber

[nics fairlady]

i was planning on using the rb trany, i just dont know what dif i should go with. i know the r200 from the 280 and 300 zx's works pretty good and will pretty much bolt in. what's your opinion?

[evildky]

yup, the R200 long snout found in 280Z's S130's Z31's S12's etc si pretty much bulletproof, you'll need the "mustache bar" form a 75-78 280Z manu trans car that came wit the R200 to bolt into the 240z, ideally you want the diff form an 87.5-89 300zx turbo, these are the factory clutch type limited slip units, not cheap use dones bring $6-800, if budget si no issue which isn't a huge issue if you are runnign an rb, just use the housings gears and mustache bar form a 280Z then buy a kaaz, quaiffe carbotech or whatever brand LSD you like

[nics fairlady]

wow is pretty spendy. i am trying to stay fairly cheap with this swap (on a college bugget) so i'll probably just go with the r200

[evildky]

budget! you wanted and RB, you gotta open the wallet, if you want to save money and go fast you run the L28ET

[nics fairlady]

haha yeah i know. im just trrying not to kill myself with debt for now. i might be able to get everything for the swap for about a g but then i have to get it all in some how

[evildky]

cheap, good, fast

.....pick two

[nics fairlady]

very good point. trying to do all ofthem but thats mostly not going to work out to well.