RB Swaps in the US.

[i6Turbo]

I'm new here, hello!

I realize this has probably been discussed on the forum before but I'm having issues with finding a previous thread. I was curious about if RB series engines were actually legal for street use everyday. Not only do I want to know if they're legal or not but how difficult it would be to find a whole powertrain as well as replacement parts. I have more questions but those can be discussed later on.

[pepesilvia]

legality depends on the state. emissions and stuff. parts can be obtained but are usually expensive.

[i6Turbo]

I'd have to look up our laws and such. But would it be better, and easier to Get an SR20DET? I intend to buy a swapped car because it is cheaper in the long run. How much would you say an SR20DET swap with around the same HP/TQ would be in terms of price and part availability? I was looking at this even though its an S14 it sounds like and I'd rather have a S13 Hatch. It seems a bit cheap for what it is to be honest. Body must be bad.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/p ... 16387.html

[Fastazz240]

if he is including motor mounts and intercooler and all that i dont see 3k being bad for it but he throwing in the exhaust too? if so hell go for it a rb25 is what about 2k then at the very least another grand to get it in there hes done all the hard work for ya dont forget the DS. To hell with a swapped car you have any idea how many of us have bought things like that and then in the long run costs more to fix the previous owners shortcommings. Yes a SR will be cheaper. but you cant bear the RB sound. want an rb better have some deep pockets

[lovehateRBrelations]

RB swaps depend on the state from what i understand. Here in texas I dont have to many issues as our laws are fairly lenient when it comes to swaps and the like. I have an RB20 and I will say that parts are available but they are are highly expensive. RB's as many on here will tell you are money pits, but they sure are fun. If you have modest power goals (under 400 rwhp) the sr is def the cheaper rout by a lot. With that being said, the sr doesnt quite blow my skirt up as it were. I get far more satisfaction when people turn their heads as my sweet RB sings when i zoom by .

[pepesilvia]

the truth is, you gotta pay to play... sr20's are a dime a dozen compared to rb motors. therefore the parts are gonna be easier to come by and cheaper. its not hard to make an sr20 with 350 horses. another thing you have to remember is the rb has 6 cylinder's compared to the 4 cylinder sr20. so when you replace partsyou'll be replacing them in 6's not 4's. also the swap itself is easier on an sr20. its basically drop in and plug and play. but when it comes to rb's you haveto get most of the parts made specifically for the s14, now yur looking at compatibility issues etc.etc.etc.......... in the end it depends on A.)your goal HP/TQ and B.)how much money and time your willing to throw at it.

[lovehateRBrelations]

the truth is, you gotta pay to play... sr20's are a dime a dozen compared to rb motors. therefore the parts are gonna be easier to come by and cheaper. its not hard to make an sr20 with 350 horses. another thing you have to remember is the rb has 6 cylinder's compared to the 4 cylinder sr20. so when you replace partsyou'll be replacing them in 6's not 4's. also the swap itself is easier on an sr20. its basically drop in and plug and play. but when it comes to rb's you haveto get most of the parts made specifically for the s14, now yur looking at compatibility issues etc.etc.etc.......... in the end it depends on A.)your goal HP/TQ and B.)how much money and time your willing to throw at it.

Just to give a little insight on what parts cost for a RB: Intake manifold $1k-1.5k, turbo manifold $1.5k-$3k, Injectors $500-$1.5k, cams $500-$1.5k, Pistons $1.2K-$2k, etc.
as you can see just the bolt on stuff adds up pretty quick, if you wanting to do a forged rebuild it can easily turn into a $8k-$10k project and thats if you do the labor your self. If you take it to a good shop, expect to pay somewhere around $100/hr for labor to work on RBs. My friend hook up rate is $75/hr and that beats any shop in the area by quite a bit. You can find knock off parts made in China and what not for less, but you would be a fool to use them. The quality is horrific and youll spend more money in the end had you just done it right the first time. Here is pick of the intake manifold I made myself. Something similar off the shelf would run you $1200

the throttle body and fuel rail were machined for me and I paid a pretty penny for both

Sr parts usually run up to %50 less and there is a much larger choice of brands and sets ups. I have found that a lot of the stuff for my RB I have had custom made at machine shops and what not.

Pay to play is a great way to sum of the RB experience. But if you do it right, dont cut corners, and bite the cost bullet, the RB will bestow upon you great reward.

H

[i6Turbo]

I'd really enjoy to have an RB over an SR20 and especially the Stock KA, but my wallet doesn't think so. I'd have to see what the cost of building exactly what I want would cost.

[lovehateRBrelations]

I'd really enjoy to have an RB over an SR20 and especially the Stock KA, but my wallet doesn't think so. I'd have to see what the cost of building exactly what I want would cost.

yeah, on the surface it would seem that the RB20 is cheaper, but when you look at it in the long run, the cost will just continue to add up. RB's, especially if you intend to turn up the juice on em, will be quite expensive. I personally just cant give up the way my RB sounds. . . .not gonna lie kinda turns me on. . . .is that weird?

[i6Turbo]

No sir haha. This is almost off topic now but I wonder about 1/2jzs.

[supersayianjim]

don't believe the hype/crap in this thread. ive been a rb20 owner for years and it's not stupid crazy to own/maintain one. iam switching to a rb25 so all my 20 stuff is for sale. if you bargan shop and are a smart consumer than you will be alright wallet wise.

and all this(parts are hard to come by) crap. is total "balarky". you can call up west covina nissan and get all you need at wholesale prices.

again don't believe the hype and do your own research. i have a sc400 1jz swap. now toyota parts are genuinely expensive.

(try 1,500 for an automatic stock lsd). or how about 1,500 for a 5 spd as strong as a rb25 transmission. again shop around.