My RB20 Plans and goals

[dareo]

I want to get a R32 clip with good body panels, convert the whole front end to R32 (not RHD, just panels and engine ect) I'm hoping this part wont cost much more than 2k.

I want to open up the RB20, get it bored to 82mm and while i'm inside maybe do a little port and polish and replace seals.

I want Microtech, i want to be able to rev high, maybe 8500rpm. Turbo and injectors might as well be upgraded if i get the microtech. I'd like the HP to be in the 300-400 area, with a huge powerband.

But i dont want it all to cost me more than 6k for everything.

My question is: Who's rebuilt, bored, or even done a gasket set on a RB20DET in the USA? And how much did it cost you to get the machine work done and buy the parts?

This'll have to take place after my red 240sx gets its RB20 swap done and sold to my friend and after i get my new Daily Driver NX2k running. (neads headgasket, but car only cost me 800 bucks!) So i have plenty of time to research and learn and let more parts support come out for the RB20. And it will, heck Venus got 4 rb20 clips in their recent container and they seem to be fine with giving them away at 1200 bucks.

[Carl H]

hmmm.300-400hp with less than 6k including body work?i honestly dont think that that is going to happen.as for the 8.5k redline i would get an upgraded oilpump, and new valve springs for sure if you want to wind out the engine that high on a daily basis.as for the boring bit, some one on here bolted an l28 torque plate onto the rb25 and said it lined up perfectly, should work just as well on the rb20.

[Project240]

Less than $6,000?? Bah, EASY!!! Just drive over to XS Engineering, or maybe Phase2Motortrend's business office, have a nice business-like discussion with the owner....and then point a gun in his face and rob the store.

Because that's the only way it's going to happen.

[dareo]

6k isnt that unrealistic, its an RB20 were talking about here. They are a cheap, common motor. The body panels and shipping for the clip is going to cost a lot, but with me doing all the labor it'll just be parts, shipping, machine shop fees.

~2k-2.5k for clip with panels shipped~1500 for forged pistons and machine work, at the mostThat leaves 2k for install parts, a new turbo, dsm injectors, and some Apexi toys to tune it with.

But for 6k i could do an S15 blacktop, and have an easy 300hp, 6 speed, helical lsd, very late model engine with low miles. but its still not an inline 6

[BoostFab]

let's be reasonable, and set a goal at 300whp.

you don't need all that internal work to get 300whp (aprx. 400 @crank). upgrade turbo, fuel system, and ems, with lots of tuning. you can set your goal with about $6k, maybe have extra $ to buy some Corona's.

[dareo]

Yeah i could hit 300whp w/o opening it up but then i dont have a 2.2l RB. boring to 2.2 would be for fun and higher revs. Not to mention that it would make more power.

[Carl H]

boring the block will not give you the ability to rev higher it will only give you more displacement.if you want to rev then get some uprated valve springs, solid lifters and some good cams and adjustable gears.dont forget an uprated oilpump as well.

[dareo]

I've read that increasing the bore adds about 500rpms safely. Is this false?

[eh?]

I'm rebuilt an RB25, machine work was ~$1k. I mic'd and I didn't deck the block. If the machine shop did those two, the costs would have been ~$1.5k . You're looking at least $2k and you have to buy the parts.

[dareo]

I think im gonna puss out on doing machine work, its gonna cost too much. a stock RB20 should be pretty fun for a while, and i'l be able to keep my NX2k for a daily driver. I still do wanna do the R32 front end conversion if i can find a really nice clip.As long as the 240's got good power to drift/beat Hondas its all good.