rb20 engine good for a track day car

[96Formula6spd]

Hey guys I am probably going to be picking up a 240sx. Anyways the car has a valve ticking on a ka24e so I want to swap it out for a rb20. They sound good and are really cheap. Since the car will becoming a time trial car how are the rb20s in terms of long term reliability. Any main problems that would stop them from running 20-30 mins at a time for a year or so with out any issues?

[Joe]

cheap and track car are NOT a good choice.

id avoid the RB20 like the plague if you are gonna track drive.

[96Formula6spd]

Alright might save up for a rb25. Like I am not cheap and if I am doing a job nothing is cheap. If it would sit for a few more weeks or months do get the job done right, then that's how I would do it. It seems the rb20 is weaker than I thought. Might save up for a rb25. They seem to be more ready for a track car. That or swap the car to a ka24de and turbo it. That way if the motor goes out replacements are a dime a dozen.

[Vkoslak]

I was tracking my rb20det. I made it through 4 events. If I hadn't tracked it, I would still be able to drive it.

I also had an undersized FMIC, small electric fans, and the oil pump the motor came with. No oil-cooler, minimal heat shielding, and a crappy undertray all while pushing a hks gt2530 turbo at 17psi (309rwhp). My last track session, I was out running very quick modified 300zxs on the straights and could out corner them too, but I was only able to do 1 or 2 laps at full throttle before I had to back off due to heat issues and everyone I passed caught back up.

If you cheap out like I did, you will have results about the same as I did.

The rebuild is getting a rb26, n1 pump with reimax gears, moving the radiator so I can run a clutch fan with shroud, r32 gtr intercooler, some form of oil cooler, and an accusump setup. The 26 is currently on an engine stand so I can change all the gaskets, including the head gasket, and put in new bearings and bolts.

I think a rb20 can be run on the track, just don't skimp on oil pump, intercooler, oil cooler, fans, ducting, and you should do something like an accusump to prevent oil-starvation. Going over 7k rpm is not a great idea either.

Of course, the same things could be said for a turbo ka setup if you want it to last.

I've seen NA KA 240sx at the track doing lap after lap, hpde after hpde with no issues. If you're on a budget, stay NA and just take as much out of the car as possible for track day.

I've thought about gutting an s12 200sx and putting in a ka24de to make my track slut.

[96Formula6spd]

I was tracking my rb20det. I made it through 4 events. If I hadn't tracked it, I would still be able to drive it.

I also had an undersized FMIC, small electric fans, and the oil pump the motor came with. No oil-cooler, minimal heat shielding, and a crappy undertray all while pushing a hks gt2530 turbo at 17psi (309rwhp). My last track session, I was out running very quick modified 300zxs on the straights and could out corner them too, but I was only able to do 1 or 2 laps at full throttle before I had to back off due to heat issues and everyone I passed caught back up.

If you cheap out like I did, you will have results about the same as I did.

The rebuild is getting a rb26, n1 pump with reimax gears, moving the radiator so I can run a clutch fan with shroud, r32 gtr intercooler, some form of oil cooler, and an accusump setup. The 26 is currently on an engine stand so I can change all the gaskets, including the head gasket, and put in new bearings and bolts.

I think a rb20 can be run on the track, just don't skimp on oil pump, intercooler, oil cooler, fans, ducting, and you should do something like an accusump to prevent oil-starvation. Going over 7k rpm is not a great idea either.

Of course, the same things could be said for a turbo ka setup if you want it to last.

I've seen NA KA 240sx at the track doing lap after lap, hpde after hpde with no issues. If you're on a budget, stay NA and just take as much out of the car as possible for track day.

I've thought about gutting an s12 200sx and putting in a ka24de to make my track slut.

Yeah it all depends on the car. Maybe just do a quick tune up on the ka24e. Might rag on that till it blows up then make a decision. First is to get the car and get it running. Might just make it a beater for a couple of years to keep the miles of the firebird.

[Sil240]

Have you road Raced before? If not start with a NA it'll be cheaper and simpler. Once you see that you need more power step up from there. Just freshen up the motor, put a good Rad and oil cooler in there and have fun.

Also what class is a motor swap and Turbo going to put you in?

[96Formula6spd]

I have not but I am wanting to do some PDX with the Firebird here in a few months. After that I would want to turn the 240 into a track day car. I wont be racing door to door with it just yet. Trust me I am involved with Carolina Motorsports at South Carolina. Were are getting involved with the SCCA . If the engine is fine then that's what I will run. If not ill look in to swapping the engine out. For the first few times it would be running stock or just higher than stock on the power end. Mainly I would be working on suspension and safety gear first. I am wanting to start and I figured a 240 would be a killer car to use due to its avaiblity of parts, rear wheel drive and all round disc. Might use it for hill climb since I used to run up and down mountain roads all day in a 96 caprice 9c1. For those who don't know its a old police car that might pull .6g on a skid pad. Since its how you drive I have kept up with a Porshche Boxter on a mountain road. He just did not know how to drive and kept seeing a 4200 big brown boat behind him

[Joe]

i think you should worry more about driving rather than what engine you are going to use

nothing replaces seat time, especially horsepower.

[96Formula6spd]

Yep that is the truth. However I am starting in about a 350wrhp Firebird with stock suspension so that should be interesting. That's at least of PDX. The main reason I was looking at engines was in case the car I am getting has a bad engine.

[Sil240]

Please get some sway bars for the firebird if your gonna tack that thing. I used to see a canasta autox. This thing looked like a boat sloshing side to side in the turns.

[96Formula6spd]

Its not as bad as you think. Tho my suspension setup I want is going to run me 1300. That includes new sway bars,sub frame connectors, lower control arms,springs and shocks. At least its getting the ls1 front upgrade. Goes from 10.5 inch 1 piston setup to a 12 inch 2 piston setup. Mainly with stock its just keep the rear end in check.

[Sil240]

Wow sometimes I wish I had a domestic. $1300 for all of that.

Don't spend your money on that take that and drop it on a set of coilovers for your track car. Keep the firebird a DD.