RB20 vs SR20

[partymonster 975]

OK so I've seen this come up on this forum a few times and I though this would be a good source for anyone contemplating between the RB20 and SR20, so here we go.....

These are both pretty straight forward swaps but the RB will require custom engine mounts. If you have a low power goal then either will do since they will put down about the same power but the SR will probably be the better bet there. The basic swap mods for the SR will be easier to come across as will it be to fix. Both motors are around the same price and both have so called "weak" trannys.

SR20--Easier to find parts-Lighter motor then the RB-370cc injectors compared to the RB's 270cc-More "played out" motor but hey, there must be a reason why so many people go SR- 4 cylinder

RB20--Harder to find parts and sometimes higher price-Weird intake manifold, so a front mount will be harder to obtain-Slightly heavier then the SR but, it has more torque-Higher revving-More of a "WOW" factor when you pop the hood-Crossmember or custom mounts required- 6 cylinders

Basically if you want the WOW factor and the ability to tell people you got a skyline motor then get the RB20 but be prepared to spend some time looking for parts, there hard to find....did I say that? For example, go online and find me some RB20 cams. Don't get me wrong though its a good motor. The weight difference is not that big either, within a 100lbs. But if you are pinching those pennies then my 2 cents (haha, get it?) is to go with the SR20. The swap is generally easier and like I said, parts are easier to come across and for a low HP goal (around 300hp) this is choice is perfect.

If any of this information is wrong or or u have something else to add plz be my guest and jump in. I will add more info if it comes along. I'm shooting for a sticky here.

[SeVa-S13]

SR 4 lyphe.

You can't DRFT with an RB.

Oh, and the RB20's been long played too; every chump bandwagoneer with no cash these days has one. Granted most of the time they can't get it running right and when they do it's eitther hacked up or mostly stock, but hey, it's a skyrine motor dude.

[Joe]

+1

[partymonster 975]

lol, like I was researching this and then though to make something that I hope can be stickey'd. And threw the research, as u can tell its send me towards an SR, so +1 for me again. lolHu, I know I've seen a lot of RB20's but I didn't know they were that common but then again I haven't been into S-chassis cars for 2 long.

[lyon23]

Sounds like your minds is made up and is a clear argument you cant beat available parts and equal displacement. Go SR. Go ahead do it. I call for a lock.

[partymonster 975]

O, I wasn't asking. I was trying for like info purposes and hopefully make a sticky since I've been seeing a bunch of these threads around.

[Logan76]

CA18DET /endthread.

[Blown240sx]

lmao the baby of the group chims in

[Logan76]

Har Har Har, I think if were discussing cheap turbo JDM motors, the CA should be included

[partymonster 975]

CA18DET /endthread.

.....na

lol, I know its a good motor, I just dont want one. I'm shooting for high 12's with that ever I get.

[redtop91]

I think Party and Seva covered all I have to say. I love my SR but the RB20 sounds really nasty and mean but a lot of RB swaps are ghetto/not running SR FTW!!!!! And as a sweet bonus the SR swap is a cakewalk and You'd get a high five from me which is pretty sweet.

[Logan76]

haha are you saying CAs cant hit high 12's...silly boy, theres 1000hp JDM CA's and that goal has yet to be reached by an SR20. just some food for thought.

[RBadam]

g

.....na

lol, I know its a good motor, I just dont want one. I'm shooting for high 12's with that ever I get.

get a rb25 and call it good

[redtop91]

HP doesnt equal low passes. The Hyper Lemon Silvia and Top Secret's are all well over 700 HP and run low 9's consistently. Besides being a boost whore there is no GREAT advantage to a CA.

[partymonster 975]

haha are you saying CAs cant hit high 12's...silly boy, there's 1000hp JDM CA's and that goal has yet to be reached by an SR20. just some food for thought.

LOL if I had the money for a 1000hp CA....O boy would that be grand. But still, why not buy a SR with a higher HP then pay less for a CA with less power, add parts and then end up paying around the same for the same HP. Either way, dont get me wrong it a good motor but I dont really know jack squat about it so I'm not going to buy something I have no clue about.

[Logan76]

I see your point, goodluck with the SR or RB then.

[partymonster 975]

gget a rb25 and call it good

If that whole thing about pre1996 cars not testing comes true I will buy an RB25, I know I can pass with a basic swap modded SR since its been done around me a number of time so thats why I'm planning SR but if that emissions thing passes, I'll be rocking the RB25, you can count on that!

[redtop91]

Do they have annual smog checks there? Oklahoma FTW!!!!

