*New Owner* Engine swap questions

[JonahRBZ]

So I just bought a 1979 280z and what I intend to do is swap in a rb25det (can't afford a rb26 ). I am intending to buy a motor and trans from raw brokerage and i want to end up with 300-400hp (reliable). I am wondering what I should buy and if any of you have suggestions on where to get parts and a tune.

[gmac708]

Hi Jonah and welcome to NICO

I purchased my engine and transmission from Raw Brokerage so I think you are off to a good start with that. Mac at McKinney Motorsports was a big help and they have a bunch parts for your swap. I think Raw Brokerage is dealer for them as well. They have good quality stuff and stand behind their products.

If you are good at fabrication, you can make pretty well make everything you need as far mounts and inter-cooler piping stuff. I had local tuner shop for aluminum welding, but I cut and fit everything myself. Saved a few bucks. I would not attempt making a rear sump oil pan. There is not much room at cross member and internal baffling design is very important. I have Rips Racing pan but Mac also makes a good pan. You can also look around for 200ZR pan (P/N 11110-20P00) but good luck with that. They are fairly hard to find.

I'm running stock ECU and getting 360 WHP @ 9PSI. (RB26 ). If you elect to upgrade from stock ECU, I would purchase from local tuner. You might be able to save a few bucks by internet purchase, but your local will be able to help out if you get in trouble. Always good to have friendly local help with a dyno

Gord

[Yellow4g63]

You can hit 280-300whp on the stock rb25 turbo. My friend did that with his RB25 with a greddy intake manifold and boost to 9psi. If you want to tune the ecu pick up a 300zx ecu and get a nistune daughter board for it. It will let you keep your vct if you use the Z32 ecu.

[JonahRBZ]

How much better is the rb26, is it waiting a few more months. Also how much ho can the rb25 and rb26 take on stock internals. Cause I want to start off with 300-400hp but then build her up to 600 in time. Also can't u just tune the rb ecu that comes with the engine from raw brokerage instead of getting a 300zx ecu.

[Yellow4g63]

I duno if they have a Nistune has a realtime board for the RB25 ecu yet. At the time there were no options for the RB25 just the 20 and 26 computers.