Engine swaps for Z32

[MIKE JAPAN]

Just wanted to ask you guys what you know about doing RB26 swaps to the Z32. I'm a NA owner and looking to swap to a TT or RB26.

[bartZ32tt]

Just wanted to ask you guys what you know about doing RB26 swaps to the Z32. I'm a NA owner and looking to swap to a TT or RB26.

don't want to poo-poo on your parade, but you either need a lot of money or a lot of fabrication skills/tools. 5-7 grand for a proper tt swap, and the rb swap would probably be at least twice that much.

[worldisgrand]

You can do that, but it would be cheaper and cost effective to just swap in the RB25, still a strong motor. I have seen more RB25's being swapped in than the RB26's. I personally think nissan should have put in the RB25 in our cars instead of the VG30, or they could have made an RB30 for our cars.

[z32pilot62]

There are some old threads on http://www.rbz32.com/. There is a company that makes bolt in mounts with a custom swaybar to retain the rb26 aluminum oil pan. You can swap the front half of the rb trans and the vg trans and keep the same ds. Radiator has to be relocated forward of the core support. Custom exhaust obviously has to be fabbed and getting it around the steering rack is interesting in a LHD vehicle, rb's were designed for RHD so there is minimal clearance. You need to look up the pin outs for both so you can do your wiring modifications as there isnt anyone currently specializing in rb harness conversions for the Z32. Intercooler piping will have to be custom as well but ive been looking into using just the ds of the factory z32TT as it will also help with cooling and that was how the r32 was set up on the rb20 anyway. Ive been researching this for quite some time as I plan to swap a RB in very soon, picked my motor up 2 months ago and it will go under the knife here very soon. If you want to further discuss it, hit me with a pm.

[Z31toZ32]

why not just sell your car and buy a tt? go fast for less hassle.

[simmode1]

why not just sell your car and buy a tt? go fast for less hassle.

Sage advice.

[MIKE JAPAN]

Well here are my thoughts on the Z32 swap issue. First off, my Z is a project car with a long term goal. The RB's straight six makes sounds that rival those of my ex-girl friend when you rev her up. RB's are very exotic, but I have seen VG's with great power too. I can get the VG30dett for say, $3300. The RB would be $4500-6500. The question then becomes, How much money would you spend on a magnificent work of art?

[bartZ32tt]

Nah, that's a bit high for a vgtt. You can get a stg 1 built longblock from IPP for that price. However, I can't argue with the sound an rb makes..pure sex.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Throw a Wankel in there. Maybe even a 3 rotor.

[nissanfreak12]

Throw a Wankel in there. Maybe even a 3 rotor.

Now were talking!!!!!

[CrazedZ32Owner]

personally i think dollar per dollar you'd be better off getting a TT motor and building/re-building it while it is out of your car and then when you are done do the complete swap....plus i love the sound of a TT Z32

just my .02

[NolimitZ32]

Throw a Wankel in there. Maybe even a 3 rotor.

Yes because its a cool idea!
No because the Z32 is way too heavy for an engine that has to rev into the vtec range to get decent power.

[nissanfreak12]

Throw a Wankel in there. Maybe even a 3 rotor.

Yes because its a cool idea!
No because the Z32 is way too heavy for an engine that has to rev into the vtec range to get decent power.

Vtec in a rotary? No such thing in a rotary engine, no valves, no pistons, just three internal moving parts in a 13b. God I love those motors, they just have absolutely no torque compared to the vg motors. Even the turbo 13b have no torque, but they sure are fun. I think the engine code for the triple rotor wankel is a 20b, I have only seen one in person and they sound phenominal!!!!!!!! But no one works or understands them enough to be beneficial to have one. i mean if all else fails just throw them in an airplane and your good to go!

But I do completely agree with the z is way too heavy for a wankel

[nissanfreak12]

But I know what you meant Nolimit

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Turbo rotary sounds > *.*

[NolimitZ32]

20b is the 3 rotor. Interesting fact the 13b is actually Wankel's original design with a few production line changes but it is in essence the engine that Felix Wankel invented. First built in early 60s, 1963 IIRC all the way until 2002 with no major changes.

