rb20 swap?

[SeanCzzzz]

Hey whats up guys, about 2 weeks ago my engine hydrolocked. Long story short its in a shop right now and so far it looks promising. But i have come to the conclusion that if i do need a new engine might as well just put a rb20 or some other cheaper but powerful alternative.

[grantb70]

I don't really know about that to be honest. The only real reason I'd imagine trying to get an rb20 into a 300zx would to be different and even then I don't really think it's worth it. I'm no expert on swapping rb20s into 300zx's but you'd likely get more power with less work just putting a vg30dett in. If you really want to though, go for it.

Found this you might want to take a look at since I'm really no expert: http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/37389-r ... z32-300zx/

[nissanfreak12]

In the long run a rb20 will not be cheaper. Try finding parts for it first then make the decision. Your cheapest solution is to either rebuild the vg30de or get a used vg30de. NO modification needed to install and parts are readily available


I agree with grant vg30dett would definitely net more power, swapping another engine will require fabrication.

[SeanCzzzz]

So the insurance guy is coming to see if he wants to total it or give us compensation to fix. If it is totaled, after doing some research, like you guys said ill prob just swap for a vg30dett. But i always thought that the rb20det was a powerful engine? i guess it is just not for this car...

[JayNoel]

do a rb25 or 26 swap, keep the 300zx manual transmission and swap a bell housing from an rb onto it and from the stock mount up of the trans fab up some rbz32 mounts or buy some aftermarket ones from mckinney. you can also use a pre 93 ecu with the rb25 and get it nistune chipped.

heres my build thread so far z32-project-rescue-pic-heavy-t596674.html

good luck with the car

[Zkyline]

+2. Ive got an RB25det. Its alot of work, but I love it, but honestly an RB20 is like 212hp? YOUR vg30DE MADE 220! Not worth the work. I drive mine daily 50+ miles, but all in it cost me about 2k to get it to this point. I essentially made the choice for an RB swap cuz working on the VG is a total nightmare.

[MrFeesLaw]

I agree with JayNoel and Zkyline. The rb25 or rb26 will cost you slightly more, but have a much larger aftermarket backing, and are a much more common swap, so there will be more information on how to do the swap available. On top of that, the power gain will be substantial compared to the rb20, and if you have the money you could build it to even be faster and stronger than your vg!

Good luck on the build!

[SeanCzzzz]

just thought id given an update on what is happening on my z. So we were going to rebuild it due to hydro-locked engine but decided that wasn't a good idea because it would be cheaper to just buy a jdm engine. The new engine should be in my car and ready to go buy next friday.

[NolimitZ32]

Best of luck to you with the JDM engine.

[nissanfreak12]

just thought id given an update on what is happening on my z. So we were going to rebuild it due to hydro-locked engine but decided that wasn't a good idea because it would be cheaper to just buy a jdm engine. The new engine should be in my car and ready to go buy next friday.

Before putting the JDM engine in, check the oil pan for dents, but its in your best interest to change the pan, oil pump, all the timing components, flush the hell out of the engine coolant passages, replace all gaskets. JDM's are a crap shoot, but I had great luck when I had mine, but all listed were changed. Still runs great till this day.

[DCaff300ZX]

+1 to the above, the jdm engine is not a recommended move due to what nissanfreak wrote and more.
IF you go that route and I'd advise against it as will nearly everyone on this site, at the minimum do as nissanfreak wrote and while at it, do a leakdown test on the cylinders and replace the injector connectors and harness if it isn't pliable. I'd also look at a whole lot of other things since it was out such as clutch fan and PTU and harness, IACV, and knock sensor harness as well as the EGR harness...and new O2's.

[z32loverboy]

There's a JDM engine experience topic stickied on here... just my .02 its cheaper to just order a JDM engine but any reputable Z specialty shop will tell you they're a gamble and most of the time end up giving you a lot of headache if you dont go through them and do all the basic maintenance. like a 120k kit.. and all the gaskets at least. Basically +1 on what Dcaff said.

Edit: spelling..

[ZFreak]

Here you go: Two videos of version 1.0 and 2.0 of my Z32 that I've swapped with the RB26.... (will have similar issues to run into, just cheaper with the RB20).

ENjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7YcUj0MLDg


And version 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ewxyy5KPU