RB install using Mckinney kit

[NISMO_RB25]

I recently got bought a 1992 240SX Hatch back for $2300With the help of this forum and some other places I located a Type II RB25DET Motor set from http://www.dragdriftautox.com/ for about $3200 shipped.I had no idea what I was doing with this swap, so I bought the mount kit and driveshaft from Mckinney. I wanted to give them props. Mack was very understanding and patient with my ton of stupid questions.

Long story short. With 4 jackstands, one floor jack and an engine hoist, I removed the engine in one day by myself. The following weekend with the help of one other person to steady the RB, I put in the car.

For everyone considering this swap, I have to suggest going with a mount kit from Mckinney. I don't work for them or have any stake in there business, but good customer service goes a long way in my book. Everything bolted up with out any issues, and there driveshaft fit perfect. I am having them do the wiring harness as well, so I am probably only a week away from firing up the beast.

Things to look out for: plan on beating a good 2 inch deep, 6inch wide dent into the firewall for clearance. And the thing I discovered when finished, was that even shallow dual 12inch flex-a-lite fans had to be modified to fit.

Other than those few snags, I have only spent 18 hours on the project, and probably only need another 8 to finish putting in the side mount intercooler, spark plugs and adding fluids.

I usually don't post to forums, but I was very satisified with bothhttp://www.dragdriftautox.com/and http://www.mckinneymotorsports.com and felt they deserved credit.

I will try to post some pics when I get it finished.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

ITS GOOD TO HEAR. MCKINNEY SEEMS TO HAVE GREAT PRODUCTS IF YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THAT ROUTE. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT NEEDED IT HELPS FOR A CLEANER INSTALL.

[NISMO_RB25]

When I looked in to it, I felt it was worth the money to simplify things. This was my first big project, and I didn't want to have to get too creative. Hopefully I can get the intercooler installed without accidently drilling through something important. Mckinney is doing the wiring as well, and I should have it soon.

[93RPS13]

was the dent to make way for the tranmisson?

[PROJECTRB240SX]

I'M GLAD YOUR HAPPY! AND GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING.

[NISMO_RB25]

Basically the dent prevents the starter from contacting the firewall. I just wanted to warn people about. If you made the dent to small and then tried to put the motor in, you would have to pull it out and and hammer some more. With the mckinney mounts, I didn't have any clearance issues anywhere else. The one thing I did to make things easier, was loosen the front sway bar to avoid putting pressure on the oil pan durring the install. After that I tightened it up and it clears fine.

[Nameless EJ6]

Damnit I was hoping I could pull it off without beating up my car.

[spec-v5150]

I didnt beat my car...is the RB20 and RB25 that much different......

[NISMO_RB25]

The dent is no big deal. It took me a couple of swings with a small hammer. It didn't damage any thing inside the car either. I would much rather do that, then have to cut the support bracing from the hood.

[cvc9216]

I really hope I don't have to beat in the firewall, I just painted my engine bay. Anybody know if this is an issue with rb mounts, I'm trying those first

[gabossie]

No, it's not an issue, but then you have to cut your hood skeleton because the engine sits a little higher and a little further foreward.

[cyris3d]

beatin the fire wall has to do with the starter clearance issue.. i did the same thing..

[NISMO_RB25]

My firewall dent in almost as if it was supposed to. Looking in to th engine bay, you wouldn't even know it was done. I wouldn't worry about it. If you are showing off your motor, no one will notice. But everyone is going to notice the missing hood bracing if you have to go that route.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

BUT DOES IT MATTER? THE HOOD ISN'T REALLY NOTICE ABLE IF DONE RIGHT EITHER.

[NISMO_RB25]

For me, a dent no one will notice was better than cutting the hood.. I think it is all personal preference. I went into this knowing it would cost from $7K to $9K, but I could see if you were trying to take a cheaper route, the $650 you save by not getting a kit may be worth it. However, since I didn't need the RB33's cross member, I saved $600 by not buying and entire front clip. I also saved probably 8 hours of work by not having to remove the crossmenber, steering lines, steering shaft, etc. from the 240 or the clip.I read the swap they did in SCC, and just seems like they spent a lot more time by not using a kit.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

SCC SWAP SUCKED BECAUSE THEY NEVER GOT IT RUNNING. THEY USED A CRAPPY MOTOR SET, THE KIT THEY USED WAS QUESTIONABLE, AND THE OVERALL PRODUCT ENDED UP SUB-PAR.