[raremotive]

Well here are my thoughts on the Z32 swap issue. First off, my Z is a project car with a long term goal. The RB's straight six makes sounds that rival those of my ex-girl friend when you rev her up. RB's are very exotic, but I have seen VG's with great power too. I can get the VG30dett for say, $3300. The RB would be $4500-6500. The question then becomes, How much money would you spend on a magnificent work of art?

RB would also be even more expensive if you blew it up and tried to replace it.

I would second RB25 over a RB26. You can get mancho power with the rb25. Blow it up and get yourself the RB30E and use the rb25 head and even make more mancho power.

But you could be just like Joe, a moderator here, who used to have a rb25 and decided to swap a LS1 into his 240sx. now he's peeling tires like oranges.

[New Jersey]

i vote vg30dett.
after that i would say ls3. it would take about as much money/fabrication as an rb26 only i would be much happier with a 500hp bolt on ls3.
an rb26 would take a ton of money to bolt in AND make 500hp.
selling and buying a tt car is a common suggestion, but i would avoid that too as those cars also typically could use engine rebuilds/turbo replacements, new motor mounts, etc
you'll also likely upgrade while you swap, so why bother buying a tt car? unless you're strictly interested in a bone stock- NON REBUILT- swap and you dont seem to want that.
good luck

[donyouth718]

It would be cheaper doing the TT swap, But with the RB, you have a lot of space to work with. I did mine myself, Trust me if you do the RB swap doing modification and fabrication gonna cost alot.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Well here are my thoughts on the Z32 swap issue. First off, my Z is a project car with a long term goal. The RB's straight six makes sounds that rival those of my ex-girl friend when you rev her up. RB's are very exotic, but I have seen VG's with great power too. I can get the VG30dett for say, $3300. The RB would be $4500-6500. The question then becomes, How much money would you spend on a magnificent work of art?

Am i the only one that caught that???????

Thats got to be sig worthy to someone!

[300ZXttZMAN]

Throw a Wankel in there. Maybe even a 3 rotor.

Ahhh Renesis (RX8 motor) would be pretty cool ( I doubt it would perform tho )

[Z32 TwinZ]

When yall say "cost" for an RB swap.. how much are we talking.. there are people that have swapped, but you never see build sheets of how much everything cost only pictures... will 20-30g get the job done?

The VG can produce some power which im not disagreeing with, but its something about the RB and 2J that just sound "like pure sex" and its hard to say no to swapping when you have money to do it.. question is just how much!

[NolimitZ32]

I figure it would probably take close to 20k what with all the fab work that's required.

And the Renesis engine is just Wankels are great for motorsports but as a daily, I would never in a million years.

[DCaff300ZX]

It would be cheaper doing the TT swap, But with the RB, you have a lot of space to work with. I did mine myself, Trust me if you do the RB swap doing modification and fabrication gonna cost alot.

Nice looking setup donyouth, saw it in another thread.
So how much you figure the mods/fab you did would cost just for the parts to be fabbed, mods be done?

[donyouth718]

Well they make the fabrication at http://mckinneymotorsports.com/prod_300zx+RB+SWAP
At the time they werent making these fab's, the crossmember cost me about $350 to get fabricated. I used the straight Z1 Drive shaft, The radiator i had made to support 700hp by Griffen Racing, I have a Custom exhaust manifold or you can buy a manifold from ebay or where ever, I have 2 Manifolds, a full race manifold that i just finished having custom made with 2" long runners and the 1 on here now to fit my Garrett GTX35 turbo. I had the whole exhaust fabricated also, Vibrant Long 3" Resonator, and HKS Hi Power muffler.

[Hackysac300zx]

I was quoted around 10K for a full rb25 swap including motor Guaranteed up to 600hp...

[nexus08]

I love my car, but can't imagine putting 20-30k in to her. Wow... you guys have the need for speed!!!

[twinturbozxtacy]

yeah the 2j and rb sound great but so does the vg... put 10k into the vg and youll have 1k hp, with the others its the swap PLUS all supporting mods = bend over

[300ZXttZMAN]

put 10k into the vg and youll have 1k hp, with the others its the swap PLUS all supporting mods = bend over

Not true and if you did manage to do so and stay under 10k it wouldn't be reliable at all.

[drew7089]

New to forum, trying to reach donyouth or anyone about engine swap. is yours all wheel drive? looking to change mine over and make it all wheel drive. trying to find out what all is involved ie.. the step by step process. if anyone knows let me in on it. thanks