nagging rb20 questions

[jdmser]

I've spent the last 10 months collecting parts and doing research before I start my swap. Im putting a rb20det into my s14 and have some nagging questions that I hope some of you can anwser. Is the tentioner an absolute must? Do I need to change the water pump and if so is the rb26 n1 the pump to go with or can I get away with a new stock pump. I dont plan on running over 300whp. The cluster my clip came with says it only has 40,xxx miles. So far I have a Walbro 255,two 10" pushers,rebuild gasket set,aem fpr,Greddy timing belt, and the r32 clip. I know I'll need guages, a downpipe, and maybe a clutch, all of which Im waiting on until the engine is out of the clip. What else are absolutely ecential before I start.

Thanks

[JonPowell]

Tensioner not an absolute must, but neither is a new clutch or spark plugs.

I can see the future....

You buy the motor, then cheap out & dont service it before install.

Then is never runs or runs for 2 weeks & you spend another 10 months on here trying to figure out your problems.

Don't cheap out.

Here are the MINIMUMS I require when working on someones install.

Timing belt, tensioners, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, drive belts(alt & ps). I basically disassemble the engine(valve covers & cams come out to blow through all the oil ports) and then take off the oil pan to clean all the junk out. Turbo comes off & I blow through all the oil & coolant lines to clear junk. After I am satisfied that the engine is good, I reassemble it all. Whole process takes one day & 1/8 a tube of good RTV sealer for the oil pan, water pump & thermostat housing.

You will be SO happier & confident that nothing is gonna break if you do this stuff.

Or you can cheap out & end up like this or this

You choice.

[jdmser]

I think you got me all wrong. Money and lazy arent issues here. I just dont want to waste anymore time trying to find parts I dont need. If I told the guys on the sr20 forum that I was replacing a good chain before I did the swap on the SE-R or the G20 they would think I was an idiot. Your list of minimums looks very similar to what I do to the sr20s minus the belt. So, where do I get a new tensioner?

[wawazat8402]

You might try to get a hold of Luis at http://www.dragdriftautox.com. That is who I am getting mine for the RB25 from. He may be able to help ya out.

[themadscientist]

chains stretch belts snap, SR guys have more leeway to cheap out. The list above was really intense, I don't go that far but I can appreciate the attention to detail. I have seen tensioners on RBs lock up due to bearing failure so give it a good once over, if it looks at all iffy to you replace it. RB water pumps fail a lot, most water pumps do if they are not maintained so it's not an RB problem just wear and tear. Again if the water pump even looks at you funny replace it. The belt as i said won't warn you it will just snap and well, you will question the point of life if you bend your valves. When belts are done they come with a sticker to put the date and the kilometers down of when it was done. If you have the gauge cluster check it against the sticker. Within 50000 Kilos should be fine unless the engine sat for a while and the belt started to dryrot. If the belt doesn't make you smile the second you look at it you should replace it. The turbo should not exhibit sideplay and there should be no oil in the exhuast housing. The compressor housing might have oil in it but it is hard to determine if it is a failing cartridge seal or oil being sucked in from the PCV hose, use your own judgement.

[atticus]

Sorry to jump in but what water pump works on the rb20?

[Yellow4g63]

All of them. You have to do a little something for the N1 pump to fit on the RB20 but it's not major ****. Just get a Stock RB20 unit. N1 is for Road racing.