[partymonster 975]

yea, every 2 years but no visual.

[Blown240sx]

Actually there are 1000hp SRs out there. We just had a discussion about this.

[redtop91]

Actually there are 1000hp SRs out there. We just had a discussion about this.

Wow will the stock block hold the 40+ PSI of boost that you'd have to run to get those numbers?

[Logan76]

Really? I read otherwise, but if so I stand corrected.

[Shocker]

RBs are way over rating. SR ftw.

[Yellow4g63]

You sound like you want a swap. So screw the regular SR20DET swap, Screw the RB swap. Buy a SR16VE head, Then buy a SR20DET long block. Do the head swap and run a stand alone and you will have one bad *** SR20 that will rev and the head flows very very well. This kinda thing is still new to some but think of a LS Vtec swap and thats how it works. Turbo RWD VVL FTW, Well thats what me and a friend are going to do for a weekend warrior track car soon.

[Toshima]

I have never seen a rb20 thats cost more or the smae as a sr20. I must be looking in the wrong spots. I all ways see rb20 for like $1000-1500 and sr are more like 2300-2700.

[redtop91]

I have never seen a rb20 thats cost more or the smae as a sr20. I must be looking in the wrong spots. I all ways see rb20 for like $1000-1500 and sr are more like 2300-2700.

Hell yeah you are looking in the wrong spots unless you are looking for an S15 notchtop with 6 speed. You should never pay more than 2k for a redtop motorset.

[Sil240]

1000 HP Ca18's????????Where????Please do show me.I've heard those block Distort after 350HP.It's definetly possible, just the amount of $$ you put into it.

What does it matter that the SR has 370cc injectors and the RB only has 270ccs???RB has 6 in total thats 1620ccSR has 4 in total thats 1480ccFC Series V injectors, GTR/GTi-R injectors or just straight up new ones are available.What sucks is that SR has Side feed injectors.

SR swap can be done half drunk and half asleep. If you want easy reliable power with no hassle getting parts go with that.

If you want JDM tyte parts that take 3 months to get go RB.RB sounds NASTY though.I love my non running RB Lol

PS. Mine is non running but its DEFINETLY not stock. Not even close

[Kansei240sx]

1000 HP Ca18's????????Where????Please do show me.I've heard those block Distort after 350HP.It's definetly possible, just the amount of $$ you put into it.

What does it matter that the SR has 370cc injectors and the RB only has 270ccs???RB has 6 in total thats 1620ccSR has 4 in total thats 1480ccFC Series V injectors, GTR/GTi-R injectors or just straight up new ones are available.What sucks is that SR has Side feed injectors.

SR swap can be done half drunk and half asleep. If you want easy reliable power with no hassle getting parts go with that.

If you want JDM tyte parts that take 3 months to get go RB.RB sounds NASTY though.I love my non running RB Lol

PS. Mine is non running but its DEFINETLY not stock. Not even close

Most of the top drag racing teams used and still use the CA18DET for its cast iron block... they dont distort after 350 rwhp, they've been pushed up to 1000 chp in some places of japan. This information is even backed by tomei.

Why would i choose RB20 or SR20? WELL....i've driven both stock, and riden in both stock.

Stock for Stock, you'd be suprised how actually close the races are... Bang for the buck and cheap upgradeabiltiy the SR20 wins hands down.

If you're going for big power and less lag the RB20 from my own experiance seems to spool the turbo's a little sooner than the SR20 from the same size of the turbo due to more exhuast pulses per cycle.

I do like the smooth pull of the RB20 and how soft the engine is, but the SR20 does have that "hey....this is turbo" feeling in your gut when you drop it in bone stock.

Whereas my RB25DET has this... "jesus christ this is turbo" from the time you accellerate from 2000 to 5200, and then even harder to 6800.

[redtop91]

Hey I dont mean to thread jack but would you be the person to talk to about getting some customer intercooler piping whipped up jesse? Email me a [email protected]. Ok back to the topic

[jrb92se]

rb25det swap is the way to go ive had absolutley no problem getting parts for it, alot of them are interchangable with usdm model cars (z32) also sr/rb20 are around 220 crank hp stock whereas my rb25det is around 240chp stock. i made 290 whp with a stock turbo fmic exhaust and pfc, i dont know much about sr's/rb20's but i doubt youd be putting that down with the same mods, granted im a baller and can afford to daily drive this beast(12mpg + shell v-power = $20.00 a day), seriously i dont know why everyone thinks its so uber exspensive for rb parts.