[side waz]

All of this talk of denting the fire wall is news to me.According to Sport Com mag no denting is req.Im hoping to install an RB25 for next spring so I will check this out.Even if its needed a little dent for almost 300hp......let me think.....Plus your info on the McKinney mounts was very helpfull.I will use them now for sure.As fro the wire harness I have some friends who will help me with it.If you can let me know how she fires up.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

SCC HAD A CAR WITH THE STMS KIT. THATS WHY ITS DIFFERENT.

[NISMO_RB25]

word, but if I hadn't seen it there, I would have never known it was possible.

What did you do about the intercooler. I am going to try and pull the fendor off this weekend, and put the side mount in, but I am not sure I even have all the piping/connectors.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

THE SIDE MOUNT IS HELL, YOUR BETTER OFF JUST GOING ALL OUT AND GETTING THE FMIC.

[NISMO_RB25]

All of this talk of denting the fire wall is news to me.According to Sport Com mag no denting is req.Im hoping to install an RB25 for next spring so I will check this out.Even if its needed a little dent for almost 300hp......let me think.....Plus your info on the McKinney mounts was very helpfull.I will use them now for sure.As fro the wire harness I have some friends who will help me with it.If you can let me know how she fires up.

___________________________________________

Hopefully I will have my wiring harness back from Mckinney next week, and then I should be able to fire it up. I know there is a lot of question about the value of the kit, vs using the RB's cross member. I tell you the kit and driveshaft from Mckinney made it easy. Not having to find a shop to make me a custom driveshaft, made it that much better.

[NISMO_RB25]

THE SIDE MOUNT IS HELL, YOUR BETTER OFF JUST GOING ALL OUT AND GETTING THE FMIC.

That is what I was affraid of. The front mount makes it so much more complicated and expensive. I am going to try the sidemount anyway. My wife is patient and understanding, but things like, " I just need $1500 more for intercooler and piping", might be a little much.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

LOL YEAH. UMM THE SIDEMOUNT IS DOABLE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT BUIT ITS GOING TO TAKE PATIENCE AND A BIT OF HAMMERING/CUTTING. I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF PATIENCE.

[rbsileighty]

Sidemount fits fine on the S14... S13 is a no go without serious work. I've seen Night carry a Hybrid FMIC kit for a decent price... might try that one (under $1000 I think).

[NISMO_RB25]

Thanks for the info. mine is an S13, and I am going to at least try it. I just have heard alot of bad things about night. mckinney has a front mount as well, so I will probably go that direction if I have too. I guess it isn't a true hybrid if it doesn't involve som bailing wire and bubble gum to make it work

[rbsileighty]

You can always cut out the entire side of your bumper to make it work... depends on how much you like your bumper. You can also try standing it on end and making your own piping, but the IC will be only a couple inches off the ground. Glad I could help.

[hannibal]

Has anyone used the McKinney kit on an S14? I was wondering if it has the same starter/firewall issue. I personally would rather dent the firewall than cut the hood bracing.

[Nameless EJ6]

Hate to tell you man, but you don't have to beat anything into the firewall. Using the stock RB x-member and mounts out of the clip allows all the clearance you need....Night

But aren't we talking about the Mckinney mounts here?

[hashiriya13]

He is talking about the mckinney mounts that needs the dent.

[side waz]

Has anyone used the McKinney kit on an S14? I was wondering if it has the same starter/firewall issue. I personally would rather dent the firewall than cut the hood bracing.

You should not have a problem at all.Its funny Iv heard the mounts fit better in an S14 then the S13,considering both frames are pretty much the same.Go right ahead and use them.Do not forget to get the drive shaft as well and ask them to give you urethane bushings.Its only about $20 more and worth every penny to keep it stiff.Good luck with the swap.