RB20DET reliability?

[kumasan616]

I am trying to get a feel for whether to switch to Nissan or not (long-term toyota guy)... and although I expect some bias, I want your opinion. I am looking at possibly purchasing a c33 laurel for a weekend track car. The car is currently pushing a (mostly stock) RB20DET, with a 5 speed, LSD, and coilovers. The car, now in the US (I can't say where!), was obvously used as someone's toy in Japan (~100K kms) and although the motor is in good shape (no oil leaks, good compression, turbo is in good shape w/ no play, etc.), the car will be a money pit and require more downtime than play time. I am concerned that, based on what I have seen/heard from guys who have run RBs that reliability is an issue.

Thoughts?

I have a choice to make between the laurel and a jzx90 mark II (1j/5 sp/LSD/coilover) and I have worked with 1Js in the past.

[govtworkhorse]

It's just like any motor in my opinion. You take care of it and you will be fine. But when things do break, it seems like a huge ordeal because tracking down parts can be costly and time consuming. That should be your first factor to consider when trying to decide.

[kumasan616]

yes, cost and availability are definitely factors in my decision... however reliability is#1 in my book. I know what to expect out of a 1J in terms of reliability in a performance application, but the nissan is a gray area to me.

[Coolwhip]

they last, just have to set up the car and listen to it properly just like any other motor.

comes down to preference.

[DriftingisLame]

Get yourself a nice set of gauges, and do the necessary preventative maintenance. I lost a motor something as simple as an intake manifold gasket. My motor had high mileage (180k or so), and my area's of trouble were: overheating, broken coolant hoses, and coil packs. If you get yourself a water pump/timing belt/tensioner, and all new coolant hoses (all of them, I mean it), and an intake manifold gasket, and dont be stupid, you could see quite a few miles out of the rb20.

I recently tore apart another rb20 that I blew up, (totally my fault, I got too greedy with the power) and found the rod bearrings and rings to be in nearly new condition, the headgasket showed no signs of wear (275whp), 110k kilo's.

If you dont be lazy, your RB will last just like the 1jz.

PS: My heat problems started when I moved to phoenix AZ, and got worse until it hydrolocked.

[kumasan616]

okay, thats along the line of what I was expecting... same issues with 1Js or any motor with age- just keep high wear items well lubricated and updated and refresh any soft components.

[midnightsliding]

i did not read anything but JZX90 MarkII. go with that. 1jz over RB20 anyday.

[kumasan616]

yes, yes I know the 1J is a great motor... I have to admit the RB series have a great sound in comparison and although the JZX90 would be awesome to have, the laurel seems intriguing to me... best to weigh ALL options before making the plunge

[DJButton]

Regardless of reliability, if you can get a legal C33 then that would far more unique and fun in my opinion.

Basically what everyone else said though, maintenance is key, gasket kit and HG to be safe, waterpump, belts hoses all that stuff.

[kumasan616]

might be a bit of a challenge making it legal... could register it as an infinity (not sure what model is similar enough) but primarily its jsut going to be a track car...and you are right, which is why I am leaning more towards the Laurel at this point

[DJButton]

Hmm well in that case not to much to worry about really, could always say it was a Maxima... Well let us know what you do, I'd love to see some pictures of the Laurel, and the RB in it's orginal home.

[Bwana]

Most similar model would be an Infiniti m30 iirc.

[kumasan616]

okay so I took a much closer look at the c33 yesterday... outside of some minor cleanup of the interior, she's in great shape! So, after getting her running at the shop, if all checks out, I'll probably pick her up!