First Swap im doing..and new to this forum

[Jetskieng]

Hey NicoClub,
Im new to this forum and fairly new to Nissans. I bought my 93 s13 for 900$ and its in fair condition. I am attempting to do RB swap as my first swap ever done. i have some knowledge about the wiring and stuff but i am a little sketchy on some of the parts i need to buy or replace...

Can you please let me know what is a must to replace and what can wait, i have looked on numinous thread and gather a little info.. it would really be great if someone could help a first timer out?!

My pockets are not deep at all, i am a college student with minimum funding so keep this in mind
so here is what i have gathered: I dont know if these are correct either
*RB20det Swap comes with all sensors and turbo and all that good stuff with the ecu and harness and transmission

-Intercooler kit (CX racing makes a kit for $189) is it good or not
-Fuel Pump (walbro, Supra, or 300zx)
-Radiator ( can i use the stock or is it really necessary to replace)
-Motormounts (McKinny or TopHart)
-electric fan ( i dont know which)
-Tach or Tach adaptor

Thats all i really know for now if there is anything else i would deffently appreciate it

[TheRBguy]

Dont ever buy top hat mounts, you dont need an intercooler kit, just buy a cheap core and cheap piping kit on ebay and you can save some money, i would just buy a cx racing radiator they are thick and cheap, i would buy a wiring specialties pre made harness just to make the wiring clean and new, and run 2 12" fans, and there is a s*** ton more to doing a Rb swap than what you have in your list.

[Jetskieng]

Alright i think ill go with McKinny mounts then, what is the other stuff you are talking about?? i dont really know at this point on what i need..

[TheRBguy]

I would put a new clutch and pilot and throw out bearing in before i put the motor in, and im sure there is a lot of little things you are going to forget about.

[LSDrift]

You say you've looked on "numinous" threads and that's the best list you could come up with? I don't mean to flame but there's quite a few threads out there that list about 10x as many things... -->These two threads are always a wonderful place to start what-is-needed-to-swap-a-rb-into-a-240s ... 85294.html - What's needed
rb20det-vs-rb25det-vs-rb26dett-faq-t135400.html - RB FAQ
If you're scared of wiring an RB20 in to your S13 -->highfiv5-s-rb20-s13-wiring-guide-for-du ... 91503.html. - Or you could send it to Carl H and he'll put the harnesses together for you, or you could buy a premade one from wiringspecialties.com.

Finally there's this awesome thread -->read-here-before-posting-rb-swap-parts- ... 10509.html

There's about a thousand little things that aren't on your list that you'll end up needing that aren't necessarily even on threads out here just due to the fact that they're considered common knowledge or not big enough to mention. You're really going to have to plan the swap out and think each step through thoroughly to attempt to not forget anything. And not to rain on your parade but RB swaps generally aren't for the broke a$$ college student...trust me, it's been a journey for me cost wise and I'm doing an RB25.

Good luck!

[Jetskieng]

Thanks for your help, im still unsure about some information like, hosing and such... do i need any new hosing or can i just use the old ones?

[LSDrift]

Well, look at the hoses when you get the engine, if they look cracked, replace them...

[RustspecS13]

If it carries coolant and its made of rubber I'd replace it. I missed one that feeds the turbo coolant, and it pop'd at the track. Super PITA to get to with the motor in the car....

~Alex

[TheRBguy]

If it carries coolant and its made of rubber I'd replace it. I missed one that feeds the turbo coolant, and it pop'd at the track. Super PITA to get to with the motor in the car....

~Alex

This is an understatement lol, it is like the worst experience of your life. haha

[RustspecS13]

Especially after you replace it, and find out your headgasket is blown

I helped a guy with a rb25 Z32 at the track replace it last month. Well not really help, just kinda point out where the steam was coming from and exactly what PITA hose it was. Then I stood around watching him and his friends replace it, and remembered doing mine. Ya, either way it suxxxx. Preventative maintenance is cool. Also lets you tell all the ricers that have to constantly fix their NA cars your turbo swap is super reliable.

~Alex